D

Da (Dahomey People, Africa; Tibet)

Also known as: Dab-Iha.

Little known Serpent.

Da-Bog (Slavic) see Dazbog.

Daauke (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Dab-Iha (Africa; Tibet) see Da.

Dabaiba (Inca People, Peru)

The “Mother of Creation.”

Dabog (Slavic) see Dazbog.

Dactls (Greek) see Dactyli.

Dactyli Dactls, Dactyls, Daktuloi (Greek)

Giant gods of metallurgy. Their name means “fingers.” It is thought that there were three Dactyli originally. Their individual names are Acmon, Celmis, and Damnameneus. Over the years, the number of Dactyli has ranged from three to thirty-two. Fire and the forging of copper and iron were introduced to Crete by the Dactyli. In one of the Dactyli-related myths, they came from the earth when Rhea dug her fingers into the ground while giving birth to Zeus. Other reports state that they are the servants of Rhea, and that they live at the foot of Mount Ida. Some versions say they are metal workers of Hephaistos, who taught mortals how to work metals, the use of arithmetic, and letters of the alphabet. They are also known as the ten children of Rhea or Anchiale, a nymph. Yet in other tales, there are thirty-two Dactyli, all magicians. Others say that the Dactyli are five in number. As five Dactyli they are thought of as the five fingers: Heracles (thumb), Aeonius (forefinger), Epimedes (middle finger), Jasius, (ring or healing finger), Idas (little finger). There are similarities to the Telchines and to the Cyclopes (qq.v). Compare to Irish metal workers, Cabiri, and Credne. See also Hephaistos; Rhea.

Dada (Yoruba People, Africa)

She is the goddess of the brain and senses. See also Olodumare.

Dadu (Middle Eastern) see Adad; Bir; Birqu; Rammanu.

Dadzbog (Slavic) see Dazbog.

Dae-Soon (Korea)

Moon goddess.

Daedalion (Greek)

When his father, Chione, committed suicide, Apollo changed Daedalion into a hawk. See also Acacallis; Chione.

Daedalus (Greek)

Deified mortal. Inventor. Builder of the Labyrinth. A brilliant inventor, Daedalus is the son of Metion or Eupalamus and Alcippe or Merope. His son is Icarus. Jealous of the talents of his nephew Talos, he murdered him. Exiled from Athens, he fled to Cnossus where he built the Labyrinth for the Minotaur. Father and son were confined within the maze. They made wings of wax and feathers to fly to safety, but Icarus flew so high, and came so close to the sun that his wings melted and he fell to his death. Daedalus fled to Sicily and sought refuge with Cocalus, the king of Camicus. In some versions, Daedalus murdered Perdix because of jealousy, since Perdix invented the saw. Daedalus also created a false bull which mated with the moon goddess, Pasiphae, the wife of Minos, the king of Phrygia. It was this union that created the Minotaur. Daedalus also invented the axe, the level, and sails for ships. See also Ariadne; Icarus; Labyrinth, Minos; Minotaur; Pasiphae; Perdix.

Daemon Daemons and Daimones (Plural); Daimon (Roman)

Also known as: Demons.

Personal spirits, both good and evil. In some traditions, daemons are thought to be the energy used to form gods. It is also said that daemons are two spirits, good and evil, who preside over mortals and areas. Zeus is said to have assigned a daemon to each individual at birth and after death as a guide to Hades. Genii, nymphs, satyrs, river gods and penates are described as daemons. Compare to Genius and Lares.

Daemons (Roman) see Daemon.

Daevas Daeva, Daiva, Devas (India); (Islamic, Mazdaism, Zoroastrian; Persia)

Also known as: Devs (Armenian), Divs (Persian).

These malevolent spirits are helpers of the prince of demons, Ahriman, earlier known as Angra Mainyu. Under the rule of Iblis, their function is to fight all that is good. Generally they are opposed to the Asuras. The Daevas are Aka Manah, the spirit of evil who opposes Vohu Manah; Indra, the deceiver of men (not the Vedic god) who opposes Asha Vahishta; Sauru, an anarchist and tyrant, opposes Khshasthra Vairya; Naonhaithya, the demon of stubborness, pride, rebellion and irreverance who opposes Spenta Armaiti; Taurvi and Zairisha, the demons who degrade men, lead them to failure, and cause old age, oppose Haurvatat and Ameretat; and Aeshma, the demon of lust and rage who opposes Sraosha. (The Vedic Daevas are gods.) See also Aeshma; Ameretat; Ameshas Spenta; Angra Mainyu; Azazel; Devs; Devas (A); Devas (B); Drujs; Haurvatat; Hoshang; Khshasthra Vairya; Peri; Spenta Armaiti; Sraosha; Vohu Manah; Yata.

Dag (A) (Norse; Teutonic) see Dagr.

Dag (B) (German)

Day goddess. She is possibly the female version of Dagr (q.v.).

Dagan (Semite) see Dagon.

Daganoweda (Huron, Iroquois People, North America)

Also known as: Deganiwada, Hiawatha.

Aspect. He is the son of the Great Spirit and a mortal woman, Djigonasee. It is also the name for Hiawatha or the deity who converted Hiawatha to the brotherhood.

Dagda Dagde, Daghda, Daghdae, Daghdha, Dogdha (Celtic)

Also known as: Crom-Eocha, Daghdae-Cearas, Dagodevos, Eochaid Ollathair (The Great Father), Ruad Ro-Fhessa (The Mighty One of Great Knowledge).

Omnipotent god of knowledge, life and death. Dispenser of plenty. Controller of weather and crops. Son of Eladu (knowledge), Dagda, usually referred to as “The Dagda,” was one of the leaders of the Tuatha De Danann. He was known for his wisdom, magic and music. It is said that he could summon the seasons by playing his harp, named “the Oak of Two Greens.” With Undry, his magic cauldron, and a magic pig that could be eaten daily and reappear cooked, he could provide an unending supply of food. It follows that he carried excessive weight. He also had difficulty controlling his sexual appetite. He was said to have mated with Morrigan and also with Boann by whom he had two children, the goddess Brigit and the god Angus. In another legend, Brigit appears as his wife, not his daughter. He was also said to have married a woman with three names, Breg (Lie), Meng (Guile) and Meabel (Disgrace). They had three daughters each named Brigit. The goddess Dana is said to be his child as is the goddess Bambha. Other children attributed to Dagda were Ogma, Midir, Bodb the Red, and Ceacht. As god of earth and fertility, he used a dual function magic club to heal, resurrect, wound and kill. As he dragged his gigantic club, the spikes would claw the ground leaving gaping paths behind him. When the Tuatha De Danann landed on the island they challenged the Firbolgs in the First Battle of Magh Tuiredh and emerged the victors. As a result of this engagement, the king of the Tuatha De Danann had his hand amputated. A rule of the people was that the monarch could not be physically maimed, so Nuada was replaced by the Fomorian, Bress, who was of mixed heritage. His mother, Eriu, was a Tuatha De Danann and his father, Elatha, a Fomorian. Bress turned out to be a tyrant, who subjected the Tuatha De Danann to severe penalties. Dagda and his son Ogma were reduced to menial activities and humiliating injustices by this king. Eventually, the Tuatha De Danann under the leadership of Lugh were able to topple the reign of the Fomorians in the Second Battle of Mag Tuiredh. Dagda, however was not able to retain ownership of his own property. It was not the enemy who evicted him from his castle, Bruigh na Boinne, it was his son, Angus. In some myths, we are told that this talented leader with a great zest for life ended up being a contented cook for king Conaire the Great. Dagda was shown as ugly, gross, and potbellied, usually wearing a short tunic and sandals. His two special attributes were his cauldron and his club. He is the equivalent of the Welsh Math and is similar in nature to his brother Lugh. For details involving his relationship with Morrigan see Morrigan. Compare Dagda’s club to Trior’s hammer, Indra’s thunderbolt and Sucellos mallet. Compare to the mythology of Pushan (India) and Thor (Teutonic). For details of the Fomorians injustices to Dagda and his people, see also Angus; Anu (B); Balor; Banbha; Boann; Bress; Brigit; Dana; Nuada; Ogma; Tuatha De Danann.

Dagde (Celtic) see Dagda.

Daghda (Celtic) see Dagda.

Daghdae (Celtic) see Dagda.

Daghdae-Cearas (Celtic) see Dagda.

Daghdha (Celtic) see Dagda.

Dagini (India) see Dakinis.

Dagoba (Buddhist) see Stupa.

Dagodevas see Dagda.

Dagon (A) Dagan, Daguaun, Dagun, Daguna (Akkadian, Babylonian, Canaanite, Semitic, Sumerian, Ugarit)

Also known as: Oannes, Zeus Arotrios (Zeus the Farmer).

Dagon was analogous to Ea and the Phoenician god Dagon. He was worshiped in the city of Ashdod (Israel), where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. He has been referred to as an attendant of the great Enlil. In one legend he is one of the sons of Uranus and Ge. His brothers were Ilos (El-Cronus), Betylus, and Atlas. Sometimes he is known as one of an old Sumerian trinity with Shamash and Idurmer. Dagon was likely an androgynous deity. He is described as fish-tailed. He may be associated with Atargatis (Derketo). It is possible that he was replaced by Apollo. See also Atargatis; Dagon (B).

Dagon (B) Dagan (Phoenician)

Also known as: Baal Dagon, Baal of Arvad, Siton, Zeus Arotrios (Zeus the Farmer).

In the Phoenician Creation Legend of Philo Byblos, Dagon is the son of Ouranos and Ge; the brother of sisters Astarte, Rhea, Dione and probably Caribo (Cabira), the daughter of Astarte and Cronus. His brothers are Cronus, Betylus, and Atlas. He is thought of as a corn god, but later excavations (Graeco-Roman) indicate a relationship with Oannes the Chaldean fish god (q.v.).

Dagr Dag (Norse; Teutonic)

Also known as: Day.

God of the Day. Known as the “Bright and Fair.” He is the son of Delling, the dwarf gatekeeper of Asmegir and brother of a sister, Nott, the personification of night. The All Father sends Dagr (Day) and Nott (Night) around the earth in a chariot every twenty-four hours. Day’s horse is named Skin-faxi, and Nott’s horse is Hrim-faxi. See also Delling; Nott.

Daguaun (Middle Eastern) see Dagon (A).

Dagun (A) (Middle Eastern) see Dagon (A).

Dagun (B) (Afghanistan) see Imra.

Dahak (Persia) see Zahhak.

Dahana (Greek) see Perseus.

Dahhak (Persia)

An evil spirit and enemy of Yima. See also Azhi Dahaka.

Dahomey People, Africa — Creation Legend see Aido Hweda.

Dai Itoku-Myoo Amida, Goemmason, Yamantaka (Sanskrit). (Buddhist; Japan)

Dai Itoku-Myoo is one of the Godai-Myoo. They are the protectors of Buddhism and incarnations of the five great Buddhas. Dai Itoku-Myoo is an incarnation of Amida and a manifestation of Amida’s wrathful aspect. His function is to carry out the wishes of Amida. Dai Itoku-Myoo battles illnesses and poisons. He is reputed to be more powerful than the dragon. The name Goemmason (Destroyer of Death) is also used when applied to Dai Itoku-Myoo for he vanquished the King of the Underworld, Emma-O. Dai Itoku-Myoo is shown with six heads, six arms, and six legs. His faces show fierce expressions. He is usually seated on a white ox. He is also depicted sitting on a rock with three left legs folded and the three right legs set on the earth. In one of his right hands he holds a scepter, one is raised and holds a sword. In one of his left hands he holds a wheel, and in another hand a trident. He has been shown with one head, three eyes, bristling hair and two arms. He is seated on a rock with crossed legs. In his right hand, he holds a long stick with a trident at each end. In his left hand he holds the varja (thunderbolt). Dai Itoku-Myoo is always depicted with flames in the background. See also Amida; Emma-O; Fudo-Myoo; Godai-Myoo; Gozanze-Myoo; Gundari-Myoo; Yamantaka.

Daikoku (Japan) see Diakoku.

Daimon (Greek) see Daemon.

Daimones (Greek) see Daemon.

Dain (Norse; Teutonic)

He is one of the dwarfs who made the chain that bound the wolf Fenrir. He is also one of the dwarfs who ate the buds of the life tree, Yggdrasil. The other dwarfs are Dvalin, Duneyr, and Durathror. See also Bifur; Dvalin; Dwarfs; Yggdrasil.

Dainachi Nyori (Japan) see Dainichi-Nyorai.

Dainichi-nyorai Dainachi Nyori (Buddhist; Japan)

Also known as: Birushana, Fudo-Myoo, Maha-Vairochana Tathagata (Sanskrit), Tathagata Mahavairokana.

The secret doctrine that forms the tenets of the Tendai, the Shingon, the Kegon and other esoteric traditions, were said to have been transmitted through the Bodhisattva Vajrasatwa and Nagarjuna by Dainichi-nyorai (Great Sun Buddha). Known as the “Great Illuminator,” Dainichi-nyorai is said to be a reincarnated form of Vairochana (meaning “belonging to or coming from the sun”). Dainichi-nyorai is sometimes considered an androgynous deity. The Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu was identified with Dainichi-nyorai when Buddhism was introduced to Japan. In some traditions, Dainichi-nyorai is thought to be a reincarnation of Amaterasu. Fudo-Myoo, said to be an incarnation of Dainichi-nyorai, is one of the Godai-Myoo (Five Great Kings). His function is to carry out the wishes of Dainichi-nyorai. When shown in the mandala of the World of Ideas (Vajradhatu), he is depicted seated in a meditative pose, wearing a crown, and holding his left index finger. The left hand pose indicates the intellectual element, the right hand, the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and the ether (or vital energy). This is known as the mudra of the Six Elements. Dainichi, as one of the Buddhist trinity, is shown wearing a replica of a dog’s head on his head, the eleventh sign of the zodiac. He is also in the center of the mandala of the World of Forms immediately above Muryoju (Amitayus). In the mandala of the World of Ideas (Kongokai), Dainichi-nyorai is below Muryoju. In the Garbhadhatu mandala, the divine physician, Yakushi-rurikwonyorai is identified with Dainichi-nyorai. See also Amaterasu; Amida; Fudo-Myoo; Godai-Myoo; Vairocana; Vajrasatwa; Yakush-nyorai.

Daityas Daitya (Singular), Danavas-, (Hindu; India)

The giant evil spirits known as the Daityas are the offspring of the goddess Diti and Kasyapa. The Daityas were relegated to the ocean depths in a strata known as Patala by Indra for their opposition to sacrifice. Their city is called Hiranyapura. When it breaks the boundaries set by Indra, this city moves around under the earth or sails through the air. Hiranya-kasipu, his son Prahlada and great-grandson Bali and Hiranyaksha are Daityas. The Daityas are a category of Asuras, as are the Danavas, who are also giants, and the Adityas. The Daityas and Danavas were frequently in conflict with the gods. In contrast, the Adityas represent eternal light and the power of good. The female Daityas are described as giants who wear jewels the size of boulders. Compare the Daityas to the Rakshasas. See also Adityas; Agastya; Arjuna; Asuras; Bali (B); Brihaspati; Diti; Hiranya-kasipu; Hiranyaksha; Hiranyapura; Indra; Kasyapa; Krishna; Kurma (regarding the churning of the sea of milk); Maruts; Nara-Simba; Patala; Prahlada; Rahu; Savarbhanu; Vamana (Vishnu’s avatar as a dwarf); Varaha (Vishnu’s avatar as a boar); Varuna; Vrita.

Daiva (India, Persia) see Devas (A); Devas (B).

Dajdbog (Slavon) see Dazbog.

Dajoji (Iroquois People, North America)

Also known as: The Panther.

A panther deity and god of the west wind, Dajoji is called “west wind” in mythology. He is said to support the whirlwind. Ga-oh summons him to fight against storms. When Dajoji’s cry pierces the night, the sun hides in fear.

Dakas (India) see Dakinis.

Dakini (India) see Dakinis; Kali.

Dakini Ye-she-tsho-gyal (India)

A recent incarnation of Sarasvati, said to have lived approximately twelve hundred years ago. Her powerful memory permitted her to remember everything she heard. See also Sarasvati.

Dakinis Dagini (Buddhist, Hindu, Lamaist; India)

Also known as: Asrapa, Ashrapa (Drinkers of Blood), Dakis, Kadomas, (Tibet), Khadhomas, Khadomas, Khados, Khandros, Mka-gro-ma (Tibet).

Dakinis are categorized as air spirits, fairies and a class of demon goddess. Their male counterparts are known as Dakas. They are attendants to the goddess Kali. The name translated literally means “sky walking woman.” They are sometimes described as giants, and sometimes with the bodies of fish. They are shown eating flesh or drinking blood. Dakinis are used to designate the female partner in the tantric initiation, and thus are human and superhuman. In this tradition, they are called “mothers” and they are able to grant paranormal powers and spiritual insight to the sincere practitioner of Kundalini yoga. The Five Orders of Dakinis in Tibetan rites are: the Vajra Dakinis, who are white and sometimes blue in color and have the attribute of peacefulness; the Ratna Dakinis, who are yellow and have the attribute of grandness; the Padma Dakinis, who are red with the characteristic of fascination; the Karma Dakinis, who are the Dakinis of action, are green in color and associated with sternness; and the Buddha Dakinis, who are the Dakinis of Understanding and are dark blue in color. The Tibetan Dakinis are described as being “majestically divine” in appearance. In the mythology of Lamaism, Dakini was a lion-headed goddess associated with Lha-mo. See also Bhavani; Dorje Phagmo; Kali; Khados, Mkah Hgroma; Varahi.

Dakis (India) see Dakinis.

Daksha (Hindu, Vedic; India)

Daksha is an early Vedic god who was both the son and father of Aditi. In the Brahmanas he is identified with the creator, Prajapati. In the Mahabharata, he is the son of Brahma, whose right thumb gave birth to him. He married Prasuti, the daughter of Manu, who in some legends is said to have been born from Brahma’s left thumb. Daksha was the chief of the Prajapatis, who are the seven (and later ten) sages and poets born of Brahma and called rishis. He was the father of sixteen daughters who became the mothers of all living things, including gods, men and demons. The youngest, Sati, an incarnation of Uma, became Shiva’s wife. This made Daksha Shiva’s father-in-law. Thirteen of the daughters were given to Yama, one to Agni, one to the Pitris and one to Bhava-Siva. In other legends, the number of daughters is said to be 24, 50, or 60. He gave away two of his sixty daughters to Bhuta, ten to Dharma, twenty-seven to Soma, thirteen to Kasyapa, three to Trakshya, two to Agni, two to Angiras, and one (Sati) to Shiva. In one version Daksha neglected his twenty-six daughters who then put a curse on him. Since then, the moon becomes faint at times. One of his daughters, Suaha, was called the wife of Agni and possibly Rudra. Another daughter, Krodha, meaning “anger,” was the wife of Kasyapa and was the mother of all four-footed predators and all birds of prey. Two other daughters, Puloma and Kalaka, were wives of Kasyapa and mothers of the 60,000 giant demon spirit Danavas. (Some say that Puloma and Kalaka are the daughters of Vaishvanara and that they were the mothers of thirty million Danavas.) Daksha is born and killed in every generation. Some scholars say that Daksha is Vishnu who is incarnated through him to create living beings. Others say that as the first man, he created from himself a woman and fell in love with her. Their many daughters married Soma. In the Mahabharata, it is written that Daksha initiated a giant sacrifice, known as a hecatomb, for all the gods. As he did not know Shiva, he neglected to give him a share of the sacrifice. Shiva was so enraged that he broke Pushan’s teeth, Savitri’s arms and tore out Bhaga’s eyes. He was then given his portion and he returned the deities to health. In the Puranas, the gods were sacrificing to Vishnu and did not invite Shiva. His mate Uma persuaded him to show his power to the gods. From his anger the giant demon Virabhadra emanated. He caused a great melee that did not end until Daksha propitiated Shiva and acknowledged his superiority. In other interpretations, Daksha considered Shiva disreputable and never liked him. Later, he was forced to acknowledge Shiva’s superiority over Brahma. After a long feud, Daksha was decapitated by the god in anger. See also Aditi; Adityas; Agni; Badari; Bhaga; Bhutas; Brahma; Danavas; Devaki; Devi; Dharma; Diti; Durga; Garuda; Kadru; Karttikeya; Kasyapa; Lokapalas; Manu; Marisha; Medha; Mitra; Nagas and Nagis; Parvati; Pitris; Prajapati; Priti; Pushan; Rahu; Rishi; Rudra; Sati; Shiva; Simhika; Soma; Surabhi; Uma; Vasistha; Vinata; Virabhadra; Yajna; Yama.

Dakshaja “Born of Daksha” (India) see Devi.

Dakshina (India) see Devi.

Dakshina-Murti (Hindu; India)

Shiva’s name, Dakshina-Murti, meaning “Facing South,” is used when he sits on Mount Kailasa instructing the yogis.

Daktuloi (Greek) see Dactyli.

Dalhan (Arabic)

This is a species of cannibal demon who rides an ostrich in the desert. In other interpretations, the Dalhan is depicted as a man riding a camel. He lives on desert islands and feeds on shipwrecked sailors. See also Jinn.

Dam-c’an-r-do-rje-legs-pa Dam-chen-dr-je-le-pa, Dor-le (Buddhist; Tibet)

He is the chief of the demons who were subdued by Padmasambhava. He is shown in Tibetan clothing, carrying a kapala and Vajra. He is seated on a lion with a green mane. See also Samantabhabra.

Dam-chen-dr-je-le-pa (Tibet) see Dam-c’an-r-do-rje-legs-pa.

Dam-ki (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Damanaka Tree (India) A sacred tree. See also Kama.

Damaru (Hindu; India)

Shiva’s sacred drum. See also Nataraja.

Damballah (Haitian, of African origin)

Also known as: Damballah-Wedo.

Damballah, a powerful serpent deity of the Rada pantheon of Haitian voodoo gods is the patron of rains, streams and rivers. He is not concerned with mortal problems and is usually found around water. Special pools are built for his bathing. Although a sky god, he is also said to live in trees. His mate is Aida Wedo, the rainbow snake, also known as Ayida. Damballah is generally shown as an arch in the sky, colored like a rainbow. His symbol is an egg. Aida Wedo wears a jeweled headdress. During Voodoo rituals, she slithers along the floor. See also Aido Hwedo; Rada.

Dame du Lac (Arthurian) see Vivien.

Dames Vertes (Celtic, French)

Wind spirits and shape-changers, the “Green Ladies” entice travelers from their routes in the forest. Laughing, they hold their victims upside down over waterfalls. In human form, they dress in long green robes and are tall and attractive. As wind spirits, they stimulate all plant life in their paths.

Damgalnunna (Sumer) see Ninki.

Damia (Greek)

She is a goddess of health worshiped only by women.

Damke (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Damkina Davkina, Dawkina (Assyro-Babylonia)

Also known as: Daauke, Dam-ki, Damke, Damku, Dauke, Dauthe, Gashanki, Ninella, Ninhursag, Ninki.

In Chaldean mythology, Damkina is possibly the daughter of Tiamat who personifies the primordial waters or Ki who personifies the earth. She is the sister/consort of Ea, and the mother of Marduk and possibly Tammuz. She may also be the mother of the sea goddess Gasmu. In Babylonian mythology, she is a sky deity, variously known as the consort of Ea, or Anu, who with one of them ruled the Apsu. With Ea, she is said to be the mother of Bel. In later Babylonian mythology a triad of goddesses is represented by Damkina, Belit, and Anath. In Sumerian mythology, she is the earth mother (her name in the Akkadian language means “Lady of Earth”). She is also known as the consort of Enki in some tales. Damkina is appealed to by women who are in labor. As Ninki she is the queen of the deep waters, and as Gashanki she is queen of the earth. See also Anath; Anu; Apsu; Bel (A); Ea; Enki; Gasmu; Ki; Marduk; Ninhursag; Ninkarrak.

Damku (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Damnameneus see Dactyli.

Damona (Celtic, Gaul) Goddess of cattle. See also Borvo.

Damsel Ho (China) see Ho-hsien-ku.

Damu (Sumer) see Dumuzi; Tammuz.

Damu-zi-abzu (Babylonian) see Tammuz.

Dan (A) (Fon People, Africa)

Also known as: Dan Ayido Hwedo, Danh.

Snake god of unity and life. He is the son of the twins Lisa and Mahu. Dan is shown as a rainbow snake with his tail in his mouth. He is possibly the god Dan Petro of the Haitian people.

Dan (B) (Celtic) see Dana.

Dan Ayido Hwedo (Africa) see Dan.

Dan Petro (Haitian)

Also known as: Danh.

God of farmers. Originally, Dan Petro may have come from Africa as Danh. He is considered the father of tribal gods of the Haitians. His attributes are snake-like.

Dana (Celtic)

Also known as: Ana, Anu, Danu (Irish), Don (British, Welsh), Donu (Irish).

Goddess of plenty. Dana is the daughter of Dagda and the mother of Brian, luchar and lucharbar (who may be a triple concept of one deity). As Dana, she is confused with the triad of goddesses: Danu, Anu (Ana) and Brigit (Bridgit). The Celtic race is descended from Dana. Her people, the Tuatha De Danann, came to Ireland many centuries ago from the Isles of the West and returned there at a later time. Some, who could not bear to leave the land they called Erinn, took the name Aes Sidhe and remained. It is believed they are the leprechauns who dwell beneath the surface of the land and vanish and reappear at will. In an ethical battle, they will fight beside mortals with lances of blue flame and pure white shields. Dana represents the earth, the fertility mother of all. The Welsh identified her with Don and she is comparable to their “Great Mother” Modron. She is associated with Aine the moon goddess. Compare to the moon goddess, Arianrhod. Dana is said to be the counterpart of Gaea. See also Aine; Angus; Anu (B); Bel (B); Brigantia; Brigit; Dagda; Don; Leprechaun; Tuatha De Danann.

Danae (Greek)

Also known as: Abantias, Dahana.

