I
I (A) (China)
Also known as: Excellent Archer.
He is the god of bowmen. I shot down all but one of the ten suns because they heated the earth so much. He is the spouse of the moon goddess, Chang-o.
I (B) (Maya)
The goddess I is a water goddess who may be the same as Chalchiuhtlicue (q.v.).
I-Em-Hetep (Egypt) see Imhotep.
I Kaggen (Africa) see Cagn.
I-shi-ko-ri-do-me (Japan) see Ishikoridome-no-Mikato.
I-ti (China)
God of wine. I-ti is a former mortal who invented wine making. He is associated with Tu K’ang, the god of distillers.
Iacchus (A) (Greek)
Epithet of Bacchus. See also Bacchus; Dionysus.
Iacchus (B) (Greek)
He is the son of Demeter, Dionysus or Persephone.
Iaeuo (Greek) see Iao.
Iaevo (Hebrew) see Jehovah; Yahweh.
Iah (Egypt) (Hebrew) see Aa; Aah; Jehovah.
Iahweh (Chaldea) see Sabazios.
Iai (Egyptian) see Aah.
Iakchos (Greek) see Dionysus.
Ial (India)
Also known as: Hari Hara-putra (Vishnu, son of Shiva), Ier.
Son of a god. He is said by some to be a son of Shiva by Mohina (feminine Vishnu). See also Vishnu.
Ialdabaoth (Ophites; post-Christian Gnostics)
Spirit creator. One of seven ruling spirits created by the god Ophiomorphus, the serpent son of laldabaoth. The first spirit is possibly Adonaeus or Adonai; the second, laldabaoth; third, Iao; fourth, Sabaoth; fifth, Astaphaios; sixth, Ailaios; seventh, Horaios. In some renditions, laldabaoth (conceived by Sophia) is the first ruler. See also Abraxas; Archons; Iao; Sophia.
Ialmenus (Greek)
An Argonaut. Co-ruler of Orchomenus with his brother Asclaphus. He is the son of Ares and Astyoche. Ialmenus and Asclaphus were both suitors of Helen of Troy. The brothers took thirty ships to Troy. See also Ares; Argonauts; Asclepius.
Ianus (Roman) see Janus.
Iao (Gnostic)
Also known as: Iaeuo.
Aspect or name for Yahweh or Jehovah. One of the Archons. Part of an invocation by an Hellenistic priest indicates this might be a god similar in nature to Yahweh; i.e., “I invoke thee…. Demon of Demons, God of Gods, The Lord of Spirits, the unwandering Æon, Iao ouêi [Jehovah?] hearken unto my voice….” See also Abraxas; Jehovah; Yahweh; Zeus.
Iapetus Iapetos (Greek)
A Titan. He is the giant son of Uranus and Gaea. His siblings are Cronus, Pallas, Oceanus and the Titans. He married Clymene, one of the numerous ocean nymphs who are the daughters of Oceanus. Iapetus has four gigantic sons: Atlas, Menoetius, Prometheus (Forethought) and Epimetheus (Afterthought). See also Atlas; Clymene; Cronus; Epimetheus; Gaea; Prometheus; Uranus.
Iarnsaxa Jarnsaxa (Norse; Teutonic)
Also known as: Iron Dirk, Sif (possibly).
She is the giant mistress of Thor and mother of Magni, and in some renditions, Modi, and possibly Sif. She is not a member of the Asynjor. When he was three years old, Magni lifted the foot of the giant Hrungnir from the leg of Thor. See also Magni; Modi; Sif (B).
Iasion (Greek)
His parents are Zeus and Electra. Dardanus, his brother, is favored by Zeus. His children by Demeter are Philomelus, who invented the wagon, and Plutus, the god of agricultural riches. See also Dardanus; Demeter; Eirene, Electra.
laso (Greek)
Goddess of healing. Her name means “cure.” She is the daughter of the great physician Asclepius and Epione, the daughter of Merops. Her siblings are Acesis, Aegle, Hygeia, Janiscus, Machaon, Panacea and Podalirius. See also Asclepius; Merops.
lasus (A) (Greek)
He is the son of Lycurgus, the king of Arcadia, and Cleophyle or Eurynome. His wife is Clymene and their daughter is Atalanta. His siblings are Amphidamas, Ancaeus and Epochus. See also Atalanta; Clymene; Inachus.
lasus (B) (Greek)
Son of Rhea and Anchiale. One of the Dactyli. See also Dactyli; Rhea.
lasus (C) (Greek)
King of Argos. His parents are Argus Panoptes and Ecbasus or Triopas and Ismene. His siblings are Agenor and Pelasgus.
lasus (D) (Greek) Aeneas killed lasus during the Trojan War.
lath (Celtic) see Eire.
Iatiju (Acoma People, North America)
Parent of the Katsinas who are food and rain deities. See also Pishumi; Shk.
Iatik (Native American) see latiku; Nautsiti.
latiku and Nautsiti Iatik (Akoma, Koshairis People, North America)
Creators. They are sisters who created man. The sisters were made by Iatik in some versions and in other versions it was the Great Spider (Sus’istinako) who created them. latiku is sometimes referred to as a corn mother.
law (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
lb (Egypt) see Ab.
Ibe Dji (Yoruba People, Africa)
The likeness of Ibe Dji is only involved in the ceremonies that commemorate the deaths of twin sisters.
Iblis Eblis (Islamic)
The Prince of Darkness. Chief of the Jinn. Originally he was the angel Azazel. See also Azazel; Jin; Satan.
Ibmel (Finno-Ugric) see Jumala.
Iboroquiamio (Orinoco People, South America)
Devil. Little known, but greatly feared deity.
Ibrahim (Islamic) see Abram.
Ibraoth (Middle East) see Sabaoth.
Ibukido-Nushi (Japan) “Breath-Blowing-Lord.” See also Haya-akitsu-hime-no-kami.
Icarius (A) (Greek)
He is the son of Perieres and Gorgophone or Oebaulus and Bateia, the Naiad. See also Gorgophone; Hippocoon.
Icarius (B) (Greek)
This farmer taught other farmers how to grow grapes and produce wine as originally taught by Dionysus. One day, during a festival, the drunken farmers beat Icarius to death. Icarius and his daughter, Erigone, the harvest goddess, became the constellation Bootes (some say Erigone is the constellation, Virgo). See also Dionysus; Erigone.
Icarus (Greek)
In an attempt to escape from King Minos, Daedalus made wings held together by wax. His son, Icarus, flew too close to the sun and was killed. His body washed up on the island of Icaria. See also Daedalus; Minos.
Icheiri (Carib People, Antilles)
Spirits. Each cabin has a altar where food offerings are laid out for the Icheiri. They are generally thought of as intermediaries between humans and the celestial powers. There is a deity named Yris involved with the Icheiri. See also Lares; Penates.
Ichiki-Shima-Hime (Japan) see Benten.
Ichikishima-Hime-no-Mikoto (Japan) see Three Goddesses of Munakata.
Also known as: Jesus.
Creator. According to legends, the Spanish Christianized the people but the Mayans converted the Christian Jesus to Icona. Icona created all things and he and his wife, who is a virgin named Chibirias or Hischen, had a son named Bacab. The rest of the legend is similar to the crucifixion story of the Biblical God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is called Echuac or Ekchuah. See also Christ; Jesus.
Ictinike (Sioux People, North America)
Known as the “Father of Lies,” Ictinike was exiled from heaven by his sun god father.
Id (Aztec)
God of fire. This god of fire, both creative and destructive, holds a position of seniority among the gods. His dwelling place is the North Star.
Ida (A) (India) see Ida (B); Manu.
Ida (B) Adda, Idavita, Ila (India)
An earth goddess, goddess of devotion, speech and vital air, Ida is the daughter and perhaps spouse of Vaisavata. She is also called the instructor of Vaisavata, spouse of Budha, mother of Kuvera. See also Budha; Kuvera; Vaisavata.
Ida (C) (Greek)
She is the daughter of Corybas, spouse of Lycastus, and mother of Minos. See also Minos.
Ida (D) (Greek)
She is the daughter of Melisseus. She and her sister, Adrastia, fed Zeus when he was an infant in Crete. See also Adrastia; Amaltheia; Zeus.
Ida-Ten (Zen; Japan)
Also known as: Wei-to (China).
From a revelation of a Chinese monk, Tao Hsuan (also spelled Tao-Suan). Ida-Ten is the god who protects monasteries. Guardian of the law. He is regarded as having miraculous speed. Formerly, he was known as General Wei, who as a mortal was the first to be put in charge of protecting Buddhism and monks. Ida-Ten is depicted as a handsome young man wearing a Chinese-type helmet, breastplate, and holding a sword. He is associated with a demon named Sokushikki.
Idaea (A) (Greek)
She is one of the daughters of Dardanus (q.v.).
Idaea (B) (Greek) Idaea is an epithet of Rhea (q.v.).
Idaea (C) (Greek) She is the second wife of Phineus (q.v.).
Idaeus (Greek)
A herald for the Trojans. When Priam went to pick up his son Hector’s body, Idaeus was his driver. See also Hector; Helen; Priam.
Idakru (Japan)
Idakru is sometimes referred to as a son of Susanowo, the Ruler of the Ocean and Mysterious Things. See also Susanowo.
Idas (A) (Greek)
An Argonaut. Member of the Calydonia Boar Hunt. His parents are Aphareus and Arene or Poseidon and Arene. His siblings are Lynceus and Peisus. The two women in his life were abducted. Phoebe was abducted by Castor and Polydeuces. Marpessa was abducted by Apollo.
Idas (B) (Greek)
Also known as: Acesidas.
Idas is one of the Dactyli. One of his siblings is Heracles. See also Dactyli; Heracles.
Idavida Ida (India)
Idavida is the mother of the demon dwarf, Kuvera (q.v.).
Idavold (Teutonic) see Idawold.
Idavolir (Teutonic) see Idawold.
Idavoll (Teutonic) see Idawold.
Idawold Idavoldy Idavoll, Idavolir, Ithavoll (Norse; Teutonic)
Place of the gods. Asgard is located on the Plain of Idawold. It is also the location of Odin’s palace, and Vingolf, the palace of the goddesses. Gladsheim is located in Idawold. See also Asgard; Gladsheim; Vingolf.
Iddahedu (Babylon) see Nabu.
Ide (Northwest Coast Native North Americans) see Adee.
Idem-Kuguza (Finnish) see Orin-Murt.
Idi (Native North American People) see Adee.
Idim-Kuguza (Finnish) see Orin-Murt.
Idlirvirissong Irdlirvirisissong (Eskimo)
Sky deity. Demonic cousin of the Sun. In some versions she is the cousin of Aningan, the moon god. She is depicted as a clown. See also Alignak; Sedna.
Idmon (A) (Greek)
He is the son of Abas and Asteria or Cyrene, or Apollo and Asteria or Cyrene. See also Argonauts.
Idmon (B) (Greek)
He is one of the fifty sons of Aegyptus (q.v.).
Idmon (C) (Greek)
Arachne, the weaver, who hung herself and was turned into a spider by Athena, is his daughter.
Idomene (Greek)
She is the daughter of Pheres and Periclymene. Her siblings are Admetus, Lycurgus and Periopis. Her marriage to Amythao resulted in the births of Aeolia, Bias, Melampus and Perimele. See also Abas (A); Admetus; Aeolia; Melampus; Pheres.
Idomeneus (Greek)
King of Crete. He is the son of Deucalion, the brother of Crete, the husband of Medea and the father of a son, Idamante.
Idun Iduna, Idunn, Idunna, Idhunn, Ithun, Y’dun (Norse; Teutonic)
Idun, an Asynjor, is the goddess who guards the golden apples of eternal life for the gods. The Aesir needed the apples for their strength and health. Idun is the wife of Bragi, the god of poetry. Her brother is the giant Thjasse-Volund. When Loki was abducted by the giant Thiassi, he gained his release by promising to give Idun to him. Loki wooed Idun by telling her he knew where she could find better apples. They went into the woods together and Idun was taken by Thiassi. Without their apples, the Aesir grew old and dissipated. They threatened to punish Loki if he did not return Idun. Using Freyja’s magic cloak, he flew into Thiassi’s territory and rescued Idun. Thiassi chased them to the edge of Asgard, where he was killed by the Aesir. See also Aesir; Asynjor; Bragi; Loki; Sol (B); Thiassi.
Idyia Eidyia (Greek)
She is the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, the spouse of Aeetes and the mother of Absyrtus and Medea. See also Absyrtus; Aeetes; Medea; Oceanus; Tethys.
Ie (Hebrew, Christian) see Jehovah.
legad (Pelew Islands)
Sun deity. The god who brought light to earth.
Iella (Antilles)
Mother goddess. Mother of the dual god Iocauna and Gaumaonocon. In legend she is a supreme being with five names. The other four names are Atabei, Mamona, Guacarapita, and Guimazoa. In another list, four names are given: Atabei; Gaumaonocan; Iocauna; Zemes.
Iemhetep (Egypt) see Imhotep.
Iermaogauacar (Antilles) see Iocauna.
Iesous (Greek) see Jesus.
Iesu (Hebrew) see Jesus.
leu (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Ieui (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Ifa (Yoruba People, Africa)
Also known as: Fa (Fon People), Ifa-Eschu (possibly), Orunmila.
God of wisdom and knowledge. Fire god. The name Ifa refers to the deity and to his oracle. There are conflicting legends pertaining to Ifa’s origins. Some say that he came to earth with other deities at the beginning of time. His wisdom was necessary to establish order in the world. In early days, before the great division between heaven and earth, Ifa traveled frequently to consult with the supreme deity, Olodumare. One day on earth a family squabble developed and one of his eight children insulted him. He journeyed back to the celestial realm to live. His permanent departure left the earth in chaos and confusion. Food was scarce, disease was rampant and women became barren. The children were sent to beg their father’s forgiveness. After an arduous trip they finally found Ifa ensconsed under a palm tree in heaven and he refused to budge. He gave his children each a kit containing sixteen palm nuts to be used for communication and divination. Through these tools he conveyed the desires of mortals to the deities and the will of the deities to the mortals. Ifa is also connected to Eshu. Eshu collected and read palm nuts from a miraculous palm tree, which was Ifa, thus satisfying the hunger of the gods. Sometimes Eshu is the servant of Ifa, to whom he is forced to surrender the art of divination; sometimes it is Ifa who has the art, and Eshu forces Ifa to give him part of the knowledge. Eschu loves to test the character of people. Ifa, also known as a fire god, was worshiped under the emblem of the palm nut with sixteen stones, each stone had three or four eyes likely similar to the kits he gave his children. See also Eshu; Fa (A); Olodumare; Orunmila; Shango.
Ifgdrasil (Teutonic) see Yggdrasil.
Ifilici Wacinaci (Arawak People, South America)
Also known as: Great Father, Wa Cinaci, Wa Murreta Kwonci
Probably a creator or culture hero. He may be the same as Wa Cinaci and Wa Murreta Kwonci. These names seem to mean “Maker” or “Great Father.”
Ifing (Teutonic)
Ifing is a stream or river on the broad Plain of Idawold in Asgard in the upper sky where Odin set up his council. The water in this stream never froze. This is where Odin gathered together the twelve gods known as the Aesir and the twenty-four goddesses known as the Asynjor, to make a pact of harmony. Weapons and tools are made in Ifing. Ifing separates the realms between the giants and the gods. See also Aesir; Asgard; Asynjor.
Ifrit (Arabic) see Afrit.
Ifrits (Middle Eastern) see Jin.
Igaluk (Eskimo)
Sun deity. Alaskan name of the god of the Moon.
Iggdrasil (Teutonic) see Yggdrasil.
Igigi (Babylonian; Mesopotamia)
The Igigi, assistants to the chief of the gods, Anu, and other high gods, are the spirits of heaven who appear as stars. They are called upon before battles. With the Annunaki, they are the hosts of heaven and earth. Some writers do not differentiate between the Igigi and Annunaki. Others specify that the Annunaki are the spirits of earth. The Igigi and Anunnaki are the offspring of Anshar and Kishar, and Ellil (generally called Enlil) was their ruler. In other renditions, Ishtar is their leader. Marduk created the Anunnaki. See also Anshar; Anu; Anunaki; Apsu; Enlil; Ishtar; Kishar; Marduk.