It is generally thought that Danae was the daughter of Acrisius and Eurydice, though some say that she may have been the daughter of Aganippe and Acrisius or his friend, Teutamias, the king of Larissa. Danae had been seduced by her uncle Proteus and later became the mother of Perseus by Zeus, despite her father’s extraordinary attempts to shelter her from becoming pregnant. Danae, as a descendant of Abas, a king of Argos, was sometimes known as Abantias. See also Acrisius for the events surrounding Danae’s pregnancy and the birth of Perseus. To compare with women who were seduced by Zeus in other forms, see Aegina; Antiope; Europa; Leda. See also Perseus; Zeus.

Danai (Greek) see Danaides.

Danaidae (Greek) see Danaides.

Danaides Danaids, Danaidae (Greek)

Also known as: Danai.

Deities of springs and waters. Possibly early agricultural deities. The Danaides are the fifty daughters of Danaus who married their cousins, the fifty sons of Aegyptus. On their wedding night, forty-nine Danaides murdered their husbands. See also Danaus for the complete legend of the Danaides. See also Agenor (A); Amymone; Eurydice (C); Hypermnestra.

Danaids (Greek) see Danaides.

Danaus (Greek)

King of Libya. Danaus is the son of Belus and Anchinoe. His siblings are his twin brother Aegyptus, Thronia and perhaps Cepheus (Phineus). He was given Africa as a gift from his father, and originally ruled as the king of Libya. Aegyptus ruled Arabia and later conquered the Melampodes and named it Egypt after himself. Danaus, fearful that Aegyptus might kill him for his land, fled. It is said that Athena assisted him and he sailed to Greece, reportedly in a vessel thought to be the first two-prowed ship. With him were his fifty daughters, known as the Danaides, who were escaping from their cousins, the fifty sons of Aegyptus, who wanted to marry them. When he arrived in the arid land, he supplanted the reigning king, Gelanor, and became king. It is said that he was the first person to water the land by the use of wells. The men found Danaus and demanded that he consent to the marriages of his daughters. Although the body of the story differs, the ending remains basically the same. He acquiesced, possibly under force, but on their wedding night he gave the women weapons and instructed them to murder their husbands. It is said that they beheaded the men, burying their torsos at the city gates of Argos and their heads in the marshes. Hypermnestra, who married Lynceus, was the only daughter who disobeyed her father. Later, Danaus tried to find husbands for his daughters, and of course encountered difficulties. He finally decided to offer the widows as prizes in a footrace and threw in attractive shields as added incentive. After death, the sisters (except Hypermnestra) were said to have been punished in Tartarus (the underworld). They were condemned to the useless task of pouring water continually into a sieve. In some accounts, Lynceus murdered Danaus to avenge his brothers’ deaths and in others they reconciled and Lynceus succeeded Danaus, and the line of Argive kings stemmed from him. The Argives and eventually the Greeks were called Danai. The names of some of the Danaides are Celaeno, Cleite, Stenele, Chrysippe, Erato, Eurydice, Glauce (also known as Creusa), Polydore, Phylodameia, Asteria, Astioche, Cleodora, Amymone, and Cleopatra. Aegyptus, following the instructions of the Delphic Oracle, sacrificed his only daughter Aganippe to end a drought in Egypt. Eventually, Aegyptus arrived in Greece, heard of his sons’ fate and fled to Aroe, where he died. Compare Danaus to Endymion and Nereus. See also Abas; Achaeus; Agenor (A); Amymone; Argos, Erato; Hypermnestra; Lynceus.

Danavas (India)

Sixty thousand, or thirty million, gigantic evil spirits. See also Brihaspati; Daityas; Daksha; Kuvera; Vritra.

Dancer of the Burning Ground (India) see Nataraja; Shiva.

Dandadhara (India) see Yama.

Dandapani (India) see Buddha.

Danh (Africa) see Dan.

Daniel (Assyro-Babylonia)

A diviner of dreams, able to cast spells on wild animals, Daniel was also a prophet. He destroyed a dragon by driving a storm wind into the dragon’s mouth and splitting it in half. He is famous for being cast into a den of lions. His symbol is the four-horned goat. Daniel’s story is similar to the Babylonian Marduk and Tiamat.

Danil Daniyal (Arabic)

Danil, like the Hebrew Daniel, was also a prophet and diviner of dreams. Imprisoned, he was released by the king to interpret a dream.

Daniyal (Arabic) see Danil.

Danu (A) (Celtic) see Anu (A).

Danu (B) (India)

One of Daksha’s numerous daughters. Mate of Mitra-Varuna, the Asvins and Kasyapa. Mother of the Danavas and Danavis. See also Aditi; Diti; Kasyapa; Mitra; Varuna; Vritra.

Danu (C) (India)

The serpent god father of Vritra and Ahi (qq.v.).

Danus (Greek) see Eurydice (C).

Dao (Babylonian) see Tammuz.

Daonus (Babylonian) see Tammuz.

Daphne (Greek)

A nymph, Daphne, is a priestess of Gaea who personifies the earth. She led secret female rituals to celebrate the femininity of the earth. A mortal male, Leucippus, dressed in female attire in an attempt to gain access to her services. The sun, who sees all, suggested that the females perform their rituals nude so that males could not intrude. The true identity of Leucippus was revealed and he was killed. The sun god Apollo had his own agenda. When he saw Daphne he attempted to mate with her, but she rejected him. Infuriated, he chased her and attempted to rape her. She appealed to Gaea who responded immediately and turned the beautiful nymph into a laurel tree. From that time, Apollo wore laurel wreaths in his hair and the laurel tree was honored as a source of inspiration. Compare Dapne to the Indian Urvasi. See also Apollo; Gaea; Oenamaus; Rivers.

Dar el-Jannah (Islam) Islamic Paradise (q.v.)

Darago (Philippines)

She is a volcano goddess and warrior. In ancient times, she required human sacrifices to keep her from erupting.

Daramulum (Aborigine People, Australia) see Duramulun.

Daramulun Darramulum (Aborigine People, Australia)

Also known as: Biamban, Baime, Bunjil, Ngurunderi, Nurrundere, Thuremlin.

This supreme being made earth his home a long time ago. He is sometimes called Biamban (meaning master). He wasn’t married and lived with his mother, Ngalalbal. Sometimes he is said to be the one-legged son of Baiame. Daramulun is connected with a flood myth. In some myths, he is known as a culture hero from whom later medicine men could draw their power. This power enabled them to kill their enemies, fly anywhere, including to the sky land, which is the land of ghosts. He is sometimes shown with an axe, or with his mouth filled with quartz and with an enlarged phallus. He is sometimes depicted with one leg. See also Bunjil; Thuremlin.

Darawigal (Australia)

This god represents the force of evil who opposes Baiame (q.v.).

Darbas (Hindu; India)

The Darbas are spirits who haunt cemeteries and eat dead bodies. See also Dasyus; Panis; Pishachas.

Darkness (Greek) see Chaos; Nyx.

Darramulum (Aborigine People, Australia) see Daramulun.

Daru-el-Bawar (Islam) Islamic Hell (q.v.).

Daru el-Qarar (Islam)

Meaning the “Dwelling which Abideth” and symbolized by green chrysolite, this is the third stage in Islamic Paradise (q.v.).

Daru el-Salam (Islam)

Meaning the “Dwelling of Peace” and symbolized by white pearls, this is the second stage in the Islamic Paradise (q.v.).

Darvands (Persia)

Evil spirits created by Ahriman to be his assistants. They are Aka Mano, Ander, Nasatyas, Sauru, Tarik, and Zarik. The Vedic Darwands were originally good spirits, but like the Devas, became demons in Persia. See also Angra Mainyu; Devas; Nasatyas; Saura.

Darwands (Vedic) Good spirits. See also Darvands.

Darzamat (Latvia)

Goddess of Gardens.

Dasan (Porno People, North America)

With his father, Makila, Dasan led the bird clan, who brought civilization from over the waters.

Dasarata, King (India) see Dasaratha.

Dasaratha, King Dasarata, Dasharatha (Hindu; India)

Father of Rama. See also Rama and Hanuman.

Dascylus (Greek) see Amycus (A).

Dasharatha (India) see Dasaratha, King.

Dasim (Islamic)

The son of Iblis, the devil, Dasim became the demon of discord. See also Azazel.

Dasra and Nasatya (India) Wonder Workers. See also Asvins.

Dasyus (Dravidian, Hindu; India)

These evil spirits are the enemies of the gods and mortals. They appear human in the guise of ugly robbers and thugs. See also Darbas; Panis; Pishachas.

Datan (Slavic, Polish)

Datan is one of a group of spirits who are in charge of the prosperity of the fields. Tawals is another spirit, as is Lawkapatim, who is only concerned with the tilling process. They are grouped with the goddess Marzann who looked into the growth of fruit. See also Lawkapatim.

Dattoli (India) see Agastya.

Dauce (Babylonian Creation Legend of Damascius) see Aus, and Belus (B).

Daughter of the Night (Greek) see Nemesis.

Daughter of Themis (Greek) see Furies; Themis; Zeus.

Daughters of the Evening (Greek) see Hesperides.

Dauke (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Dauthe (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Davalin (Teutonic) see Dain; Dvalin.

Davinka (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Dawat Puja (India)

“Worship of the Inkstand.” Festival day. See also Sarasvati.

Dawkina (Assyro-Babylonia) see Damkina.

Day (Teutonic) see Dagr.

Day Gods (Aztec People, Mexico) see Lords of the Day Hours.

Dazbog Da-Bog, Dabog, Dadzbog, Dajdbog, Dazh-Bog, Dazh-bog (Poland); (Slavic)

Also known as: “Son of Svarog” (Son of the Sky).

Dazbog is the son of Svarog, who personifies the sky, and the brother of Stribog, the god of cold and frost. Initially a sun god, in later times Dazbog was reduced to demon status in Siberia. As a sun god, he was associated with Khors, the god of health and hunting; Perun, the god of thunder; and Stribog, the god of cold and frost. In some tales, he is the part-time spouse of Myersyats, who personifies the moon. He visits her during the summer. Dazbog is depicted in wood with a silver head and a golden moustache. He is similar to the Sumerian Dazibogu (q.v.). Dazbog is identified with the Greek Helius. Compare Dazbog to the Greek Hephaistos. See also Perun; Stribog.

Dazh-Bog (Slavic) see Dazbog.

Dazhbod (Sumer) see Dazibogu.

Dazhbog (Slavic) see Dazbog.

Dazibogu (Sumer)

Also known as: Dazhbod.

He is a sun god, similar to the Slavonic Dazbog (q.v.).

Dazima (Semite)

One of the goddesses created by Ninhursag.

Dbyar-Gyi-Rgyalmo (Tibet) see Grismadevi.

De Hi No (Huron People, North America) see Heng.

De-Hi-No (China) see Heng.

Dea Artio (Celtic) see Artio.

Dea Syria (Greek) see Atargatis.

Deae Matres (Celtic)

The trinity of mother goddesses who rule fertility and creativity.

Dealgnaid (Celtic) see Beltine.

Death Star (Pawnee People, North America) see Tirawa.

Debabou and De Ai De Babou (Oceanic)

Also known as: Na Atibu, Te-Po-ma-Te-Maki.

First people. The children of Nareau. Against the orders of Nareau, this couple bore three children: the sun, the moon and the sea. See also Nareau.

Debee (India) see Devi.

Deber (Babylonian, Semite)

Pest god. Deber is worshiped with Resheph (also called Ninib) in festivals. Deber could be the same as the goddess Diban, of the Babylonian flood legend. Possibly connected with Yahweh.

Dech’tire Dechterecul, Dechtire (Celtic, Irish)

Mother of Cuchulain, by either Conchobar, Lugh, or Sualtam, and sister of King Conchobar. In another version she is the daughter of Maga and half-sister of Cuchulain. In other versions, she swallowed a mayfly and conceived Cuchulain, or she was impregnated by Lug’s soul, or that in the form of a bird, she flew away with Lug. Cuchulain was born by his mother’s vomit. Dech’tire had an enormous appetite, as did her fifty female attendants. She had the ability to change herself and the women into birds. See also Cuchulain; Lugh.

Dechtire (Celtic, Irish) see Dech’tire.

Decima (Greek) see Fates.

Dechterecul (Celtic, Irish) see Dech’tire.

Deduska (Russia) see Domovoi.

Deduska Domovoy (Russia) see Domovoi.

Dedusky Domovoy (Russia) see Domovoi.

Dee (Celtic)

War or river goddess. Little known; there was a river of the same name.

Deganiwada (Huron, Iroquois People, North America) see Daganoweda.

Deianeira (Greek) see Deianira.

Deianira Deianeira, Dejanira (Greek)

She is the daughter of Dionysus or Oeneus and Althaea. Her children by her second marriage to Heracles are Ctesippus, Hyllus, and Macaria. The goddess of the hunt, Artemis, transformed Deianira into a guinea fowl after she accidentally killed Heracles and committed suicide. See also Althea; Calydonian Boar Hunt; Heracles; Nessus.

Deidamia (A) (Greek)

Another name for Astydameia. See Astydameia (B).

Deidamia (B) (Greek)

When Achilles, her lover, died, she married Helenus. Deidamia is the mother of Pyrrhus.

Deidamia (C) (Greek)

Her parents are Bellerophon and Philonoe, her siblings, Hippolochus, Isander, and Laodamia. She married Evander, and became the mother of Dyna, Pallantia, Pallas, Roman and Sarpedon II.

Deimachus (A) (Greek)

He is the father of Autolycus, Deileon and Phlogius. See also Autolcyus.

Deimachus (B) (Greek)

His wife is Aeolus and his son is Enarete. See also Aeolus (A).

Deimos Deimus (Greek)

God of fear and dread. Deimos is the son of the god of war, Ares, and the goddess of love, Aphrodite. His siblings are Pallor, the god of fear; Anteros, the god of passion; Enyo, the goddess of war; Eros, the god of love; and Harmonia and Phobos. He accompanied his father and his brother, the god of fear, Phobos, into battle. See Anteros; Aphrodite; Ares; Harmonia (A); Phobos.

Deion (Greek)

King of Phocis. Deion is the son of Aeolus and Enarete. He has six brothers and seven sisters. His spouse is Diomede, and his children are Actor, Aenetus, Asteropeia, Cephalus and Phylacus. See also Actor (C); Aeolus (A); Canace; Diomede; Enaret.

Deione (Greek)

This is another name for Acacallis, thought by some to be the mother of Miletus by Apollo. See also Acacallis.

Deiphobus (A) (Greek)

His parents are Priam and Hecuba. He is the brother of Aesacus, Cassandra, Creusa, Hector, Helenus, Paris, Polyxena and Troilus. Deiphobus was renowned for his bravery during the Trojan War. He was forced to marry Helen when Paris died, and met his death by her former spouse, Menelaus. See also Cassandra; Creusa; Helen; Paris.

Deiphobus (B) (Greek) He is the son of Hippocoon (q.v.).

Deipyle (Greek)

She is the daughter of Adrastus and Amphithea. She married Tydeus, one of the Seven against Thebes, and became the mother of Diomedes. See also Adrestus; Diomedes.

Deipylus (A) (Greek)

Deipylus could be the son of the Argonaut Jason and Hypsipyle. He is said by some to be the son of Polyxo who was married to the king of Rhodes, Tlepolemus. She tried to avenge Deipylus’ death at Troy by killing Helen. Instead, she killed a servant. See also Jason.

Deipylus (B) (Greek) He is the son of Polymnestor and Ilione.

Deivi (Prussian)

A respectful term which means goddess.

Dejanira (Greek) see Deianira.

Dekla (Latvia)

The goddess of fate who oversees infants and weeps when a birth is tragic.

Delia (Greek) This is an epithet of Diana. See also Artemis.

Deliades (Greek)

Bellerophon accidentally killed his brother, Deliades, the son of Glaucus and Eurymede. See also Bellerophon; Eurymede; Glaucus.

Delka (Latvia)

This gentle goddess cradles the newborn child.

Delling (Norse; Teutonic)

Also known as: Dellinger.

The dwarf gatekeeper at the castle of the Asmegir, Delling is the third husband of Nat (Night) and father of Dagr (Day). See also Asmegir; Dagr.

Dellinger (Teutonic) see Delling.

Delphic Oracle (Greek) see Lamia; Themis.

Delphin (Greek) see Amphitrite.

Delphyne (Greek)

Dragon-woman. Before her death by Apollo, she was responsible for guarding the sinews of Zeus, which had been stolen by Zeus’ son, Aegipan, and the messenger of the gods, Hermes. See also Aegipan; Hermes; Typhon (A).

Dem-chho-pal-khor-lo-dom-pa (Tibet) see Dorje Phagmo.

Dema (Marind-anim People, New Guinea)

Dema is the term given to the divine creators and primordial beings of mythical times. They are depicted in human form, and sometimes as animals or plants.

Demarus (Greek) see Melkart.

Demavand, Mount Demavend, Mount (Persia) see Verethraghna, Angra Mainyu, Azhi Dahaka and Thrita.

Demavend, Mount (Persia) see Verethraghna, Angra Mainyu, Azhi Dahaka and Thrita.

Demeter (Greek)

Also known as: Brimo, Centeotl (Mexican), Ceres (Roman), Deo, Doso, Kore, Kore-Persephone, Isis (Egyptian).

Demeter (the Roman Ceres), is one of the great Hellenic divinities. She is the Greek goddess of agriculture and vegetation, protector of marriage, and corn goddess. The daughter of Cronus and Rhea, she was swallowed by her father and rescued by Zeus. Her daughter Persephone’s name was kept secret; she was known as Kore, which means “the girl.” This gave Demeter a double name; Kore-Persephone as Demeter is identified both with herself and with her daughter. Persephone was kidnapped by the lord of the underworld, Hades. Demeter requested Zeus’ aid in returning her. Initially, he refused. She left Olympus grief-stricken and wandered the earth while the human race starved. She used the name Doso when she discarded her duties as a goddess and went to live among mortals. As Doso the Cretan she was the nursemaid of Demophon. She attempted to make the boy immortal by holding him in a magic fire each night. When his mother, Metaneira, saw them she screamed and the spell was broken. Demeter revealed herself to Metaneira. She then instructed that a shrine be built for her at Eleusis. When it was completed she lived in it. Demeter may have initiated the Eleusinian mysteries. It is said that she taught the prince of Eleusis, Triptolemus, the art of corn cultivation. He in turn spread his knowledge to the Greeks and the rest of the world. Zeus finally relented and sent Hermes to bring Persephone back. As she had eaten pomegranate seeds, food of the underworld, she had to spend one-third of the year below ground. Demeter, in another legend was the daughter of Uranus and Gaea, and sister of Hades, Hera, Hestia, Poseidon and Zeus. Demeter is said to be the mother of Plutus and Philomelus by Iasion. Known as mare-headed, her union with Poseidon produced Arion, a black stallion. She had a son, Plouton (wealth), from her union with Iasion in a ploughed field. There is reference to the possibility of Demeter being the mother of Iacchus. In another myth, as Doso, she ate Pelops’ shoulder by mistake and replaced it with an ivory shoulder. The name Brimo is also applied to Rhea, Hecate, and Persephone. Her legend is similar to that of Ashtar and Tammuz. Demeter is compared to the horse goddess Epona. See also Abas (C); Acheron; Angerona; Car; Cronus; Cybele; Erysichthon; Evander (B); Hades; Hecate; Hestia; Isis; Pelops; Persephone; Rhea; Styx; Tantalus (A).

Demiurge (Gnostic)

Also known as: Metropator.

Chief of the lowest order of eons. Demiurge is credited with introducing evil into the world. Some identify him with Jehovah.

Demne (Celtic, Irish) see Finn.

Demogorgon (Aborigine People, Australia)

An evil spirit, Demogorgon haunts graves at night. He strolls about in skeletons of the dead by day, and bites the unwary in the stomach.

Demoleon (Greek)

Killed in the Trojan War, he is the son of Antenor and Theano. See also Acamas (B); Agenor; Glaucus; Laocoon; Polydamas.

Demonice (Greek)

Her parents are Agenor and Epicasta, her siblings, Hippodamus, Porthaon, and possibly Thestius. By Ares, she is the mother of Evenus, Molus, Pylus and Thestius. See also Ares; Crethus.

Demons Daimon

In Babylonian mythology are included the vampire (Lamashtu), Alu (ghost of the breasts), Namtar (ghost of the throat), Uttuka (the shoulder), Gallu (the hand), Elimmu (the bowels), Rabisu (a spy), Ahhazu (the seizer), Labasu (the overwhelmed, Lilu (male lasciviousness) and Lilitu (female lasciv-iousness). The list of demons is long and is covered under separate names. Not all are listed, but a partial reference follows. Persian: Al, Akwan, Div, Nar, Nara, Damrukh Nara, Shelan Nara, Mardash Nara, Kahmaraj Nara, Tahmurath, Jinn, Jann. Buddhist: Lokapalas, Yakshas, Kumbhandas, Dhritarashtra, Gandharvas, Virupaksha, Nagas, Garudas, Pretas, Hariti, Yakshini, Panchika, Tara. India: Asvins, Vala, Panis, Sorama, Asuras, Panaka, Tripura, Mahishasura, Vasuki, Daitya, Danavas, Kshatriyas, Rakshasas. Asia, including Japan and China: Ts’en-kuang, Chu-kiang, Sung Ti, Wu Kuan, Yen-lo, Pien-Ch’eng, P’ing-teng Tu-shi, Ts’en-kuang, Chaun-lun, Jizo, Kishimojin, Kubira or Kuvera, Oni, Gaki. These demons can be male or female, good or bad. Some can be regarded as gods and goddesses in their own right. See also Bhut (India); Daemon (Greek); Jinn (Persian); Satyrs (Greek).

Demophon Demophoon (Greek)

Joint king of Melos. Demophon is the son of Theseus and Phaedra or Antiope (Theseus’ mistress). He secured the Palladium from Diomedes for Athens. When Troy fell, Demophon was madly in love with Laodice. On a stopover in Thrace, on his way home from Troy, he met and fell in love with Phyllis. When he left her, she committed suicide. See also Acamas (A); Antiope; Laodice.

Demophoon (Greek) see Demophon.

Dendrites (Greek)

“He of the Trees.” This is an epithet for Dionysus (q.v.).

Deng (Dinka People, Africa)

Also known as: Deng-dit, Diing, Dinga-dit.

God of Rain. Birth deity. Deng is the son of the goddess Abuk. He is in charge of the food-producing earth. Some say he is the ancestor of all the Dinka people and that lightning comes from his club. In one version as Deng-dit he appears as the creator god. His consort is L’wal, the essence of evil. Deng-dit instructed L’wal to form mankind from a bowl of fat. He left the bowl unguarded. L’wal appropriated it and created caricatures of Deng-dit and Abuk’s creatures. Abuk was an evil spirit, said to be the grandchild of L’wal. Compare Deng to the Yoruba deity, Shango. See also Abuk.

Deng-Dit (Dinka People, Africa) see Deng.

Denga (Africa) see Aywil.

Denkart (Zoroastrian) see Bundahish.

Deo (Greek) An epithet of Demeter.

Deohako (Seneca People, North America)

They are the spirits of corn, beans and squash who lived together on a hill. Onatha, the spirit of corn, wandered away one day looking for dew. The evil spirit Hahgwehdaetgah (an alternate name for Taweskare) abducted her and took her underground. The sun searched for and found her. However, she must reside in the cornfields until it is ripe. Some say this is the collective name for the three daughters of the earth-mother. See also Yoskeha and Taweskare.

Derceto (Middle Eastern) see Atargatis.

Derketo Derceto (Middle Eastern) see Atargatis.

Dervaspa Drvaspa, Gosh (Zoroastrian; Persia)

A Yazata, and the guardian of cattle, he personifies the soul of the bull. See also Gaya Maretan; Yazata.

Destroyer, The (Persia) see Mahrkusha.

Deucalion (A) (Greek)

Survivor of the nine-day Deluge. He is the son of Prometheus. His mother was either Hesione, Pronoea or Clymene. His spouse is Pyrrha, the first mortal woman born. Their children are Amphictyon, Hellen, Pandora, Protogeneia and Thyia. Deucalion was issued a dictate from the gods to build an ark. He followed instructions and with Pyrrha they were the only survivors of the Deluge. Their ark landed on Mount Parnassus. The goddesses advised them to cover their heads and throw the “bones of their mother” behind them. They did not have bones, so instead they threw stones. These stones became the new human race. Usually Deucalion and Pyrrha are shown as a pair. See also Acacallis; Aeolus (A); Ariadne; Minos; Pasiphae; Prometheus; Telchines.

Deucalion (B) (Greek)

The Argonaut son of Minos and Pasiphae.

Deus (Greek) see Zeus.

Deus Clavigerus (Roman) see Janus.

Dev (India) see Daevas; Devas (A); Devas (B).

Deva-Kanya (India) see Savitri (B).

Deva-Kanyakas (India) see Devis.

Deva-Matri (India) Mother of the Gods. See also Aditi.

Deva-Parvata (India)

Sacred Mountain. See also Meru Mountain.

Devak (India)

A guardian deity, the Devak takes the shape of an animal, tree or the tool of a trade. It is considered an ancestor or head of the household and is usually worshiped at the time of marriage or when moving into a new home.

Devaka (India) see Devaki.

Devaki (Hindu; India)

Also known as: Aditi, Apsarases, Deywuckee, Dhriti, Nit, Niti.

Devaki is the daughter of Devaka and the youngest of seven sisters. She became the spouse of Vasudeva and the mother of a daughter, Subhadra, and eight sons. Her first six sons were killed by her cousin, King Kansa of Mathura. Her seventh child, Bala-Rama was conceived by her, but placed in the womb of and born by Rohini, the daughter of Rudra and the second wife of Vasudeva. When Kansa heard of her eighth pregnancy, he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. At birth, her eighth child, Krishna, assumed the form of Vishnu and arranged, with the assistance of the gods, that he replace the baby daughter born to the poor cowherds Yasoda and her mate Nanda with himself. When Kansa heard of Devaki’s delivery and found that she had given birth to a female child, he set the family free. The female baby took the form of the goddess Devi and announced to Kansa that he had been outwitted and that his future enemy had escaped. Kansa took the precaution of ordering all the male babies in the city to be killed not realizing that Krishna was safe in the forest with Yasoda and Nanda. Devaki is closely connected with Aditi and is sometimes said to be an incarnation or avatar of this goddess. Samnati, one of Daksha’s numerous daughters, is also associated with Devaki. See Rudra for details about Rohini. See also Aditi; Adityas; Apsarases; Bala-Rama; Daksha; Kansa; Krishna; Subhadra; Vishnu.