Igirit (Hebrew) Ruler of Demons. See also Agrat Bat Mahalat.
Ignerna (British) see Arthur.
Ignis (Teutonic, Roman)
Deity of fire. Son of Manus, the mythical father of the Teutons. Associated with the Caberi and Vulcan (qq.v.).
Iha-haga-hime (Japan) see Kaya-No-Hime-No-Kami; Ninigi.
Iha-naga-himi (Japan) see Iwa-naga-hime.
Iha-no-hime (Japan)
Goddess of prosperity and long life. She is the very jealous wife of Nintoku.
Iha-tsutsu No Wo (Japan) see Izanami.
Ihasutsu-nome (Japan) see Izanami.
Ihi (Egypt)
Also known as: Ahi.
“The Sistrum Player.” Deity of music. He is the son of Hathor and Horus. The sistrum is the musical instrument that is sacred to Hathor. See also Sistrum.
Ihi-yori-hiko (Japan)
Fertility deity. One of the four faces of Futa-na Island.
Ihoiho (Polynesia Society Islands)
Creator. Creator god who was followed by Timo-taata.
Ihuitimal (Toltec People, Mexico) see Mixcoatl.
Ihy (Egypt) see Hathor.
Ijaksit-Khoton (Siberia) see Ajysyt.
Ika-tere (Polynesia)
Father of fish. Brother of Tu-te-wehi and son of Tangaroa. See also Tangaroa; Tu-te-wehi.
Ikiti-simapine-no Mikoto Ikiti-sima-pime-no-mikoto (Japan) see Amaterasu; Three Goddesses of Munakata.
Iksion (Greek) see Ixion.
Ikto (Sioux People, North America)
He is the inventor of speech for mortals.
Iku-tu-pikone-nomikoto (Japan) see Amaterasu.
II (Ugarit) see El.
Ila (A) (India) see Sarasvati.
Ila (B) (India) see Ida.
Ilabrat Ili-abrat (Babylonia, Sumer)
Also known as: Ninsubur, Papsukkal, Papukkal.
Ilabrat is the messenger sent by Anu to inquire why the south wind stopped blowing. This relates to the legend of Adapa breaking the wings of the southwest wind she-demon, Shutu. Some say he is shown with a staff or wand in his right hand. He is sometimes identified with Ninsubur. See also Adapa; Ninsubur; Papsukkal; Tammuz.
Ilah (Ugarit) see El.
Ilaheva (South Pacific)
The earth goddess spouse of the sky god Eitumatupua (q.v.).
Ilamatecuhtli Ilamatecutli (Aztec People, Mexico)
Also known as: Old Mother, Tonantzin.
This is a name for Tonantzin. In this form, Ilamatecutli is represented as the Earth Toad. She is a mother goddess, corn goddess, fertility goddess and the lord of the thirteenth hour of the day. The Earth Toad is shown swallowing a stone knife. See also Lord of the Day Hours; Tonantzin.
Ilancue Ilancueitl (Aztec People, Mexico)
Also known as: The Old Woman.
First goddess or Earth goddess. She is the wife, possibly first wife, of Ixtacmixcoatl. They are the ancestors of the People of Mexico. See also Chimalmatl; Ixtacmixcoatl.
Ilancueitl (Aztec) see Ilancue.
Hat Alilat (Arabic)
She is an early mother goddess who has been likened to Aphrodite. See also Alilat.
Ilavida (India)
Ilavida is the mother of Kuvera and the spouse of Vishravas (q.v.).
Ildebaoth (Gnostic) see Abraxas.
Ile-gbigbona (Africa) see Sonponno.
Ile-titu (Africa) see Sonponno.
Ilem (Slavic) see Ilmarinen.
Ilhallubu (Babylon) see Adad.
Ili-abrat (Sumer) see Ilabrat.
Ilias (Arab) see Elijah.
Ilinbongasum (Saora People, India)
God of the rainbow. See also Adununkisum.
Ilithyia (Greek) see Ilythia.
Ilithyiae (Greek) see Ilythia.
Illa (Haiti) see Atabei.
Illa Ticci Illa Tici (Peru) see Viricocha.
Illillos (Sumer) see Enlil.
Illinus (Babylon) see Aus; Belus (B).
Illiyun (Islamic)
The seventh stage in Islamic Paradise. This is where the register of good deeds is kept.
Illuyankas (Hittite)
The storm god killed this giant serpent with the help of the goddess Inaras. She enlisted the assistance of a mortal named Hupasiyas. He agreed to aid her only if she slept with him, which she did to accomplish her goal. See also Inaras.
Illyrius (Greek)
He is the son of Cadmus and Harmonia. His siblings are Agave, Autonoe, Ino, Polydorus and Semeie. See also Ino; Semeie.
lima (Slavonic, Finnish)
God of the air. He is the father of Luonnotar who was the mother of Vainamoinen who in turn was a creator. Other references call Luonnotar the creator and the daughter of lima. See also Ilmarinen.
Ilmaka (Himyarite People, South Arabia)
War deity. Called the smiter.
Ilmaqah Ilmuqah (Semitic) Moon god. See also Allah; Elohim.
Ilmarinen Ilmaris, Ismaroinen (Finnish, Lithuanian, Slavic)
Also known as: Ilem, Ilma, Inmar, Jen, Jumala, Jumla, Sangke.
Smith god. Ilmarinen is the son of Ilmatar. He is the brother of Vainamoinen and Lemminkainen. His wife is Kildisin, the daughter of the sorcerer Pohja. Ilmarinen forged the sun. He also forged the magic mill known as Sampo with the point of a swan’s feathers, milk from a sterile cow, a grain of barley and the wool of a ewe. There are stories about Ilmarinen and his brothers attempting to steal the Sampo and while doing so, breaking it. In later versions of his myth we find that his spouse Kildisin has merged into Virgin Mary. Ilmarinen is associated with the hero, Vainamoinen. Compare Ilmarinen to the Vedic god Tvastri, and the Celtic god Goibniu. See also lima; Ilmatar; Jumala; Kalevala; Pohja; Sampo.
Ilmaris (Finland) see Ilmarinen.
Ilmatar (Finland)
Creator. Hero. This androgynous goddess (sometimes known as a hero) is the daughter of the god of air lima, mother of the creator of the sun Ilmarinen, the magician, Lemminikainen and the god of music Vainamoinen. In her female form she is a creator of all. (In some myths, Luonnotar is the mother of Vainomoinen.) See also Ilmarinen; Lemminikainen; Luonnotar; Vainamoinen.
Ilu (Ugarit) see El.
Ilumarru (Babylon) see Adad.
Ilus (A) (Greek) He is the son of Dardanus and Bateia (qq.v.).
Ilus (B) lulus (Greek)
Also known as: Ascanius
He is the son of Aeneas and Creusa. His name links him with Ilium (Troy). It also links him with the Julian family of Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus. See also Aeneas; Creusa.
Ilus (C) (Greek) Mermerus, the son of Pheres, is his father.
Ilus (D) (Greek)
The wrestler. Fourth king of Troy. His parents are Tros and Callirrhoe. His siblings are Assaracus, Cleopatra and Ganymede. He married Eurydice and became the father of Laomedon and Themiste. Ilus won fifty young men, fifty young women and a cow in the wrestling division of the Phrygian Games. Zeus gave Ilus the Palladium. A prophet told him to build a city on the spot where his cow would lay down. He named the city Ilion which was later changed to Troy. See also Anchises; Callirrhoe; Eurydice (C); Ganymede; Theano.
Ilyas (Islamic) see Elijah.
Ilyasin (Islamic) see Elijah.
Ilythia (Greek) see Eileithyia.
Im (Akkadian, Babylonian) God of storms. See also Rimmon.
Imana (Warundi People, Africa)
Supreme being. Chief of the Ancestral Spirits of the race.
Imaymana Viracocha (Inca)
Imaymana Viracocha is the son of the creator, Viracocha, and brother of Tocapo Viracocha. Viracocha sent his sons out to visit the people after the Great Deluge and the Creation. The brothers were to ensure that the people were still following the commandments they had been given. As they travelled, they named the different varieties of trees, bushes, plants, fruits, flowers and told the people which could be eaten or which would have curative powers and which varities were dangerous to their health. See also Manco Capac; Viracocha.
Imberombera (Australia)
Another name for the mother goddess, Waramurungundja (q.v.).
Imbrogeneis (Greek) see Curetes; Telchines.
Iment (Egypt) see Ament; Amenti.
Imgig (Sumer) see Zu.
Imhetep (Egypt) see Imhotep.
Imhotep I-em-hetep, Iemhetep, Imhetep (Egypt)
Also known as: Imuthes (Greek).
Deified mortal. God of learning, medicine and wisdom. God of builders. Imhotep was the architect of the Step Pyramid at Sakkara and an official of the pharaoh Zoser in the Third Dynasty. He was one of the few Egyptian mortals to obtain deification which in his case occurred two thousand years after his death. Memphis was the seat of his worship. Some say he was the scribe of Thoth. He is identified with the Greek Asclepius. See also Amenhotep, son of Hapu.
Imhursag (Sumer) see Ishkur.
Imi Kashiki No Mikoto (Japan) see Ama-no-minakanushi.
Immer (Sumer) see Ishkur.
Imra Amra (Kafir People, Afghanistan)
Also known as: Dagun, Yamri.
Supreme deity. Little known name for the supreme god by the Kafir people.
Imseti (Egypt) see Mesta.
Imsety (Egypt) see Horus.
Imuit (Egypt)
Deified object. Actually a fetish of one of the early gods, or possibly the name of one of the ancient deities. It is associated with Anubis and Osiris.
Imuthes (Greek) see Imhotep.
Imy-Hemef (Egypt)
“Dweller in His Flame.” This serpent is fifty feet long. He lives on top of Bakhau, the Mountain of Sunrise.
In (Japan) see Yo.
In-shushinak (Elamite) see Adad.
Ina (Polynesia)
Also known as: Hina, Hine, Sina.
Heroine. Her spouse is Tinirau, and her sister, Rupe (also known as Ru). She has two children whose names are not mentioned. She is likely the same as Hina (q.v.). See also Tinirau.
Ina-gami Furu-kushi-nada-hime (Japan) see Kushi-nada-hime.
Ina-Init (Philippine)
Sun god. He is the husband of Aponbolinayen.
Inachus (Greek)
Also known as: Inaclius.
River god. In some myths Inachus is the son of Oceanus and Tethys, a river god of the river Inachus and the first king of Argos. In other versions, he is not a deity, but is the first king of Argos, who named the chief river of Argos after himself. As the son of Oceanus and Tethys, he married his sister, the ash nymph Melia and they became the parents of Phoroneus and Aegialeus and a daughter, Io. Others say that Io’s father was Iasus and that Argia was the mother of Io and Phoroneus. It is said that when Hera and Poseidon were quarrelling over who should receive the Argolis, Zeus intervened and asked the river gods Inachus, Cephissus and Asterion to make the decision. They decided in favor of Hera. This infuriated Poseidon who in retaliation dried up their river beds permitting them water only after the rains. Inachus was the first to worship Hera and his daughter Io became her priestess. It is said that the goddess Athena as Pallas Athena bathed in the waters of Inachus every year to restore her virginity. Hera also conducted a similar ritual in a spring known as Canathus. To compare to other river deities, see Achelous; Acheron; Alpheus; Asopus; Cephissus; Cocytus. See also Apsyrtus; Argus (B); Hera; Io; Meliae; Oceanids; Oceanus; Rivers; Tethys.
Inaclius (Greek) see Inachus.
Inadjet (Egypt) see Buto (A).
Inagami-Hime (Japan) see Kushi-nada-hime.
Inagi-Utasunhi (Cherokee People, North America)
Evil deity. The Dark Twin, a wild boy.
Inanna (A) (Sumer)
Also known as: Annis, Ishtar (Babylonian), Tamar (Hebrew).
Inanna, an earth goddess, grain goddess, goddess of date groves, and a goddess of wine and love, is also known as Queen of Battles. She is probably the daughter of Ningal, who is the wife of Nana. Inanna’s sisters are Nanshe, Ninisinna, Ninmug, Nidaba, and Ereshkigal, and perhaps Anunit. Her brothers are Utu and probably Shamash. After the dilemma of making a choice between the shepherd god Dumuzi and the farmer god Enkidu, she decided to wed Dumuzi, although Utu thought that Enkidu would make the better mate. In some renditions, Inanna preferred Enkidu but Dumuzi was determined to wed her. During the summer month of either July or August, Inanna decided to travel to see her sister Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Underworld. In some versions of this myth, her reason for the descent is not clear. Other interpretations explain that she wanted to attend the last rites for Gulgallana, the husband of Ereshkigal. Before her departure, she instructed her vizar, Ninshubur, that if she did not return in three days, he should begin mourning rites for her. Further, she told him to inform the high gods, Enlil, Nanna and Enki, of her whereabouts and have them intercede on her behalf so that she would not be put to death. She had to pass through a series of seven gates. Neti, the gatekeeper, asked her why she was visiting the place of no return. After her explanation, he instructed her to leave a piece of clothing at each gate, as was the custom. Naked, she finally reached her sister and the seven judges, known as the Anunnaki. She was turned into a corpse and hung on a stake. She was informed that there was only one way out of the underworld: one could return to the upperworld if a substitute was provided. In the meantime, the three days had passed and Ninshubur approached the gods as he was instructed to do by Inanna. Enlil and Nana did not want to be involved. Enki performed magical rites and created two creatures from his fingernail. They went into the underworld and sprinkled her corpse sixty times with the water and food of life. Revived, Inanna was allowed to leave accompanied by demons who were to return with her substitute. The demons claimed several substitutes whom Inanna refused to allow be taken: the vizar Ninshubur, Shara the god of Umma, and Latarak the god of Badtibira. Grateful for being spared, they humbled themselves before Inanna. Inanna and the demons traveled on to Dumuzi’s domicile in Erech where he reigned as king. He was not at all upset that his wife had been in the underworld. Enraged, that he was not in mourning for her she instructed the demons to take him as her substitute. Later, relenting, she was able to make arrangements that Dumuzi and his sister Gestinanna would each spend six months in the underworld. In another myth about this ambitious goddess, she wanted the benefits of civilization to be conferred on the people in her city of Erech. Not only would it prosper the community, it would enhance her image politically. To accomplish this goal, she had to acquire the “Me,” or decrees of civilization, which are similar to the Tablets of Destiny. The Me were in the custody of the god Enki in the Sumerian Eridu. She traveled to his domain in her ship, the Boat of Heaven. When she arrived, she was invited to join Enki at a banquet. Smitten by her, and later inebriated, he gave her the precious Me. She loaded over one hundred tablets on her Boat of Heaven and set sail for the voyage home. In the meantime, Enki, now sober, was informed by his messenger Isimud that he had given the tablets to Inanna. Upset, he sent Isimud and a group of sea monsters after the ship. When they reached Inanna, Isimud attempted to retrieve the tablets through civilized verbal communication. Inanna, determined not to relinquish her treasures, became furious that Enki had broken his word. She had Ninshubur rescue her, the tablets, and the ship. This was not to be the end of story. Enki was as determined to get his tablets back as Inanna was to keep them. Despite numerous additional onslaughts from the sea monsters, in the end, the victorious Inanna arrived in her port with her precious cargo, the Me. The ritual practices of Inanna and the Babylonian Ishtar were similar. Inanna was preceded by Belili (q.v.). Inanna has attributes similar to those of Ninhursag (q.v.). She is also identified with the Hebrew goddess Tamar. See also Anunnaki; Anunit; Dumuzi; Enki; Enkidu; Enlil; Ereshkigal; Gestinanna; Innini; Ishtar; Nana; Nanshe; Nidaba; Ninedinna; Ninsun; Shamash; Utu.
Inanna (B) (Babylonian)
Known as the “Mistress of Heaven,” she is a mother goddess.
Inapatua (Australia) see Inapertwa.
Inapertwa Inapatua (Aborigine People, Australia)
Creators. The first rudimentary humans or incomplete men. Their form was indistinct, consisting of rounded shapes. The two highest gods (unnamed) came down and separated the various parts to make human beings. See also Numbakulla.
Inar (Hittite)
Destroyer of serpents. Inar once killed a great serpent and its family by feeding them so much food they could not get back in their holes.
Inaras (Hittite)
This goddess promised to sleep with the hero Hupasiyas if he would kill the dragon Illuyankas and his offspring. Hupasiyas, with the help of the thunder god, killed the dragon, and Inaras kept her promise. See also Illuyankas.
Inari Inari-m’yojim (Japan)
Also known as: Uka-no-kami, Httsui-no-kami
Deity of rice, property and prosperity. Patron of sword-smiths and tradespersons. As Httsui-no-kami, deity of kitchen. An androgynous deity, Inari is also portrayed as goddess and often referred to as a vixen. As the goddess she is depicted as a fox and is often worshiped as a fox. Inari is associated with fire and smith-craft. As the god, he is depicted as a bearded old man with his attendants and messengers, two foxes. He is also shown sitting on a sack of rice or balanced on the back of a fox and holding two bags of rice. Inari’s messenger is Kitsune, a bewitching fox, who is also the guardian of the rice crop. Geishas and prostitutes are sometimes spoken of as kitsune (foxes). The fox, of great magical importance in Japan, was feared for its malice. Depression and insanity are often attributed to the fox-spirit. In China, the fox is known as a sly companion of fairies. On the first day of the Horse (Hatsu-uma) in February, a major festival was held and Inari was a deity honored. On November 8, another festival, known as the Festival of the Goddess of the Kitchen Range, or the Feast of Bellows (Fuigo Matsuri) was held in Inari’s honor. Here she is known as Httsui-no-kami. Other kitchen deities include Oki-Tsu-Hiko, Oki-Tsu-Hime and Kamado-no-kami. On this day, fires were lit to honor numerous deities, including Inari. The Romans had a goddess of ovens known as Fornax. The oven is a mother-symbol connected with food-producing and food-giving. The workings of witches and magic are connected with the kitchen and include the range, the oven or the hearth. The principal temple erected in honor of Inari is at Fushimi, near Kyoto. Inari is associated with and sometimes confused with Uke-mochi, the food goddess. See also Vesta.
Inari-m’yojim (Japan) see Inari.
Inca — Creation Legend (Peru) see Apocatequil; Coniraya; Irma; Mama Ocelo; Mancho Capac; Pacari; Viracocha.
Incubi (Medieval European) see Incubus; Succubus.
Incubus Incubi (plural), Succubus (female) (Medieval European)
A supernatural being neither wholly good nor wholly evil. Known as the demon lover, an incubus fathered Merlin, Arthur’s counselor. They are male spirits of evil dreams and nightmares. During the Middle Ages, it was believed that the incubus had intercourse with sleeping women. Unexplained pregnancies could conveniently be attributed to a virgin birth, and blamed on the incubus. Often the birth of twins, or babies born with birth defects were said to be the children of an incubus. These demons are often handsome, though smelly, with cloven feet. The incubus is comparable to the Celtic Dusii and Samoan Hotua Poro. See also Bhutas (Hindu); Demons; Jinn (Medieval Europe); Satyrs (Greek); Succubus.
Inda (India) see Indra.
Indech, King (Celtic) see Domnu.
Indra (Buddhist, Hindu, Vedic; India)
Also known as: Aindri, Inda (Buddhist), Indra-nag, Indrani, Lord of the Gods and Destroyer of Their Enemies, Mahendra, Pakasasana, Parjanya (Rain-bringer, name used in later myths), Puramdara, Sahasramuska (Thousand Testicled One), Sakra, Satakratu, Skambha (Support), Taishaku (Japan), Vajrapani, Vritrahan (Slayer of Vritra), Vritrahana, Vrtrahanna.
Indra is variously known as a supreme deity, a storm god and god of the atmosphere. In Vedic accounts, Indra is the son of the sky god Dyaus and the earth goddess Prithivi. Born from his mother’s side, he was hidden and ignored at birth. His parents and the gods thought that his arrival would upset the universe and perhaps lead them to their doom. Hiding him was not the answer, for he made himself known from his earliest days. The chief of the Vedic gods, he is called the Mighty Lord of the Thunderbolt, Cloud-gatherer, and the Sender of Rain and its Fertility. In Hindu accounts, Indra is the son of Dyaus and Nistigri. It is also said the Mother of All Gods, Aditi, is either the mother of or the attendant to Indra. Some say his father was Tvashtri, the artisan deity who created the indestructible vajra. Energetic and impulsive, Indra was addicted to soma. It is possible that his first drink of the intoxicating nectar came from his mother’s breast. Fortified by the beverage, he took his father’s vajra (thunderbolt) and set out to battle the demons who plagued the land (see also Varcin). His consort is the jealous, lascivious Indrani, his son, Sitragupta. In some renditions, he is the twin brother of Agni. In one myth, he was ripped to pieces and reassembled by the gods. They were unable to find his penis and had to attach the member of a ram to Indra. He overcame the serpent Vritra with the advice and aid of Vishnu and fought against other demons. His home, Swarga (Vaijayanta), located between heaven and earth on Mount Meru was filled with dancers and musicians. His servants were demigods known as the Vasus. With Agni and Surya, he formed a triad of the major Vedic gods. Many Vedic hymns are in honor of Indra. He is the king of the gods, god of storms, slayer of demons, destroyer of fortresses and compeller of clouds. He befriended the outcast, the weak and the oppressed. After Indra killed the darkness and drought dragon, Vritra, he was looked upon with favor by the gods. Indra’s assistants are the Maruts, subordinate, warrior-like storm gods who drink soma to fortify themselves for battle. Not always ethical, he was a treacherous fighter and could be unfair. A swaggering war god, he flew across the sky in his solar chariot wielding a thunderbolt. Yet, he exhibited human traits. The thunderbolt he used as a weapon was also used to bring the dead to life. Although he is a god, his conquests were not always accomplished alone. Often other deities intervened on his behalf. Indra is invoked to send rain during times of drought. He is often depicted with the vajra (thunderbolt) in his right hand and a bow in the other, or with a second pair of arms, holding lances. He is fair-complexioned, with ruddy cheeks, a red beard and shoulder length golden hair. He rides a horse and is depicted with his driver, Matali, in a flaming chariot drawn by two tawny horses with flowing tails and manes. Sometimes the horses are gold and red and are known as the Harits. Indra is symbolized by the bull. One of his symbols is the owl, indicating power. His vajra (thunderbolt) is the symbol of divine or mystic energy. It also symbolizes the male principle and the axis of the universe. His other weapons are the bow, net and hook (anka). It is said that Indra’s long arms spanned the skies. In later times, he was depicted with a dog (see Yama). As a cattle-raider, he is associated with the horse and the bull. (The cattle are the clouds.) He is shown seated on his four-tusked elephant named Airavata (rain cloud). Airavata sprang from the churning sea of milk when the universe was created. Indra carries the elephant goad (lightning) and the vajra (thunder). He is sometimes depicted with seven arms holding a diadem, discus (chakra), elephant goad (ankusa), prayer beads, sickle, axe (tanka) and thunderbolt. Indra is said to be the personification of the great summer monsoon of north India. The Vedic horse is the symbol of the breath (Prana). To yoga practitioners, Indra’s two horses can represent inhalation and exhalation. His chariot can symbolize the inner practice of yoga. Indra symbolizes the awakened life-force in yoga practice. The slaying of the dragon and the release of the seven rivers, symbolizes Indra as the pure life force that destroys the negative energy of disease and ignorance. Soma represents the fruit of the sacred tree or tree of knowledge. The magic arts, taught by Indra, are known as Indrajala. Another deity by the name of Indra is part of the Daeva group of deities. In ancient Persian mythology, Indra was a minor deity, known as Andra, a Daevas (evil spirit) who opposed Asha Vahista. (See also Devas.) As Andra, he waits on the bridge named Cinvat and heaves souls into hell. Indra is somewhat like Thor, the thunderer of Norse religion, and the Roman god of war, Mars (q.v.). As Indra-nag, he is depicted as a crowned king with a bow, attended by the serpent Nagas. Indra is equated with Varuna, who some say was ousted by Indra. In the Buddhist tradition, Indra is known as Inda and is subservient to Buddha. See also Kurma and Lokapalas regarding Airavata. Compare Indra with Horus (Egypt), Tiamat (Babylonia), and Verethraghna (Persian). Compare to Uranus and Cronus (Greek). See also Aditi; Adityas; Agastya; Ahalya; Arjuna; Asuras; Asvins; Bali (A); Bhishma; Brihaspati; Daityas; Deva (A), Deva (B); Dikpalas; Diti; Dyaus; Gandharvas; Garuda; Hanuman; Heng and Ha; Hiranyaksa; Indrani; Kamadhenu; Kama; Karttikeya; Krishna; Kunti; Loka; Lokapalas; Maruts; Meru Mountain; Mitra; Nagas and Nagis; Pandavas; Parjanyi; Parvati; Pramloka; Prithiva; Ratri; Ravana; Ribhus (The); Sakra; Samantabhadra; Shiva; Skambha; Soma; Surabhi; Surya; Surya-Bai; Swarga; Tvashtri; Ushas; Vach; Varuna; Vasus; Veda (The); Visvakarma; Vritra; Yama.
Indra-nag (India) see Indra.
Indrajala (India) Magic Arts. See also Indra.
Indrajit (India) Conqueror of Indra. See also Ravana.
Indranee (India) see Indrani.
Indrani Indranee (Nindu, Vedic; India)
Also known as: Aindra, Aindri, Paulomi-vallabha (Lover of Paulomi), Saci, Saki (Sanskrit), Shakrani (Sanskrit).
Indrani, the goddess of sexual pleasure, is the daughter of Puloman and is a reflection of her husband Indra. She is a highly sexual, eternally youthful, jealous, war-like woman. When Indra appeared to be spending too much time with the ape Vrishakapi, Indrani cast her burning eyes on him and he was filled with lust for her. Indra appeared and drove the ape away. Later, Indra was caught by Vrishakapi in a comprising situation with Vrishakapi’s wife. In time, Indra and Vrishakapi rekindled their friendship. Indrani had good reason for her jealousy. Her mate had a passion for women, particularly married women. He had another affair with the first woman created by Brahma, Ahalya, who was the wife of his teacher, Gautama. Indra and Indrani had a son, Sitragupta. Indrani owns the Kalpa, also known as the Parijata Tree. It is kept in Swarga, the celestial dwelling place of Indrani and Indra. Swarga is located between heaven and earth on Mount Meru. If the elderly gaze upon the magic wishing tree, they are reinvigorated. Other records indicate that Indrani was either married to or was the lover of Paulomi. Indrani is portrayed as a beautiful and sensual fair-complexioned woman. Compare Indrani to Lakshmi and the Greek Venus. Compare the Parijata Tree to Soma and Amrita (q.v.). See also Ahalya; Indra; Meru Mountain; Parijata; Ribhus; Satyabhama (third wife of Krishna); Swarga.
Indraprastha (India)
Celestial palace. See also Pandavas; Visvakarma.
Inet (Egypt) see Aai.
Ingi (Teutonic) see Dwarfs.
Ingnersuit (Eskimo) see Inue; Tornaq.
Ingui-Frey (Teutonic) see Freyr.
Ingun (Teutonic) see Freyr.
Ingunar-Frey (Teutonic) see Freyr.
Ingvi-Frey (Teutonic) see Freyr.
Ini-Herit (Egypt)
Also known as: Onuris (male).
Goddess of mediators, diplomats, statesmen and conciliators. When the goddess Tefnut became angry and bore the sun away, it was Ini-Herit who sought after her, calmed her and returned the sun to the sky.
Ininguru (Australian)
Goddesses of women. Possibly healing deities. Associated with the secret fertility rites of women. They travel across the desert to participate in the rites, and then return to the sky. They do appear now and then to see what is going on.
Inle (Yoruba People, Africa) see Olodumare.
Inmar (Finland) see Ilmarinen.
Innini (Sumer)
Also known as: Inanna, Ninanna, Ninhursag, Ninki, Ninsinna, Nintud.
Mother goddess. Although known in various aspects and different names, most say she was created by Anu and is his female counterpart. See also Astarte; Belit-ili; Dumuzi; Ereshkigal; Inanna; Ishtar; Ninhursag; Ninki; Nintud.
Innua (Eskimo) see Manitou.
Ino (Greek)
Also known as: Leucothea, Mater Matuta (Roman), The White Goddess.
Ino is the daughter of Cadmus of Thebes and Harmonia. Her siblings are Agave, Autonoe, Illyrius, Polydorus and Semeie. She married Athamas and became the mother of Learchus and Melicertes and the stepmother of Helle and Phrixus (their natural mother was Nephele). Ino and her sisters, Agave and Autonoe, spread rumors that Zeus was not the father of their dead sister’s son, Dionysus. Nonetheless, Hermes persuaded her to raise Dionysus as a female to outwit the jealous Hera. Suffering from divine madness, Ino helped her sister Agave rip her son Pentheus to pieces. She also attempted to murder her stepchildren but they were able to escape on a winged golden ram. Hera was able to drive Ino and her husband insane and they killed their own children. Dionysus survived this madness because Zeus had Hermes take him to the nymphs of Nysa who resided on a mountainside near Helicon and there he stayed, possibly in the form of a lamb until manhood. In another version of her story, Ino was insanely jealous of Nephele, Athamas’ first wife, and she took it out on her stepchildren by treating them cruelly. She fled to the sea with Athamas in pursuit and in a moment of madness she dove into the water with Melicertes. It is said that the Nereids accepted them as one of their own and Ino became the goddess Leucothea and Melicertes became Palaemon. As sea deities they came to the aid of sailors in distress and it is said that Leucothea once saved Odysseus from death. See also Dionysus; Harmonia (A); Mater Matuta; Nephele; Persephone; Portunus; Semeie.
Inti Intu (Inca People, Peru)
Also known as: Apu-Punchau.
Inti or Apu-Punchau is the Peruvian name for the sun. In some legends, Inti is the sun god, father of Choun (also known as Viracocha), Pachacamac and Manco Capac. Other versions name him the brother/husband of Mama Quilla. Inti crosses the sky daily and plunges into the western sea. After swimming under the earth he reappears each morning. Eclipses are caused by his anger. He is depicted as a human with a bright face surrounded by rays and flames. Children and animals were sacrificed to Inti, Pachacamac, and Viracocha annually at a festival in their honor. In some legends he is associated with Tutujanawin (q.v.). See also Mama Quilla; Manco Capac; Pachacamac; Tupan; Virococha.
Intu (Inca People, Peru) see Inti.
Inua (Eskimo) see Manitou; Tornaq.
Inuat (Eskimo)
Also known as: Inua, Inue, Tornaq.
The spirit or doppelganger (sometimes called the “owner”) of all living creatures, and everything in nature has this spirit, including non-living things. They live on after the death of the individual. Normally they are invisible, but sometimes can be seen as a light or fire, especially associated with foretelling death. See also Orenda; Tornaq.
Inue (Eskimo) see Inuat.
Io (A) (Greek)
Also known as: Ida.
Priestess of Hera. Cow goddess. Princess of Argus and daughter of Inachus (Inakhos). She was loved by Zeus who, to allay the suspicions of Hera, transformed her into a heifer. Hera was aware of the change and had the hundred-eyed Argus watch her. When Zeus had Argus killed by Hermes, Hera tormented Io with a gadfly, which drove her from place to place until she reached the Nile, where she recovered her human form and bore a son, Epaphus, by Zeus. The Greeks identified her with Isis. See also Adrastia; Apis (A); Apsyrtus; Golden Fleece.
Io (B) (Maori People, New Zealand; Polynesian)
Also known as: Iho-Iho, Io-Mataaho, Io-Matua, Io-Matua-Te-Kora, Io-Nui, Io-Taketake, Io-Te-Toi-O-Nga-Rangi, Io-Te-Wananga, Io-Te-Whiwhi, Kore-Te-Whiwhia, Te-lo-Mate (The God of Death), Te-Io-Ora (The Living God).