Devananda (India) see Mahavira.

Devanganas (India) see Devis.

Devarishis (India) see Rishi.

Devas, The (A) Daevas, Daiva or Dev (singular); Devis (feminine); (Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, Vedic; India)

In the Vedas, the Devas were divine spirits of good and later became known as nature spirits. The name means “bright one.” They are the masculine counterpart of the Devis and their leader is Indra. The Devas were prominent in the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. They enlisted the help of the Asuras (demons) by promising them a potion of soma, the sacred elixir of the gods. Even though the Asuras were suspicious of their intentions, they helped them dismantle Mount Mandara, which was used as the churning stick. The Asuras also enticed Vasuki the serpent from his underwater abode so he could be used as the churning instrument. Vishnu instructed the Devas to take his head and the Asuras, the tail. The Asuras did not like the arrangement and insisted on changing places with the Devas. This is what Vishnu had hoped they would request, for if the Asuras gained access to the magic soma, it would have given them powers equal to the gods. When the churning progressed, the Asuras were suffocated by the hot air from Vasuki’s breath while the Devas at his tail were cooled by ocean air. In some versions the Devas are Dyaus (day) and Prithivi (earth). There are thirty-three Devas, eleven in each of the three Hindu worlds, although sometimes their numbers are given as eight or twelve. The Devas are said by some to be associated with the sun, as are the Gandharvas, Apsarases, Yatudhanis and Gramanis. See also Asuras; Daevas; Devas (B); Devis; Indra; Kurma (regarding Churning of the Ocean of Milk); Mandara Mountain; Vasuki; Vishnu.

Devas, The (B) (Zoroastrian; Persia)

In Persian mythology, the Devas were malevolent spirits, genii of evil, created as counterparts of the Amesha Spentas by Angra Mainyu, who ruled over them. Other names are given: Divs, Drauga, Druj, and Durugh.

Devasena (India)

Also known as: Kaumari; Sena. See also Karttikeya.

Devatas (India) see Devis.

Devayoshas (India) see Devis.

Devee (India) see Devi.

Devera (Roman)

This goddess rules the brooms used to purify ritual sites.

Devi Debee, Devee (Brahmanic, Dravidian [possibly], Hindu, Vedic; India).

Also known as: Ambika, Bhairavi (“Terrible”), Bhargavi (Wife of Shiva), Bhavani, Bhowanee, Bhowani, Bhuta-nayaki (Spirit Leader), Bhuvana-Matri (Mother of the World), Bhuvanisvari (Mistress of the World), Brahmani (Wife of Brahma), Bhramara (Relating to the Bee), Chandi (“Fierce”), Chinna-mastica, Dakshaja (Born of Daksha), Dakshina (Right-handed), Devi-Uma, Devi-Uma-Kali, Digambari (Clad with the Quarters), Doorga, Durga (Inaccessible), Eka (One), Gauri (The Golden Lady), Gowree, Idika (Mother), Jaganmatri (Mother of the World), Kalee, Kali (The Black Mother), Kali-Durga, Kalika, Kamakshi, Kotari (Naked), Kumari (The Maiden), Lilavati (Charming Woman), Ma, Madira (Of Spiritous Liquor), Maha-Maya (Illusion), Maha-isvari (Great Potentate), Mahakalee (The Great Black One), Maharajni (Great Queen), Mangala (The Auspicious One), Mari, Matri (Mother), Menakshi, Minakshi (Fish-Eyed), Minakshidevi, Mridani, Nairriti (Southwestern), Parbati, Parvati (The Mountaineer), Parwati, Purbutty, Rudrani (Wife of Rudra) Shakti, Sarasvati, Sarvamangala (Universally Auspicious), Sarvani, Sarvavasini, Sati (Virtuous), Shakti, Surisi, Surisvari (Divine Lady), Sutty, Tariki (Delivering), Triambika (Wife of Rudra-Shiva), Triganini (Mother of Three Worlds), Uma (Light), Vaishnavi (Wife of Vishnu), Vari (Fair Faced), Vigaya (Victorious), Vindhyavasini, Vindhyavarini (Dwelling in the Vindhya Mountains), Yogisvari (Adept in Yoga).

Devi is known as a “Great Mother” or “Universal Mother.” She is one of the most important of the Indian goddesses. She is a creator, maintainer and destroyer. In one of her earliest forms, Devi as Ambika is associated with Rudra and is said by some to be his wife and possibly his sister. She appears as the early fertility goddess Gauri, meaning the “Golden Lady” or the “Shining One.” She is the granddaughter of Mahakali the “Great Black One” (also an epithet for Devi-Uma-Kali). She is the daughter of Sirsootee, the sister of Bishen and possibly the mother of a daughter, Manasa. Gauri is later used as a first name for Parvati (another aspect of Devi) when she rides on a tiger. We encounter her as Sati, the daughter of Daksha and the devoted wife of Shiva. After the death of Sati, she is reborn as Parvati the youngest daughter of Mena, the sister of the goddess Ganga, once again the wife of Shiva, and according to some legends, the mother of Karttikeya (also known as Skanda) and Ganesha. As Uma, the wife of Shiva, her skin is golden and she personifies light and beauty. As Durga, once again the wife of Shiva, she is yellow, wears a menacing expression, rides a tiger and has ten arms. Kali, the “Black Mother,” appears as the goddess of destruction and wife of Shiva. Devi also appeared as the female baby of Yasoda, the wife of Nanda who nurtured the baby Krishna when the demon Kansa wanted to kill him. Devi is worshiped as Mari the goddess of death, by the Korwas, also known as Korama people of India. Devi is also a name signifying any female deity. Devi as Kali-Durga killed the buffalo monster Mahisasura (Mahisha) who threatened to undo the world. Devi is depicted with four faces and four arms. She wears a diadem of shining colors. Her emblems include the bow, arrow, bowl, goad, hook, ladle, noose, prayer-book, rosary, sword and peacock’s tail. For Minakshi, see Kuvera. See also Ana Purna; Ardhanari-Ishvara; Bhavani; Chandi; Daksha; Devaki; Devis; Durga; Ganesha; Ganga; Gauri; Kali; Kansa; Karttikeya; Krishna; Kumari; Laksahmi; Manasa; Mari; Maruts; Parvati; Rudra; Sarasvati; Sati (A); Shakti; Shiva; Sitala; Vishnu.

Devi-Kali (India) see Kali.

Devi Sri (India) Noble Goddess. See also Lakshmi.

Devi-Uma (India) see Bhavani; Devi.

Devi-Uma-Kali (India) see Devi.

Devil

Also known as: Belial, Eblis, Iblis, Lucifer, Nergal, Satan, Sathan, Sathanas, Shaitan (Islamic), Shetan (Islamic).

Evil spirit. Possibly from the Greek Diabolos or from the Indian meaning of “little Deva or demon.” The Jews called these demons Shedim or Liliths and S’eirim in the Old Testament. In the Teutonic language they are called Deopul, Diabul, Duibhal, Duwel, and Teufel. The Egyptian devil was Set. The Islamic Shaitan more often inhabits the bodies of females. It tempts women to disobey their spouses. To rid her of the spirit, the name of the spirit must be known and the woman must be beaten. Same as the Saxon Deopul, Diabul, Diubhal and the German Teufel. In Judeo-Christian belief, the devil is the principal of evil and the archfiend. See also Azazel; Satan.

Deving Isching (Latvia) God of Horses.

Devis, The Deva (masculine); (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain; India)

If the word Devi is used as a name, it refers to Kali, Parvati, Uma and Durga. It is sometimes used to describe a female angelic, heavenly or divine being. The Devis are the daughters of Aditi. Other Devic beings are the Deva-Kanyakas, the Devayoshas and the Devanganas. Also included are the Devatas, who are divided into the following classes: the Adhidevatas, Digdevatas, Grihadevatas, Mangadevatas, Mantradevatas, Purvadevatas, Rajyadidevatas, Rakshodhidevatas, Sakunadevatas, Shastradevatas, Sthalidevatas, Ushodevatas, Vanadevatas, Vrikdevatas. The Vidyadevis are Devis who are described as Jain goddesses of knowledge. Gandhara is known as a Vidyadevis. In Cambodia, the Devatas are known as Thevadas. See also Aditi; Devas (A); Dorje-Naljorma; Durga; Kali; Parvati; Uma.

Devona (Celtic) River goddess. See also Sequana.

Devorgilla (Irish)

Her father, the king of Ireland, gave her to Cuchulain. He rejected her and passed her on to another man. Wounded, she transposed herself and her female attendant into birds and they flew away. One day when Cuchulain was hunting, he threw a rock at the bird and it fell to earth and assumed the form of Devorgilla. The hero saved her life by sucking the stone from her flesh. In doing so, he swallowed some of her blood making them related by blood and therefore unable to have sex. See also Cuchulain.

Devourer of Amenti (Egypt) see Amit.

Devs (Armenian)

Also known as: Ais, Char.

Gigantic, shape-changing spirits, the Devs can appear as humans, serpents or in dreams as wild animals. They often have one or more eyes and seven heads. Usually harmful, sometimes they appear foolish and harmless. Their presence can be detected by insanity, itching around the throat, ear or tongue, sneezing or fainting. They can be deterred by cutting through the air with a sword or a stick. In the theological sphere the Devs are harmful spirits who are constantly riddling the path of truth with their snares. See also Arlez; Daevas; Hambaris; Kaches.

Dewtahs, The (India) Celestial Beings. See also Aditi.

Deywuckee (India) see Devaki.

Dhammai People, India — Creation Legend see Shuznagnu and Zumiang-nui.

Dhammapada, The (Buddhist)

This book contains the teachings of Gautama Buddha. The Pali version of The Dhammapada, which contains 423 verses divided into twenty-six chapters, is the most widely known. The Tibet and Chinese versions vary slightly from the Pali version. See also Buddha.

Dhana-Pati (India) see Kuvera.

Dhanada (India) “Giving Wealth.” See also Kuvera.

Dhanus (India) The Sacred Bow. See also Kurma.

Dhanvantari (Hindu; India)

He is the physician of the gods and the keeper of soma. See also Kurma.

Dhara (India) see Vasus.

Dharani (India) see Lakshmi; Parashur Rama.

Dharini (Tantrayana Buddhism) Goddess of Memory.

Dharma (Buddhist, Hindu; India)

Dharma, a sage, and the personification of law and justice, was a judge of the dead. He married a number of Daksha’s daughters who became the mothers of children who personified virtue. With his mate Sraddha, the goddess of faith, he became the father of Kama, the god of love. Dharma is the god who appears when mortals are being tested for strength of character. In the Mahabharata, Dharma is the father of the chief of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira. Dharma is an ancient title of Yama, who in his role of judge of the dead is known as Dharmaraja. In Buddhism, Dharma (The Dhamma) is the Ultimate Reality and the formulation of Buddha’s teachings as presented in the sutras. See also Daksha; Dwaparayuga; Kama; Kunti; Medha; Narayana (C); Pandavas; Sraddha; Tretayuga; Vyasa; Yama; Yudhisthira.

Dharma Palas (India) see Lhamo.

Dharmacakra (India)

Soft-voiced lord of speech. See also Manjusri.

Dharmapala (Buddhist; India)

Depicted as hideous giants with huge teeth, tongues sticking out, and hair standing on end, the Dharmapala are the “Protectors of Religion.” See also Vajrapani.

Dharmaraha (India) see Mitra; Yama.

Dharmaraja (India)

King of Virtue. See also Amrtakundali; Yama.

Dharmavajra (India) see Samantabhadra.

Dhartarastra Jikokuten (Japan), Yul-khor-bsrun (Tibet); (Buddhist, Hindu; India)

Dhartarastra dwells in the Buddhist universe of Chakravala. He lives with the other guardians in the Heaven of the Four Great Kings near the peak of the sacred Mount Meru. This plane is populated with pretas (ghosts), animals, demons and men. The Four Great Kings guard the entrance to Sukhavati, the Buddhist paradise. Dhartarastra, lord of the Gandharvas (heavenly attendants), is the guardian of the east. Another Great King is Virudhaka, lord of the Kumbhandas (giant demons and gnomes), who is the guardian of the south. Virupaksha, lord of the Nagas (dragons or serpents) is the guardian of the west. Vaisravana, lord of the Yaksas (demon disease carriers) is the guardian of the north. As a group the guardians are known to the Hindu and Buddhist as Lokapalas. In the Hindu tradition, Agni guards the north, Indra the east, Varuna the west and Yama the south. In some traditions, Kubera guards the north and Ravana is the guardian of the fifth position, which is located in the center. Dhartarastra is white in color. He wears a plumed helmet, holds a stringed instrument and feeds on incense. See also Chakravala; Naga Naga Knaya; Sukhavati; Virudhaka; Virupaksha.

Dharti Mai Bhudevi, Dharti Mata; (Hindu; India)

Mother Earth who supports the earth. Her presence is everywhere in the ground. Pregnant women are placed upon her at the time of delivery. Pigs, goats, and fowl are sacrificed to her. She is worshiped as a pile of stones or a pot in many villages. See also Prithivi; Sinivali; Vishnu.

Dharti Mata (India) Earth Mother. See also Dharti Mai.

Dhata (India) see Prajapati; Surya.

Dhatr (India)

Creator of All Things. See also Prajapati; Surya.

Dhatri (Vedic; India)

Originally, Dhatri was sometimes included in the lists of Adityas. Later, he was known as a minor deity of health and domestic harmony. See also Adityas.

Dhenuka (India) King of the Hayas. See also Krishna.

Dhisana (Vedic; India) Goddess of plenty.

Dhritarashtra (India)

He is the blind son of Vyasa and Ambika, mate of Gandhari, and father of one hundred sons. The eldest son, Duryodhana, was the leader of the Kauravas, who fought the Pandavas in the war of the Mahabharata. See also Bhima (A); Bhishma; Duryodhana; Kauravas; Kunti; Pandavas; Radha; Vyasa.

Dhriti (India) see Devaki.

Dhruvasinha (India) see Amrtakundali.

Dhumaketu (India) see Agni.

Dhumbarahi (Nepal) see Varahi.

Dhupa (India) see Ratnasambhava.

Dhupema (India) see Dhupa.

Dhurva (India) see Vasus.

Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya (Nepal) see Akshobhya; Dhyani Buddhas.

Dhyani Buddha Amitabha (Nepal) see Dhyani Buddhas.

Dhyani Buddha Amoghshiddhi (Nepal) see Amoghshiddhi; Dhyani Buddhas.

Dhyani Buddha Vajrasatwa (Nepal) see Vajrasatwa.

Dhyani Buddhas Dhyanibuddhas

Also known as: Panch Buddhas (Kathmandu, Nepal), Tathagata (Nepal); (Buddhist; Nepal)

The five Dhyani Buddhas are abstract aspects of Buddhahood which emanate from the self-existent Adibuddha. From the meditations of the knowledge-holding Dhyani Buddhas evolved the five Dhyanibodhisattvas, who are the five Buddhist creators of the universe. The five Dhyani Buddhas are Vairocana, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi. The consorts (saktis) of the Dhyani Buddhas are known as Dhyanibuddhasaktis. Vairocana’s sakti is Vajradhatvisvari, Akshobhya’s sakti is Locana (Buddhalocana), Ratnasambhava’s sakti is Mamaki, Amitabha’s sakti is Pandara, and Amoghasiddhi’s sakti is Tara. The Dhyani Buddhas represent the five Skandhas. The Skandhas are the five cosmic elements: Rupa (form), Vedana (sensation), Samjna (name), Sanskara (conformation), and Vijnana (consciousness). The Dhyani Buddhas are exceptionally popular in Nepal where they are depicted in every shrine, often found in courtyards and in the main entrance of a Buddhist home. A Dhyani Buddha may incarnate as a mortal manifestation known as a Manushi-Buddha. The Dhyani Buddhas are shown together seated on an open lotus in the lotus position with their palms and soles are turned upwards in the dhyana mudra. Their bare heads are crowned by thick curls. Their eyes are usually half-closed. Sometimes they hold a cup in the open hand, symbolizing openness. Their undergarment, held by a scarf, reaches from the chest to the knee. The outer garment is a monk’s costume, which leaves only the right arm bare. Sometimes a sixth Dhyani Buddha, Vajrasatwa, is added. Generally Vajrasatwa is regarded as the priest of the five Dhyani Buddhas. For more specific descriptions, see the individual names of the deities. See also Adibuddha; Akshobhya; Amida; Amoghasiddhi; Avalokitesvara; Boddhisattvas; Dhyanibodhisattvas; Maitreya; Mamaki; Manjusri; Manushi-Buddhas; Pandara; Ratnasambhava; Samantabhadra, Tara (B); Vairocana; Vajrapani; Vajrasatwa.

Dhyanibodhisattvas (Buddhist; Nepal)

The five Dhyanibodhisattvas evolved from the Dhyani Buddhas and are known as the creators of the cycles of the world. They are Avalokitesvara, Ratnapani, Samantabhadra, Vajrapani, and Visvapani. Over time, the number of Dhyanibodhisattvas increased. In Northern Buddhist temples a group of eight Dhyanibodhisattvas is often seen standing to the right of an important deity. They are Akasagarbha, Avalokitesvara, Kshitigarbha, Mahasthamaprapta, Maitreya, Manjusri, Sarvanivaranaviskambhin, Trailokyavijaya. Vajrapani or Samantabhadra are sometimes substituted for one of the eight. They wear a five-leafed crown and are garbed in a scarf on the upper body, and a shawl over the lower limbs. They wear earrings, bracelets, armlets, and anklets. See also Boddhisattvas; Dhyani Buddhas; Kshitigarbha; Maitreya; Manjusri; Samantabhadra; Trailokyavijaya; Vajrapani.

Dhyanibuddhas (Nepal) see Dhyani Buddhas.

Dhyanibuddhasaktis (Nepal) see Dhyani Buddhas.

Di (Roman) see Dii.

Di-do (Tibet) see Gro-bdog.

Dia (A) (Greek)

She is the wife of Ixion, and mother of Pirithous. She was seduced by Zeus, who was in the shape of a horse. See also Ixion.

Dia (B) (Celtic) see Aesar (B).

Dia Griene (Scotland)

She is the daughter of the sun who was a prisoner in the Land of the Big Women and escaped with Cailleach, who was disguised as a fox. See also Cailleach Bheur.

Diakoku Daikoku (pre-Buddhist, Buddhist, Shinto; Japan)

Also known as: Daikoku Sama, Daikoku Ten, the Great Black Belt Deity.

Diakoku combined with Okuni-Nushino-Mikoto to become the god of wealth and one of the seven gods of luck known as the Shichi Fukujin. His son, the god of labor Ebisu, is also a Shichi Fukujin. Diakoku, as well as being a god of wealth, is a god of happiness, war, artisans, and merchants. He is a god of heaven and the north. Diakoku is depicted as dark skinned with swollen ear-lobes (a symbol of omniscience), heavy-set, with a smile on his face. He is also shown as a soldier holding a pagoda and a lance or shown with a rice bale and a protruding stomach. The rice bale symbolizes the infinite source of wealth. He is also shown carrying a mallet which grants good fortune and happiness. Diakoku is often accompanied by a rat who acts as his messenger. (In the Hindu and Buddhist tradition a rat vomiting jewels is a rain symbol.) His likeness formed in gold is carried as a charm for prosperity. His colors are black and blue. He may be one of the Shinto kami (deity), as Okuni-Nushino-Mikoto is a Shinto kami. See also Ebisu; Hiruko; Shichi Fukujin; Stupa.

Diamond Kings (Buddhist; China)

Also known as: Kings of Hell, Ssu Ta Chin-Kang.

The Diamond Kings guard the register of judgments. See also Ssu Ta Chin-Kang.

Dian Cecht (Celtic) see Dia’necht.

Diana (Roman)

Also known as: Artemis (Greek), Aventina, Cynthia, Lala (Etruscan), Lucina (Light), Phoebe, Selene, Tergemina, Trivia (Three Ways).

Goddess of forests and groves. Goddess of slaves and plebeians. Diana is the daughter of Jupiter and Latona. She is the Roman equivalent for Greek goddess of hunting and the moon, Artemis. Diana’s dwelling place is the forest. She loved Endymion, Pan, and Orion. She had three aspects, Hecate, Luna, and Phoebe. Some say she was a goddess of childbirth and the birthing of animals. Aventina is Diane as she was worshiped on Aventine Hill in Rome. Her epithet, Tergemina, refers to her triform divinity as a goddess of heaven, earth, and hell. She is generally shown as a woman, sometimes with three heads, a horse, a dog, and a boar. Her chariot is drawn by heifers, horses, two white stags, or a lion and panther. See also Actaeom; Adonis; Artemis; Atalanta; Ceto; Egeria; Gefion; Mama Quilla.

Diancecht (Celtic) see Dia’necht.

Dianchecht (Celtic) see Dia’necht.

Diane of Crete (Greek) see Isis.

Dia’necht (Celtic) Dian Cecht, Diancecht, Dianchecht.

Also known as: The Leech.

Dia’necht, the god of medicine and divine physician, is a member of the Tuatha De Danann, an ancient race of deities. He is the father of Airmid, Cethe, Cian, Cu, Etan, and Miach, and the grandfather of Lugh. Their king, Nuada, had his hand severed during a brutal battle with the demonic giants, the Fomorians. Dia’necht, with the assistance of Credne, the divine bronze worker, created a silver prosthesis for the ruler. However, a rule of sovereignty was that the monarch could not have any physical defects, so he was forced to resign. In an attempt to mend fences with their former enemies, the Tuatha’s offered the throne to Bress, the son of the Fomorian king. This move almost crippled his subjects as he was a greedy, dictatorial monarch. In a twist of fate, Dia’necht’s son, Miach, also a brilliant surgeon, was able to restore Nuada’s severed hand. Dia’necht, insanely jealous, viciously attacked his son on three separate occasions and Miach survived. The fourth time, Dia’necht’s assault generated a grave head injury and his son died. It is said that three hundred and sixty-five (365) different herbs grew on his grave which his sister Airmed tended. Meanwhile, the people removed Bress, who returned to his father’s undersea kingdom to draw up battle plans, and King Nuada regained his throne. See also Asclepius; Bress; Cian; Credne; Lugh; Tuatha De Danann.

Dianus (Roman) see Janus.

Diarmait (Celtic)

He was the friend of Finn who was subsequently slain by him. See also Finn.

Diarmuid (Greek) see Adonis.

Diaus (India) see Dyaus.

Diban (Babylonia) see Deber.

Dice (Greek) Another spelling for Dike (q.v.).

Dictyanna Dictynna (Greek)

Also known as: Britomartis.

Dictyanna is an ancient Cretan goddess who is a follower of Artemis. She invented fishing nets. See also Artemis; Britomartis.

Dictynna (Greek) see Dictyanna.

Dictys (Greek)

The son of Magnes and a Naiad, he is the brother of Polydectes, and husband of Clymene. He was a fisherman in Crete until Perseus, the son of Zeus and king of Mycenae and Tiryns, made him the king of Seriphus in Crete. Dictys had rescued Perseus when he was an infant who had been thrown to sea by Acrisius. See also Acrisius; Clymene; Perseus; Poly dectes.

Dido Didon, Didone (Greek)

Also known as: Elissa (possibly).

Founder and former queen of Carthage, Dido is the sister of Pygmalion and wife of Sychaeus. She is the daughter of Belus or Mutgo. Dido married her uncle, Acherbas (also called Sicharbas), whom Pygmalion killed for his money. When Aeneas was travelling to found the Roman race, he stopped in Carthage to visit her. She fell deeply in love with him. When he left to fufill his destiny, she threw herself on a flaming funeral pyre. Dido may have been worshiped as a goddess of love. See also Aeneas; Agenor (A); Pygmalion.

Didon (Greek) see Dido.

Didone (Greek) see Dido.

Digambara (India) An epithet of Shiva.

Digambari (India) see Devi.

Digdevatas (India) see Devis.

Dih (India) see Gramadeveta.

Dihwar (India) see Gramadeveta.

Dii Di (Roman)

Dii is the Roman name for the twelve great Greek gods: Ceres (Demeter), Mars (Ares), Phoebus (Apollo), Diana (Artemis), Mercury (Hermes), Venus (Aphrodite), Jupiter (Zeus), Minerva (Athena), Vesta (Hestia), Juno (Hera), Neptune (Poseidon), and Vulcan (Hephaistos).

Diing (Dinka People, Africa) see Abuk; Deng.

Diinga (Africa) see Aywil.

Dike (A) Dice (Greek)

Goddess of justice. The daughter of Zeus and Themis, Dike is one of the three Horae. Her sisters are Eirene and Eunomia. Dike is the personified goddess of justice. See also Dike (B); Horae; Themis.

Dike (B) (Greek)

Also known as: Astraea.

She is the daughter of Zeus and Themis, who was also called Dike. See also Dike (A).

Diko (Russia) see Domovoi.

Dikpalas Dig-Gaja (Buddhist; Nepal)

In Nepal, the Dikpalas are invoked in every religious ritual, particularly those associated with buildings. They are the guardians of the four corners and four directions. The guardians of the four corners are Agni, god of fire, ruler of the southeast; Vayu, god of wind, ruler of the northwest; Isana (a form of Shiva), the northeast; and Nairitya, (also spelled Nairrita) god of dread, the southwest. The gods of the four corners are: Indra, king of gods who presides over the east; Varuna, lord of the ocean, over the west; Kuvera, god of wealth, over the north; and Yama, god of death over the south. The eight elephant deities who support the eight corners of Dik (the universe), are also known as Dikpalas. They are Airavata, Pundarika, Supratika, Vamana, Kumunda, Anjanma, Pushpadanta and Suryabhauma. See also Agni; Indra; Kumunda; Kuvera; Lokapalas; Navagrahas; Varahi; Varuna; Vayu; Yaksha and Yakshini; Yama.