Supreme Being. All things flow from Io. The original creator, himself uncreated, he retains for himself the spirit and the life and the form. There is nothing outside or beyond him, and with him is the power of life, of death, and of godship. It is Io who selected Tane, the god of forests, to receive his secret knowledge. See also Papa; Rangi; Tane.
Io-Mataaho (Polynesia) see Io (B)
Io-Matua (Polynesia) see Io (B).
Io-Matua-Te-Kora (Polynesia) see Io (B).
Io-Nui (Polynesian) see Io (B).
Io-Taketake (Polynesia) see Io (B).
Io-Te-Toi-O-Nga-Rangi (Polynesia) see Io (B).
Io-Te-Wananga (Polynesia) see Io (B).
Io-Te-Whiwhi (Polynesia) see Io (B).
lobates (Greek)
Also known as: Amphianax.
King of Lycia. He is the father of Philonoe and Stheneboea. When Bellerophon wanted to marry Stheneboea, lobates sent him to fight the three-headed, fire-breathing Chimaera. When he safely returned, lobates allowed him to marry Philonoe, not Stheneboea. See also Bellerophon; Chimaera; Proetus; Stheneboea.
locaste Iokaste (Greek) see Jocasta.
Iocauna (Taino People, Haiti)
Also known as: Attabeira, Guamaonocon, Iermaogauacar.
Supreme being. Iocauna is a supreme being known by two names, Iocauna and Guamaonocon. His mother has five names. They are usually listed as Iella, Atabei, Mamona, Guacarapita, and Guimazoa. In another list, four names are given: Atabei, Iermaogauacar, Apito, and Zuimaco. See also Atabei; Guamaonocon; Iella; Zemes.
loi (Chinook People, North America)
She is the sister of Blue-Jay (q.v.).
Iokaste (Greek) see locaste.
Ion (Greek)
Ion is the son of Apollo and Creusa (who was the wife of Xuthus). His is the brother of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. See also Achaeus; Creusa; Janus; Xuthus.
Iophossa Chalciope (Greek)
Another name for Chalciope, the daughter of Aeetes, king of Colchis and Asterodeia. See also Aeetes; Asterodeia; Chalciope.
lord (Scandinavian)
Goddess of earth. Daughter of Nott (Night).
Iormungandr (Teutonic) see Jormungandr.
Iouskeha (Native North American) see Ioskeha.
Iovialis (Roman) see Genius.
Iowahine (Hawaii)
First woman. Wife of Tiki. Both were formed from earth by Tane (q.v.).
Ipa Huaco (Inca) see Tahuantin Suyu Kapac.
Ipalnemoani Ipalnemohuani (Aztec People, Mexico)
Also known as: Citlallatonac and Citalicue, Ometecutli and Omeciuatl, Tloque Nauaque, Tloquenahuaque, Tonacatecutli and Tonacaciutl.
High god. One of the first Aztec gods. Called “He by Whom We Live,” he was one of the unknown gods. In some versions, Ipalenemoani is a bisexual deity who is known by various names. See also Citlallatonac; Texcatlipoca; Tloque Nauaque; Tloquenahuaque; Tonacatecuhtli.
Ipalnemohuani (Aztec) see Ipalnemoni.
Iphianassa (A) (Greek)
She is the daughter of Proteus and Stheneboea (qq.v.). See also Iphinoe (A).
Iphianassa (B) (Greek) Another name for Iphigeneia.
Iphicles (Greek) see Argonauts; Eurydice (C).
Iphidamas (Greek) see Acamas (B).
Iphigenia Iphigeneia (Greek)
Also known as: Chrysothemis, Iphianassa.
Deified mortal. Daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. She was offered as a sacrifice to appease Artemis at the outbreak of the Trojan War. However, Artemis substituted her with a bear (some say a deer) and carried Iphigenia off to Tauris. She later became a priestess and saved the life of her brother Orestes when he was about to be sacrificed. Some say she is an aspect of Artemis and Helen. See also Achilles; Calchas; Orestes.
Iphimedeia (A) (Greek)
She is the daughter of Triopas, who is the son of Poseidon and Canace, and Hiscilla. Iphimedeia’s siblings are Erysichthon, who sold his daughter into prostitution for food, and also descrated Demeter’s grove, Messene, who married Polycaon, the first king of Messenia and Phorbas, the king of Thessaly, who fought Pelops (some say Phorbas is the son of Lapithus and Orsinome). Iphimedeia is the wife of her uncle, Aloeus and the lover of Poseidon. See also Aloeides; Aloeus; Erysichthon; Phorbas (A); Poseidon.
Iphimedeia (B) (Greek)
Her parents are Theseus, the hero king of Athens, and Helen of Troy. See also Helen; Theseus.
Iphinoe (A) (Greek)
She is the daughter of Proteus and Stheneboea or Anteia. Her siblings are Iphianassa, Megapenthes and Lysippe. The god of wine, Dionysus, or the goddess Hera, drove her insane. See also Anteia; Dionysus; Hera; Lysippe; Proetus.
Iphinoe (B) (Greek)
Her father is Nisus, the king of Megara. Erymede and Scylla are her siblings. She married Megareus and became the mother of Evaecheme, Evippus, Hippomenes and Timalcus. See also Erymede; Evippus; Hippomenes; Scylla.
Iphinoe (C) (Greek)
She is the daughter of Alcathous and Evaecheme. See also Alcathous; Iphinoe (B).
Iphitus (Greek)
An Argonaut. Iphitus is the son of Eurytus and Antiope. He was killed by Heracles. See also Antiope; Argonauts (Names of); Heracles.
Iphtimis (Greek) see Nefertum (Egypt).
Ipila (Melanesia)
Creator. He carved the first human from wood and brought it to life by painting the face with sago milk. Although he carved more humans at a later time, his first human, Nugu, was punished by Ipila and made to hold the earth on his shoulders. Compare Ipila to Atlas. See also Nugu.
Iqi-Balam (Maya) see Xumucane.
Ir-Kalla (Akkadian, Babylonia) see Irkalla.
Ira (A) (Sumer) see Irra; Nergal.
Ira (B) (India) see Kasyapa.
Ira-Waru (Polynesian) see Maui.
Iraj (Persian) see Airya.
Iraja (India) see Kama.
Iravat (India)
He is the son of Arjuna and Ulupi. See also Arjuna.
Irawaru (Oceanic) see Maui.
Irdlirvirisissong (Eskimo) see Idlirvirissong.
Irene (Greek)
Also known as: Eirene, Pax.
Goddess of peace. See also Eirene.
Irin Mage (Tupi-Guarani People, Brazil)
In one version of the Creation Myth, Irin Mage, a powerful magician, caused a deluge to extinguish the great fire caused by Monan, the creator god. In another myth, the brothers Tawenduare, the god of day, and Arikute, the god of night, are the heroes of the deluge. See also Arikute; Monan.
Irinyes (Greek) see Erinyes; Eumenides.
Iris (Greek)
Goddess of the rainbow. Messenger of the gods. Iris is the daughter of Thaumas and Electra and sister to the Harpies. As the messenger of the gods, particularly Hera and Zeus, the rainbow is her path. She is shown as a beautiful robed woman carrying a staff. Sometimes she has wings. See also Electra; Harpies; Thaumas.
Irkalia (Babylonian) see Irkalla.
Irkalla Ir-Kalla, Irkalia (Babylon)
Underground or Hell. Counterpart of Island of the Blest. Land of “no return” beneath the earth. It is ruled by Nergal and his consort Ereshkigal. It is called the House of Dust and Darkness. Once entered, it can never be left. Some texts refer to Irkalla as an androgynous deity and as such a god or goddess of the underworld. See also Apsu; Dilmun; Hades; Hell.
Irkingu (Babylonia) see Marduk.
Irlek-Khan (Central Asia) see Erlik-Khan.
Irma (Inca People, Peru)
Also known as: Pachacamac.
He is a supreme deity who descended from the Sun and Moon. He quarrelled with Kon, a god of the Chimu people. After chasing the Chimu people into the sea he began a new race by creating three different eggs. A gold egg brought forth male nobles, a silver egg female nobles, and a copper for both sexes of the common people. Some mythologists say that Irma was probably a harvest god who was later renamed Pachacamac (q.v.).
Irmen (Teutonic) see Irmin.
Irmin Ermine, Hermin, Irmen, Odin (possibly); (Norse; Teutonic)
High god. Irmin was worshiped in parts of Germany. He may be the same as Odin. He uses a heavy chariot to ride the Milky Way which was called Irmin’s Way. Compare Irmin to the Armenian Armenak. See also Odin.
Irnini (Babylonian) see Ishtar.
Iron Dirk (Teutonic) see Iarnsaxa.
Iroquois People — Creation Legends (North America) see Athensic; Enigorio and Enigohatgea; Itapalas.
Irra Ira (Assyro-Babylonian)
Also known as: Gir, Girra, Nergal (possibly).
Plague god. Underworld deity. God of pestilence. He is the cohort of An and he works for Nergal. See also Nergal.
Irsirra (Hurrite)
The son of Kumarbis. This spirit placed Ullikummis on Enlil’s lap. See also Enlil; Kumbaris; Ullikummis.
Irus (A) (Greek)
Also known as: Arnaeus.
He was the attendant to Penelope’s would-be lovers. Odysseus killed him in a boxing match. See also Odysseus; Penelope.
Irus (B) (Greek)
He is the son of Actor and Aegina. His siblings are Menoetius and Polymela. His children by Demonassa are Eurydamas and Eurytion. See also Eurydamas; Eurytion; Menoetius; Peleus; Polymela.
Isa (Hebrew) see Jesus.
Isakakate (Crow People, North America) see Isakawuate.
Isakawuate Isakakate (Crow People, North America)
Also known as: Old Man Coyote, The Trickster.
A trickster deity. Sometimes Isakawuate is the name used for the creator.
Isana (India)
“Ruler.” A form of Shiva. See also Agni; Dikpalas; Shiva.
Isander (Greek)
His parents are Bellerophon, the son of Glaucus and Eurymede, and Philinoe, the daughter of Iobates. His siblings are Deidamia (who married Evander), Hippolochus (the father of Glaucus), and Laodamia (the wife of Sarpedon). See also Bellerophon; Evander; Glaucus; Sarpedon.
Isani (India) see Gauri.
Ischys (Greek)
He is the son of Elatus and Hippea. His siblings are Caenis and Polyphemus. He fell in love with Coronis but she was killed before their marriage. See also Caenis; Coronis; Polyphemus.
Isfenarmad (Persia) see Spenta Armaiti.
Ishi-kori-dome (Japan) see Ishikoridome-no-Mikoto.
Ishikoridome-no-mikoto Ishi-kori-dome, I-shi-ko-ri-do-me (Shinto, Japan)
Goddess of stone cutting and artisans. When the sun goddess Amaterasu withdrew into the depths of the cave named Ame-no-Iwato, darkness enveloped the earth. The deities convened and decided to commission the talented artisan Ishikoridome-no-mikoto to create a mirror that would entice Amaterasu from the cave. The goddess Ama-no-Uzume performed a frenzied dance known as the Karuga. The sun goddess, curious about the noise, peeked out of the cave, and attracted by her beautiful image in the mirror, was lured into the world. The darkness lifted and once again there was light. This famous mirror known as Kagami (also known as Yata-Kayami) became one of the three Insignia of the Throne. The goddess Ishikoridome-no-mikoto was later asked by Amaterasu to accompany her grandson Ninigi to earth when he took up his duties as the divine ruler of Japan. In Japan a mirror represents a woman’s soul, knowledge, enchantment, history and principles. The mirror is an attribute of Amaterasu and Emma-O. The sacred mirror, Kagami is a symbol of purity. It is deposited in the goddesses’ sanctuary at Ise. See also Ama-no-Uzume; Amaterasu.
Ishkhara (Babylonian, Hittite)
She is a goddess of love who is affiliated with Ishtar as a priestess. In another reference she is one of the deities who is called upon to listen to the believer (q.v.).
Ishkur Iskur (Akkadian, Hittite, Sumerian)
Also known as: Adad, Enlil, Immer, Mer, Mermer, Mur.
Wind god. Ishkur, who lives in the underworld known as Arallu, replaced Enlil as a god of the winds. In some renditions, he is known as a god of lightning who is the son of Enlil. He is sometimes identified with Adad and is possibly the same as Imhursag, the father of Ningirsu. See also Arallu; Enlil; Ningirsu.
Ishmael (Hebrew) see Ismail.
Ishtar Istar (Assyro-Babylonian; Akkadia, Chaldea, Semitic, Sidon, Sumer).
Also known as: Absusu (Sumerian), Abtagigi (She Who Sends Messages of Desire), Agasaya, Ashtart, Ashtoreth, Athar (Arabic), Aya (Babylonian), Banitu (possibly), Belti (Semite), Bisi-Bisi, The Bride, Dilbar (The War-provoking Evening Star), Gamlat (Babylonian), Gumshea, Hanata (Middle Eastern), Inanna (Sumerian), Innini, Irnini (possibly), Kilili (Queen of Harlots), Meni (possibly), Minu-anni, Minu-ullu, Nin-kar-zi-da, Nin-khar-sagga, Nin-si-anna, Ninkarrak (Sumerian), Ninkasi, Ninlil (Phoenician), Sharis (possibly an ancient name used by the Armenians), Shaushka (Hittite), Shimti (Akkadian; goddess of fate), The Shrieker, Zanaru (Lady of the Islands), Zib (evening star who stimulates sexual desire).
As a Babylonian goddess, Ishtar originally may have been a Sumerian or Akkadian goddess. A composite of numerous goddesses, she is generally thought to have originally been the earlier Sumerian goddess Inanna. Ishtar is a mother goddess, fertility goddess, the goddess of spring, a storm goddess, a warrior and goddess of war, a goddess of the hunt, a goddess of love, goddess of marriage and childbirth, goddess of fate, and a goddess who is the divine personification of the planet Venus. She is also an underworld deity. Her predominate aspects are as the mother goddess of compassion and the goddess of sex and war. She is invoked for protection against sickness and evil in her role as mother goddess. The sexual aspect of her persona is linked to the earth’s fertility. She has a reputation for having numerous lovers who were killed when she was finished with them. As the daughter of Sin and sister of Shamash, the warlike side of her character is dominant. In her role as warrior, Ishtar rode into battle and sent the vanquished into the underworld. It is said that she once tore out the teeth of a lion. It is in this form that she was worshiped by the Assyrians, particularly at Nineveh and Erbil. She is the sister of the queen of the Underworld, Ereshkigal. Ishtar was worshiped at Uruk as the goddess of gentleness, love and desire. In this aspect, she is known as the daughter of the sky god Anu and the goddess Anat. Though not as violent, she was still demanding and had a bad temper. Ishtar’s consort, and some say brother, is Tammuz, but she was also said to be the wife of Ashur, and the consort of many kings. In one of her numerous adventures, as Irnini, she was living in the huge Cedar Forest of the Amanus which were guarded by the giant Khumbaba. She had planned to build a table and chair from the wood of a huluppa tree that she had planted in her garden. Prevented from proceeding with her project by negative forces, Gilgamesh came to her aid. In return, she presented him with a magic drum and drumstick made from the huluppa tree. Their relationship was not always smooth. Ishtar once took revenge on Gilgamesh by sending a bull after him, when he spurned her advances. Enkidu saved Gilgamesh, but was rewarded for his bravery by being struck down with a fatal illness by Ishtar. In another tale, Tammuz was mortally wounded by a wild boar. He was cast into the underworld. Furious, she made a journey to the dark and dreary place. Aggressively she demanded entry and threatened to smash the doors down if refused. She also threatened to let the dead loose to wander among the living. The guardian of the gate gained permission from the ruler Ereshkigal to allow Ishtar through the gates. At each of the seven gates it was demanded that she leave an article of clothing or jewelry. Finally, naked, she appeared before the queen. In the meantime, the Upperworld mourned her absence. The vizier of the gods, Papsukaal, was tearing out his hair, and Shamash was in deep mourning. Her absence from the Upperworld caused the passions of all men and beasts to cease. The only way to return to normalcy was to persuade Ishtar to return. This, they knew, would be a difficult endeavor, as she would not consent to return without Tammuz. The great god, Ea, finally decided to create Asushunamir, a charming eunuch, to send to the Underworld to rescue Ishtar. With the use of magic incantations, which Ereshkigal could not resist, Ishtar was led from the Underworld by Namtar. She was part of the triad with Sin and Shamash. Ishtar as the goddess of love was irrestible. Her lovers were legion. Once tired of them, they were cast aside. When she descended to earth, she had a retinue of courtesans with her. Sacred prostitution formed part of her cult. Ishtar is identified with the Sumerian goddess Inanna and with Astarte of the Phoenicians and Babylonians. She has been identified with Ninlil. Ishtar corresponds to the Chaldean goddess Nintu (q.v.). Ishtar parallels the ancient Sumerian goddess Anunit in numerous ways (q.v.). The Hebrew goddess Tamar is equivalent to Ishtar. The Hittite goddess Shaushka is known as the Hurrian Ishtar. As Hanata, she is also a warrior. The Babylonian goddess Gamlat eventually assimilated into Ishtar, as did the Babylonian Aya (q.v.). The war goddess Agasya eventually became Ishtar as the sky warrior. The vegetation goddess Gumshea merged with Ishtar. Her titles of Minu-anni and Minu-ullu may link her with the Assyrian god or goddess, Meni (see Menu). Compare Ishtar to Isis (Egyptian), and the Inca goddess, Mama Allpa. Ishtar is depicted sometimes naked, with her hands clasping her breasts. Often she is bedecked in jewelry and has an elaborate hairstyle. She is also shown reclining, wearing a crowned crescent set with a shining stone on her head. Sometimes she is shown holding her symbol, the eight pointed star. In her battle stance, she carries a bow and is depicted standing on a chariot drawn by seven lions. The lion, bull, and dragon are Ishtar’s emblems. The lion is her sacred animal and perhaps the dove. See also Abtagigi; Allat; Allatu; Anat; Anta; Anu (B); Arinna; Ashur; Astarte; Asushunamir; Atargatis; Athar (A); Aya; Belti; Boann (Celtic); Chemosh; Ea; Enki; Enkidu; Ereshkigal; Gilgamesh; Igigi; Inanna; Innini; Khumbaba; Kilili; Namtar; Ninkarrak; Ninkasi; Ninlil; Papsukaal; Ramman; Saltu; Sammuramat; Semiramis; Shamash; Sharis; Sin; Tammuz; Tiamat; Venus; Zerpanitum.
Ishum (Babylon) see Nergal.
Isimud (Sumer) see Inanna.
Isir (Babylon) see Tammuz.
Isis (Egypt; also worshiped in Pompeii, approx. 360 B.C.).
Also known as: Ament, Ankhat (Goddess of Land), Anquat, Anquet (Giver of Life), Aset, Aust, Eset (Giver of Life; Egyptian), Hest, Isis Pharia (Greek), Kekhet (Goddess of Harvest), Khut (Light Giver), Methyer, Renenet (Goddess of Food), Satis (Fertility), Selene (Greek), Tcheft, Thenenet (Power), Usert (Goddess of Tuat).
Patroness of loving wives and mothers. Goddess of the earth, protector of the dead. The Greeks called her Isis Pharia, the protector of seaman. She assimilated the functions of many other goddesses. Known as “the cunning one,” Isis is the daughter of Geb and Nut, the sister-wife of Osiris and the sister of Seth and Nephthys. She is the mother of Horus. When Osiris was treacherously slain and dismembered by Seth, Isis and her sister Nephthys wandered the universe searching for the parts of his body to restore him to life. Isis wanted the same power that Ra held and she knew everything but his secret name. She tricked Ra by sending a serpent to poison him with its bite and made him reveal his name. By doing so her powers became greater. Isis, Osiris, and Horus formed the powerful Egyptian trinity. She was the principal goddess of ancient Egypt and identified with the moon by Plutarch although the ancient Egyptians regarded her as the “Eye of Ra.” Isis is said to typify the female side of civilization in its struggle with barbarism as Osiris embodies the male aspect. The Book of Breathings was said to have been written by Isis for her dead husband (see also Shu). She is represented by having a solar disk between the horns of a cow. Horus and Isis were depicted as falcons when they were later worshiped in Gebtu. Isis is identified with Hathor. She was worshiped in Rome and Greece, and came to be identified with the goddess Demeter. She is also identified with Venus (Roman), Astarte (Phoenicia), Ishtar (Babylon), Diana of Crete, Proserpine of Sicilians, and Minerva of Athens. Compare Isis to Ishtar (Assyro-Babylonian), Marduk (Babylonian, who also used magic), and Freyja (Teutonic). See also Ab; Ament; Anquet; Anubis; Apis (A); Astarte; Atum; Geb; Hapy (A); Harsiesis; Heket; Horus; Io; Nephthys; Osiris; Qebhsneuf; Ra; Ranenet; Satis; Selene; Selket; Serapis; Serius; Set; Sothis; Usert; Wadjet.
Isis Pharia (Greek) see Isis.
Isis-Sothis (Egypt) see Sirius; Sothis.
Iskrychi (Poland) see Domovoi (Russia).
Iskrzychi (Slavic) see Domovoj.
Iskur (Babylon) see Ishkur.
Islamic Hell (Stages of)
Known as Daru el-Bawar, the Islamic Hell is divided into seven stages:
First: Jahannam (similar to purgatory).
Second: Laza (reserved for Christians).
Third: Hutameh (a fiery place reserved for Jewish people).
Fourth: Sa’ir (reserved for Sabians).
Fifth: Saqar (a fiery place reserved for the Magi).
Sixth: Jahim (a hot fire of idol-worshipers).
Seventh: Hawiyah (a bottomless pit reserved for hypocrites).
Islamic Paradise (Stages of)
Known as Dar el-Jannah, Paradise is divided into eight stages:
First: Jannatu el-Khuld, known as “The Garden of Eternity,” and symbolized by green or yellow coral.
Second: Daru el-Qarar, “The Dwelling of Peace,” symbolized by white pearls.
Third: Daru el-Salam, known as “The Dwelling which Abideth,” symbolized by green chrysolite.
Fourth: Jannatu el-Adn, “The Gardens of Perpetual Abode,” symbolized by large pearls.
Fifth: Jannatu el-Ma’wa, “The Gardens of Refuge.”
Sixth: Jannatu el-Na’im, “The Gardens of Delight,” symbolized by white silver.
Seventh: Illiyun, where the register of good deeds is kept.
Eighth: Jannatu el-Firdaus, “The Gardens of Paradise,” symbolized by red gold.
Island of Flame (Egypt) see Ogdoad.
Island of the Blessed (Greek)
On the western edge of Oceanus is the Island of the Blessed, an after-death land of happiness for those favored by the gods. See also Harmonia (A).
Ismail (Islamic) Ishmael (Hebrew)
The son of Hajar and Ibrahim. See also Zam Zam.
Ismaroinen (Slavic) see Ilmarinen.
Ismenius (Greek)
He is the father of Linus, the music teacher who taught Heracles, Orpheus and Thamyris how to play the lyre. See also Linus.
Ismenos (Greek)
His parents are Amphion and Niobe. One of five sons and six daughters, they were all, except one, murdered. The males were killed by Apollo and the females (except Chloris) were killed by the goddess of the hunt, Artemis. See also Amphion; Amyclas; Artemis; Chloris; Niobe
Ismenus (Greek)
He is the son of the river god Asopus and Metope. For the names of his siblings, see Asopus.
Isodaites (Greek) Another name for Dionysus.
Isong (Ekoi, and Ibibio People, West Africa)
Also known as: Eka Obasi, Obasi Nsi.
Goddess of fertility. She is called “The Tortoise-Shell Goddess.”
Issitoq (Eskimo)
Also known as: The Giant Eye.
High god. The god who seeks out those who break the rules.
Istar (Assyro-Babylonian) see Ishtar.
Istaru (Assyria) see Astarte.
Istepahpah (Creek People, North America)
A devouring monster.
Istio (Teutonic)
Patriarchal deity. He is the son of Manus and the grandson of Tuisko.
Iswara (India) “Supreme Lord.” See also Shiva.
Italapas (Chinook People, North America)
Also known as: Coyote.
In a Creation Legend, after the Deluge, Italapas ridded the earth of water, and enabled mortals to begin a new life. He is also credited for establishing laws. See also Coyote.
Itchita (Yukut People, Siberia)
Tree goddess and healing deity. This goddess lives in birch trees. Her tiny assistants are spirits of grass and trees. They keep the spirits of sickness away from mortals.
Ith (Celtic) see Eire.
Ithavall (Teutonic) see Idawold.
Ithun (Teutonic) see Idun.
Iti (Egypt)
Also known as: Ity.
God of music. Son of the Bull of Ra and the goddess Hathor. He is also called the “Bull of Confusion.” He is shown as a man with the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt and the sidelock of youth.
Itoki (Nicaragua)
Creator deity. Great mother. Itoki is said to be a mother scorpion who dwells at the end of the Milky Way. She is responsible for sending the new souls of those recently born to their human life and she receives the souls of the newly dead. Her spouse is the great father Maisahana the founder of the Tauchca, Yusco, Sumo, and Ula people. Itoki is probably shown with many paps. See also Ituana; Maisahana.
Itom Ae (Yaqui People, South America)
Also known as: Our Mother.
Supreme Goddess. Not much known since this is a recent discovery.
Itsu-no-wo-ha-bari (Japan) see Ame-no-wo-ha-bari.
Ituana (Nicaragua) see Itoki.
Itylus (Greek)
He is the son of Zethus, the co-ruler of Thebes and Aedon, the “Nightingale.” See also Aedon; Zethus.
Itys (Greek)
His parents are Tereus and Procne, who became a swallow after she accidentally killed Itys. See also Aedon; Procne.
Itza Mixcoatl (Mexico) see Mixcoatl.
Itzam-Kab-Ain (Maya People, Yucatan) see Ahmucen-Cab.
Itzama (Maya) see Itzama.
Itzamna Itzmatul, Izamna (Maya People, Yucatan)
Also known as: Chicken Izta, Hunab Ku, Izamal, Izona, Kabil, Kabul, Kinich-ahau, Kinish-kakimo, Ytzmatul, Zamna.
“Lizard House.” Sky god. God of healing. God of drawing and letters. A chief god, he is the son of Hunab-Ku. He was the creator and father of both gods and men. He brought writing, and the use of maize and rubber. Squirrels were sacrificed and gifts were given to him. Itzamna kept the fields fertile for the people. Itzamna had the ability to restore the dead to life. He was sometimes called Kabul or Kabil. In some legends, he appears as a priest named Zamna. According to some writers, Zamna, Izamal, and Itzmatul are modifications of the name Itzamna. He is shown with a red hand, to which the ill pray for healing. Itzamna is sometimes identified with Quetzalcoatl, sometimes with Tlaloc, and sometimes with Tonacatecutli. See also Cain; Kinich Ahau; Quetzalcoatl; Tlaloc.
Itzcoliuhqui Itztlacoliuhqui (Aztec People, Mexico)
God of darkness. He is responsible for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and disasters. Some say he is a god of cold and dryness. He is possibly an aspect of Quetzalcoatl. Itzcoliuhqui is sometimes identified with Texcatlipoca. See also Pillan.
Itzcueye (Honduras, Nicaragua, Central America)
Earth goddess. See also Ilancue.
Itzcuinan (Mexico) see Xochiquetzal.
Itzli (Aztec People, Mexico)
Itzli is a stone knife god, who is the Lord of the Second Hour of the Night. He is identified with Texcatlipoca (q.v.). See also Lord of the Night Hours.
Itzmatul (Aztec, Maya) see Itzamna.
Itzpapalotl (Aztec; Mexico)
Also known as: Cihuatcoatl, Obsidian Butterfly, Tonantzin.
Itztlacoliuhqui (Aztec) see Itzcoliuhqui; Quetzalcoatl; Tezcatlipoca.
Itztli (Aztec People, Mexico)
Also known as: Texcatlipoca.
Stone knife god. He rules the Second Hour of the Night. Itztli is usually depicted with Chalchiuhtlicue and Tlazolteotl (qq.v.). See also Texcatlipoca; Tonatiuh.
luchar (Celtic) see Cian; Dana.
Iucharba (Celtic) see Cian.
Iucharbar (Celtic) see Dana.
lulus (Greek)
Also known as: Ascanius, Ilus.
lulus is the son of Aeneas and Creusa (qq.v.).
Iuno (Etruscan) see Juno.
Iuppiter (Roman) see Jupiter.
Iusaas lusas (Egypt)
Also known as: Iusaaset, Nebt-Hetep.
First deity. In later Egyptian mythology, she was believed to be the wife of Atum. Another wife of Atum was Nebhet Hotep. Iusaas sometimes appears as the sole parent of the first divine couple Shu and Tefnut. Other times, Iusaas and Nebhet Hotep are merely female aspects of Tern, who is bisexual in some accounts. Nebhet Hotep seems to have been a double of Iusaas, and is sometimes called “Mistress of the Gods.” Iusaas is shown as a woman holding a scepter in her right hand and the ankh, in her left. She wears a vulture headdress surmounted by a uraeus, and a disk between a pair of horns. See also Atum.
Iusaaset (Egypt) see Iusaas; Shu.
Another spelling for Justitia, the goddess of justice.
Iuturna (Roman)
Another spelling for Juturna, the goddess of springs.
Iuwen (Egypt) see Osiris.
Ivaldi (Norse; Teutonic)
Smith gods. They are two dwarfs called the sons of Ivaldi who made the three treasures for the gods. The golden hair for Sif, the ship Skidbladnir for Freyr, and the spear Gungnir for Odin.
Iving (Norse; Teutonic)
Deified river. The river that never freezes, it divides Asgard from Jotunheim. See also Asgard; Jotunheim.
Iwa (Polynesia, Hawaii) see Kupua.
Iwa-naga-hime Iha-naga-himi (Japan)
Fate deity. “The Lady of Rock-Perpetuity,” and ugly sister of Ko-no-hana-sakuya-hime. When Ninigi chose the better looking of the two women, Iwa decreed that mankind would be short-lived like the flowers.
Iwasu-hime-no-kami (Japan) see Izanami.
Iweridd (British, Cymric, Irish)
She is the earth goddess wife of Llyr and mother of Bran and Branwen. Her name means “Ireland.” See also Bran; Branwen; Llyr.
Ix (Maya)
In some myths, Ix is one of the four Becabs. He represents the west. His color is black. See also Becabs.
Ix-chel (Maya)
Also known as: Chibilias.
Goddess of childbirth. She is responsible for the fecundity of women. Ix-chel is also considered a guardian and a deity of medicine. Some say she is the wife of Izamna and mother of the Becabs.
Ix Tub Tun (Maya)
No function shown, but may be a rain deity. Her legend is that she spits out precious stones. She is shown as a snake.
Ixazalvoh Ixzaluoh (Maya People, Yucatan)
Ixazalvoh is the inventor and goddess of weaving, the goddess of healing, childbirth, prophecy, and sexuality. In some renditions, she is the spouse of the sun god Kinich Ahau. In other versions she is the spouse of Hunab-Ku (q.v.). See also Hunab-Ku; Ixchel; Kinich Ahau.
Ixbalanque (Maya)
Brother of Hunahpu (q.v.). See also Gukup Cakix.
Ixchel (Maya)
She is the goddess of healing, childbirth, prophecy, sexuality and weaving. See also Ixazalvoh.
Ixcocauhqui (Nahuatl People, Central America; Mexico)
God of fire and destructive lightning.
Ixcuin (Aztec) see Ixmacane.
Ixcuina (Maya) Goddess of pleasure. See also Ixmacane.
Ixcuiname (Mexico) see Ixmacane.
Ixion (Greek)
Also known as: Iksion.