Diksha (India) see Soma.

Diktynna (Greek) see Dictyanna.

Dil (Ireland) Cattle goddess.

Dilbar (Babylonia)

This is Ishtar as the “Evening Star” who provokes war.

Dilmun (Sumerian)

Dilmun, the home of the gods, is the garden of paradise. Enshag (son of Enki and Ninhursag) is chief of this region. After the seven-day flood which destroyed humanity, King Ziusudra (the Sumerian Noah), who survived, was made a god and lived in Dilmun. Some say Nabu was connected with Dilmun as a scribe. It is also said that Eden is located in Dilmun. Tagtug, the gardener in Dilmun, ate a forbidden plant and lost his right to immortal life. Dilmun is associated with Enki (q.v.). The Epic of Gilgamesh may refer to Dilmun. It is possibly the same as Eridu. See also Irkalla; Nabu.

Dina-Kara (India) “Day-Maker.” See also Surya.

Dinas (Arthurian) see Vivien.

Dindymene (Greek) see Cybele.

Dindymus (Greek) see Cybele.

Ding (Africa) see Abuk.

Dinija (Crete)

“Mistress of Wild Things,” possibly the original Earth Mother. Dinija appears in connection with Zeus on records at Knossos.

Dinka People, Africa — Creation Legend see Abuk.

Diomede (A) (Greek)

Her parents are Xuthus, “the thievish one,” and Creusa. Her siblings are Achaeus, Ion, and Dorus (possibly). Through marriage to Deion, she became the mother of Actor, Aenetus, Asteropeia, Cephalus and Phylacus. See also Achaeus; Actor; Asteropeia; Cephalus; Deion; Xanthippe.

Diomede (B) (Greek)

She is the wife of Amyclas and the mother of Argalus, Cynortas, Leaneira, and Hyacinthus. See also Amyclas.

Diomedes (A) (Greek)

King of the Bistones of Thrace. His parents are Ares and Cyrene or possibly Asterie. The eighth labor of Heracles was to kill and eat the human-eating horses belonging to Diomedes. See also Ares.

Diomedes (B) (Greek)

Also known as: Tydides.

King of Aetolia. Greatest hero at Troy (after Achilles). One of the Epigoni. Made immortal by Athena. His parents are Tydeus and Deipyle, his wife is Aegialeia. At one point, he fell in love with Callirrhoe. Diomedes was also one of Helen’s suitors. He took a fleet of eighty ships to Troy from Argos. With Acamas, he threatened war if Helen was not returned. See also Abderus; Acamas (A); Ares; Epigoni.

Dionae (Greek) see Dione.

Dione Dionae (Greek)

Also known as: Aphrodite.

Goddess of water (moisture). She is the daughter of Atlas or Oceanus and Tethys, or possibly of Uranus and Gaea. It is thought by some that she was the first consort of Zeus. If that is so, she would be the mother of Aphrodite. Dione married Tantalus and is the mother of Broteas, Niobe and Pelops. In the Pelasgian creation myth, Dione is coupled with Crius as the rulers of the planet Mars. She could be a pre-Hellenic Greek goddess of sexuality and inspiration, who was later replaced by Hera. She is sometimes identified with Diana. See also Broteas; Eurynome (A); Pelops; Tantalus (A).

Dionusos (Greek) see Dionysus.

Dionysus Dionusos, Dionysos, Dyanysos (Greek, possibly of Thracian or Semitic origin)

Also known as: Antauges, Antheus, Anthios, Bacchus (Roman, God of Wine and Revelry), Bassareus (Lydian; pertaining to clothing worn by Dionysus’ followers), Bromius (the Roarer), Cissos, Dendrites (He of the Trees), Dithyrambos (He of the Double-door), Eleusis (pertaining to Eleusinian Mysteries), Eleutherios, Euios, lacchus, Iakchos, Isodaites, Karpios, Kubebe, Laphystios, Lenaeus, Lenaios (said to be his most ancient name), Liber (Roman), Liknites (as the resurrected child), Nuktelios, Nyktelios, Osiris (Egyptian), Perikionios, Phytalmios, Plutodotes (Wealth-giver), Puripais, Sabazius (as Thracian Corn God), Sykites, Thyoneus, Zagreus (Cretan).

Fertility or earth god. God of wine. God of ecstasy. God of drama. Prophetic deity. Dionysus is the son of Zeus and Semele or possibly Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. Other women said to be his mother are Io, Thyone and Dione. As Eleusis, his parents were said to be Ogygus and Daeira. As Dionysus Zagreus, he is the son of Zeus and Persephone and appears in snake form. The most popular version of his legend is with Zeus and Semele as his parents. He married Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, who first loved the hero Theseus. They had six sons: Oenopion (it is possible that his father was Theseus), Phanus, an Argonaut, Ceramus, Peparethus, Staphylus, and Thoas. He was also the father of Hymen (Hymenaeus) the god of marriage, possibly by Aphrodite, Deianira by Althaea who was the wife of Oeneus, he was possibly the father of Phlias by Araethyrea, of Narcaeus by Physcoa and of Arete. As a young man, the divine heritage of Dionysus was not recognized so he left Greece and traveled to Asia to develop his divine powers. His charisma inspired devotion wherever he went and he soon attracted a following and had numerous exciting adventures. Upon returning to Greece his empowerment was recognized by the deities and he was accepted as the son of Zeus and admitted to the company of the Olympians. He delighted in sharing his knowledge of the virtues of wine. He is depicted either as a bearded man or a youth with ivy leaves and grapes around his forehead, wearing a “nebris” (a fawn skin), and carrying a thyrsus (a pole with a pine cone or vine leaves decorating the top). Wine, particularly red wine, symbolizes blood and sacrifice and youth and eternal life. Grapes symbolize fertility and sacrifice, because from the grape comes the wine. Dionysus represented the fertile energy of all growing things and was eventually considered the god of the vine. The goat was central to the celebrations of Dionysus. It represented fecundity and lasciviousness. Worshipers tore the animal apart and ate it raw. The festivals provided the group with an opportunity to vent repressed inhibitions. View the depictions and symbols of Bacchus. For the circumstances surrounding Dionysus’ birth by Semele, which is comparable to the circumstances surrounding Christ, Adonis, Moses, Perseus, and Llew Llaw, also see Semele. Dioynsus is sometimes associated with Osiris. He is compared to the Armenian Aramazd (q.v.). See also Althea; Antiope; Bacchus; Corybantes; Giants; Graces; Hymen; Naiads; Perseus; Satyrs; Serapis; Spantaramet; Theseus.

Dioscures (Greek) see Dioscuri.

Dioscuri Dioscures (Greek)

Also known as: The Gemini Twins, Tyndaridae.

The twins, Castor and Pollux, are known as the Dioscuri. See also Acastus; Castor and Pollux; Leda.

Dipamkara Dipankar, Dipankara (Buddhist; India)

The Buddha of the First World Cycle, Dipamkara, known as “The Enlightener” or “The Lightmaker” was born in the mythological city of Deepavati. He is said to have lived on earth for a million years. As a child, Gautama Buddha offered Dipamkara a handful of dust. It was at this time that Gautama made his decision to attain enlightenment. Dipankar Buddha is depicted Adhaya mudra (his right hand held up in the gesture of protection) and his left hand is Varada mudra (down with the palm facing out in the gesture of charity). He either sits or stands with a monastic garment draped over the left shoulder and wears a pleated flowing skirt. See also Buddha; Manushi-Buddhas.

Dipankar (India) see Dipamkara.

Dipankara (India) see Dipamkara.

Dirce (Greek)

Antiope was given to Dirce as a slave. Dirce is the wife of Lycus, a regent of Thebes. Their son is also known as Lycus. Dirce’s husband killed Epopeus, Antiope’s husband. In turn, Antiope’s children killed Dirce by tying her to either the tails or the horns of an enraged bull. Dirce became a fountain. See also Antiope.

Dirona (Celtic) see Borvo; Sirona.

Dis (A) (Celtic, Norse, Greek)

Supreme deity. As a deity, Dis is thought to have originated with the Gauls or Celts. The Gauls claimed that they were direct descendants of this god. The Romans worshiped him as an underworld deity and a god of wealth. Dis is also a name used for the world of the dead and is often a name used for Pluto, which is another name for Hades. The Celtic Dis is depicted with the hammer (for creativity) and the cup (for abundance). See also Hades; Pluto, Tartarus. May be related to Dis Pater (Dispater). See also Aeracura; Hades.

Dis (B) The singular for Disir (q.v.).

Dis Pater Dispater (Roman)

Also known as: Dis, Orcus, Pluto.

Underworld deity and god of wealth. Dis Pater might have been called Dis and is possibly Celtic in origin. Not a fashionable god, he was named by Caesar and is thought by some scholars to have replaced an earlier Celtic goddess named Aeracura. Two of his aspects were Pluto (Plutos) the Greek god of the dead, and Orcus, the Roman deity of death. In some versions he was the chief of the underworld. His spouse is Persephone. Dis Pater is shown carrying keys and riding in a vehicle pulled by four black horses. Compare to Manes, Orcus and Pluto. See also Aeracura; Bel (B); Dis; Sucellos.

Disciplina (Roman) Goddess of discipline.

Discordia Discord (Roman)

Also known as: Eris (Greek).

Goddess of Strife. Discordia, the Roman goddess of strife, is identified with the Greek goddess of strife, Eris. Discordia was thought to be the consort of Mars. See also Adder; Ares; Eris; Hephaistos.

Disir (Teutonic)

Also known as: Dis (singular).

Disir is a term used to designate a certain group of goddesses who were concerned for the good of the home and family. The Valkyries and Norns were Disir. Certain goddesses were also called Disir, such as Freyja (q.v.). Special sacrifices were offered to the Disir. See also Norns; Valkyrie.

Dispater (Roman) see Dis Pater.

Dithrambos (Greek) see Dithyrambos.

Dithyrambos Dithrambos (Greek, Roman)

Also known as: Bacchus (Roman), Dionysus (Greek).

Dithyrambos is an epithet of Bacchus, the god of wine. It is also the name for a wild song sung by the Bacchanals. In Greek mythology, Dithyrambos, meaning “Him of the Double Door,” is an epithet of Dionysus. See also Bacchus; Dionysus.

Diti (Hindu; India)

She is one of the sixty daughters of Daksha, and the mate of Kasyapa. They were the parents of the giant Daityas, the enemies of sacrifice. Indra had them confined to the depths of the ocean where they were ruled by Varuna. Diti harbored resentment toward Indra and begged Kasyapa for a son who would be indestructible. He agreed with the provisions that she remain pregnant for one hundred years and remain pious and pure throughout her confinement. When Indra found out that she was pregnant, he watched her carefully to see if she was adhering to her bargain. Toward the end of her century-long term, she went to bed one night without washing her feet. Indra seized the opportunity and thrust his vajra (thunderbolt) up her womb to destroy the unborn child. It was so strong that it divided into seven weeping sections. Their crying unsettled Indra and he tried to comfort them. It did not stop them, their wailing only became louder. Angry, Indra divided each of the seven children into seven, creating forty-nine children, who survived as the forty-nine flying warriors known as the Maruts. In some references the Maruts are numbered at twenty-seven or one hundred and eighty. Diti and Kasyapa were also the parents of the thousand-headed demon, Andhaka, and two famous Daityas, Hiranya-kasipu and Hiranyaksa. There are correspondences between Diti, Aditi and Vach. See also Aditi; Andhaka; Asuras; Daityas; Daksha; Hiranya-kasipu; Hiranyaksa; Indra; Kasyapa; Maruts; Rudras; Vach; Varuna.

Diuturna (Roman) see Juterna.

Div (Zoroastrian) see Jin; Daevas.

Divali (India) A Jain festival to honor Mahavira (q.v.).

Diveriks (Lithuania) Deity of the Rainbow.

Divine Cow, The (Gaulish, Celtic) see Borvo.

Divji Moz (Slavic)

Storm demons. They are wild spirits of the forests who were accompanied by fierce winds. The Divji Moz cause travelers to lose their way.

Divo Napata (India) see Asvins.

Divs (Persia) see Daevas; Deva.

Divya-ratna (India) see Cintamani.

Diwali (India) A Festival. See also Lakshmi.

Diwata Magbabaya (Philippine Islands)

High god. A great spirit, who lives in a house of coins. No mortal can look at him, for if he does so, the mortal will melt into water.

Djadek (A) (Czech) see Domovoy.

Djadek (B) (Slavic) see Domovoi.

Djamar (Aborigine People, Australia)

Supreme Being, who made all things. He has a mother, but not a father. He is supposed to walk with a dog. He lives in the salt water, under a rock. In some versions Djamar is in charge of two other high gods, Marel and Minan, whom he placed with other tribes.

Djanggawuls (Aborigine People, Australia)

Creator and fertility deities. The sisters Miralaid (also spelled Miralaidj) and Bildjiwararoju (Bildjiwuraroiju), are daughters of the sun goddess. They are goddesses of fertility who created human beings and vegetation. Some say the Djanggawuls are two sisters and a brother. The sisters’ names are Djanggau and Djunkgao and the brother’s name is Bralbral. They originally lived on the island named Bralgu (Bu’ralgu), and later moved to Arnhem Land. The sisters, eternally pregnant, gave birth to plants and animals as they walked about the earth. With each birth, a portion of their long vulvae broke off and became the first sacred objects. One day, their brother and his friend stole the sacred objects and left the sister bereft of their superhuman powers. The women left to follow the path of the sun, all the while continuing to give birth to new creatures. See also Wawalag Sisters.

Djed (Egypt) Deified object.

A shape in which Osiris sometimes appeared, especially as a warrior leader. The Djed, a sacred object or fetish, was at first the trunk of an evergreen tree and was later stylized in the form of a column topped by four capitals.

Djehuti Orzehuti (Egypt)

Also known as: Zehuti.

This is a name by which the god Thoth was known in early times. The name derives from Djehut, a former province of Lower Egypt. See also Thoth.

Djeneta (Chippewa People, North America) Name of a giant.

Djigona (Huron People, North America) see Deganiwada.

Djigonsa (Huron People, North America)

Messenger. Mother of Deganiwada, and wife of the “Great Spirit.” She was the messenger between her son of the Sky-world and the tribes of the Mohawks and Onondaga.

Djinn Djinns (Arabia) see Efrit; Jinn.

Djunggun (Australia) see Wondjina.

Dmyal-wa (Tibet) see Naraka (B).

Dockalfar (Teutonic) Dark Elves. See also Alfar.

Doda (Serb) see Dodola.

Dodol (Slavic)

Air god or goddess. This deity is pulled around the sky in a chariot by white horses.

Dodola Doda (Serb) Goddess of rain.

Dog-Faced Ape (Egypt) see Aani.

Dogdha (Celtic) see Dagda.

Dogoda (Slavic) The west wind. See also Perun; Stribog.

Doh (Yenisei People, Siberia)

One of the greatest magicians. While traveling, Doh would fly over the waves until he became weary, then he would create islands to rest on.

Dohit Dohitt (Mosotene, Quechua People, South America)

Creator. The Mosotene say Dohit created the first mortals from clay. The Quechua say he created the world in the shape of a raft. Next, he created mortals and then retired. Later, he returned to change some of the mortals to animals and birds. He also taught the people how to farm. See also Keri and Kame.

Dola (Slavic)

Also known as: Dolya, Sreca (Serbia).

The spirit of mortal fate given to a newborn. See also Dolya (who is similar to Sreca of the Serbian people).

Dolgthrisir (Teutonic) see Dolgthvari.

Dolgthvari Dolgthrisir (Teutonic) see Dwarfs.

Dolma Tara (Tibet)

A common name in Tibet for the goddess Tara in all her forms.

Dolphin Constellation (Greek) see Amphitrite.

Dolya Nedolya (Russia, Slavic)

This goddess of fate lives behind stoves. When her spirits are high, she brings good luck. When her mood is bad, she is known as Nedolya, appears as an old hag, and brings with her bad luck. See also Bannik; Chlevnik; Domovoi; Kikimora; Ovinnik.

Domfe (Kurumba People, Africa)

This water god, god of rain and wind, gave the first food-bearing seeds to humans.

Domnu (Celtic)

The goddess of the sea, she is also the mother of one of the Fomorian kings, Indech. He was killed during a battle by Ogma, one of the chiefs of the Tuatha De Danann (q.v.). See also Ogma.

Domovik (Russia) see Domovoi.

Domovoi Domovoj, Domovoy, Domovui (Estonian, Finnish, Polish, Russian, Slavic)

Also known as: Chelovek, Deduska, Deduska Domovoy, Dedusky Domovik, Domovoy, Djadek (Slavic), Dvorovoi (Finno-Ugric), Haldja (Finnish), Haltia (Finnish), Holdja (Estonia), Iskrychi (Poland), Karliki (Slavic), Khoromozitel, Susetka, Syenovik (Russia), Tsmok (Russia).

These household spirits are thrown out of heaven by the great god. The benevolent Domovoi land on houses, barns and farmlands, the evil ones land in fields, woods and wild lands. They generally live near the stove because they like fire. If they are angry they can burn the house down. If the family moves, fire from the former home is moved to the new home to welcome the Domovoi. A Domovoi is depicted as an old, gray-bearded man. He protects the household against hostile spirits as he bustles through the house at night. If a hairy person brushes against the Domovoi at night, good luck is ensured. If the hands are smooth, bad luck follows. The female Domovoi called Kikimora, Domania, or Domovikha, live in the cellar, or in ovens. One species of the Domovoi is the Chlevnik, spirit of the cattle shed or barn. The kitchen spirit is called the Ovinnik and the bathroom spirit, the Bannik. They can appear in many shapes, such as small and hairy men, animals and even objects. Under the name of Haltia or Haldja this is the ruler who precedes men almost as a ghost or shadow. In some legends, this spirit comes in the shape of a dog or cat. Haiti and Holdja are house goddesses. They live in the beam of the roof in each room. If acknowledged when entering the house, they bring the occupants good luck. They are similar to the Aitvaras of Prussia and the Roman Lares (qq.v.). See also Bannik; Chlevnik; Dolya; Dvorovoi; Khoromozitel; Kikimora; Krukis; Ovinnik.

Domovoj Domovui (Russia)

Also known as: Karliki (Slavic) Iskrzychi (Poland), Syenovik and Tsmok (Russia), Haltia, Haldja (Finnish), Holdja (Estonia).

House spirit. These domestic dwarf spirits are similar to Domovoy of the Slavs, and Aitvaras of Prussia. Under the name of Haltia or Haldja, this spirit was the ruler who precedes men almost as a ghost or shadow. Sometimes the Domovoj come in the shape of a dog or cat. Haiti and Holdja are house goddesses. They live in the beam of the roof in each room. If acknowledged when entering the house, they bring the occupants good luck.

Domovoy (Russia) see Domovoi; Dvorovoi.

Domovui (Russia) see Domovoi; Dvorovoi.

Don (British, Celtic)

Also known as: Dana.

Goddess of fertility. Don is known as the mother of the Welsh pantheon as related in the fourth branch of the Mabinogion. She is associated in Wales and Britain with the Irish earth mother Dana. Some of the Children of Don (meaning ancestors) were Gwydion, Govannon, Ludd, and Arianrhod. Don is thought of as the mother of the sacred tribe. Some renditions place her as mother of Math and wife of Beli. See also Arianrhod; Dana; Gwydion; Math.

Don the Enchanter (Celtic) see Gwydion; Pryderi.

Donar (Teutonic)

Also known as: Thor, Thunar (Anglo Saxon).

Donar is an alternate name for Thor, the thunder god. As Donar, his symbol is the swastika. See also Thor.

Dongo (Songhoi People, Africa)

God of Thunder. Legend says Dongo threw his axe into heaven to try it out, then when one of the villagers made a spark, Dongo threw his axe at it killing all his companions. His grandfather told him to fill his mouth with water and spray it on his companions which brought them back to life.

Donn (Celtic) see Achren.

Donu (Celtic) see Dana.

Door Guards (China) see Men-shen.

Doorga (India) see Devi.

Dor-le (Tibet) see Dam-c’an-r-do-rje-legs-pa.

Dori (Teutonic) see Dwarfs.

Doris (Greek)

She is the sea goddess spouse of Nereus, and the mother of the Nereids. Her parents are Oceanus and Tethys. See also Amphitrite; Ceto; Nereids; Nereus; Oceanids; Oceanus; Tethys.

Dorje-Naljorma Toma (Tibet), Vajra-Yogini (Tibet)

This Tantric goddess personifies spiritual energy and intellect. She is described as sixteen years of age, with one face, three eyes and two hands. The Flames of Wisdom form a halo around her. She is in a dancing position, with her right leg bent and foot uplifted. Her left leg is on the breast of a prostrate human. See also Devis; Toma; Vajra-Yogini.

Dorje Phagmo Dorje-phe-mo (Tibet), rDorje-P’ag-mo (Buddhist; India, Tibet)

Also known as: Vajra-Varahi, Vajrabarahi, Vajravarahi.

Dorje Phagmo is known as the Thunderbolt Sow, the Great Diamond Sow, the Female Energy of All Good, and the Most Precious Power of Speech. She is a Khadoma (female demon) and a Bodhisattva (a person who has attained enlightenment). Once when her monastery in Tibet was threatened, she turned herself and her attendant monks and nuns into pigs for protection. When the invaders saw an empty monastery, they said they would not loot it. Dorje Phagmo and her populace returned to human form in front of the invaders and then metamorphized everyone back into swine. This terrified the would-be looters into a state of awe. Instead of taking items away, they presented the monastery with priceless gifts. When called upon, Dorje Phagmo can bestow supernatural powers on her followers. As Vajravarahi, she is the consort (sakti) of Cakra-samvara, the Buddha of sublime happiness. In Tibet, he is known as dDe-mch-og-dpal-kor-lo-dom-pa or Dem-chho-pal-khor-lo-dom-pa. A dorje is a type of thunderbolt. The name Dorje Phagmo is interpreted as “Thunderbolt Sow.” As Vajravarahi, she is depicted excreting a sow’s head from her right ear. Her color is red; her position (asana) is dancing. One of her emblems is the kapala (Sanskrit), also called the t’od-p’or (Tibetan), an altar object that is also the emblem of Buddhasaktis, Dakinis, Dharmapala, Ekajata and Yi-dam. The Khados correspond to the Indian Dakinis (female demons). See also Dakini; Sambara (B); Varahi.

Dorje-phe-mo (Tibet) see Dorje Phagmo.

Dorje-sem-pa (Tibet) see Vajrasatwa.

Dorobo (Masai People, Africa) see Ngai.

Doros (Greek) see Achaeus.

Dorr-Karing (Swedish)

Door spirit. Legend says she stands by the doorway and blows out the candles of those entering or leaving. See also Uksakka.

Dorus (A) (Greek)

He is the son of Hellen and Ortheis. His siblings are Aeolus and Xuthus. Aegimius and Tectamus are his children. See also Aeolus (A); Hellen.

Dorus (B) (Greek)

Apollo and Phthia are his parents, and Laodocus and Polypoetes are his siblings. He is the father of Xanthippe. See also Polypoetes.

Dorus (C) (Greek) He is the son of Xuthus and Creusa (qq.v.).

Doso (Greek)

Doso is the name Demeter used while she nursed Demophon in disguise. See also Demeter; Demophon.

Dotis (Greek) see Ares.

Doto (Greek) One of the fifty Nereids (q.v.).

Drac (A) Draca (Middle Eastern)

The Drac are female water spirits who entice women and children into the water and devour them.

Drac (B) (French) A spirit feared by peasants.

Dragon Kings (Taoist; China)

Also known as: Lung-Wang.

Weather deities. There were either four, eight, or ten of these deities. Creatures said to represent the yang force (see Yin and Yang). They were associated with the waters of lakes, rivers, and the sea, and all fell under the rule Yu-ti. Four brothers, Ao Kuang (Eastern sea), Ao Jun (Western sea), Ao Shun (Northern sea) and Ao Ch’in (also spelled Ao-K’in (Southern sea), were lords of the seas surrounding the earth. Each had his crystal palace, court, and attendants. In the Taoist belief there are four kings; Kuang-te, Kuang-li, Kuang-jun and Kuang-she. In a similar legend, a dragon called Enlightener of the Darkness had control over light and darkness by the opening and closing of his eyes. His breath brought wind and rain, cold and fire. The Dragon Kings are generally shown as a serpent or dragon. Similar to the Nagas (q.v.). See also Lung; Nine Songs; Ssu-ling; Yama Kings.

Drauga (Persia) see Angra Mainyu.

Draupadi, Princess Panchali (India)

See also Arjuna; Duryodhana; Kama; Kunti; Pandavas.

Draupner (Teutonic) see Draupnir.

Draupnir Draupner (Norse; Teutonic)

Also known as: Dropper.

Emblem of fertility. A magic ring. Eight similar rings dropped from the original ring every night. Some say the ring produced eight rings on every ninth night. The rings were manufactured by the dwarfs who presented them as a gift to Odin. The dwarf, Sindri, is sometimes referred to as the manufacturer of the rings. Other writers say it was the dwarfs Eitri and Brokk who forged the original ring. It is pictured as a large red gold ring shaped as a snake with its tail in its mouth. See also Dwarfs; Odin; Sindri.

Dreams (Greek)

Also known as: Oneiroi.

The Oneiroi are the children of Nyx or Hypnos, or Erebus. They guard the Underworld entrance. See also Aether; Hypnos; Keres; Nemesis; Nox.

Dri-chab-ma (Tibet) see Ganda.

Dri-chha-ma (Tibet) see Ganda.

Dripping Water (Zuni People, North America)

She is the mother of the twins, the Ahayuta Achi (q.v.).

Dromi (Norse; Teutonic)

Dromi is the second of three chains that bind Fenrir the wolf. The other chains are Laeding and Gleipnir. See also Fenrir; Gleipnir.

Drona (A) (India)

Drona, a martial arts expert, is the son of Bharadvaja (q.v.). See also Bhima (A); Duryodhana.

Drona (B) (India)

Wife of Kripa, Mother of Ashvatthaman. See also Duryodhana.

Dropper (Teutonic) see Draupnir.

Droudje (Persia) see Drujs.

Druantia (Celtic) Goddess of fir trees.

Drudge (Teutonic) see Thor.

Drugas (Persia) see Angra Mainyu.

Druge (Persia) see Drujs.

Druj (Persia) see Angra Mainyu; Drujs.

Drujs Droudje, Druge, Duruge, Nasu (India, Persia)

These monstrous demons of deceit, often female, were adversaries of the Amesha Spentas. Nasu and Ahzi Dahaka were Drujs. Nasu, the female demon, disguised as a fly, would land on corpses to assist in their corruption. Ahzi Dahaka was a three-headed serpent with six eyes and three pairs of fangs. He was later assimilated into the mortal king, Zohak, the enemy of Persia. He was also said to be an adversary of Yima. Another Druj was Jahi who was associated with Ahriman. Originally, Druj was a goddess. Druj is also an epithet for Angra Mainyu (q.v.). The Drujs are associated with the Pairikas and Yata (qq.v.). See also Ahzi Dahaka; Amesha Spentas; Angra Mainyu; Jahi; Mashya and Mashyoi; Nasu; Yima.

Drukh (Hindu; India)

Malignant spirits who were companions of Vritra (q.v.).

Drumalika (Hindu; India)

During the second age of the world, Drumalika, a demon, assumed the form of King Ugrasena, and raped his wife Queen Pavanarekha as she strolled through the forest. After his act of violence, he resumed his demon form and revealed to her that she would bear a son, who would rule nine divisions of the earth and would become the archenemy of Krishna. The son, Kansa, was born ten months later. Kansa, evil personified, murdered children, and forced King Jarasandha of Magadha to give him two of his daughters, whom he married. He deposed King Ugrasena who ruled the peaceful, agricultural kingdom of the Yadavas of Northern India and banned all worship of the god Vishnu. The gods decided that it was time to intervene and send Vishnu to earth in his avatar as Krishna to restore a balance between good and evil. See also Kansa; Krishna.

Drvaspa (Persian) see Dervaspa.

Dryades Dryads (Greek)

Also known as: Hamadryads.

In early times Dryades were the protectors of the forest; specifically the oak tree. In later periods, these nymphs were associated with the Hamadryads and would reside in any tree; with the exception of fruit trees which were reserved for Maliades. It is said that if a branch of her tree was thoughtlessly broken or injured, the mortal would be punished by a Dryade. They are depicted as females crowned with oak leaves and armed with axes. See also Hamadryads; Naiads; Nereids; Nymphs; Oceanids.

Dryads (Greek) see Dryades.

Dryas (A) (Greek) Son of Ares.

Dryas (B) (Greek)

She is the daughter of Faunas, and the sister of Acis. She hated men and never appeared in public. See also Acis.

Dryas (C) (Greek) He is a centaur associated with Peirithous.

Dryas (D) (Greek) Son of Lycurgus.

Dryas (E) (Greek)

Father of Lycurgus, who was the king of the Edonians of Thrace.

Dryh Basy (Persia)

A corpse demon who is the personification of the spirit of corruption, decomposition, contagion and impurity.

Dryope (A) (Greek)

She is a fountain nymph who was so in love with Hylas that she drew him into her fountain. See also Hylas.

Dryope (B) (Greek)

She is the daughter of Eurytus and the mother of Amphissus by Apollo.

Dryope (C) (Greek)

Aphrodite possessed Dryope’s body. She used it to arouse the women of Lemnos to kill all their men.

Dryope (D) (Greek)

Pan is possibly her son by Hermes. Dryope is the daughter of Dryops and Polydore.

Dryops (A) (Greek)

He is the father of Dryope and spouse of Polydore.

Dryops (B) (Greek) Son of Apollo.

Dryops (C) (Greek) Son of Priam.

Dryops (D) (Greek)

He is associated with Aeneas, the son of Anchises and Aphrodite.

Dsam-Bha-La (Tibet) see Jambhala.

Dsovean (Armenia)

Storm god. Husband of the storm goddess Dsovinar. Some think Dsovean is the same as the old god Vahagn. See also Agni; Vahagn.

Dsovinar (Armenia)

Storm goddess. Wife of the storm god Dsovean. See also Dsovean.

Duamutef (Egypt) see Tuamutef.

Duat (Egypt) see Tuat.

Dubbisag (Sumer) see Nabu.

Dubh Lacha (Irish) Sea-goddess.

Dufr (Teutonic) see Dwarfs.

Dug-Po-Ma (Tibet) see Dhupa.

Dughda Dughdhova (Persia)

Virgin mother of Zoroaster (q.v.).

Dughdhova (Persia) see Dughda.

Duhsasana Dushasana (India) see Bhima (A).

Dula (India) A Krittika sister. See also Rishi.

Dulachan (Celtic)

Similar to the Cluricanes, the Dulachan are malicious goblins or elves. See also Cluricanes; Dwarfs; Elves.

Dumazu (Sumer) see Dumuzi.

Dumu-e-zi (Sumer) see Dumuzi.

Dumu-zi (Sumer) see Dumuzi.

Dumuduku (Babylonia) see Marduk.

Dumunzi (Sumer) see Dumuzi.

Dumuzi Dumazu, Dumu-e-zi, Dumu-zi, Dumunzi, Dumuziabzu, Dumuziapsu, Dumuzida (Sumerian; Accadian)

Also known as: Damu, Tammuz (Babylon), Ziapsu.

This Sumerian vegetation god and shepherd god was later identified with the Babylonian god, Tammuz. To the chagrin of Enkidu and Utu, he became the mate of Inanna. His sister Gestinanna interpreted his nightmares and deduced that he was being attacked by demons. He fled and she vowed that she would never divulge his whereabouts. When the demons arrived, they attacked her but she remained steadfast in her vow of silence. (Her name means “Lady of Desolation.”) Eventually, the demons discovered Dumuzi in the form of a gazelle hiding among his sister’s sheep. They carried him off to the underworld. She pursued them, and in time was able to convince the underworld deities to allow Dumuzi to live six months on earth each year if she remained six months of each year in the underworld. The three most important females in his life were his devoted sister Gestinanna, his wife Inanna, and his mother, Ninsun. The dying Dumuzi is shown with the three women surrounding him. Some say he was the son of Ea and husband/son of Innini. The goddess Gula-Bau has also been called his mother/wife. His animal is the bull. Compare Dumuzi to the Babylonian Tammuz and Ishtar and the Phrygian Cybele and Attis. Some compare him to the Greek Adonis (q.v.). Compare Dumuzi to the Celtic Angus. See Inanna for another interpretation of his descent into the underworld. See also Ea; Enki; Enkidu; Gestinanna; Gula; Ninsun; Nintud; Shala; Utu.

Dumuziabzu (Sumer) see Dumuzi.

Dumuziapsu (Sumer) see Dumuzi.

Dumuzida (Sumer) see Dumuzi.

Duneyr (Teutonic) see Dain; Dwarfs; Yggdrasil.

Dunga (Assyro-Babylonia)

A name for Ea as the deity of singers and psalmists.

Dup Shimate Dup Shimati (Sumer) The name of the Tablets of Fate (q.v.).

Dup Shimati (Sumer) see Tablets of Fate.

Dur-Europas Ba’al Shamin see (Mesopotamia).

Duramulun Daramulum (Aborigine People, Australia)

Also known as: Baiame, Thuremlin.

Creator. He was the first to dwell on earth, but he created man on a planet that had only animals. He gives the medicine man his powers. Some versions call him the son of Baiame of Ngalaibal. Duramulun was one of the survivors of the flood. See also Baiame.

Durapror (Teutonic) see Yggdrasil.

Durathror (Teutonic) see Dain; Dwarfs.

Durga (Hindu; India)

Also known as: Ambika (Mother), Bhadrakali, Bhima, Chamunda, Chanda, Chandi, Chandika (The Burning or Fierce), Devi, Durga Mahisasuramardini, Gauri, Gaya (The Conquering), Jaganmatri, Kali, Karala (The Formidable), Karali, Kausiki (Like an Owl), Mahalaxmi, Mahishamardini (Killing Mahisa), Parvati, Pathalavati (Pale Red), Sarika (Bird), Sati, Shakti, Simharatha (having a car drawn by lions), Skanda, Uma (Light), Vetanda (Like an Elephant), Vetala (Ghoul), Vikathikarala (Fearful).

Durga, the invincible destroyer, warrior and goddess of death, is an aspect of the Great Mother Devi, who was born from the wrath of Vishnu and Shiva. She was formed by the flames in their mouths to evict the demon Mahisasura from heaven. Equipped by the gods with the most powerful of weapons, she engaged in battle with Mahisasura who was disguised as a buffalo. After slaying the animal, she defeated the demons Kaitabha and Madhu who were born from Vishnu during his cosmic sleep. Next, the demon brothers Sumbha and Nisumbha attempted to reign over the deities. Once again, they called upon Durga. She appeared as the beautiful goddess Parvati to soothe the worried gods. After reassuring them, she marched into battle as Durga and confronted the demons Canda and Munda. As they approached her ready for combat, she furrowed her brow and the terrifying warrior goddess Kali emerged. Kali was ready for war. She flung the demons around, crushed them with her jaws and decapitated them with her sword. The heads were given to Durga as a gift. As the slayer of demons, Durga is often called Kali-Durga. Durga, meaning “inaccessible,” resides on the sacred Mount Mandara. She is usually depicted as a full-breasted female clothed in yellow and riding a tiger or lion. She is shown with two to ten arms. Sometimes she has vampire teeth and four arms. She is also shown as a beautiful woman with ten arms holding the moon-disk and a skull. In her most common depiction, she has eight arms, holding a sword, arrow, chakra, shield, noose, javelin, bow and conch shell. In Indian depictions, a violent struggle is shown between Durga and the buffalo. In Javanese depictions, the buffalo is in a recumbent position and the dwarf-like figure of Mahisasura is seen emerging from the animal. In a specific rendering thought to be typical, Durga stands on its back and head with her feet apart. In her three left hands she holds a conch, shield, and bow. In three rights hands she holds a sic, sword and arrow. Her fourth hand pulls at the tail of the animal. Her festival is called the Durga-puja and is held from the seventh to the tenth days of the bright fortnight of Asvina (September-October). During this time, Durga is invoked on a twig from the sacred vilva tree. In another interpretation of Durga as an aspect of Devi, it is said the goddess Devi acquired the name Durga for her fierce form from the demon of the same name whom she slaughtered after a fierce battle. He had taken over the three worlds and forced the gods to live in the forest and worship him. His power was so great that fires could not burn, stars disappeared and waters stood still. In desperation, the gods asked Shiva to attempt to rid the universe of the personification of evil. He turned to his mate Devi for a solution to the problem. Initially, she created the entity Kalaratri to rid the world of this foe, but he was unsuccessful. Devi decided to overcome him herself. The pronunciation of the name Durga is with a long final vowel when referring to the goddess and with a short final vowel when referring to the demon. See also Agni; Ana-Purna; Badari; Devi; Devis; Gauri; Kali; Mahalaxmi; Meru Mountain; Parvati; Rudra, Sati; Shakti; Shiva; Vilva; Vishnu.

Durga Mahisasuramardini (India) see Durga.

Durga Purga (India)

Hindu festival also known as Nava-ratri. See also Durga; Kali.

Durin (Norse; Teutonic)

Also known as: Durinn.

First of the Dwarfs. Assistant or second in command to Modsognir who was chief of the dwarfs. He helped create the dwarfs. See also Modsognir.

Duruge (Persia) see Drujs.

Durvasas (India) see Kama and Kunti.

Duryodhana (Hindu; India)

Duryodhana, a Kaurava, was the eldest of the one hundred sons of the blind king, Dhritarashtra. His father also raised his brother Pandu’s five sons, the Pandavas. The Kauravas were jealous of the Pandavas and tried numerous methods to destroy them. Duryodhana’s hatred was obsessive. He attempted to poison Bhima, and then set fire to his cousins’ home. In desperation, he arranged a gambling match. The stakes were high. The losers were to forego their freedom. To ensure his victory, Duryodhana had the charlatan, Sakuni, prompt him. Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, gambled and lost his own freedom and that of his brothers and their common wife, the princess Draupadi. When Duryodhana took advantage of the situation by humiliating her, Bhima swore revenge. Thirteen years later, after the great war of the Mahabharata, the defeated Duryodhana sought refuge under water. He emerged to duel with Bhima who extracted his revenge by smashing his thigh. Ashvatthaman, the son of Drona and Kripa, who was a Kaurava warrior, came upon him alone in a field. He promised to bring him the five heads of the Pandava brothers. When he returned, Duryodhana realized that Ashvatthaman had murdered the young sons of Draupadi, whom he did not hate. Duryodhana died at the grisly sight of their heads. See also Arjuna; Bala-Rama; Bhima (A); Dhritarashtra; Karna; Kauravas; Krishna; Pandavas.

Dus (Scrat; Teutonic) (Celtic) Demons.

Dusares Dousares, Dusura (Arabia, Greek, Roman)

Sun god or possibly a god of mountains. God of the vine. A local god of South Arabia, who was worshiped by the Romans. In some versions, his mother is a virgin goddess named Chaabu. He is depicted as a black stone pillar on a base of gold and sometimes as a human figure holding a cornucopia. Dusares is identified with Bacchus and Dionysus. Some identify him with Tammuz.

Dushasana (India) see Duhsasana.

Dushyanta (India) see Bharata (B); Shakuntala.

Dusii (Celtic)

They are demons comparable to the medieval European Incubus, the Persian Jinn, Greek Satyrs, and Samoan Hotua Poro. See also Demons.

Dusuara (Greek) see Dusares.

Duzakh (Persia) see Dzokh; Hades; Hell.

Dvalin Davalin, Dvalinn (Norse; Teutonic)

Dwarf smith. Dvalin was one of the dwarfs created by Modsognir. He is the son of Ivald, and brother of Sindri or Brock. He assisted Sindri in forging the sword, known as Tyrfing, or the spear, known as Gungnir, and Freyja’s necklace, known as Brisingamen. He also fashioned the ship Skidbladnir for Odin. See also Brisingamen; Freyja; Loki.

Dvaraka (India) see Dvarka.

Dvarapala (Indonesia) Temple Guardians.

Dvarka (India)

Celestial Abode. See also Bala-Rama; Krishna; Parijata; Pradyuma; Swarga; Yadavas.

Dvergar (Teutonic) see Dwarfs.

Dvivida (India) Monkey Child. See also Asvins.

Dvorovoi (Finno-Ugric; Slavic)

Also known as: Domovik, Domovoi, Domovoj, Domovoy, Domovui, Korka-kuzo (Finno-Ugric), Korka-murt (Finno-Ugric).

These courtyard spirits hate all animals with white fur. They are not always friendly to humans. Sometimes they dwell under the floor of the house. As Korka-kuzo or Korka-murt, when they are not friendly, they cause nightmares. They have the power to substitute small children for changelings. Sacrificing a black sheep can placate them. See also Domovoi.

Dwaparayuga (Hindu; India)

Also known as: Dwarpara.

Part of the Kalpa cycle, (or Day of Brahma), Dwaparayuga is the third of the four Yugas (ages) of the current Mahayugas (epoch). The other Yugas are Krita, the first of the Yugas; Tretayuga, the second of the Yugas; Kaliyuga (named for the goddess Kali), the fourth Yuga. Dwaparayuga will last for 2,400 divine years. Each divine year is 360 human years. Dwaparayuga’s total length is 864,000 human years. During this period, with virtue at 50 percent, Dharma, the god of justice and duty, is yellow in color, and walks on two legs. See also Brahma; Dharman; Kaliyuga; Kalpa; Krita; Tretayuga.

Dwarfs Dwarves (Norse; Teutonic)

Also known as: Dvergar.

Almost all mythology has tales of these diminutive beings. They are often called artisans, and many are smiths or gold workers. Some of the dwarfs mentioned in Norse mythology are Ai, Alf, Alvis, An, Andvari, Annar, Austi, Bafur, Bifur, Bombor, Brokk, Dain, Dolgthvari, Dori, Draupnir, Dufr, Duneyr, Durathror, Durin, Dvalin, Eikinskjaudi, Fal, Fili, Fith, Fjalar, Frosti, Fundin, Galar, Gandalf, Ginnar, Gloin, Har, Haur, Hornbori, Ingi, Jari, Kili, Lit, Loni, Mjodvitnir, Moin, Nain, Nali, Nar, Nibelung, Nidi, Nipingr, Nordri, Nyi, Nyr, Oinn, Ori, Radsuithr, Radsvid, Regin, Rekk, Sjarr, Skandar, Skirfir, Sudri, Thekkr, Thorin, Thror, Thrurinn, Vali, Veigur, Vestri, Vig, Vindalf, Virvir, Vithur, and Yingi. India had Agastya, Egypt called Bes a dwarf, and others were Cedalion (Greek), Gahongas (Iroquois), and Kaukis (Prussia). Elves and Dwarfs are frequently confused. The original elves, said to be of Norse origin, were called Alfar. There are two groups of Alfar: light (Lios Alfar) or dark (Svart Alfar). The Lios Alfar are ruled by Freyr, and the Svart Alfar, who live in the underground known as Svart-Alfa-Heim, are ruled by Wayland the Smith. If they break a rule and make an appearance during the day, they are turned to stone. Dwarfs, trolls and gnomes spend their time collecting gold, silver and valuable stones which they secret away. The fairies and elves live in a bright, airy realm located between heaven and earth. They spend their time flitting around enjoying the finery of nature or dancing in the moonlight. See also Alfar; Alvis; Berling; Bifur; Brisingamen; Brokk; Brownie; Dain; Draupnir; Durin; Dvalin; Elves; Fenrir; Fjalar; Freyja; Freyr; Gleipnir; Kvasir; Midgard; Nibelung; Nordri; Pusait, Regin; Sindri; Sudri; Svart-Alfa-Heim; Ymir.

Dwarka (India) see Krishna; Visvakarma.

Dwumwem (Celtic) see Dwyn.

Dwyn (Celtic)

Also known as: Dwumwem, Oengus.

God of Love. See also Angus.

Dwynwen (Celtic) see Oengus.

Dxui (Bushmen, Central Africa)

Also known as: Thixo (Ponda, Xhosa People), Tsui (Bushmen).

Creator god. For details, see also Tsui.

Dyai (Tucana People, Amazon, South America)

Dyai and his wicked brother Epi were the sons of Nutapa. Dyai was born from his father’s right knee, and Epi was born from his father’s left knee. When Nutapa was killed by a jaguar, his sons brought him back to life. Dyai was Epi’s caregiver. He constantly rescued him from difficulties. The brothers caught a fish from which they created man. The two brothers eventually parted. Dyai went to the east, and Epi to the west.

Dyaus Diaus, Dyu, Dyhu (Hindu, Vedic; India)

Also known as: Dyaus-Pita (Sky-Father), Dyaus-Pitar, Dyava-Prithivi (used when speaking of Dyaus and Prithivi).

Dyaus a sky deity, god of thunder, rain and fertility, is an early Vedic deity, the husband of Prithiva (Earth). He was the father of Ushas (Dawn), Agni (Fire) and Indra and according to some the father of Surya the sun god and possibly the Asvins. Originally, the couple was considered to be the parents of the gods and mortals. Dyaus was murdered by Indra, who then established himself as ruler of the universe. Dyavan (the sky) or Varuna (heaven), is the home of Dyaus. He is sometimes confused with the Greek Dyeus or Zeus. Dyaus is called Father, Dyaus-Pital, similar to Zeus Pater and the Roman Jupiter and the Greek Zeus. Dyaus is depicted as a bull and Prithiva as a cow. See also Agni; Asvins; Devas; Indra; Prithiva; Ratri; Surya; Tvashtri; Ushas.

Dyaus-Pita Dyaus-Pitar (India)

Sky Father. See also Dyaus; Prithiva; Vedas.

Dyaus-Pitar (India) see Dyaus-Pita.

Dyaus-Pitri (India) see Prithiva.

Dyava-Matar (India) Earth Mother. See also Prithiva.

Dyava-Prithivi (India) see Dyaus.

Dyavaprithivi (India) see Prithiva.

Dyavaprthivi (India) see Prithiva.

Dyavo (Slavic) Serbian demons. See also Demons.

Dyhu (India) see Dyaus.

Dylan (Celtic)

Also known as: Eilton (Son of the Wave), Endil.

The brother of Llew, Dylan dove into the sea when he was born. As a sea god, he was known as Eilton and Endil. See also Arianrhod; Llew Llaw Gyffes; Pryderi.

Dymas (A) (Greek)

Dymas, a Trojan, disguised himself as a Greek during the Trojan War. He was killed by the Trojans. See also Aegimius.

Dymas (B) (Greek) King of Phrygia.

Dyna (Greek) see Evander (B).

Dynamene (Greek)

She is one of the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris, known as the Nereids (q.v.).

Dyne (Greek) see Evander (B).

Dyotana (India) The Light Bearer. See also Ushas.

Dyu (India) see Dyaus.

Dzalarhons (Haida People, North America) see Dzelarhons.

Dzelarhons Dzalarhons (Haida People, North America)

Also known as: Volcano Woman.

She is a mountain spirit. Known as the Volcano Woman, she rules the creatures of the earth and punishes abusers of the creatures.

Dzhe Manito The Good Spirit (Algonquin, Chippewa People, North America)

He is the second in command to the Chief of Spirits, Gitche.

Dzokh (Armenia) see Duzakh; Hades; Hell; Santaramet.

E

E (Maya) Maize god.

Ea (Akkadian, Assyro-Babylonian, Sumerian)

Also known as: Amma-Ana-Ki, Aos, Dunga, Enki (Sumerian), Engur, Enki-Ea, Hea, Hoa (Chaldean), Lumha, Nadimmud, Nidim, Ninbubu, Nindubarra, Ninigiku (King of the Sacred Eye), Ninigikug, Nudimmud, Nurra, Oannes.

His early names were Nudimmud and Nidim. A creator deity, Ea is the god of earth and waters, god of the deep sea and god of wisdom. He is the author of the arts of life, the teacher of civilization, and the law-giver. With Anu and Enlil he is the third member of a triad. Ea, Anu and Enlil rule the cosmos, with Ea reserving the right to rule all waters surrounding the earth. He is the water god of Eridu. He is the patron of magicians, healers, and all who practice art and crafts. His magical incantations allowed him to battle and overcome his mother Apsu, the personification of sweet waters, and Mummu (in the Babylonian Creation Myth). He divided Apsu into sections, one of which became his resting place. When Tiamat, the personification of bitter waters, intent upon avenging Apsu’s death, called upon her evil forces, Ea in turn invoked Anshar for assistance and appointed his son Marduk as the leader of an order of newly established gods. From the blood of Kingu, the leader of the opposition, Ea created mortals. As a creator god, he made the gods Kulla (also known as Ki-gulla), Ninildu, Nimsimug, Arazu, Gushkinbanda, Ninagal, Ninzadim, Ninkurra, Ashnan, Lahar, Siris, Gizidu (also known as Ningizzida), Ninsar, Umunmutamku, Umunmutamnag, and Kusug. As well as Marduk, Ea is the father of the goddess Nina and some say Nanshe, the goddess of springs and canals. Some say he has a son, Asari, who is his mediator for mortals. His name means “He who does good to men.” Under his titles of Dunga and Lumha, he is deity of singers and psalmists. Under the name Ninbubu, he is a god of sailors. As Nindubarra he is god of shipbuilders and as Nurra he is god of potters. As Engur he is a water-deity. Later in history he had a spouse named Damkina or Ninki. Despite his wisdom, Ea’s jealousy was the cause of mortals not being able to attain immortal life. (The Sumerian god Enki in later times [second-millennium B.C.E.] became the Babylonian god Ea.) Ea is sometimes shown as a goat with a fish tail or a human with water gushing from his shoulders or from a vase. See also Adad (A); Adam; Adapa; Adar; Agusaya; Anshar; Anu (B); Anunnaki; Aos; Apsu; Arazu; Asari; Ashnan; Asushunamir; Baragulla; Bel (A); Belit; Bohu; Dagon; Damkina; Dumuzi; Eden; Elish; Enki (he is the same as Enki and the opposite of Enlil), Enlil; Ennugi; Enuma Ereshkigal; Eridu; Ezuab; Gasmu; Gilgamesh; Ishtar; Khi-dimme-azaga; Kingu; Kishar; Kulla; Lagamal; Lahar; Lumha; Mami; Marduk; Mummu; Nanshe; Nimsimug; Nina (B); Ninib; Ninigiku; Ninildu; Ninki; Ninkurra; Nudimmud; Oannes; Saltu; Silik-mulu-khi; Tammuz; Tiamat; Ullikummis; Umunmutamku; Usma; Utnapishtim; Ziusudra; Zu.

Eabani (Sumer) see Enkidu; Gilgamesh.

Eadna (Celtic) see Eire.

Eadon (Ireland) Goddess of poetry.

Ealur (Babylon) Another name for Zerpanitum (q.v.).

Eanna (Sumer) The dwelling place of Anu on earth.

Early Waker (Teutonic) see Aarvak.

Earth (A) (Norse; Teutonic)

Also known as: Fjorgyn, Jord.

Earth is another name for the goddess Jord who is also known as Fjorgyn. See also Jord.

Earth (B) (Greek) see Gaea.

Earthmaker (Winnebago People, North America)

Creator deity. Supreme creator of the Winnebago, He is depicted as taking pity on the human race, because having created it last, all the gifts he possessed had already been distributed to the various spirits. He created an herb which had a pleasant odor and which all the spirits immediately desired. But to them he said, “To all of you I have already given something valuable. You are all fond of this herb, is it not so? I am myself.” Then he took some of the leaves, mashed them up, and, filling a pipe, smoked. The odor was pleasant to inhale. All the spirits craved tobacco, so he gave each one a puff and said: “Whatever, from now on, the human beings ask of me and for which they offer tobacco, that I will not be able to refuse. I myself will not be in control of this herb and since, of all these I have created, the human beings alone are poor, if they offer us a pipe full and make some request, we shall always grant it.”