Deified mortal. King of the Lapithae of Thessaly. Ixion is the son of Antion and Perimela (Perimele). There is a possibility that his father was not Antion but Phlegyas or Ares. He was the king of the Lapiths of Thessaly and he was married to Dia, the daughter of Eioneus. Some think that Zeus was the father of their child, Peirithous. He is also the father of Amycus and the Centaurs by Nephele. Ixion promised his father-in-law a valuable gift when he married Dia but he was unable to keep his word. Eioneus decided to take two of Ixion’s horses until he could fulfill his promise. Furious, Ixion arranged to pay the debt but when Eioneus arrived he threw him into a pit of fire and killed him. This act stunned the populace and the deities for it was said to be the first time that a mortal had murdered a family member. After a long period of repentance, he was summoned by Zeus to Mount Olympus and placed at the table of the gods. But Ixion, unappreciative of his host’s hospitality, tried to seduce Hera, the wife of Zeus. Zeus created a cloud named Nephele in the form of Hera; and Ixion, believing it was the goddess, was caught in the act of making love to her. Zeus punished him by chaining him to a fiery wheel which never ceased turning, either in the sky or in later mythology in the Underworld. In fairness to Ixion, Homer, in the Iliad said that Zeus was in love with Ixion’s wife, Dia. Compare to the punishment of Sisyphus and Tantalus. See also Abas (C); Hades; Nephele; Peirithous.
Ixmacane Ixcuin, Ixcuina, Ixcuiname, Ixmucane, Xmucane (Maya)
Also known as: Bitol, Teteoinnan, Tlazolteotl.
Creator. One of the original four regents who tried to create mankind. He was changed into two gods by the fabricating gods Ajtzak and Ajbit. Before the change, his name was Bitol. This was also the time when the only female joined the group. She had the double name of Chirakan-Ixmucane, which links her with the creation deities. In another version, she is spoken of as Ixcuiname (four faces or four sisters) who represents the four ages of women. One of these sisters is Ixcuina, who is a goddess of pleasure. See also Bitol; Hueytonantzin; Ixpiyacoc; Teteoinnan; Tlazolteotl.
Ixmucane (Mexico) see Ixmacane.
Ixpiyacoc Xpiyacoc (Maya)
Also known as: Tzakol.
Creator. At the third attempt at creating mankind, Tzakol (one of the four original regents) was split into two gods, one of which was Ixpiyacoc. He and Tzakol were joined by the fabricating gods, Ajtzak and Akbit. In another version, Tzakol, Bitol, Alom and Qaholom (Cajolom) changed their names to Ixpiyacoc, Ixmucane, Hunahpuguch and Hunahpuutiu, then joined Ajtzak and Ajbit and one female deity named Chirakan-Ixmucane. See also Cipactonal; Ixmacane; Oxomoco.
Goddess of death. She is known as a goddess of those who hang themselves. Ixtab is shown as a limp body with a loop around the neck. She is related to Ahpuch, Yum Cimil and Hanhau, who are all deities of death. See also Mitlan.
Ixtaccihuatl (Aztec People, Mexico)
Also known as: White Woman.
Ixtaccihuatl is a sacred volcano in central Mexico. She is worshipped for earth, water, rain, and vegetation. See also Tlaloc.
Ixtacihuatl (Aztec) see Ixtaccihuatl.
Ixtacmixcoatl (Aztec People, Mexico) see Mixcoatl.
Ixtlilton (Aztec People, Mexico)
“Little Black One.”
He is one of a group with Xochipilli and Macuilxochitl. They might be brothers. Ixtlilton, a god of healing, health and medicine, is associated with the Centzon Totochtin (q.v.). In some renditions, he is a god of maize or dancing. Ixlilton is associated with Centzontotochtin. See also Texcatlipoca.
Ixtliltou (Aztec) see Texcatlipoca.
Ixzaluoh (Maya) see Ixazalvoh.
Iyatiku (Crow, Pueblo People, North America)
Mother goddess. Corn goddess. She was instrumental in bringing mortals to the surface from the bowels of the earth. She made a ladder from a fir tree and after a woodpecker bored a hole in the rock above, mortals were able to climb into the next world. There were four worlds: white, red, blue, and yellow. Iyatiku helped the mortals from the red world to the blue world.
Izamal (Maya) see Itzamna.
Izamna (Aztec) see Itzamna.
Izanagi and Izanami Izana-gi and Izana-mi (Shinto; Japan)
Izanagi (Male Who Invites) and Izanami (Female Who Invites) were created by the celestial deities to create earthly manifestations. Izanagi and Izanami are the last of the seventh generation of the first deities born from chaos. Their first creation was the deity Hirugo, whom they set adrift to fend for himself. They created the eight Japanese islands (other islands came into being later) and the deities to inhabit the lands. (See also Izanami.) The last god, Kagu-tsuchi, the god of fire, burned the goddess and caused Izanani great pain and distress. From her bodily expulsions, the goddess Moaning-River was created and Izanami died. According to the Kojiki, her inconsolable husband Izanagi, beheaded the child with Ame-no-wo-ha-bari (Heavenly Point Blade Extended), his sacred sword. Blood from his sword fell to the ground and created eight more gods and from the body issued eight deities representing the mountains. In the Nihongi, Izanagi cut the serpent into three pieces, and each became a god. The drops of blood from his sword created the gods Kura-okami (Dragon god of the valleys), Kura-yamatsumi (Lord of the dark mountains), Kura-mitsu-ha (Dark-water-snake or Valley-water-snake) and Taka-okami (Dragon-god residing on the mountains). In the Kojiki, these deities issued from the blood between Izanagi’s fingers. Izanagi then descended into Yomi (hell) to beg Izanami to return with him. Reluctantly, because she had tasted the food of Yomi, she approached the god of Yomi with her husband’s request. Izanagi ignored her plea not to follow her into the castle and there he found Izanami rotting and full of worms, guarded over by the soldiers of Yomi and eight Thunder gods. He threw three peaches at the soldiers and managed to block the entrance to Yomi with a huge rock. Izanami, angry that he hadn’t listened to her, chased after him and found herself barricaded by the rock in Yomi. She was so angry she caused one thousand people to die every day. In retaliation, he gave birth to fifteen hundred people to thwart her. After all they had been through, Izanagi and Izanami decided to part ways. After escaping the darkness of Yomi, Izanagi went to the sea to cleanse himself. This process created the terrestrial deities: a daughter Amaterasu (Heaven Illumining Goddess), the Ruler of the Realm of Light on Heaven and Earth; and two sons: Tsuki-yomi (also spelled Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto), the Moon Ruler and Ruler of the Night, and Takehaya Susanowo, the Valiant Swift Impetuous Hero, who is the Ruler of the Ocean and Mysterious Things. For the Shinto creation myth, see Ama-no-minaka-nushi. For their creations between Hirugo and Amaterasu, see Kami and Haya-akitsu-hime-no-kami. The legend of Izanagi is similar to Pan-Ku of the Chinese. Compare to Orpheus (Greek). For additional information about thunder gods, see also Take-me-kazuchi. Izanagi created the first wind gods Shina-tsu-hiko, and O-Wata-Tsu-Mi. The peach, an attribute of Izanagi, symbolizes immortality and is used to ward off evil spirits and the plague. For more about the peach tree, see Yomi. See also Ame-no-wo-ha-bari; Hiruko; Izanami; Kaya-no-hime-no-kami; Kushi-nada-hime; Susanowa; Tsuki-Yomi; Yomi.
Izanami (Japan)
Also known as: Izanami-no-kami.
Creator. Izanami and Izanagi were given the function of creating the terrestrial deities. They were given a spear known as the “Celestial Jewel-spear.” As they stood on Ama-no-uki-hashi, the “floating bridge of heaven” (also known as “Heavenly Stairs” or “Heavenly Rock Boat”), they fished around until they found the sea. They stirred the thick primeval waters, drew up the spear, and from its tip the island of Onogoro was formed. The original deities who sprang from chaos built a home for the couple with a central pillar. Izanami and Izanagi became man and wife by circling the pillar three times and meeting one another face to face. The first deity they created was the “leech child” Hirugo. Next they created the eight islands of Japan, known as their children. Others islands came into existence later. Once the islands had been created Izanami and Izanagi gave birth to the inhabitants which were the physical features of the terrain and the natural phenomena such as earth, sea, winds, trees, mountains, valleys, plains, seasons and fire. Thirty deities representing these elements are said to have been born. This included the goddess Iwasu-hime-no-kami (possibly the sand); a goddess, Haya-akitsu-hime-no-kami (Ruler of the Seas); Kaya-no-hime-no-kami (Ruler of the Plains and Goddess of Fields and Meadows); Ogetsu-hime-no-kami (Great Food Princess Deity, who is also known as Ogetsu-hime and Oho-ge-tsu-himi). They also gave birth to the sea gods, likely snakes or dragons, known as Wata-tsumi (sea children) and the Miszuchi (water fathers), which are described variously as four-legged dragons, horned deities and large water snakes. These deities were not individually named but were appealed to when rain was needed during arid periods. The birth of her son the fire god, Kagu-tsuchi, seared and scorched Izanami. As she lay dying, additional deities were born from the expulsions of her body. These included Kanayama-hime (Metal-Mountain Princess Deity) and her brother; Haniyasu-bime-no-kami, the earth goddess and goddess of clay and her brother; Izunome-no-kami (Hallowed-Woman Deity) and her brother; Mitsuha-nome (also known as Mitsu-ha no-me), a water goddess variously described as a water snake or a producer of water, and her brother. Kuramitsuha-no-kami (Valley-Water-Greens Deity) is sometimes included in this group; however, according to the Nihongi this deity is said to have come from the body of their son, the fire god Kagu-tsuchi. Nakisawame-no-kami (Weeping-Marsh Woman Deity), described as a goddess dwelling at the base of the trees in the foothills of Mount Kagu, was formed from the tears of Izanagi who wept for his dead wife. Also listed is Ihatsutsu-nome, the wife of Iha-tsutsu no wo and mother of the god Tutsu-nushi no Kami, although according to the Nihongi, she may be of the following generation. They have been depicted hovering over the “ocean of chaos” just before the creation of the island of Onogoro. Izanami is shown as a woman with long hair. In the translation of the Nihongi by Aston, she is shown with long hair, wearing an ornate robe and is facing Izanagi. Between them are two wagtails. The spear may be a phallic symbol. The pillar, a common symbol in many civilizations, is an object of honor in Japan. It is found in Shinto shrines and is known as Nakago no mibashira (Central August Pillar). The bridge, Ama-no-uki-hashi, is the connection between heaven and earth. In myth, the bridge collapsed into the sea one day as the gods were napping. From that time, it became necessary for the deities to have messengers travel back and forth. This bridge is also known as Ame-no-uki-hashi, Ama-no-hashadate, Ame-no-iha-fune, and Ukibashi. The bridge is symbolic of a transition from one state to another. Sometimes messengers are indicative of the union of heaven and earth. For additional details see Ama-no-minaka-nushi. See also Izanagi and Izanami for details of their relationship. See also Amaterasu; Ame-no-wo-ha-bari; Haya-akitsu-hime-no-kami; Kagu-Tsuchi; Kami; Kanayama-hime; Susanowo.
Izha (Indo-Iranian) Goddess of the sacrifice.
Izona (Maya) see Itzamna.
Iztac Ciuatl (Aztec) see Ixtaccihuatl.
Iztaccihuatl (Aztec) see Mixcoatl.
Iztacmixcoatl (Aztec) see Mixcoatl.
Izunome-no-kami (Japan) see Izanami.
J
Jaahannam (Arabic) The underworld. See also Gehenna.
Jabal (Sumer)
Patron of tents and flocks. See also Ea; Enki; Lumha.
Jacy (Tupi-Guarani People, Brazil)
Jacy is the moon, and the creator of plant life. See also Hermitten.
Jadapati (India) see Varuna.
Jade Emperor (China) see Yu Huang.
Jade Lady (China) see Yu Nu.
Jafnhar (Teutonic)
“Even as High,” an alternate name for Odin.
Jagadgauri (India) Another name for Parvati (q.v.).
Jagadnatha (India) Another spelling for Jagannath (q.v.).
Jaganat (India) see Jagannath.
Jaganmatri (India)
“Mother of the World.” See also Devi; Durga; Lakshmi.
Jagannath Jagadnatha, Jaganat, Jagannath, Jaggurnath, Jayanat, Juggernaut
Also known as: Buddha, Krishna, Vishnu (Hindu; India).
Jagannath, meaning “Lord of the World,” is a title for Krishna, and a form of Krishna, who is worshiped for protection and removal of sins. One day, Krishna, in the form of an animal, was slain by a hunter. A pious king, Indradyumna, also known as Indrahumna, came upon his bones. Krishna instructed the king to have an image made of him and to place the bones inside. The great artisan Visvakarma agreed to create the idol, providing that the king would not look at it until it was finished. The impatient king kept pestering Visvakarma. Finally, after fifteen days he became so annoyed that he stopped his creation, leaving it without hands or feet. Some scholars believe that Jagannath was Buddha. During the festival of Snana-yantra, held in the month of Jyaishtha, the statue is bathed in milk. During the following festival of Ratha-yatra, in the month of Ashadha (June-July), he is placed in his great car, accompanied by his brother Bala-Rama and his sister Jagannatha (also called Subhadra) and carried to his temple as part of a great procession. This ritual symbolizes regeneration. It is often said that worshipers dragging the car threw themselves under the wheels as an act of sacrifice. This is doubtful as the spilling of blood was considered a defilement. It is likely that the crushing crowds accidentally pushed believers under the car wheels. As Indradyumna retrieved the image before the hands and feet were completed, the statue is shown this way. The most primitive tribe in India, the Saora people, worship Jagannath as well as one hundred and twenty-six other deities. See also Bala-Rama; Buddha; Krishna; Subhadra; Vishnu; Visvakarma.
Jagannatha Subhadra (India) see Jagannath; Subhadra.
Jaggurnath (India) see Jagannath.
Jaguar God (Mexico; Aztec) see Tepeyollotl.
Jah (A) Jeh (Persia) see Jahi.
Jah (B) (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Jahannam (Islam)
The first stage in Daru el-Bawar, the Islamic Hell (q.v.).
Jahi (Persia)
Also known as: Jah (Pahlavi dialect), Jeh (Pahlavi dialect).
She is the personification of female impurity in the Avesta. To defeat the evil that she has introduced into the world, the virgin Eredatfedhri is invoked. An evil harlot-demon, she aroused Angra Mainyu from his sleep and caused him to pour poison on the body of the first man, Gaya Maretan, which created world conflict. In the Bundahishn Jahi is the personification of sin. See also Ahura Mazda; Angra Mainyu; Drujs (female demons of deceit); Gaya Maretan.
Jahim (Islam)
The sixth stage in Daru el-Bawar, the Islamic Hell. It is reserved for idol-worshipers. See also Islamic Hell.
Jahve (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Jahweh (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Jaja (India) see Naga and Nagis.
Jakis (Japan) Malignant air spirits who cause illness.
Jala-Hastin (India) An aquatic spirit; a water-elephant.
Jala-Shayin (India) see Vishnu.
Jala-Turaga (India) An aquatic spirit; a water-horse.
Jaladhi-Ja (India) “Born in the Ocean.” See also Lakshmi.
Jalandhara (India) see Asuras; Bali (B).
Jaldabaoth (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Jalebha (India) An aquatic spirit, a water-elephant.
Jalpati (India) “Lord of the Waters.” See also Varuna.
Jalu-Ketu (India) see Bhishma.
Jam (Persia) see Yima.
Jam-dbyans-mag-gi-rgyal-po (Tibet) see Manjusri.
Jam-pa-i-dbyans (Tibet) see Arpacanamanjusri.
Jam-pe-yang (Tibet) see Arpacanamanjusri.
Jam-pol (Tibet) see Manjusri.
Jam-yang-nge-gi-gya-po (Tibet) see Manjusri.
Jamadagni (India) see Parashur Rama; Rishi.