East Wind (Greek) see Boreas; Eurus; Notus.

East Wind Hag (Teutonic) see Gullveig.

Eastre (Norse; Teutonic; Saxon)

Also known as: Eostre, Ostra.

Goddess of spring. Probably identical with Frigga as possibly a goddess of earth or rejuvenation of spring after a long winter. See also Eostre; Frigga.

Eater of Hearts (Egypt) see Sakhmet.

Eater of the Dead (Egypt) see Amit.

Eaynnes (Greek) see Erinyes; Eumenides.

Ebhlenn (Ireland) see Ebhlinne.

Ebhlinne Ebhlenn (Ireland)

The goddess Ebhlinne, the daughter of Guaire, married a king of Cashel, and ran away with his son. She was worshiped in the southern county of Tipperary and lived in the Twelve Mountains of Ebhlenn.

Ebisu (Buddhist, Shinto; Japan)

Also known as: Hirugo, Hiruko (in his form as a jellyfish), Kotoshironushi-No-Mikoto.

God of fishermen. Patron of trade and manual workers. Ebisu is the son of Daikoku, the god of prosperity. With his father, they were members of the Shichi Fukujin (seven deities of good fortune). Ebisu and Daikoku are thought to be Shinto kami (gods). Ebisu was known as the first angler and a deity of fishermen. He represented honesty and frankness. Ebisu is depicted holding a fishing line and a large fish on a string. Usually his earlobes are swollen (a symbol of omniscience) and he wears Japanese clothes. See also Daikoku; Fukujin; Hiruko; Shichi.

Eblis (A) (Islam) see Iblis.

Eblis (B) (Muslim) see Azazel; Jinn; Satan.

Ec (Yenisei People, Siberia)

Also known as: Num, Tgorem (Ugrian people), Torum.

Creator deity. Supreme god of the order of the universe. A Greek name adopted by the Mongols for their high god. He abides in the seventh sky which contains the water of life. His eyes are the sun and moon. See also Num; Tgorem; Torum.

Ecalchot (Niquiran People, Nicaragua)

Wind god. One of the creators who are ruled by Tamagostad and Zipaltonal. He is associated with Ciaga, Quiateot, Misca, Chiquinau, and Vizetot. See also Chiquinau; Ciaga; Quiateot; Vizetot.

Ecbasus (Greek)

He is the son of Argus and Evadne. See also Argus (A).

Echauc (Maya) see Ah-Kiuic.

Echecatl (Aztec) see Quetzalcoatl.

Echecles (Greek)

He is the son of Actor and husband of the daughter of Phylas, Polymele. See also Actor (C).

Echedemas (Greek) see Academus.

Echephron (Greek)

He is the son of Nestor and Eurydice or Anaxibia. See also Antilochus.

Echida (Greek) see Echidna.

Echidna Echida (Greek)

Also known as: Echis.

Eternally youthful half-nymph, half-snake monster. There are numerous couples known as her parents. They are either Chrysaor and Callirrhoe, Phorcys and Ceto, Tartarus and Gaea, or Styx and Peiras. Her mate is the destructive whirlwind Typhon. She is the mother of the following monsters: the Caucasian Eagle, Cerberus, the Crommyonian sow, the Chimaera, Geryon, Hydra, Ladon, the Nemean lion, Orthus the dog (possibly by Orthus), the Sphinx (possibly by Orthus) and the Vultures. It is also possible that she is the mother of three children by Heracles. See also Aello; Argus (B); Cerberus; Chimaera; Gaea; Harpies; Phorcys; Skylla; Tartarus; Typhon (A).

Echiodna (Greek)

She is the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. For a list of her siblings see Medusa.

Echion (A) (Greek)

An Argonaut. Echion is the son of Hermes and Antianeira. In the Calydonian Boar Hunt, he threw the first spear. See also Argonauts; Hermes.

Echion (B) (Greek)

Husband of Cadmus, father of Pentheus, he is one of the surviving Sparti (dragon-men) who sprang from the sown teeth of the dragon of Ares. See also Cadmus.

Echis (Greek) see Echidna.

Echo (Greek)

Nymph. Daughter of Gaea, and one of the Oreads. Echo, was one of Hera’s attendants. Under the assumption that Echo was covering up one of her husband Zeus’ affairs with nymphs, Hera took Echo’s normal voice from her. She could not begin sentences, but only repeat the words of others. Echo loved Pan but left him for the beautiful Narcissus. When he spurned her, she faded away until only her voice remained. See also Gaea; Hera; Oreads; Pan.

Echua Ekchuah (Maya) see Ekchuah.

Echuac (Maya People, Yucatan) see Icona.

Ecmar (Celtic, Irish) see Angus; Boann.

Edda (Teutonic) see Ai; Heimdall; Thrall.

Eden (Hebrew, Semitic, Sumerian)

Also known as: Garden of Eden.

Paradise. This legend is told in the Holy Bible, third chapter of Genesis. God planted a garden in Eden toward the east. Here he placed Adam and Eve, and food trees including the “tree of life.” Compare to Dilmun. The story is similar to that of Adapa, Anu and Ea. See also Adam.

Edie (Hebrew) see Adam.

Edimmu (Sumer)

The evil genie. These Utukku are the souls of unburied dead or those dead who have not received proper burial and funeral rites. They are a ceaseless thorn of revenge on the living and difficult to appease. See also Utukku.

Edjo (Egypt) see Buto (A); Nekhbet; Uadjit.

Edom (Hebrew) see Adam.

Edusa (Roman)

Goddess who rules the weaning of children.

Eeriboea (Greek)

She is the second wife of Aloeus (q.v.). It is possible that she is the mother of Telamon’s son, Ajax.

Eeyeekalduk (Eskimo)

God of healing. He can help heal the sick. It is dangerous to look into his eyes. A small man with a black face, Eeyeekalduk lives in a stone.

Ef (Egypt) see Khnum.

Efe (Pygmy People, Africa)

First man. Efe was sent to earth by the supreme being, but returned to heaven. When he returned to earth after a long time, he brought spears. See also Orish Nla.

Efnissien (Celtic, Welsh) see Evnissyen.

Efrit (Arabic)

Spirits of ancient Arabians. The Efrit are evil, shape-shifters who cheat mortals. See also Djinns.

Efu Ra (Egypt) see Ra.

Egeria Aegeria (Roman)

Originally Egeria was a goddess of wisdom and foresight. She may have been a form of Diana as she shared the shrine at Nemi with Diana and the Camenae. In some legends she appears as the water nymph wife of king Numa Pompilius. She was a prophet and served as his advisor on occult or mystical matters, taught methods of earth worship, and pronounced the first laws of the city. In later times, she was worshiped by pregnant women who prayed for an easy delivery and who were desirous of knowing the future of the baby. See also Camenae; Diana.

Egesta (Greek)

She is the daughter of Hippotes, the spouse of the river god, Crimisus, and the mother of Acestes. See also Acestes; Crimisus.

Egil (Teutonic) see Orvandel.

Egilorvandel (Teutonic) see Orvandel.

Egis (Greek) see Aegeus; Aegis.

Eglimi (Teutonic) see Englimi.

Egyptians (Egypt) see Aamu.

Ehat (Egypt) see Ahat.

Ehecatl (Aztec People, Mexico)

Also known as: Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, Quetzalcoatl (possibly an aspect), Texcatlipoca.

The god of the wind, Ehecatl begins the movement of the sun and sweeps the high roadways of the rain god with his breath. See also Quetzalcoatl; Texcatlipoca.

Ehecatonatiuh (Aztec) see Legend of the Four Suns.

Ehet (Egypt) see Ahat.

Eidothea Theonoe (Greek) see Calchas; Theonoe.

Eidya (Greek) see Aeetes.

Eidyia (Greek) see Apsyrtus; Medea; Oceanids.

Eight Immortals, The (Buddhist, Taoist; China)

Also known as: Ba Xian, Pa Hsien, Pa Kung.

The Eight Immortals, seven males and one female, have various duties (although none are specific), but are usually worshiped together. Some of the immortals can only perform in conjunction with others. Versatile, they can change shape at will and fly. They are appealed to when the faithful desire to ward off evil spirits, cure minor illnesses, achieve financial success, have a long life or want to produce a male child. Their names are Han Chung-Li (Han Zhung Li), Lu Tung-pin (also spelled Lu Dongbin and also known as Lu Yan), Chang-Kuo-Lao (also spelled Zhang Kuo Lau), Lan-Ts’ai-ho (Lan Cai Ho), Han Siang-tsi (Han Xiang Zi), Tsao-kuo-chia (Cao Kuo Qin), T’ieh-Kuai Li (Di Kuai Li) and the one female, Ho-sien-ku (also spelled Ho Xian Ku). In some versions, Chung-Li-ch’uan is the chief deity, in others, it is Lu Tung-pin. In another version, one of the deities is Li Theh-kuai. Lu Tung-pin, considered to be the most popular of the Immortals, is an historical figure. Quanzhen Taoism is based on his writings. Han Chung-Li, a general during the Han dynasty, converted to Taoism. Chang Kuo-Lao and Ho-sien-ku were ordinary people, who while alive, endured suffering and injustices without complaint. The gods had tested them sorely, found them worthy and deemed them immortal. Han-chung Li, associated with immortality, wears an old green mantle and carries a feather fan to calm the sea. Lu Tung-pin, a Taoist scholar was the author of the “Hundred Character Tablet.” He always carries a sword and rides a donkey backwards. Associated with medicine, he tames evil spirits with his charms. Lan Ts’ai-ho, the patron of gardeners, is said to be slightly insane. He appears as a male or a female carrying a basket of magic flowers. He began life as a street singer but later renounced all human pleasures. In the summer, he wears a tattered garment with a wide wooden belt and one shoe. During the winter months, he wears cotton and sleeps on the snow. He was carried to heaven by a stork, or in other renditions his ascent was made on a waft of wine. He threw away his belt, shoe and garments en route. Han Siang-tsi is a boy with two small hair knots on his head. He is the patron of musicians and is renowned for his poetry and music. His symbol is the jade flute. Ts’ao Kuo-kiu is a judge who carries a tablet. Ho-sien-ku is a female who wears a lotus on her shoulder. T’ieh-Kuai Li is shown as an ugly beggar who is bald and bearded and leaning on an iron crutch, which is his symbol. He is bad-tempered and has unusual ways, but his cause is directed to the poor and the weak. Compare to Arhats. See also Chang-Kuo-Lao; Han Chung-Li; Chung-Li-Ch’uan; Han; Han Hsiangtzu; Lu Tung-pin.

Eikinskjaudi (Teutonic) see Dwarfs.

Eil (Teutonic) see Eir.

Eileithya (Egypt) see Nekhbet.

Eileithyia Eileithyia, Eilythia, Eleuthia, Ilithyia (Greek)

Also known as: Lucina (Roman).

Goddess of Childbirth. She is one of four children of Zeus and Hera. The others are: Hebe, Hephaestus and Ares. Her presence is very important during childbirth. She brings both pain and relief. Eileithyia might have been one of the ancient Cretan deities. There are versions which say she was an attendant of Hera. She is shown as a kneeling woman holding a torch. See also Ares; Artemis; Hera; Nekhbet.

Eilton (Celtic) see Dylan.

Eilythia (Roman) see Eileithyia.

Einheriar (Teutonic) see Einherjar.

Einherjar Einheriar (Norse; Teutonic)

Heros. The Einherjar are the warriors who have died in battle in Valhalla. They fight during the day and feast at night. They await Ragnarok, the end of the world. Einherjar is also the name of the place where they feast on the meat of the divine boar, Saehrimnir, cooked by Andhrimnir, in the magic cauldron named Eldhrimir. See also Ragnarok; Valhalla.

Einridi (Teutonic) see Thor.

Eioneus (Greek)

He is the son of Magnes. His siblings are Pierus and Hymenaeus. He courted Hippodameia and was killed by her father, Oenomaus. See also Hippodameia; Ixion.

Eir (Norse; Teutonic)

Also known as: Eil, Eira, Eyr, Eyra.

Goddess of Healing. A skilled physician, she also is an attendant to Frigga. Eir lives on Lyfjaberg, the hill of healing, with Menglad, Hlif, Hlifthrasa, Thjodvara, Bjort, Bleik, Blid, Frid, and Aurboda. They are all deities of help and healing. Eir taught medicine to women who were the only physicians in ancient Scandinavia. See also Frigga.

Eira (Teutonic) see Eir.

Eire (Celtic)

Also known as: Ama, Anan, Anith, Anonach, Anu, Eadna, Eirean, Eirin, Eirinn, Eoghana, lath, Ith, Momo, Mumham, Nannan Nanu, Ops, Sibhol, Tlachgo, Tlacht.

A mother goddess, Eire is probably an earth deity or a deity of water or darkness. Eire is possibly the same as Eriu (q.v.). See also Aesar (B).

Eirear (Celtic) see Eire.

Eirene Irene (Greek)

Also known as: Pax (Roman).

Eirene, the goddess of peace, is the daughter of Zeus and Themis. She is one of the Horae. See also Dike; Horae; Irene; Plutus; Themis.

Eirin (Celtic) see Eire.

Eithinoha (Huron, Iroquois People, North America)

One of the lower powers. Mother of spirit of wheat, Onatha.

Eitri (Norse; Teutonic)

Dwarf smith. Eitri is a master smith who fashioned the three gifts for the gods. His brother is Brokk. They manufactured the magic ring, Draupnir, the golden boar, Gullinbursti, and the hammer, Mjollnir. He is associated with Loki in that Brokk sewed Loki’s lips together with Eitri’s awl. See also Brokk; Draupnir; Dwarfs.

Eitumatupua (South Pacific)

He is the sky god spouse of the earth goddess Ilaheva, and father of Ahoeitu the King of Tonga. Jealous of their earth-born brother Ahoeitu, Eitumatupua’s heavenly sons attacked and ate him. When the father found out he gathered the sons together and made them vomit. With the aid of magic herbs, Eitumatupua pieced his son together and gave him the kingdom of Tonga.

Ek Oankar (Sikh; India) The Supreme Being.

Eka “One.” (India) see Devi.

Eka Obasi (West Africa) see Isong.

Ekadanta (India) see Ganesha.

Ekadzati (Tibet) One-eyed Goddess of Wisdom.

Ekajata (India) see Tara.

Ekako (Collao) see Ekkekko.

Ekchuah Echua (Maya)

He is the god of travelers and of planters, specifically cacao planters. He was known to have battled the god “F,” the god of war or sacrifice, unsuccessfully on numerous occassions. He may be the god “M.” Ekchuah has a black face and an unusually large nose. See also Acatl; Becabs; Icona.

Ekeko (Collao) see Ekkekko.

Ekhi (Akkadian) see Akha.

Ekkekko Ekako, Ekeko, Eq’eq’o (Andean, Collao People, South America)

Prosperity deity. Domestic good luck deity. The Ekkekko is a popular icon of good luck and is the counterpart of the Anchancho. Numerous myths have been related about the good fortune bestowed upon mortals by Ekkekko. In one legend, the Anchancho are the children of Mallcu of Chacamita, a renowned prince and his mistresses. The Ekkekko are his children by his wife, Curaj Mama. The Ekkekko are usually small figures of a happy, fat, bald man often wearing a poncho and a peaked cap. See also Achachilas; Anchancho; Supay.

Ekki (Turkey) see Akka.

El Al, Elah, Il (Ugarit, Canaanite, Semite, Phoenician, Ugarit)

Also known as: Agros, Allah, Elat (femine form of El), Elioun, Eloah, Elohim (plural of El), Elyon, Ilah, Ilu.

Supreme Semitic god. Chief god in the hierarchy of the Phoenician pantheon. Father of gods, mortals and time. Fertility god. Sun god. The word “El” means god in the sense of the supreme deity. Husband of Athirat, father of Shahar and Shalim. He dwells in the hollow of the Abyss at the Source of All Rivers. Another authority states that his wife is Asherah of the Sea, though others call her a close advisor. El’s son is Baal, who is often shown with horns, brandishing a club, and holding a thunderbolt. Some writers say his sons’ names are Mot and Latpon, and that Mot was his favorite. Sometimes shown as a bull or an old bearded man. He was possibly replaced by Baal. El is similar to Yahweh. Some think that the Semitic El was originally a god of the oak tree. See also Agros; Anat; Asherah (B); Baal; Elohim; Mot.

El Gran Dios (Spanish,) see Nukuchyumchakob; Yumchakob.

el-Khudr (Arabic) see Elijah.

El Lat (Arabic) see Allat.

Eladu (Celtic) see Dagda.

Elagabalus (Roman)

He is a Roman emperor, worshipped as a variant of Baal at Emesa (C.E. 218–22). See also Baal.

Elah (Ugarit) see El.

Elara Elare (Greek)

She is the daughter of Ochomenus. An affair with Zeus resulted in the birth of the Euboeoan giant, Titysus (q.v.).

Elat (Sumer) Female form of El.

Elatha (Celtic) see Bress; Dagda.

Elathan (Ireland) see Bress.

Elbegast (Teutonic) see Andvari.

Elcmar (Celtic, Irish) see Angus; Boann.

Elcmhaire (Celtic, Irish) see Angus; Boann.

Eldhrimir (Teutonic) see Odraerir.

Eldir (Teutonic) see Aegir.

Electra (A) Elektra (Greek)

Also known as: Laodice.

She is most frequently called the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Electra is also known as the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, the daughter of Iris and mother of Dardanos and Iasion by Ilios the sky god, or the wife of Thaumas and mother of Iris and the Harpies. As the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, her siblings are Orestes, the musician and poet, Chrysothemis and Iphigenia. She encouraged Orestes to kill their mother. The motive was to assuage her fury with her mother for having an affair with Aegisthus. This act also avenged the death of her father. Electra married her brother’s childhood friend, Pylades, and became the mother of Medon and Strophius II. See also Aello; Agamemnon; Electra (B); Electra (C); Eumenides; Harmonia; Harpies; Oceanids; Orestes.

Electra (B) (Greek)

She is the daughter of Agenor and Telephassa. Her siblings are Cadmus, Cilix, Europa, Demodoce, Phineus, Thasus, and Phoenix.

Electra (C) (Greek)

Electra is one of Helen of Troy’s attendants.

Electra (D) (Greek)

One of the Pleiades (q.v.). The daughter of Atlas and Pleione, her siblings are Alcyone, Celaeno, Maia, Merope, Sterope and Taygete. An affair with Zeus produced two children, Dardanus and Iasion. See also Atlas; Merope; Sterope; Zeus.

Electryon (Greek)

He was the king of Mycenae. His parents are Perseus and Andromeda. Electryon’s son-in-law, Amphitryon, accidentally killed him. Amphitryon was later purified by Creon. See also Amphitryon; Andromeda; Gorgophone; Perseus; Sthenelus.

Eleggua (Yoruba People, Africa)

The ruler of all paths and opportunities in life. See also Olodumare.

Eleio (Hawaii)

A kuhuna (diviner) who sees spirits, cures diseases and resurrects the dead.

Eleithyia (Greek)

Also known as: Lucina (Roman).

She is the daughter of the great god Zeus and Hera, the queen of heaven. Her siblings are the god of war, Ares; the nymph, Arge; the goddess of strife, Discordia; the goddess of eternal youth, Hebe (also known as Ganymede); and the fire god, Hephaistos.

Eleius (Greek)

He is the son of Poseidon and Eurycyda, who became the king of Elis, following his uncle Aetolus’ reign.

Elektra (Greek) Another spelling for Electra.

Elephantine, Triad of (Egypt)

This triad consists of Anquet, Satis, and Khnum. In ancient Egypt, their shrine was at Yebu (Elephantine), a southern frontier city. See also Khnum.

Elephantis (Greek) see Abu (Egypt).

Elephenor (Greek)

King of the Abantes of Euboea. He is the son of Chalcodon and Imenarete or Alcinoe. With Acamas and Demophon, he went with forty ships to Troy. Elephenor was killed at Troy by Agenor. See also Acamas (A); Agenor; Demophon.

Eleusis (Greek) see Dionysus.

Eleutherios (Greek) see Dionysus.

Eleuthia (Greek) see Eileithyia.

Elijah Elish’a, Elisha (Arabic, Hebrew)

Also known as: el-Khudr (Arabic), Mas (Arabic), Ilyas (Islamic), Ilyasin (Islamic).

Prophet. The Jews regarded him as a mysterious being who guards men from life to death. His father is said to be Sabak. He lives in the fifth heaven under the tree of life. Some call him the angel of the covenant and the messenger. He is supposed to return three days before the coming of the Messiah. In legend, Yahweh promised him immortality because he destroyed the priest of Ba-al. In some versions Elisha was second in command under Elijah. He is called el-Khudr (the green one) or Ilias by the Arab People. He is similar to St. George and St. Elias (Christian).

Elioun (Ugarit) see El.

Elish’a (Arabic, Hebrew) see Elijah.

Elisha (Arabic, Hebrew) see Elijah.

Elissa (Tyrian)

She is an early goddess who may have been known as Dido in later times. See also Dido.

Elivagar (Norse; Teutonic)

Eleven or twelve rivers springing from the cauldron, or as some say, spring, or well named Hvergelmir (also called Kvergjelme) in Niflheim. The rivers froze into ice blocks which are said to be the source of the clay giant Ymir. The individual names of the rivers are Svol, Gunnthra, Fjorm, Fimbulthul, Slid, Hrid, Sylg, Ylg, Vid, Leipt and Gjoll. In other versions, only some of the streams are called Elivagar. See also Ginnungagap; Surtr; Ymir.

Eljudnir (Teutonic)

Home of a god. Hall of the dead in Hel. It is ruled by the underworld goddess, Hel. Located in Niflheim.

Ellat (Sumer) see Allat.

Ellen Douglas (Arthurian) see Vivien.

Elli (Norse; Teutonic)

Old age. This woman wrestled with Thor in the court of Utgard-Loki. Thor lost. She was actually “Old Age.” See also Thor.

Ellil (Sumer) see Enlil.

Eloah (Ugarit) see El.

Eloaios (Hebrew) see Elohim.

Elohim Elom (Aramaic, Gnostic, Southern Hebrew)

Also known as: El, Eloaios, Eterah, Ilmaqah, Jerah, Sahar, Terah.

This moon god possibly originated with the Phoenician and Aramean deity, El. Elom is the name given to the moon by Southern Hebrews. Elohim may be the same as the Arabian deity Ilah or II. Elohim may have been connected with Marduk. Perhaps the early Hebrew legends refer to Elohim, Shaddai and Elyon as a form of El (q.v.). See also Abram; Yahweh.

Elom (Hebrew) see Elohim.

Elves (Teutonic)

Also known as: Elbes.

Mischievous and often feared spirits of the woods, hills and streams, Elves are said to preside over metals. Elves could be helpful or detrimental to the individual. Elves and Dwarfs are frequently confused. The original elves, said to be of Norse origin, are called Alfar. There are two groups of Alfar: light (Lios Alfar) or dark (Svart Alfar). The Lios Alfar are ruled over by Freyr; and the Svart Alfar, who live in the underground, are ruled by Wayland the Smith. If they break a rule and come out during the day, they are turned to stone. Dwarfs, trolls and gnomes spend their time collecting gold, silver and valuable stones which they secret away. The fairies and elves live in a bright, airy realm located between heaven and earth. They spend their time flitting around enjoying the finery of nature or dancing in the moonlight. Elves are thought to be a Scandinavian form of the fairy. See also Alfar; Alfheim; Brownie; Cluricanes; Dulachan; Dwarfs; Freyja; Freyr.

Elyon (Ugarit) see El.

Elysian Field (Greek)

Also known as: Blessed Isles, Elysium, Isles of the Blest, White Island.

Elysian Field, ruled by either Rhadamanthys or Cronus, is the destination after death of the blessed. Its location is variously described as being in the center of the earth, in the sun, or in the Isles of the Blest. The Romans believed it was located in the underworld. The concept of Elysian Field possibly originated from the Minoan civilization. A few of the well-known residents of this paradise are Cadmus, Diomedes, Menelaus and Peleus. It is also the resting place for the nine horses of the sun god, Helius. See also Cadmus; Cronus; Diomedes; Harmonia (A); Helius; Lethe; Peleus.

Emathion (Greek)

King of Arabia, Emathion is the son of Tithonus and Eos. See also Eos.

Embla Emla, Emola (Teutonic)

The first woman, Embla was found by Odin in the rough form of a tree. She was improved upon by Odin, Vi, and Vili, from an elm, or elder tree. Sometimes she is thought to be the spouse of Ask (q.v.). See also Midgard; Odin; Ve; Vili; Ymir.

Emen (Egypt) see Kek.

Emer (Celtic, Irish)

She is one of the wives or consorts of Cuchulain. See also Cuchulain.

Emla (Teutonic) see Embla.

Emma (Japan) see Emma-O.

Emma-Hoo (Japan) see Emma-O.

Emma-O Emma, Emma-Hoo, Emma-Sama, Yama-Raja, Yemma (Buddhist; Japan)

Emma-O, a Buddhist god, is the ruler of Jigoku and judge of the dead. With two decapitated heads, he judges the deeds of sinners. He has the power to prolong life and to resurrect the dead. The deeds of each sinner are weighed before judgement is handed down, condemning the soul to an appropriate section of hell. Emma-O only judges men while his sister (possibly Miru-me, one of the heads) judges women. Souls that are to be judged are brought to Emma-O in a flaming chariot by devils or demons called the Oni. Emma-O is the chief of a large number of underlings: eighteen generals and eighty thousand men. Emma-O is depicted with a menacing expression and dressed in the robes of a judge, wearing a cap inscribed with his name. The mirror is his attribute. Compare Emma-O to Susanowo (Japan) and Yama (India). See Ishikoridome-no-Mikoto (regarding mirrors). See also Dai Itoku-Myoo; Jigoku; Oni.

Emma-Sama (Japan) see Emma-O.

Emola (Teutonic) see Embla.

Empousae Empusa (Greek)

Demonesses. Hecate uses the Empousae to frighten foreign travelers. They will withdraw if they are insulted. They may be derived from the Lilim who were devotees of Lilith, the first wife of Adam. They are also linked with the Lamiae, who are witches that suck blood. The Empousae have one leg of an ass and one leg of brass. See also Hecate.

En-Ge (Semitic) see Adar.

En-lil (Sumer) see Enlil.

En-Mersi (Sumer) see Ningirsu.

Enarete (Greek)

The wife of Aeolus, they became the parents of seven sons: Athamas, Cretheus, Deion, Macareus, Perieres, Salmoneus, Sisyphus; and seven daughters: Alcyone, Arne (her mother may have been Hippe), Calyce, Canace, Peisidice, Perimele, Tangara. See also Aeolus (A); Arne; Canace; Cretheus; Sisyphus.

Enbarr (Celtic, Irish, Welsh) see Lugh.

Enbilulu (A) (Sumer)

This god of canals was appointed by Enki to ensure that the Tigris and Euphrates rivers functioned properly. See also Enki.

Enbilulu (B) (Babylon) see Marduk.

Enceladus (Greek)

Giant. Storm demon. Enceladus is the son of Tartarus and Gaea or Gaea and the blood of the castrated Uranus. He is said to be the most powerful of the giants. In some renditions, Gaea sent Enceladus to avenge the death of the monster Typhon, who was killed by Zeus. Other myths say that he was killed by Heracles or Athena. He is still held by adamantine chains in the burning cave under Mount Aetna where Zeus or Athena placed him. Every now and then he changes position, and because of his huge size, causes our earthquakes. Enceladus is depicted as a hundred-armed giant. See also Athena; Giants; Hecatonchires; Typhon (A); Zeus.

Endil (Celtic) see Dylan.

Endumion (Greek) see Semele.

Endymion (Greek) see Apis (B).

Engidu (Sumer) see Enkidu.

Englimi Eglimi, Eylime (Teutonic) see Hjorids.

Engur (Assyro-Babylonia) Ea as a water god.

Engus (Celtic) see Aengus.

Enigohatgea (Iroquois People, North America) see Enigorio.

Enigorio and Enigohatgea (Iroquois People, North America)

These twin brothers were opposites. Enigorio was kindly, and good. He created rivers, fertile land, and fruit trees. His twin brother Enigohatgea created natural disasters, deserts, and harmful plants. They are similar to Ioskeha and Tawiscara of the Huron People.

Eniocha Anioche (Greek) see Anioche.

Enioche (Greek)

He is the son of Creon, the king of Thebes and Anioche (also known as Eniocha) or Eurydice. See also Eurydice (C).

Enki (Assyro-Babylonian, Sumerian)

Also known as: Amanki (Babylonian), Ea (Akkadian, Sumerian), Lumha, Nudimmud.

Wisdom is the attribute of Enki, a name meaning “Lord of the Earth.” He is the Sumerian counterpart of the Akkadian god Ea. Enki is also called “Lord of the Watery Deep,” meaning the primeval waters known as the Apsu. Enki existed in Dilmum, a place peopled by gods, and he possibly ruled the city of Eridu. He fertilized the swampy land with his own seed. His wife, the mother goddess Nintu, gave birth to Ninmu and Nindurra. After incest with Nindurra, Enki begot Uttu, the goddess of plants. He is also thought to have been the father of Marduk. In another myth, Enki and Ninhursag are married. They became the parents of Ninmu, the goddess of plants. An interesting note is that Ninhursag’s gestation period was only nine days. Enki then impregnated his daughter Ninsar, who gave birth to the goddess Ninkurra. Enki also impregnated her and she gave birth to Uttu, also a goddess of plants. Ninhursag warned Uttu against Enki’s advances and advised her how to deal with him. Following her advice, she asks for gifts of cucumbers, apples, and grapes. Enki fufills her request. Enki and Uttu have intercourse and from their union eight plants were born. Before Ninhursag could name the plants, Enki ate them. Infuriated, Ninhursag cursed Enki and departed. Presumably, from the curse, Enki was stricken with illness in eight parts of his body. A cunning fox was used to persuade Ninhursag to return and cure Enki. She did so by creating eight deities, one for each area of his body that had been stricken. These deities were regarded as Ninhursag’s children. It was Enki who suggested that Enlil create Lahar, the cattle god, and Ashnan, the grain goddess to earth, to feed and cloth the gods. Enlil placed him in charge of supervising the earth. After ensuring that Sumerian land would be productive, he appointed a deity for each realm. Kabta, the god of bricks, was placed in charge of the pickaxe (created by Enlil) and the moulding of bricks. Buildings and foundations were allocated to the god Mushdamma, known as the “Great Builder of Enlil.” The “King of the Mountain,” Sumuqan, was in charge of vegetable and animal life. Dumuzi, the shepherd god, was the supervisor of sheepfolds and stables. The goddess Ishtar felt that she had been ignored by Enki, so he allocated certain provinces to her and gave her a personal insignia. Later, when the gods became aggravated and decided to destroy all mortals with a great flood, Enki disagreed. He instructed the mortal Ziusudra to build a boat to save himself, his family, along with a few other people and animals. The goddess Ninki is thought to have been one of Enki’s wives, as is Nintu (see Ninmu). The Sumerian Enki became the Babylonian Ea in later times (second-millennium B.C.E.). Enki is associated with Inanna (q.v.). See also Anu (B); Anunnaki; Apsu; Ashnan; Damkina; Dumuzi; Ea; Enlil; Ishtar; Lahar; Lumha; Marduk; Nammu; Nanshe; Ninhursag; Ninki; Ninmu; Ninti; Nintu; Tammuz; Uttu.

Enki-Ea (Assyro-Babylonia) see Ea; Enki; Enuma Elish.

Enkidu Engidu, Enkimdu

Also known as: Eabani, Enkita (Hittite); (Sumerian)

The god of farmers, land owners, and grain growers, Enkidu, a primitive being, was shaped from mud by Aruru. He moulded him in the likeness of the god Anu to overcome Gilgamesh. A protector of animals, he interfered with the capture of game and led the flocks away. Once, a prostitute was sent to strip him of his primitive powers and to civilize him. After fighting with Gilgamesh they became dear friends. Ishtar, rejected by Gilgamesh, persuaded the gods to kill Enkidu. His death set Gilgamesh searching for immortality. It was Enkidu, according to some myths, that the goddess Ishtar originally wanted to marry. Her brother, the sun god Utu, preferred Dumuzi, the shepherd god, and he desperately wanted the goddess for his wife. Ishtar, the farmer god, offered him many gifts in return for Ishtar’s hand, but Dumuzi rejected them. This myth deals with the competition between the pastoral and the argicultural modes of life. Compare the friendship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh to the friendship between Achilles and Patroclus. See also Anu; Aruru; Dumuzi; Gilgamesh; Inanna; Ishtar; Nudimmud; Utu.

Enkimdu (Sumer) see Enkidu.

Enkita (Hittite) see Enkidu.

Enlil En-lil, Ellil (Assyro-Babylonian, Sumerian)

Also known as: Adad, Bel, Illillos, Ishkur, Lil.

An air god, earth god, and storm god (particularly hurricanes), Enlil was the most important deity of the Sumerian pantheon. He is the son of heaven, personified as the god An, and earth, the goddess Ki. When he separated from his parents, heaven and earth, the universe was created as heaven and earth separated by air. He was known as lord of the storm, lord of the spirits on earth and in the air, and ghosts. He was the patron god of the city of Nippur, where his temple was called E-Kur (the mountain house). The center of his cult was in Babylon. The name Enlil means “lord of the ghost-world.” In very early times, he was associated with the goddess Ninhursag. In later mythology, Enlil was sexually attracted to the goddess Ninlil. As she was sailing on Nunbirdu stream one day, Enlil raped her. He was sentenced by a council of gods and banished to the underworld. Ninlil, who became pregnant by his heinous act, insisted that she follow him. To avert having their child born in the darkness, Ninlil gave birth to three underworld deities to serve as substitutes. She was then able to make her ascension to heaven where Nanna, the moon god was born. Following the suggestion of the god of wisdom, Enki, Enlil created other deities to follow his instructions to bring order into the universe. He created Lahar, the god of cattle, and the grain goddess, Ashnan. These two minor deities were to provide food and clothing for the gods. Often drunk, they were unable to fulfill their duties. As a result, it was decided that mortals would be created to take over their tasks. Enlil placed Enki in charge of supervising the earth. It was Enlil who created the pickaxe and presented it to the people of Sumeria. When mortals became too boisterous for Enlil to tolerate, he used his weapon, the “amaru,” or the great deluge, to regain control. Enlil generally resided on the Great Mountains of the East, although he had a special abode in heaven known as “Enlil’s Way.” Anu had an area in heaven known as “Anu’s Way,” but unlike Enlil, he preferred to stay in heaven. In later times, Bel and Marduk (q.v.) acquired his mythology and Anu took over his place as leader of the pantheon. Enlil’s symbol is the seven small circles representing the Pleiades. Also see Ninlil (for another version of Nanna’s conception). See also Adad; An; Anu; Ashnan; Bel (A); Belit; Ea; Enki; Igigi; Inanna; Ishkur; Ki; Lillity; Marduk; Nammu; Nanna (B); Ninhursag; Nusku; Utnapishtim; Utu.

Enmesarra (Babylon, Sumer) see Enmesharra.

Enmesharra Enmesarra, Ennmeshara (Babylon, Sumer)

Also known as: Nergal.

In some versions, he is a sun god, and the protector of flocks and vegetation. In other myths, he is a god of the underworld. Enmesharra is one of the names of Nergal (q.v.).

Enmessara (Assyro-Babylonia) see Nergal.

Ennammasht (Sumer) see Ninurta.

Ennead, The (Egypt)

Also known as: Psedjet.

Supreme beings. The deities of Heliopolis, consisting of Ra and the eight gods and goddesses descended from him, namely, Shu and Tefnut, Geb and Nut, Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. Other deities, including Horus and Khenti Amenti, were sometimes considered to be among the company of gods of the divine Ennead. Usually there were nine deities grouped in threes. There were also the Greater and Lesser Enneads. The Greater Ennead had Horus, Isis, Nephthys, Nut, Set, Shu, Tefnut, Tem, Thoth.

Ennoia (Gnostic)

Goddess of thought. She probably originated with Simon Magus. He said the prostitute who accompanied him, named Helena, was a reincarnation of this goddess.

Ennugi (Babylonia)

He is the governor of the gods and also the god of irrigation. He watchs over canals and dikes. Ennugi is associated with Anu, Enlil, Ninurta and Ea.

Ennuki (Sumer) see Anunnaki.

Ennyo (Japan)

The Ennyo are female deities wearing fluttering veils. They fly around (without wings) scattering flowers in the air and playing music.

Enodia (Greek) An epithet of Hecate.

Enshagme (Semite)

Lord of Dilmun. One of the gods created by Ninhursag. Possibly a god of intelligence. See also Dilmun.

Entuti (Egypt) see Aai.

Enua (Polynesia) see Papa (A).

Enualios Enyalius (Greek) see Ares; Enyalius.

Enuma Elish (Babylonia, Sumer)

Babylonian Poem of Creation. Seven tablets in cuneiform text. See also Apsu; Ea; Enki; Gilgamesh.

Enyalius Enulios (Greek)

God of war. Enyalius is either the companion of Ares or his epithet. See also Ares.

Enyo (A) (Greek)

A Graiae. She is the daughter of “the Old Man of the Sea,” Phorcys, and Ceto. See also Ceto; Graiae; Phorcys.

Enyo (B) (Greek)

Also known as Bellona (Roman)

Goddess of war. Enyo is the daughter of the god of war, Ares, and the goddess of love, Aphrodite. She went to battle with Ares. Her siblings are Anteros, Deimos, Eros, Harmonia, Pallor and Phobos. See also Anteros; Bellona; Eros; Harmonia (A); Pallor; Phobos.

Eo (Greek) see Curetes.

Eochaid Ollathair (Celtic) see Dagda.

Eogabal (Irish) see Aine.

Eoghana (Celtic) see Eire.

Eopuco (Maya) see Ah Puch.

Eos (Greek)

Also known as: Aurora (Roman).

Dawn goddess. Eos, the goddess of dawn, is the daughter of the Titan sun god Hyperion, and his sister Theia (also known as Thia or Euryphaessa). She is the sister of Selene, the moon, and Helius, the sun. She abducted her mortal husband Tithonus when he was a handsome young man. As he aged, she lost interest in him and is said to have locked him up so she didn’t have to listen to his endless chattering. She had numerous affairs, among them one with Cephalus, another beautiful mortal whom she plucked from the earth to live with the gods. She has been called the mother of her husband Tithonus as well as the mother of Emathion the king of Arabia, who was killed by Heracles, and Memnon, the king of Ethiopia, by Tithonus or Cephalus, and Phaethon, who was abducted by Aphrodite, also by Tithonus or Cephalus. Some say that she was the mother of the goddess of breezes, Aura, and the morning star, Eosphorus, by Astraeus. From her relationship with Astraeus (his name means “Starry”) they also produced the winds: Boreas the North Wind, Notus the South Wind, Zephyrus the West Wind, and Eurus the South East Wind. Some say they are the parents of the Evening Star Hesperus (Vesper). Eos rises from her bed each morning to travel across the sky with her brother, the sun god Helius. Together they bring the first rays of daylight to mortals. She is portrayed as saffron-robed, with flaming red hair, driving a purple chariot drawn by two horses; as riding the horse Pegasus and carrying a torch; or as a winged goddess sprinkling dew from an urn. Two of her horses are Lampus and Pegasus. Compare Eos to the Vedic goddess of dawn Ushas. See also Ares; Aurora; Ausera; Boreas; Ceos; Helius; Orion; Pegasus; Two Auroras; Zephyrus.

Eosphorus (Greek)

Also known as: Lucifer.

Eosphorus, the morning star, is the son of Eos and Astraeus. See also Eos.

Eostre (Anglo-Saxon)

Also known as: Eastre.

Goddess of the Spring. Protectress of fertility, goddess of rebirth and friend to all children. To amuse the children, Eostre changed her beautiful pet bird into a rabbit. The rabbit brought forth brightly colored eggs, which Eostre gave the children as gifts. See also Eastre.

Eous (Greek) see Helius.

Epadun (Babylonia) see Marduk.

Epaphus (Greek)

King of Egypt. Founder of the city of Memphis. His parents are Zeus and Io. He married Memphis, the daughter of the river god, Nile. See also Agenor (A); Apis; Curetes; Memphis; Nile.

Epeius Epius (Greek)

Founder of Pisa. The son of Panopeus and Neaera, and the brother of Aegle, Epeius was the Phoenician leader at Troy. With Athena, he built the Wooden Horse. A boxer, he won the boxing event at the funeral games of Patroclus. See also Athena.

Epet (Egypt) see Apet.

Epheseus (Greek) see Artemis.

Ephialtes (Greek)

He is the giant son of the sea god Poseidon (or Aloeus) and Iphimedeia. His twin is Otus. See also Aloeides; Giants.

Epi (Tucana People) see Dyai.

Epicaste Jocasta (Greek) see Jocasta.

Epidaurus (Greek)

He is the son of Argus and Evadne, or the son of Pelops, or the son of Apollo. Epidaurus is also the name of a town in the Peloponnesus. See also Argus (A); Evadne; Pelops.

Epigoni, The (Greek)

“Those who come later.” The Epigoni are the sons of the Seven against Thebes. They successfully marched on Thebes ten years after the Seven against Thebes. For the names of the Epigoni, see also Adrestus.

Epimetheus (Greek)

Epimetheus is the Titan son of Iapetus and the Oceanid, Clymene, or Asia, the brother of the giants Menoetius, Prometheus and Atlas and possibly the husband of Pandora and father of Pyrrha (said to be the first woman born of a mortal). Known as moronic, he ignored a warning by Prometheus not to accept gifts from the gods (his name means “afterthought”). He accepted the gift of Pandora (the first woman) from Zeus, and she unleashed the evils of the world on mortals. In another myth, he assisted Prometheus in the formation of mortals, but he bestowed his attributes, swiftness, strength and courage, on animals and had nothing to contribute to mortals. He convinced Prometheus that man needed to be endowed with a special attribute, so Prometheus vaulted into heaven and stole fire from the sun and brought it to man in a hollow tube. See also Atlas; Iapetus; Oceanids; Pandora; Prometheus; Pyrrha.

Epius Epeius (Greek) see Epeius.

Epo’na (Gaul, Celtic, Roman) see Epona.

Epona Epo’na, Lady Godiva (Gaul, Roman)

Epona, known as the “Horse Goddess,” was originally a Celtic tutelary deity who presided over the fecundity of the soil. Later she became goddess of the equine race. She was worshiped by Roman soldiers and shrines decorated with roses were placed in every stable. The English Lady Godiva is thought by some to be a later form of Epona. Epona is shown partially clothed, riding a mare sidesaddle or standing next to a foal. She is also depicted sitting on a throne with two foals feeding from her lap. In an ancient relief, she is shown sitting on a throne with triads of horses on either side, while a pig is being sacrificed. The key which unlocks the Underworld is one of her symbols. Compare Epona to the Celtic and Welsh mare goddess, Rhiannon.

Epopeus (A) (Greek)

King of Sicyon. He is the son of Poseidon and Canace. His siblings are Aloeus, Hopleus, Nireus and Triopas. He married Antiope, who was pregnant by Zeus. Epopeus deposed Coronis, the king of Sicyon. Epopeus was killed by Antiope’s uncle Lycus. See also Aloeus; Antiope; Canace; Coronis; Lycus; Zeus.

Epopeus (B) (Greek)

The king of Asopia, spouse of Ephyraea and father of Marathon.

Epopeus (C) (Greek)

He was the king of Lesbos who raped his daughter, Nyctimene. She was subsquently turned into an owl by Athena.

Epopeus (D) (Greek)

Aloeus, the king of Asopia, is the son of the sun god Helius, and the father of Epopeus.

Epunamun (Araucanian People, Chile)

He is a war god, possibly of Inca origin. He is comparable to the Inca sun god Punchau (q.v.). See also Akanet; Pillan.

Eq’eq’o (Collao) see Ekkekko.

Erathipa (Aborigine People, Australia)

The erathipa is a fertility stone with a vaginal-like opening on one side.

Erato (A) (Greek)

Also known as: Errato.

The Muse of erotic poetry. Erato is the daughter of Zeus and the goddess of memory, Mnemosyne. She is shown holding her symbol, a small lyre. See also Mnemosyne; Muses.

Erato (B) (Greek) A Dryad (q.v.).

Erato (C) (Greek) One of the Danaids. See also Danaus.

Erato (D) (Greek) A Nereid, daughter of Nereus (q.v.).

Erda (Teutonic) see Jord; Odin.

Erebus (Greek)

Also known as: Hades, Tartarus.

Underworld god. Erebus, born from Chaos and darkness, is the brother of Nox (Night). With his sister Nox he became the father of Hemera (Day) and Aether (Sky); Cer, the goddess of violent death; Oneiroi (Dreams); Somnus, also known as Hypnos the god of sleep; the twin of Somnus, Thanatos (Death); Momus the fault finder; Nemesis the goddess of retributive justice; and Charon the ferryman of dead souls. As a deity of the lower world he is the personification of the terrible darkness through which departing souls pass to Hades. Erebus is also the name of the lower region of the underworld. The dark and mysterious place further below is often called Tartarus though many writers feel that Erebus and Tartarus are the same place. Hades is a general term used for the underworld or the deity in charge. See also Aether; Aither; Cocytus; Fates; Hades; Hesperides; Nemesis; Tartarus.

Erech (Sumer)

The Biblical name of Uruk.

Erechtheus I (Greek)

Also known as: Erichthonius.

King of Athens. Inventor of the chariot and chariot harness. He is the son of Hephaistos. When his father attempted to rape the goddess of war, Athena, his sperm fell on Mother Earth, Gaea. Erechtheus was born with the tail of a snake. Athena raised him at the Acropolis. See also Athena; Erechtheus II; Gaea; Hephaistos.

Erechtheus II (Greek)

Also known as: Erichtonius.

King of Athens. Successor of his grandfather, Erechtheus I. His parents are Pandion, who was also a king of Athens, and Pandion’s aunt, the Naiad, Zeuxippe. Erechtheus is the twin of Butes. His other siblings are Philomela and Procne. Some say that Erechtheus I and Erechtheus II are the same.

Eredatfedhri (Persia)

She is the virgin invoked to defeat evil. See also Jahi.

Ereint (Celtic) see Ludd; Nuada.

Eres (Greek) see Ares.

Erescheigal (Babylon, Sumer) see Ereshkigal.

Ereshkigal Erescheigal, Erishkegal, Eriskigal (Babylon, Greek, Sumer)

Also known as: Allat, Allatu (Akkadian), Alukah (Canaanite), Ganzir, Ningirda.

Goddess and queen of Arallu, the land of no return. She ruled the underworld alone until Nergal and his evil spirits marched into her territory and forced her to marry him. He also demanded that she designate him as the King of Arralu for the price of peace. When Ereshkigal’s sister, the goddess Ishtar, went to Arralu searching for Tammuz, she was held prisoner. The great god Ea created Asushu-Namir to negogiate her release. Some say her spouse was Ninazu, the grandfather of Tammuz, and her son was Ningishzida, the father of Tammuz. Ereshkigal’s messenger is Namtar. She may be an alter-ego of Inanna, queen of the sky and goddess of love. Sometimes, Inanna is referred to as the sister of Ereshkigal. She may be associated with the Greek Hecate and the Sumerian Nebo. In a curse from the Greek texts Aktiophi, Erescheigal is mentioned in relation to Hecate. See also Allat; Demeter; Hecate; Inanna; Nergal.

Erginus (A) (Greek)

This Argonaut piloted the Argo after the death of Tiphys. He is the son of either the god of the sea, Poseidon, or Clymenus. See also Argonauts; Rhadamantus.

Erginus (B) (Greek)

King of Boeotian Orchomenus. When his father was killed by the Thebans, he avenged his death.

Erh-Lang Er-Lang (China)

Hero. He drives away evil spirits using his dog, T’ien K’ou. Er-lang is from the family of the Jade Emperor, possibly a nephew. He is usually shown with Nu-kua. They are dressed in mandarin clothing and accompanied by oxen, buffaloes and horses. Sometimes they are accompanied by pigs. See also Jade Emperor.

Eriboea (A) (Greek)

She is the mother of Ajax the Greater (q.v.).

Eriboea (B) (Greek)

Also known as: Merope, Periboea.

Polybus is her spouse. She raised Oedipus, the king of Thebes who solved the riddle of the Sphinx. See also Oedipus; Polybus.

Eriboea (C) (Greek) She is the wife of Aeneus.

Eriboea (D) (Roman)

An epithet of the goddess of marriage, Juno.

Eriboea (E) (Greek)

An epithet of the goddess of love, Aphrodite.

Erichthonius Erichtonius (Greek)

He is the son of Dardanus and Arisbe. Erichthonius became the king of Dardania and at the time, he was the richest man in the world. His marriage to Astyoche produced a son, Tros. See also Agraulos; Boreas; Gaea; Hephaistos; Tros.

Erichtonius (Greek) see Erichthonius.

Eridanus (Greek)

River god. Eridanus is the son of Oceanus and Tethys. See also Oceanus; Phaethon; Rivers; Tethys.

Eridu (Sumer)

Heaven or paradise. Legends say this is the place where man was created and where the souls go after death. It is a great pine whose roots are in the very center of the earth and its crown extends into the sky. See also Aah.

Erigone (Greek)

Harvest goddess. She is the daughter of the farmer, Icarius of Athens. When her murdered father’s grave was discovered by her dog, Maera, Erigone hung herself. She became either the constellation Virgo, or Bootes. See also Aegisthus; Icarius (B).

Erinn (Celtic) see Dana.

Erinyes Eaynnes, Erinys, Erinyes, Erynnes, Irinyes (Greek)

Also known as: Eumenides, Furiae (Roman), Furies (Roman).

The Erinyes, goddesses of retributive justice, are Alecto (also spelled Allecto, Alektro), personifying enduring hate; Megaera, jealousy; and Tisiphone, revenge. They were born with the Giants and Meliae and are the daughters of Gaea (Earth) and the blood of their father, the castrated Uranus. They harangued, hassled and tormented the disloyal whether alive or dead and also thwarted mortals from acquiring knowledge about the future. The Erinyes represent the Triple Goddessess and are said to have lived in Erebus. A combination of the harsh and the benevolent; their work of punishment in life and death defends those whom human law fails to protect. They inflicted the tortures prescribed by the gods on villains such as Sisyphus and Tantalus when they were in Hades. The Erinyes are shown as black maidens with serpents in their hair and blood dripping from their eyes. Sometimes they are shown in snake form. The Erinyes are the same as the Roman Furies and sometimes said to be the same as the Eumenides. See also Eumenides; Fates; Gaea; Giants; Meliae; Nemesis; Sisyphus; Tantalus; Uranus.

Erinys (Greek) see Erinyes.

Erinyes (Greek) see Erinyes.

Eriopis (A) (Greek)

She is the daughter of Jason and Medea. Her siblings are Alcimenes, Argus, Medeias, Mermerus, Pheres, Thessalus and Tisandrus. See also Alcimenes; Jason; Medea; Pheres (A).

Eriopis (B) (Greek)

Her parents are Apollo and Arsinoe. She is the sister or possibly the half-sister of the god of healing, Asclepius. The king of Locris became her husband and they had one child, Ajax the Lesser (q.v.). See also Apollo; Arsinoe; Asclepius.

Eriphyle (Greek) see Adrestus.

Eris (Greek)

Also known as: Discordia (Roman).

Goddess of discord and strife. Eris is the daughter of Zeus and the goddess Hera. Her brother is the god of war, Ares. Her son by her father Zeus is Ate. Eris’ purpose in life and the celestial realm is to cause discord, strife, lies, murders and even wars. She rolled the Golden Apple to the guests at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis and thereby indirectly caused the Trojan War. Her acts have caused competition and inspiration. She is noted with Athena for inspiring Heracles. The Adder (poisonous snake) is thought to be an aspect of Eris. See also Adder; Ares; Athena; Discordia; Lethe; Peleus; Thetis.