Jambavan Jambavat (Hindu; India)
Like Hanuman the monkey, Jambavan, king of the bears, was created by Vishnu to assist Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, in his fight against the evil demon Ravana. In return for his wise advise he was given the boon of being invulnerable to all except his father Vishnu. In the end, it was his father, in his avatar as Krishna, who killed him. For details about Jambavan’s death, see Syamantaka the magic jewel. See also Hanuman; Krishna; Rama.
Jambavati (India)
Daughter of King of the Bears. See also Jambavan; Krishna; Syamantaka.
Jambha (Hindu; India) A demon killed by Vishnu.
Jambhala Dsam-Bha-La (Tibet), Kuvera (Sivaites) (Buddhist, Sivaites; India)
Jambhala, the god of wealth, walks on a person who vomits up jewels. He is an aspect of the protector of wealth, Kuvera. Jambhala is depicted as a golden corpulent young figure seated in Indian fashion. He holds a lemon (jambhara) and a mongoose (nakula). Another depiction of Jambhala shows him holding a trident and scepter, seated sideways on a horse dragon. Indonesian depictions often include him flanked by lions. The lemon’s seeds are the seeds of the world. Compare Jambhala to god of the purse, Panchika. His Hindu counterpart is Kuvera. See also the goddess of wealth, Kurukulla.
Jambi (Africa) see Bumba.
Jambudvipa (Buddhist, Hindu; India)
Translated as Rose-appletree Island, Jambudvipa is the ancient mystical name for the continent of India. See also Meru Mountain.
Jamshid (Iranian)
The first Iranian mortal, Jamshid is the son of Vivanghvant, twin of a sister, Yimeh (also known as Yima), who was also his spouse, and brother of Spityura and Takma Urupa. See also Vivanghvant; Yima.
Jamuna River (India) Sacred River. See also Kama; Yami.
Jan Jann (Middle Eastern) see Jin.
Jana (Etruscan, Roman) Queen of Secrets. See also Janus.
Jana-Loka (India) see Loka.
Janaka (India) see Sita.
Janardana (India) see Vishnu.
An ancient serpent goddess who prevents and cures snakebites. She is depicted playing a musical instrument or playing with a snake. She wears a snake necklace and ear adornments depicting coiled cobras. Her colors are white and gold. See also Tara (B).
Jann (Islamic) see Jinn.
Jannatu el-Adn (Islamic)
Meaning the “Gardens of Perpetual Abode,” and symbolized by large pearls, this is the fourth stage in Islamic Paradise (q.v.).
Jannatu el-Firdaus (Islamic)
Meaning “The Gardens of Paradise” and symbolized by red gold, this is the eighth stage in Islamic Paradise.
Jannatu el-Khuld (Islamic)
Meaning “Garden of Eternity” and symbolized by green or yellow, this is the first stage in Islamic Paradise (q.v.).
Jannatu el-Ma’wa (Islamic)
Meaning “The Gardens of Refuge,” this is the fifth stage in Islamic Paradise (q.v.).
Jannatu el-Na’im (Islamic)
Meaning “The Gardens of Delight,” and symbolized by white silver, this is the sixth stage in Islamic Paradise (q.v.).
Janus (Etruscan, Roman)
Also known as: Bifrons, Deus Clavigerus, Dianus, Gaelestis, Ianus, Janus Pater.
High god. God of beginning and end. God of gates. He is an ancient Roman divinity. The Etruscans called him the father of the twelve gods, whose twelve altars belonged to twelve months. His consort was Jana (queen of secrets). He was loved by the virgin hunter and goddess of thresholds and door-pivots, Cardea. Some of his attributes were later transferred by the Christians to Peter. He was the god of beginnings and entrances; therefore, the first month of the year was named after him, and gates and doorways were under his protection. His temple at Rome was open in time of war and closed in time of peace. It was closed three times in Rome’s first 700 years. Janus is represented with two faces turned in opposite directions. Sometimes with three or four heads, or one old face and one young. See also Cardea.
Jao (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Japan — Creation Legend see Ama-no-mimaka-rushi; Izanagi and Izanami
Japara (Aborigine People, Australia) see Purukupali.
Japhet Japheth (Armenian)
God of the north. He is one of the triad consisting of Zervan, Titan, and Japhet. They are called “Princes of the Land.” Japhet may either be Saturn’s brother lapetus, or Shem of the Book of Genesis. In Hebrew tradition he was the eldest of Noah’s three sons, born 100 years before the flood. Some say he is identical with lapetus (Greek). See also Zurvan.
Jappan (Aztec) Another spelling for Yappan (q.v.).
Jar-Sub (Turkey)
Home of gods. Jar-Sub is the general term for universe, ruled over by seventeen lords of land and sea. The term can mean any place inhabited by master-spirits.
Jara (India) Flesh-eating female demon. See also Jara-Sandha.
Jara-Sandha Jarasandha (Hindu; India)
Jara-Sandha is the son of King Brihadratha (“Big Carriage”) and his two wives. Each wife had given birth to half-babies on the same day and threw them into the forest. A flesh-eating demoness, Jara, put the remains together (likely for a meal) and Jara-Sandha was formed. His wails alerted his father who ran to his rescue. When Jara-Sandha became king of Magadha, he was forced from the throne by demon Kansa. He was also forced to give Kansa two of his daughters for wives. Jara-Sandha was present with his demon army the day Rukmini and Krishna’s cousin Sisupala were almost married. Jara-Sandha and his cohort, the demon Kalayavana, became Krishna’s nemesis after the death of Kansa. During one episode in Krishna’s life, Jara-Sandha imprisoned twenty thousand rajas. Krishna, and his cousins Bhima and Arjuna, both Pandavas, set out to rescue them. Jara-Sandha, who was renowned for his remarkable strength, was eventually killed in the resulting combat by Bhima, who, on the advice of Krishna, split him in half in a battle that lasted twenty-seven days. See also Arjuna; Bhima; Kansa; Krishna; Pandavas; Sisupala.
Jarah (Ugarit) see Eterah.
Jaralez (Armenian) see Arlez.
Jaras (India) see Krishna.
Jarasandha (India) see Jarha-Sandha.
Jari (Teutonic) see Dwarfs.
Jarl (Teutonic) see Heimdall.
Jarnsaxa (Teutonic) see Iarnsaxa.
Jarovit (Slavic) see Herovit.
Jashar (Middle East) see Adad (A).
Jason (Greek)
Also known as: Diomedes.
Leader of the Argonaut Expedition. Member of the Calydonia Boar Hunt. Jason (original name Diomedes) is the grandson of Aeolus, the son of Aeson (the Aeolian king of lolcos), and Alcimede and the brother of Promachus. He is the father of Mermerus, Pheres, Alcimenes, Argus, Eriopis, Medeius, Thessalus, and Tisandrus, possibly by Medea. He is also the father of Euneus, Thoas and either Deipylus or Nebrophonus by Hypsipyle, queen of Lemnos. When Jason’s uncle, Pelias, usurped the throne, his mother smuggled Jason, the rightful heir, to safety. She entrusted him to the care of Cheiron, the centaur, who changed Diomedes’ name to Jason and reared him in a cave on Mount Pelion. When Jason turned twenty-one he made his way back to lolcos to regain his father’s kingdom. En route he stopped to help an old woman cross a stream and he lost a sandal. He never knew that the crone was Hera in disguise but she never forgot his kindness and remained his lifelong ally. Previously, an oracle was revealed to Pelias warning him to beware of a man wearing one sandle. When Jason arrived wearing one sandal, Pelias decided to send him on a seemingly impossible venture to search for the Golden Fleece. The handsome young adventurer gathered together a renowned group of male and female heroes to assist him, including Peleus, the twins Castor and Polydeuces, and Atalanta, goddess of the hunt. Argos built the ship called the Argo and Orpheus joined them to sing and keep up their spirits. At one point, Heracles joined them for a short time to aid them in overcoming the numerous obstacles they encountered on their voyage. For details of these adventures see the Argonauts. When they finally reached Colchis, Jason met his preordained love, Medea, who assisted him with her magical powers in the next phase of his quest. See Medea for this portion of his life. In the end, Jason died alone and lonely. As he sat under the prow of the rotting Argo, it fell and killed him. Some myths say that he died by his own hand. There is also the possibility that he killed Aeetes, the father of Medea. See also Admetus; Aeetes; Apis; Apsyrtus; Argonauts; Argus (C); Calydonia Boar Hunt; Golden Fleece; Medea; Pheres (A); Phrixus; Sirens.
Jassuju (India) see Shuznaghu; Zumiang-nui.
Jatavedas (India) see Agni.
Jatayu (India)
He is the king of the eagles and son of Garuda (q.v.).
Javerzaharses (Armenian)
Nymphs. They are possibly female Kaches who were thought of as spirits of weddings, singing and rejoicing. They are also spirits of welfare, marriage and childbirth. The Javerzaharses are sometimes found on the river banks, prairies, and near the pines. See also Kaches; Torch.
Jayadratha (India) see Bhima (A).
Jayanat (India) see Jagannath.
Jeggua (Yoruba People, Africa)
Jeggua is the goddess of purity and virginity. See also Olodumare.
Jeh (Persia) see Jah.
Jehova (Hebrew) see Jehovah.
Jehovah Jehova (Hebrew)
Also known as: Ahiah, Hehuah, Iah, Iao, law, le, Ieu, Ieui, Jah, Jahve, Jahweh, Jaldabaoth, Jao, Jhvh, Jhwh, Jod-heh-vav-heh’, Yahowahy, Yahu, Yahveh, Yahweh, Yaw, Yehoveh, Yhwh.
Supreme god. Originally a god of wrath. Generally pronounced Adonai or Elohim by the early Jewish people since the true name of the supreme being was never uttered. A creator deity, he made the earth, and all it contains in six days and established the seventh day as the sabbath. He created the first male and female, Adam and Eve. He appeared to only Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses in early versions of scripture. It is possible that Jehovah began as a deity of the vine. His symbols are a seven-branched candlestick or a hand emerging from a cloud. His only opponent was the serpent. When Jehovah appeared as a mortal on earth, he was known as Jesus. See also Jesus; Yahveh.
Jemdekhen (India) see Parashur Rama.
Jemshid (Persia) see Yima.
Jen (Finland) see Ilmarinen.
Jerah (Ugarit) see Elohim; Eterah.
Jeshodha (India) see Yasoda.
Jeshu (Hebrew) see Jesus.
Jesu (Hebrew) see Jesus.
Jesus (Hebrew)
Also known as: Christ, Cristos, Iesous (a corruption of the Hebrew Yehoshu’a, a common Jewish name; Greek), Iesu, Isa, Jeshu, Jesu, Khrestos (Greek), Logos, Yesha.
The Messiah. “Anointed One.” Deified mortal. Very few historical records remain about his existence in the period associated with him, but one of the military aides of Moses was named Jehoshua, which was shortened to Jeshua. The Greeks replaced the “sh” sound with “s” which gave the name “Jesus.” This name is mentioned several times in the original Greek New Testament, but various versions say he was the eldest of five sons of Joseph and Mary and in the biblical version he was divinely born of Mary, wife of Joseph, a carpenter. Early Coptic text (Pistis Sophia) tells of Jesus praying to his father by addressing him by various magical names: Aeeiouo, Iao, Aoi, and others. In another passage, Jesus addresses his god in the following names and words: Iao Iouo, Aoi, Oia, and others. It is believed by followers that Jesus is the supreme being in earthly form. See also Christ; Jehovah; Logos.
Jhoting (India)
This is the spirit of a dead lower caste Hindu who died dissatisfied. Jhoting is also the ghost of a dead man who never married and did not have relatives.
JHVH (Jod-heh-vav-heh) (Hebrew) see Jehovah; Yahweh.
JHWH (Hebrew) see Jehovah; Yahweh.
Jibb-Jang-Sangne (Dhammai People, India)
Jibb-Jange-Sangne and her brother, Sujang-Gnoi-Rise, are the mountain children of the sky god, Jongsuli-Young-Jongbu, and the earth goddess, Subbu-Khai-Thung. Their siblings, who were born as frogs, are Lujjuphu and Jassuju. See also Shuznaghu.
Jibril (Islamic) see Gabriel.
Jiburili (Arabic) see Gabriel.
Jicarilla Apache People — Creation Legend (North America) see Hactein.
Jig-ten-sum-gyal (Tibet) see Trailokyavijaya.
Jigoku (Buddhist; Japan).
Hell or Underworld. Jigoku is composed of eight hot sections known as To-Kwatsu and eight freezing sections known as Abuda. There are also sixteen sub hells, and four hells called Kimpen Jigoku. In Hell, an immense mirror reflects and exposes the crimes of the naked soul as it kneels before the table of three judges. The three judges are Kagu-hana, a decapitated head (nose); Emma-O, who sits in the middle; and Miru-me, also a decapitated head (eyes). When the sins have been weighed, the sinner is condemned to the appropriate hell. This fate can be avoided by the prayers of the living. Next, a Bodhisattva delivers the soul from the evils of hell and the transgressor is reborn in Paradise or on earth. There is a hell called Kodoku-jigoku which appears more like a spirit than a proper hell. Born a prince who became a beggar monk, Kuya, through his writings and paintings, and Genshin, also known as Eshin Sozu, were well known for their dissertations on the ghastliness of hell. Depictions of the horrors of hell, pits of flame and ice, were common on screens toward the end of the Heian culture (late eighth and early ninth centuries). Compare Jioku to Hades (Greek), Tartarus (Greek), Tuat (Egypt), Yomi (Japan). For a complete description of the chief judge, see Emma-O; Oni. See also Gokuraku Jodo; Hell.
Jigs-Byed (Tibet) see Bhairava.
Jikoku (Japan) see Jikoku-Ten.
Jikoku-Ten Jikoku, Jikokuten (Buddhist; Japan)
“Land-bearer.” Jikoku-Ten is one of the four Shi Tenno. Known as the four kings, these deities protect the four corners. Jikoku-Ten functions as the guardian of the east and protects his section from evil demons. Should a demon attempt to cross his path, he will be trampled. The four guards all wear uniforms and have ferocious facial expressions. Jikoku-Ten is depicted with a small container and holds a sword in his left hand. See also Bishamon-ten; Dhartarastra; Komoku-ten; Nio; Shi Tenno; Zocho-ten.
Jikokuten (Japan) see Jikoku-Ten.
Jimmu Tenno Jimmu Tennu (Shinto; Japan)
Also known as: Kamu-yamato-ihare-biko, Kama-yamato-iware-biko, Toyo-mike-nu, Waka-mi-ke-nu-no-mikoto.
First Emperor. Warrior. Conquerer. First Japanese demigod who was a human hero. Jimmu Tenno, the first emperor and founder of the Imperial Line of Japan, was born Kama-Yamato-Iware-Biko (also called Waka-mi-ke-nu-no-mikoto). He acquired the name Jimmu Tenno posthumously. He is the son of the sea princess Tama-Yori-Bime (Spirit-Medium-Princess, also known as Jewel-Good Princess) and her nephew Ama-tu-Piko-nagisa-take-U-gaya-puki-apezu-no-mikoto. Her nephew is the son of her sister Toyo-Tama-Bime (Lady Abundance Jewel) and Hikohohodemi (Prince-Fire-Subside). He was the youngest of four sons. In legend, Jimmu Tenno ascended the throne in the year 660 B.C.E. His seat of power was Yamoto in Honshu. He was said to have lived one hundred and twenty-seven or one hundred and thirty-seven years. In one myth, Jimmu and his brothers were attempting to bring peace to the land. They were guided by a three-legged, golden crow, which was eight feet long. It had been sent to them from the celestial realm. Jimmu had a sacred cross-sword and a fire-striker. To quell the raging storm his brothers jumped overboard. Tenno, the official title of the Emperor, has been kept to the present. It is thought to have been a word first used by Prince Shotoku when communicating with China. The name Jimmu means “son-of-heaven.” Mythology and history entwined called the mythical Jimmu Tenno (Sun of Heaven) a great-grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu. All following emperors dated from him and thus were called divine. In 1946, the emperor Hirohito renounced his divinity. The crow with three legs drawn within a solar disk is an early Chinese imperial emblem that represented the active life of the Emperor, his Yang. The three legs within the disk represent the main phases of the sun throughout the day: dawn, noon and dusk. The crow as messenger is also a common symbol. The sun goddess Amaterasu has a crow as her messenger. It is also said that the crow symbolizes the isolation of the individual who lives on a higher plane. See Ama-no-minaka-nushi for the Shinto creation myth. See Amaterasu for details of divine emperors. See also Hikohohodemi; Ninigi; Toyo-Tama-bime.