Erishgal (Babylon, Sumer) see Ereshkigal.

Erishkegal (Babylon, Sumer) see Ereshkigal.

Eriskigal (Babylon, Sumer) see Ereshkigal.

Erisvorsh (Slavic)

God of the holy tempest. See also Perun; Stribog.

Eriu (Celtic) see Banbha; Bress; Dagda; Eire.

Erkir (Armenian) see Perkunis.

Erlik-Khan Irlek-Khan (Central Asia)

Also known as: Erlin (possibly the same).

God of the dead. He has a great many spirit helpers. Only those who have sinned go to his realm.

Erlin (Ural-Altaic People)

First man, or brother of the creator. Eastern king of the dead. A confused god who thought humans would graze like cattle, but realized the mistake. He handed the sun and moon to the devil and his aides had to get them back. Other legends say there were too many suns and moons and Erlik shot the excess down with arrows. See also Nubti.

Erma-Ta (Egypt) see Ab-ta; Anherta.

Ermen-ta (Egypt) see Ab-ta.

Ermine (Teutonic) see Irmin.

Erna (Teutonic) see Jarl.

Ernutet (Egypt) see Renenutet.

Ernutit (Egypt) see Renenit.

Eros (Greek, Roman)

Also known as: Amor (Roman), Cupid (Roman).

God of love. Initially, Eros was born of Chaos with Gaea and Tartarus. Later he was known as the son of the goddess of love Aphrodite and either the god of war Ares or the god of fire Hephaestus. From this lineage his siblings are Anteros, Deimos, Enyo, Harmonia, Pallor, and Phobos. There are renditions stating that his mother was Venus, Iris, or Ilythiae. His father is variously named as Ares, Hermes, Mars, or Zeus. Eros pierces the hearts of gods and mortals with his gold-tipped arrows of desire. He is the most splendid in appearance of all the gods. He is shown as a chubby infant, or a handsome adult male. Often he has wings and usually carries his bow and arrow. Compare Eros to Kama (Hindu). See also Adrastia; Aither; Amor; Anteros; Aphrodite; Ares; Cupid; Deimos; Graces; Harmonia (A).

Erqigdlit (Eskimo People, Canada, Greenland) see Adlet.

Errato (Greek) see Erato.

Erui (Irish) see Amergin; Banbha.

Erulus (Greek)

King of Italy. He is the son of the goddess of orchards, Feonia. See also Evander (B).

Eruncha (Australia)

These cannibalistic devils have the power to transform a man into a medicine man.

Erynnes (Greek) see Erinyes.

Erysichthon (A) (Greek)

He is the son of Triopas and Hiscilla. For the names of his siblings, see Iphimedeia (A). After destroying Demeter’s sacred grove, the goddess punished him by hunger; no matter the amount of food he ate, he was hungry. He even sold his daughter, Mestra, into prostitution for food. In an attempt to quell his hunger pains, he ate his own legs. Still, he died of hunger. See also Demeter; Triopas.

Erytheis (Greek)

A guardian of the Golden Apples. She is the Hesperide daughter of Atlas and Pleione (some say Atlas and Hesperis). See also Golden Apples; Hesperides.

Erythrius (Greek)

He is the son of Athamas and Themisto (qq.v.).

Erythrus (A) (Greek)

His parents are Rhadamanthus and Alcmene. See also Rhadamanthus.

Erythrus (B) (Greek)

His parents are Hermes and Antianeira. The Argonaut Echion is his brother. See also Echion; Hermes.

Erytus (Greek) see Eurytus.

Erzulie (Haitian)

Goddess of beauty. The best description of this goddess is that she has all the attributes of Aphrodite. She is usually shown in elaborate dress. Erzulie was sexually involved with the Voodoo gods Damballah, Agwe, and Ogoun. See also Ogoun.

Es-u (Middle Eastern) see Abu; Tammuz.

Esagil (Sumer)

The sanctuary of Marduk in Babylon.

Esagila (Babylonian) Marduk’s temple (q.v.).

Esaugetuh Emissee Esaugeteh Emissee (Creek People, North America)

A chief god, his name means “Lord of Wind.” When the waters of the deluge receded, he moved to the mountain Nunne Chaha, and created his people from mud and clay. In another version, his home is in a cave. He created men from clay and built walls where he laid them out to dry.

Escalibor (Arthurian) see Excalibur.

Eschetewuarha (Chamacoco People, South America)

High goddess. Wife of the Great Spirit. She ruled over the world. Mother of birds or clouds that spread rain.

Eschu (Africa, Haiti) see Legba.

Esculapius (Greek) see Asclepius; Eshmun.

Esege Malan (Buryat People, Siberia)

A little known god who presides over the western sky.

Eset (Egypt) see Isis.

Esharra (Babylonia)

The sacred dwelling of the gods. See also Marduk.

Eshmoun (Phoenicia) see Eshmun.

Eshmun Ashmun, Eshmoun, Esmoun, Esmounos, Esmun (Phoenicia)

Also known as: Aesculapius, Asclepius.

God of health and healing. God of the city. Formerly a god of fertility. He became more powerful in Carthage than Melqart. He is identified with the Greek Adonis, the Babylonian Tammuz and the Egyptian Osiris. Eshmun is sometimes identified with Asclepius by the Greeks. He is possibly the same as Adonis and also the Egyptian god, Thoth. See also Adon; Asclepius; Astarte.

Eshu (Yoruba People, Africa)

Also known as: Olus, Sigidi.

Messenger and guardian spirit. God of discord. Trickster. Eshu is an important orisha who loves to test the true character of mortals. He often appears in disguise and causes confusion. Eshu is a servant of the supreme god, Olodumare, the orisha Ifa and the orisha Orish-nla. Eshu is also called Sigidi, although this name is usually used to conjure up power while meditating by a practitioner who has been paid to fulfill a request to hurt somebody. Followers worship Eshu for fear that if he is not appeased, he will cause disruption. In later times Eshu was compared to the devil of Christianity and called Olusi by the followers of the Yoruba religion, though this does not seem to be an accurate description aside from the devil as a spirit of temptation. He is usually shown with a large clever head and a knowing grin. He is thoughtfully chewing the top of his knuckle. His favorite food is cocks and the dog is his sacred animal. Eshu likes palm oil, but hates oil made from the palm kernel. The Yoruba, known for their bronze casting and stone carving from early times, have depicted Eshu in statue form. Eshu is comparable to the evil genius Legba of the Dahomeans. Eshu is also similar to Esu, the trickster deity of the Edo people. See also Fa (A); Ifa; Olodumare; Orish-nla.

Esmounos Esmoun (Greek, Phoenician)

Possibly a god of fire or heat. One of the Cabiri who was loved by Astronoe. In legend she was pursuing him and for some reason he cut off his genitals with an axe before being captured. Astronoe, in remorse, turned him into a god using her own heat. See also Asclepius; Cabiri; Eshmun; Sydycos. Possibly the same as Eshmun.

Esmun (Phoenicia) see Eshmun.

Eso (Edo People, Africa) see Eshu.

Essicalibur (Arthurian) see Excalibur.

Estanatlehi Estsanatlehi (Navajo People, North America)

Mother goddess. Goddess of youth. Helper of mortals. Estanatlehi recreates herself. When she ages, she turns herself into a young girl. Estanatlehi is the highest deity of a group of nature and household gods known as the Yei. Sometimes she is known as a goddess of rain and the west. She is called the mother of Nayanezgani and sister of Yolkai Estsan. Separately, she is known as the mother of Thobadestchin. The turquoise is her symbol. See also Ahsonnutli and Yolaikaiason; Atseatsan and Atseatsine; Yei; Yolaikaiason.

Estiu (Ireland)

Estiu is a bird goddess and a warrior woman.

Esus Hesus (Gaul)

God of vegetation and war. Little is known of Esus, but it is thought he was a wood-cutter and that human sacrifices were offered to him. His victims were hung from trees and ritually wounded. An ancient relief of Esus shows him dressed in woodman’s clothing, chopping down a tree. His sacred animal is the bull. Esus is equated with Mars and Mercury of the Romans. Compare Esus to Odin who also hung his enemies from trees.

Etain (A) (Celtic, Irish)

A sun and horse goddess, she was the lover of Mider, in his form as Aileili. The obsessive Angus stole her away from Mider, and encased her in glass so that he could carry her around with him. See also Angus; Mider.

Etain (B) (Ireland)

A female fairy who died of grief when her mortal husband was killed. Her abode was Ben Edar Hill.

Etan (Celtic)

She is the daughter of Dia’necht, the god of medicine, and the spouse of Ogma, the god of literature, and mother of the bard Caipre. See also Dia’necht; Ogma.

Etana (Babylonia)

Originally an early king (Kish Dynasty), he merged with an earlier hero and became a god.

Eteocles (A) (Greek)

King of Thebes. He is the son of Oedipus and Jocasta or Euryganeia. His siblings are Antigone, Ismene and Polynices. He is the father of Laodamas. See also Antigone; Polynices.

Eteocles (B) (Greek)

King of Boeotian Orchomenus. He is the son of Andreus or Cephissus and Evippe, Eteocles named the Graces, and was the first to make sacrifice to them. See also Cephissus; Graces.

Eteoclus (Greek)

One of the Seven against Thebes, Eteoclus is also the brother of Evadne. See also Evadne; Seven Against Thebes.

Eterah (Ugarit)

Also known as: Jarah, Jerah, Terah.

This is the name used for the supreme god El, in his form of the moon god, spouse of the sun goddess. See also El; Elohim.

Ether (A) (Greek) see Aether.

Ether (B) (Phoencian) see Air (B); Air (C).

Ethinoha (Iroquois People, North America) see Nokomis.

Ethlenn (Celtic) see Ethlinn.

Ethlinn Ethlenn, Ethne, Ethniu (Celtic) see Cian; Clothru.

Ethne (Celtic) see Ethlinn.

Ethniu (Celtic) see Ethlinn.

Ethona (Greek) see Athena.

Etu (India) see Agni.

Etua (Polynesia) see Atua.

Etuda (Sumer) see Tammuz.

Eudora (A) (Greek)

She is the daughter of Atlas and Pleione. Eudora is a Hyade. Her other siblings are Calypso, Hyas, the Hesperides and the Pleiades. See also Atlas, Calypso; Hesperides; Hyades; Pleiades.

Eudora (B) (Greek)

One of the Nereids (q.v.).

Eudorus (Greek). His parents are the messenger of the gods, Hermes and his lover Polymele, the wife of Echecles. See also Hermes; Polymele.

Euios (Greek) see Dionysus.

Eumelus (A) (Greek)

Winner of the chariot race at the funeral games of Achilles. Eumelus is the son of Admetus and Alcestis, the brother of Perimele, and husband of Iphthime. See also Alcestis; Admetus.

Eumelus (B) (Greek)

He warned Aeneas that Trojan women were setting their ships on fire. See also Aeneas.

Eumelus (C) (Greek) The father of Antheias.

Eumenides (Greek)

Also known as: Eaynnes, Erinyes, Erinyes, Furiae (Roman), Furies (Roman), Irinyes.

Fertility deities. A name meaning “good-tempered ones,” the Eumenides were given to placate the avenging spirits of the Romans, known as the Furies. Some say the Eumenides are the Erinyes; however, it is thought by others that the Eumenides had a kinder aspect to their personalities and were Chthonian goddesses (deities or spirits of the Underworld) worshipped under different names in different areas. In this role their duty was to insure the general fertility of the earth. In one version, as the Erinyes, they were given the new name, Eumenides, after a trial involving Electra and Orestes. Some say they led souls into the realm of the dead. The Eumenides have black skin, dogs’ heads, snakes for hair, blood-shot eyes and bats’ wings. They carry brass-studded scourges and wear soiled grey robes. They are similar to Moirai. The functions of Nemesis often overlapped those of the Eumenides. In some places they were closely associated with the Graces. They are also similar to the Three Norns (Scandinavia). See also Erinyes; Furies; Graces; Morai; Orestes.

Eumolpus (A) (Greek)

With King Eleusis, the co-founder of the Eleusinian Mysteries. King of Thrace. His parents are the god of the sea, Poseidon, and Chione, the daughter of the north wind, Boreas, and Oreithyia. Chione threw her son Eumolpus into the sea. He was rescued by Poseidon and raised by his half-sister, Benthesicyme. Eumolpus is the father of Ismarus or Immaradus and Ceryx and possibly Phorbas. When he tried to seize the throne from Erechtheus, the king of Athens, during a war, he was killed. See also Eleusis.

Eunaomia Eunomia (Greek)

Goddess of seasons. The daughter of Zeus and Themis, Eunaomia is the personified goddess of law and order and one of the three Horae (q.v.).

Euneus (Greek)

King of Lemnos. Euneus is the son of Jason and Hypsipyle, the daughter of Thoas and Myrina. See also Jason.

Eunomia (Greek) see Eunaomia.

Euphemus (Greek)

The Argonaut son of the god of the sea, Poseidon, and Europa or Mecionice. Euphemus had the ability to run across water without wetting his feet. See also Argonauts; Europa; Lamia; Poseidon.

Euphrosyne (Greek)

“Joy.” One of the Graces, she is the daughter of Zeus and Eurynome. See also Aglaia; Graces.

Eupolemia (Greek)

By Hermes, the messenger of the gods, she is the mother of Aetholides, the Argonauts herald, who has a perfect memory. Her parents are Myrmidon and Peisidice, the daughter of Aeolus and Enarete. See also Aeolus (A); Aetholides; Hermes.

Europa (A) (Greek, possibly Asian)

Europa is the daughter of Agenor, the king of Phoenicia, and Telephassa or Argiope. It is also possible that she was the daughter of Agenor’s son, Phoenix. At a very young age Zeus fell in love with her. He assumed the shape of a beautiful white bull and lured her to his back. He carried her off to Crete and kept her as his mistress. Her sons by Zeus were Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon. She later married Asterius and became the mother of a daughter, Crete (the same as the island), and he adopted her sons. In another version, she is the mother of Euphemus by Poseidon and possibly the mother of Aeacus by Zeus. In some legends, Europa and not Aegina is said to be the mother of Aeacus. The rose is associated with Europa. Compare her to Aegina, also carried off to an island by Zeus. Compare to other women seduced by Zeus in another form. See also Aegina; Agenor (A); Antiope; Apis; Danae; Leda; Oceanids; Poseidon; Rhadamantus; Sarpedon (A).

Europa (B) (Greek)

Danaus and Europa are the parents of fifty daughters known as the Danaids (q.v.).

Europa (C) (Greek)

An Oceanid, she is the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. See also Oceanids; Oceanus; Tethys.

Europa (D) (Greek) She is the daughter of Tityus.

Europa (E) (Greek) Her parents are Phoenix and Perimede.

Eurus (Greek)

Also known as: Apheliotes.

God of the East Wind. Little is known of Eurus, the East Wind. He is the brother of Boreas, Notus, and Zephyrus and a son of Aeolus and Aurora. Compare to storm clouds, Chimaera, Harpies. For family history see Boreas; Zephyrus. See also Aeolus; Notus; Zetes.

Euryale (A) Euryae (Greek)

A Gorgon, Euryale is the daughter of Ceto and Phorcys. See also Ceto; Gorgons; Medusa; Stheno.

Euryale (B) (Greek) Queen of the Amazons.

Euryale (C) (Greek) She is a daughter of Proteus (q.v.).

Euryalus Erytus (Greek)

An Argonaut. One of the Epigoni. He is the son of Mecisteus. See also Argonauts; Epigoni.

Eurybatus (Greek)

He killed Lamia, the monster of Crissa. See also Lamia.

Eurybia (A) (Greek)

A Titan. She is the daughter of Oceanus and mother earth, Gaea. Her siblings are Ceto, Crius, Nereus, Phorcys and Thaumas. She wed Crius and became the mother of Astraeus, Pallas and Perses. See also Crius; Gaea; Oceanus; Perses; Phorcys; Styx.

Eurybia (B) (Greek) She is the daughter of Thespius.

Eurydamas (A) (Greek)

He is the Argonaut son of Irus and Demonassa. See also Argonauts.

Eurydamas (B) (Greek) He is one of Penelope’s suitors.

Eurydamas (C) (Greek)

An interpreter of dreams for the Trojans.

Eurydice (A) (Greek)

Eurydice, the Dryad wife of the famed musician Orpheus, died on her wedding day. As she attempted to escape the amorous attentions of Aristaeus, the beekeeper, she was bitten by a snake. She was granted permission to leave the darkness of Hades and accompany her new husband on the condition that he not turn around to look at her until they reached the light of the world. In a moment of forgetfulness, he turned and Eurydice fell back into Hades and was punished by eternal death. See also Aristaeus; Orpheus.

Eurydice (B) (Greek)

Her parents are Lacedaemon and Sparte. She married Acrisius (q.v.).

Eurydice (C) (Greek)

There are numerous women in Greek mythology with the name Eurydice. King Nestor of Pylos was married to Eurydice who was the daughter of Clymenus. In another legend there is Eurydice the wife of Creon, who was the king of Thebes. She was the mother of Enioche (possibly), and a beautiful son, Haemon, who was killed by the Sphinx when he couldn’t answer the riddle; a daughter, Megara, who married Heracles; and Menoeceus, her virgin son, who committed suicide to save the kingdom. Grief-stricken, she killed herself after his death. There was also Eurydice, one of the fifty daughters of Danaus called the Danaids, who was said to have murdered her husband Dryas, who was also her cousin and one of the fifty sons of Aegyptus. One of the numerous children of Pelops and Hippodameia was Eurydice, thought by some to be the mother of Alcmene, the last mortal love of Zeus, who became the mother of Heracles and his twin Iphicles. Eurydice, the daughter of Adrastus, married the fourth king of Troy, Ilus, who was a famous wrestler. Their children were Laomedon, who refused to pay Apollo and Poseidon for building the walls of Troy and was killed by Heracles, and a daughter, Themiste (Themis), who became the mother of Anchises and Laocoon (not to be confused with the Argonaut of the same name).

Euryganeia (Greek)

Possible wife of Oedipus, mother of Antigone, Eteocles, Ismene and Polynices. See also Antigone; Eteocles; Oedipus; Polynices.

Eurymede (Greek)

She is the sister of Scylla and Iphinoe. See also Bellerophon; Graces; Scylla.

Eurymedon (Greek)

Hermes is his father (q.v.). See also Eurynome (A); Perseus; Themis.

Eurynome (A) (Greek)

She is the goddess of all things, and a creation goddess. According to the Pelasgian creation myth, in the beginning Eurynome emerged from Chaos. In order to stand she had to divide the sea from the sky. She grasped the North Wind between her hands and the serpent Ophion emerged, and coiled itself around her limbs. It was the fertilizing North Wind also known as Boreas who impregnated her. In the form of a dove she laid the Universal Egg and had Ophion coil around it seven times until it hatched and spilt in half. From this egg came all things. Eurynome and Ophion lived on Mount Olympus for a time but it is said that he insisted upon being called author of the Universe which vexed Eurynome to the point that she physically removed him from their home and banished him to the Underworld. She then created the planetary powers. A Titaness and a Titan represented each planet. Theia and Hyperion, the sun; Phoebe and Atlas, the moon; Dione and Crius for Mars; Metis and Coeus for Mercury; Tethys and Oceanus for Venus; Rhea and Cronus for Saturn. The first man, however, was said to be Pelasgus, who rose up from the soil of Arcadia. Other mortals followed. It is said that Eurynome ruled until she was displaced by Cronus and Rhea and either fell into the sea or simply retired to Oceanus. Eurynome is shown in mermaid’s form. Compare to the Olympian creation myth (which did not permit the influence of the planetary powers). To compare to the Homeric creation myth, see Oceanus. For the Orphic creation myth, see Phanes. See also Atlas; Boreas; Ceos; Chaos; Cronus; Dione; Eurynome (B); Hyperion; Rhea.

Eurynome (B) (Greek)

Sea deity. Eurynome, a Titan, is the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. By Zeus she is the mother of the three Graces. She is not to be confused with Eurymede, who has as an alternate name, Eurynome. See also Aglaia; Eurynome (B); Graces; Oceanus; Tethys.

Eurynome (C) (Greek)

She could be the mother of Adrestus by Talaus. See also Adrestus.

Euryphaessa (Greek) see Eos.

She is the Titan mother of Eos, Helius and Selene. Some say Euryphaessa and Theia, the wife of Hyperion, the sun god, may be the same. See also Eos; Helius; Hyperion.

Eurysaces (Greek) He is the son of Ajax the Greater (q.v.).

Eurystheus (Greek) see Admete; Ate; Kerberos.

Euryte (Greek) see Calydonian Boar Hunt.

Eurythemis (Greek)

She is the wife of Thestius and the mother of numerous children, including Althea and Plexippus.

Eurytion (A) (Greek) He is a son of Actor.

Eurytion (B) Eurytus (Greek)

This Centaur caused chaos at the wedding of Peirithous and Hippodameia. He was killed.

Eurytus (A) Eurytas (Greek)

King of Oechalia. His parents are Melaneus and Oechalia. By his first marriage, he became the father of Dryope. His second marriage, to Antiope, produced Clytius, Iole and Iphitus. Heracles, who was taught the art of the bow and arrow by Eurytus, demanded that he give him Antiope, his wife. When he refused, Heracles killed him. See also Dryope; Melaneus; Melas.

Eurytus (B) (Greek)

He is the twin son of Actor or Poseidon and Molione.

Eurytus (C) (Greek)

He is the Argonaut son of the messenger of the gods, Hermes, and Antianeira and the brother of Echion.

Eurytus (D) (Greek)

Another name for Eurytion, the Centaur. See also Eurytion (B).

Euterpe (Greek)

She is the muse of lyric poetry. Her symbol is the flute. See also Muses.

Euthymus (Greek)

An Olympic boxer, he sailed on the Odysseus. See also Caecinus; Rivers.

Evadne (A) (Greek)

She is the daughter of Poseidon and Pitane. Evadne became the mother of Iamus by Apollo. See also Poseidon.

Evadne (B) (Greek)

Her father is Iphis, the former king of Argos. Her brother, Eteoculus is one of the Seven Against Thebes (q.v.). See also Eteoculus.

Evadne (C) (Greek)

Her parents are the Thracian river gods, Strymon and Neaera. Her marriage to Argus, king of Argos, resulted in the birth of Criasus, Ecbasus, Epidaurus and Peiras.

Evaki (Bakairi People, South America)

She is the goddess of night or sleep. Evaki stole sleep from the eyes of lizards and then shared sleep with all living things. Evaki closes the lid on the pot which contains the sun each night. She reopens it at dawn.

Evan and Bromius (Greek) see Bacchus.

Evander (A) Evandrus (Greek)

Minor deity. Evander was the son of Hermes and a nymph who was the daughter of Ladon, the river god. He was associated with Pan and was worshipped in Arcadia. It is thought that he may have been an aspect of Hermes. Evander (A) and Evander (B) are thought by some to be one and the same person. See also Evander (B); Hermes; Pan.

Evander (B) Evandrus (Greek origins)

Fertility lord. Evander was thought to be a son of Hermes and Carmenta, or Sarpedon and Laodamia. As the son of Sarpedon and Laodamia it is said that he married Deidamia the sister of Laodamia and became the father of Pallantia, Pallas, who had fifty sons all slaughtered by Theseus, Dyne (or Dyna, meaning power), Roma the goddess of strength and Sarpedon (named after his father). He was the leader of a group of Arcadian colonists who settled in Italy and built the city of Pallanteum outside of Rome. Evander joined Aeneas (who with his followers had fled from Troy) and overcame the Rutali, the Italian tribe ruled by Turnus. It is said that Evander killed Erulus, the king of Italy, three times in one day. Erulus was the son of the goddess of orchards, Feronia, who had given her son three lives and three arms. In some legends, Evander was too old to assist Aeneas in battle, so he sent his son Pallas in his place. Some say that Evander was responsible for introducing the Greek gods and the Greek alphabet to Italy. See also Acetes; Carmentis; Sarpedon (A); Sarpedon (B).

Evandrus (Greek) see Evander (A); Evander (B).

Evarete (Greek)

The daughter of Acrisius and Eurydice, the sister of Dane, she married Oenomaus and became the mother of Hippodameia and Leucippus. See also Acrisius; Hippodameia; Keycuppus; Oenamaus.

Eve (Hebrew, Semitic, Babylonian)

Also known as: Chavah, Chavva, Eva, Evita, Haiwa (Arabic), Hawwa, Heve, Mashye (Persian).

First woman. After causing Adam to fall into a deep sleep, Yahveh took a rib from him and made Eve. In the original legend there was no mention of the name of Adam’s mate. In the Koran, her name is not mentioned, and she is referred to as Adam’s spouse. Later, she was called Haiwa. Adam and Haiwa had twenty sets of twins; each set a boy and girl. Eve is usually portrayed nude, her loins girded by grape leaves. Sometimes she is shown holding an apple. Her legend is similar to the legend of Adapa. See also Adam; Adapa.

Evenus (Greek)

He is the son of Ares and either Demonice or Alcippe. He married a woman named Alcippe. They had three children: Epistrophus, Marpessa and Mynes. When his daughter, Marpessa, was kidnapped by Apollo, Evenus committed suicide. See also Ares.

Evnissyen Efnissien (Celtic, Welsh), Evenissyen

The stepbrother of Bran, Branwen, and Manawyddan. Evnissyen caused a battle between Ireland and Britain when he killed Gwern, the son of Matholwch and Branwen, by casting him into the fire of the hearth. See also Bran; Branwen.

Excalibur (Arthurian) see Kusanagi; Vivian (Japan).

Excellent Archer (China) see Chang-O; “I” (A).

Exizkur (Babylonia) see Marduk.

Eylime (Teutonic) see Englimi.

Eyr (Teutonic) see Eir.

Ezuab (Sumer)

The home of Ea, Ezuab is located in the sacred city of Eridu. See also Ea; Eridu.