Jimmu Tennu (Japan) see Jimmu Tenno.
Jina (India) see Buddha; Mahavira.
Jinimin (Aborigine People, Australia)
Also known as: Jesus.
He has black and white skin and will be the one who will give back the country to the original people.
Jinn Jin (Arabia, India, Indochina, Persia)
Also known as: Ajnan (Male), and Jinniyah (Feminine; Islamic), Div, Djinn, Genie, Genii, Ghaddar (pre-Islamic), Ghul (pre-Islamic), Ifrits, Jann, Jinniyeh, Junun (plural; Islamic), Marid, Nar, Nara, Qutrub (pre-Islamic), Se’irim, Shaitan.
Demons of evil and good. They live on the mountain Kaf and are ruled by King Suleyman or as some say, Azazel. Made of fire, they live, die and give birth much as humans do. However, they are extremely long-lived. Along with a sense of humor, they have supernatural powers. It is said that the Jinn assisted in the construction of pyramids. There are good and bad Jinn. They can appear as human. In the Arabic tradition, the plural is Jinn, the feminine Jinniyah, and the singular, Jinni. There are five types of Jinn: the Jann who have the least amount of power; the Jinn, usually evil; the Shaitan, who are usually imps or devils; the terrible Ifrit; and the Marid, who are the most evil and the most powerful. The leader and chief of the Jinn is Iblis. Usually the Jinn are invisible, but they can appear in any animal or human form. They frequently appear as snakes. In Persia a similar demon is called the Jann. Described as half-wolf, half-hyena. Jinn corresponds to Rephaim. There are many of these demons in all religions. The most common names are Divs, Damrukh Nara, Shelan Nara, Mardash Nara, Kahmaraj, Nara, Al, Akwan, Jann, Tarnush. See also Afreet; Al; Apsarases; Bhutas; Dalhan; Demons; Dusii; Genii; Iblis; Incubus; Lokapalas; Nagas; Rakshasas; Satyrs (Greek); Yakshas.
Jinniyeh (Middle Eastern) see Jin.
Jitoku (Japan) see Samantabhadra.
Jivaro People — Creation Legend (Andes, South America) see Cupara.
Jizaiten (Tibet) see Trailokyavijaya.
Jizo (Japan) see Jizo-Bosatsu.
Jizo-Bosatsu (Buddhist; Japan)
Also known as: Jizo, Kshitigarbha (India), Ti-tsang Wang-p’u-sa (China).
A god of mercy, and guardian of those in need, Jizo-Bosatsu will assist believers on all levels of existence. He protects the souls of little children and is propitiated by pregnant women and travelers. He carries a staff with six jingling rings that warn of his approach in case he should inadvertently step on a living creature. His statue is placed at crossroads. He is shown seated, bearing a jewel that grants wishes (the Cintamani) in his ring hand, and a staff in his left hand. See also Kshitigarbha; Ti-tsang; Yama Kings.
Jjuko (Bugand, Bantu People; Africa)
The spirit for fixing things. See also Balubaale; Kibuuka.
Joagh (Africa) Another spelling for Jocasta.
Joagh (Africa) see Juck.
Joca-Huva (Haiti) Sky god and possible son of Atabei (q.v.).
Jocakuvague (Antilles Islands, Haiti) see Guamaonocon.
Jocasta Jocaste (Greek)
Also known as: Epicaste (Homeric), locaste, Iokaste.
Deified mortal. Jocasta is the daughter of Menoeceus, the sister of Hipponome and Creon, and the wife of Laius and mother/wife of Oedipus. When Oedipus was older, the mother and son met. They did not recognize one another. A relationship ensued. She became the mother by Oedipus of the sons Eteocles and Polynices and daughters Antigone and Ismene. When she discovered that Oedipus was her son, she hung herself. Oedipus blinded himself. See also Antigone; Oedipus.
Jocaste (Greek) see Jocasta.
Jodo (Japan)
Also known as: Ching-tu (China).
Jodo is a heavenly western paradise ruled by Amita. It is similar to Kun-lun mountain. See also Ching-Tu.
Jogaoh (Iroquois People, North America)
The Jogaoh are fairy or dwarf people similar to the Pukwudjies of the Objiwa. There are three types: the Gahonga who inhabit rivers and rocks, the Gandayah who are in charge of grains, fruits and fish, and the Ohdowas who live underground. Their job is to keep control of the monsters who inhabit the underworld. See also Gahonga; Ohdowas; Pukwudjies.
Joghi (Africa) see Juck.
Jok (Acholi People, Africa) Juck.
Joli-Torem (Vogul People, Siberia)
Creator. His sister, Num, was the director of the the work involved in creation.
Jomali (Teutonic) see Jumala.
Jonakr (Teutonic)
Also known as: Hraesvelgr.
God of winter. Husband of Gudrun and father of Erp, Hamdir and Sorli. Possibly the same as another Winter God named Hraesvelgr (q.v.). See also Gudrun.
Jongsuli-Young-Jongbu (Dhammai People, India)
The sky god, Jongsuli-Young-Jongbu, and his earth goddess sister, Subbu-khai-Thung, were the first born children of Shuznaghu and Zumiang-nui, who existed above in a place where neither sky nor earth existed. The children were swallowed by the worm, Phangnalomang, and later rescued by another sibling. Upon release, Jongsuli-Young-Jongbu became the sky and his sister, Subbu-khai-Thung, became the earth. Together, they gave birth to the god Sujang-Gnoi-Rise and the goddess Jibb-Jang-Sangne, who became mountains. They also had a son, Lujjuphu, and daughter, Jassuju, who were born as frogs. The frogs mated and gave birth to the first mortals, Abugupham-Bumo and Anoi-Diggan-Juje. See also Shuznaghu.
Joogi (Africa) see Juck.
Jord Jordh (Norse; Teutonic)
Also known as: Fjorgyn, Hlodyn, Jord Nerthus, Jorth. (May be feminine version of Njord [also called Erda].)
Earth mother, or earth goddess. She is the mother of the human, Mannus. See also Aesir; Annar; Frigga; Odin; Thor.
Jordegumma (Swedish) see Madderakka (Lapp).
Jormungandr Iormungandr (Norse; Teutonic)
Also known as: Midgard Serpent, Midgardsormen.
Serpent. Jormungandr laid at the root of the tree of life, Yggdrasil, before Odin cast him into the sea. He is the offspring of Gulveig (or Loki) and brother of Fenrir and Hel. Jormungandr became so large he encircled the earth biting his own tail. He was killed by Thor, who in turn was drowned by the serpent’s venom. See also Angerboda; Fenrir; Gullveig; Loki; Midgard; Nagilfar.
Jorojin Ju-rojin, Jui, Jurojin (Buddhist; Japan)
Jorojin, one of the Shichi Fukujin (seven deities of happiness), is the white-bearded god of longevity, wisdom and good luck. His origins stem from China. He is the controller of good health. Jorojin enjoyed drinking sake but was never considered a drunkard. A short god, he is accompanied variously by a tortoise, crane, or a black deer, all representing a happy old age. He sometimes appears dressed as a scholar, wearing a headdress and is also depicted leaning on a long staff. Sometimes he is holding a stick with a book on top. The book represents the life limit of every individual on earth. In Japan the crane is called tsuru and is a royal bird, symbolizing valor and loyalty. The deer is symbolic of Buddha’s teachings and is one of the forms in which Buddha was born. In Japan the tortoise is the symbol of longevity (combined with the peach it signifies immortality). See also Fukurokujin; Shichi Fukujin.
Jorth (Teutonic) see Jord.
Jotun-heim Jotunheim, Jotunnheim (Teutonic; Norse)
Also known as: Utgard.
This is the snowy land of the giants who are known as Jotuns. The major city in Jotun-heim is Utgard. Jotun-heim is the home of Bergelmir, the only frost giant to survive the war between Odin and his family. Jotun-heim is one of the nine worlds which has a root of the Yggdrasil extending into it. In one myth the Jotuns were so cruel to mortals that the Aesir used the giant Ymir’s eyebrows to make a great wall around the land of mortals, Midgard. See also Aesir; Baugi; Bergelmir; Jotuns; Midgard; Mimir; Odin; Utgard; Yggdrasil; Ymir.
Jotunnheim (Teutonic) see Jotun-heim.
Jotuns (Teutonic)
Also known as: Jotun.
These hostile ice giants were conquered by Odin. Three of the giants were female or perhaps one female giant born three times. Their names are Aurboda, Gullveig (also known as Gulvieg-Hoder), and Hag. They reside in Jotun-heim (q.v.). See also Gullveig; Mani (A); Odin; Thor; Utgard.
Joukahainen (Finland) see Vainomoinen.
Jouskeha (Native North American) see Ioskeha.
Jove (Etruscan, Roman)
Also known as: Jupiter, Vediovis.
Thunder god. Jove is another name for Jupiter. He is the Roman equivalent of Jehovah and Zeus. See also Jupiter; Mercury (A); Zeus.
Jubal (Sumer) Patron of music. See also Ea; Enki; Lumha.
Juck (Shilluk People, Africa)
Also known as: Juok.
Creator god. Although he created the world, he does not direct it. He is a very impersonal deity who is present in all things. In the beginning, he created the white man from white sand, the brown man from Nile mud, and the black man from black earth. See also Nyikang.
Juemel (Finno-Ugric, Slavic) see Jumala.
Juggernaut (India) see Jagannath.
Juichimen (Buddhist) God of mercy. See also Kuan Yin.
Juji-Yama (Japan) see Fuji.
Jukkui Ajayo (Inca People, South America)
Also known as: Pipisao.
Life force. It is believed this deity is a type of spirit responsible for the health of the body and mind. It leaves at night during sleep, but appears in dreams. It must return before the body awakens. If forced away by shock, the body is exposed to illness. See also Pachamama.
Juksakka (Lapp)
Goddess of birth. She had the primary function of changing the girl child into a boy child while still in the womb. Daughter of Maderakka.
Jukurokujin (Japan) see Fukurokujin.
Julunggul Julunggl (Maori People, Australia, New Zealand) Rainbow snake (q.v.).
Jumala (Finno-Ugric, Slavic)
Also known as: Ibmel, Ilmarinen, Jomali (Teutonic), Jemel, Jumla, Jumo, Mader-atcha, Ukko.
Supreme god. God of the sky and thunder. God who decides how long mortals will live. He lives in the highest story of heaven in a house glistening with gold and silver. He has seven sons, and many assistant spirits who have wings. The Norse call him Jomali. Jumala was later replaced by Ukko. He is associated with Sangke. See also Ilmarinen; Ukko; Vainomoinen.
Jumla (Finno-Ugric, Slavic) see Jumala.
Jumna Yami (Hindu; India)
She is the goddess of the river of the same name (earlier known as Yamuna River), and the spouse of Varuna. Vasudeva crossed the Jumna when carrying the infant Krishna. See also Varuna; Yami.
Jumo (Finno-Ugric, Slavic) see Jumala.
Juno (Roman; may have been assimilated from the Etruscan deity Uni or Iuno)
Also known as: Hera (Greek), Iuno (Etruscan), Juno Caelestis, Juno Lucina (goddess of childbirth) Juno Moneta (goddess of finance), Saturnia (daughter of Saturn).
Goddess of marriage. Protector of women and of childbirth. Goddess of finance. Goddess of war. Originally, Juno was the goddess of the moon. Later, she assimilated to the Greek Hera. She is the daughter of Saturn and the wife of Jupiter. They are the parents of Mars. When Gaul assaulted Rome, her geese gave her warning and she saved the city. Her various epithets are Cinxia, Domiduca, Huga, Jugalis, Matrona, Pronuba, Unxia, Curitis (Quiritis), Lucina, Moneta, Regina, Sosphita, and Vir-ginensis. Juno, the bitter enemy of Semeie, was said to have struck Semele’s son, the wine and fertility deity, Bacchus, with madness. Her sacred animal is the goat, and her sacred fruit, the fig. Juno’s festival date is July 7. She is often shown as a stately woman holding a scepter with a bird on top in one hand and pomegranate in the other. She is associated with Jupiter and Minerva. See also Bacchus; Cupra; Hera; Semeie; Tanit.
Juno Caelestis (Carthage) see Tanit.
Junun (Islamic) see Jinn.
Juok (Africa) see Juck.
Jupiter (The planet) see Brihaspati; Eurynome (A); Marduk; Tara (A).
Jupiter luppiter, Juppiter. (Roman; may have been a Syrian deity); (Jupiter of Doliche)
Also known as: Heru-ap-sheta-taui (Egypt), Jove (Etruscan), Tina (Etruscan), Vediovis (an early name), Vedius, Vejovis (“Little Jupiter”), Zeus (Greek).
Probably a war-god or fertility god. Air god. One of a triad of high gods; the other two are Mars and Quirinus. Jupiter was also part of the triad which included the goddesses Juno and Minerva. Different versions say he was son of Cronus and Rhea. Some say he was brother/husband of Juno. Some say he was husband of Antiope and father of Amphion and Zethus. Other consorts were Dione, Themis, and Europa. By Europa he was father of Minos, Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon. He was brother of Neptune, Pluto, Vesta, Ceres and Juno. In some legends his attendants were Victoria or Nice (Nike), Fama (goddess of flame), Fortuna, Hebe, or Juventas and Mercury. Jupiter was later assimilated to the Greek god Zeus. He was worshiped as Jupiter Feretrius (the smiter), Jupiter Elicius (lightning attractor), and Optimus Maximus (The Best and Greatest). He was first worshiped as a stone (Jupiter Lapis) when he came from Latium. He was worshiped by the Romans as a god of soldiers. He was called a patron of ironworkers. Oak trees were sacred to Jupiter. The name Vejovis, or Vedius, was used for Jupiter when he appeared without his thunder. Most legends of Jupiter parallel those of Zeus (q.v.). Compare to the Norse gods, Odin, Thor, and the Germanic Thunar. See also Aegis (Greek); Cronus; Dyaus (India); Jove; Juno; Mercury (A); Tina; Titans.
Jupiter-Ammon (Egypt) see Amen (B).
Jupiter Ammon (Greek) see Amen (B).
Divine Protector. Guardian of tribal and family mores.
Jurasmat (Latvia)
“Mother of the Sea.” High goddess. She follows mortals from birth to death. The other Lativian goddess who do the same are Laima (childbirth), Delka (the newborn), Laukamat (fields), Mezamat (wood), Lopemat (cattle), Darzamat (gardens), and Vejamat (winds).
Jurojin (Japan) see Jorajin; Shichi Fukujin.
Jurupari (Brazil) see Jurapari.
Jushkapariks (Armenian) see Hambaris.
Justice (Greek) An epithet of Themis, the goddess of justice.
Justice (Greek) Goddesses of justice. See also Dike, Themis.
Justice (Roman)
Goddesses of justice. See also Astraea, Justitia.
Justitia Iustitia (Roman)
Goddess of justice. She presides with Jupiter at a cult started by Augustus. Justitia is shown blindfolded, holding scales and a sword.
Juterna Diuturna, Iuturna, Juturna (Roman)
Goddess of healing springs, ponds, and rivers. In early times she was known as Diuturna. Her parents are Daunus and Venilia, and her brother is Turnus, the king of Rutulia. By Janus, she became the mother of Fontus. Jupiter seduced her, and later in compensation, he deified her. See also Janus; Jupiter.
Juturna (Roman) see Juterna.
Juventas (Roman)
Goddess of eternal youth. Patron goddess of the youth of Rome. She is similar to the goddess Hebe of the Greeks and is a symbol of the glory of Rome. See also Hebe; Jupiter.
Jvalamukha (India) see Amrtakundali.
Jwok (Africa) see Juck.
Jyotsna (India) Goddess of Twilight. See also Ratri.