about
Children Of Osiris
Winchester, UK
I compose sound under three names Wolven Angel (Inspired by T.A.Z), M.A.R. and Children of Osiris, These
personas/conditions/constructs serve different attitudes of purpose in order to guide certain aspects of my projects. Each set of conditions forms a set of temporary expressions recorded. I use keywords and expressions around an intention and cut up the ideas until they give birth to something
… more
Affiliate Disclosures
Throughout history, people have tended to visualize abstract concepts, making them more tangible in the process. From the dawn of time, humans often explained these concepts or ideas through different gods and goddesses. Knowledge and wisdom are some of the most abstract concepts, and among the most valued and respected traits, so naturally many cultures had various deities associated with them. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most prominent goddesses of wisdom and knowledge from around the world.
Athena
In ancient Greek religion, Athena was a goddess of wisdom, household crafts, and war, and the favorite child of Zeus. Among all the Olympian gods, she was the wisest, the bravest, and the most powerful.
According to the myth, she was born fully grown out of Zeus‘ forehead, after he had swallowed Metis, who was pregnant with Athena. As a virgin deity, she didn’t have any children, nor was she ever married. There are several epithets attributed to her, such as Pallas, meaning girl, Parthenos, meaning virgin, and Promachos, which means of war and refers to defensive, patriotic, and strategic warfare, rather than attacking.
The goddess was closely linked to the city of Athens, which was named after her once the people of Attica picked her to be their patroness. The Temple of Parthenon, which was built in the 5th century BCE, was dedicated to her, and, to this day, it continues to be the most prominent temple of the acropolis.
Benzaiten
In Japanese mythology, Benzaiten, also called Benten, is the Buddhist goddess of wisdom, inspired by the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Saraswati. The goddess is also associated with everything that flows and the flowing energy, including music, eloquence, words, and water. She plays an important role in Lotus Sutra, one of the older and most venerated Mahayana Buddhist texts. Much like her predecessor Saraswati, the goddess is often depicted playing a traditional Japanese lute, called biwa.
According to myth, Benzaiten was responsible for creating the Enoshima Island to put away a sea dragon with five heads who was disrupting the lives of the people of Sagami Bay. Some versions of the myth claim that she even married the dragon when he promised to change and tame his aggressive behavior. As a result, the Enoshima Island shrines were all dedicated to this deity. They are now considered a place of love, where couples go to ring a love bell or post a pink ema, or a wooden prayer board, with hearts on them.
Danu
In Celtic mythology, Danu, also known as Dana and Anu, was the goddess of wisdom, intellect, inspiration, fertility, and wind. Her name stems from the ancient Irish word dan, meaning poetry, wisdom, knowledge, art, and skill.
As the most ancient Celtic deity, Danu was considered a mother goddess of Earth and Irish gods, representing the female principle. She’s most commonly associated with Tuatha Dé Danann, the People or Children of Danu, the group of fairy folk and divine beings skilled in magic. As the powerful goddess of wisdom, Danu had a teacher’s role and passed onto her children many of her skills.
The goddess was also often associated with rivers, reinforcing her fertility aspect and her responsibility for the abundance and fruitfulness of the lands. She’s very similar to another Celtic goddess, Brigid, and some believe that the two deities are the same.
Isis
In ancient Egypt, Isis, also known as Eset or Aset, was the goddess of wisdom, medicine, fertility, marriage, and magic. In Egypt, she was often associated with Sekhmet, and in Greece, she was identified with Athena.
Many ancient poets and authors called her The Wise Woman. In an essay about Isis and her husband Osiris, Plutarch described her as exceptionally wise and called her a lover of wisdom and philosophy. In the Turin Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian manuscript, she was depicted as cunning and eloquent, and more perceptive than any other deity. Isis was also often associated with medicine, healing, and magic, with the power to cure any disease and bring the dead back to life.
Metis
In Greek mythology, Metis was the Titan goddess of wisdom, good counsel, prudence, planning, and craftiness. Her name can be translated as skill, craft, or wisdom. She was the daughter of Thetis and Oceanus and was Zeus’ first wife.
When pregnant with Athena, Zeus turned Metis into a fly and devoured her because of the prophecy that one of his children would take his throne. For this reason, Athena was considered a motherless goddess, and none of the ancient myths and tales mention Metis. Instead, Zeus was the one with the title Mêtieta, which means The Wise Counselor.
According to some myths, Metis was Zeus’ main adviser, counseling him in the war against his father, Cronus. It was Metis who gave the magic potion to Zeus, which would later force Cronus to regurgitate all the other siblings of Zeus.
Minerva
Minerva was the ancient Roman deity associated with wisdom, handcrafts, art, profession, and eventually war. The ancient Romans equated her with the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Athena.
However, unlike Athena, Minerva was originally associated mostly with household crafts and weaving, and not so much with war and battle. But around the 1st century AD, the two deities became completely interchangeable, and Minerva’s role as a warrior goddess became more prominent.
Minerva was worshiped as a part of the Capitoline triad, together with Juno and Jupiter. In Rome, the shrine of Aventine was dedicated to her, and it was the place where guilds of craftsmen, poets, and actors would gather. Her cult was the most dominant during the rule of the emperor Domitian, who chose her to be his patron goddess and special protectress.
Nisaba
Nisaba, also known as Nidaba and Naga, is the Sumerian goddess of wisdom, writing, communication, and the gods’ scribes. Her name can be translated as She who teaches the divine laws or decrees. According to the legend, the goddess invented literacy so she could communicate divine laws and other matters to humankind. She was often associated with the Egyptian goddess of wisdom, Seshat.
In the farming regions around the ancient river Euphrates near the city of Uruk, Nisaba was also worshiped as the goddess of cereals and reeds. She was one of the most prestigious deities throughout Mesopotamia and was often depicted as a young woman holding a golden stylus or pencil and studying a starry sky inscribed on a clay tablet.
Saraswati
Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of wisdom, creativity, intellect, and learning. She’s also considered a source of inspiration for different arts, including poetry, music, drama, and also science. Her name stems from two Sanskrit words – Sara, meaning essence, and Swa, which means oneself. Therefore, the goddess represents the essence or spirit of oneself.
As the goddess of knowledge and learning, she’s especially honored by students and teachers. Interestingly, Saraswati represents both learning (the process of gaining knowledge) as well as the knowledge itself. She illustrates the idea that true knowledge can only be gained through the process of learning.
Saraswati is often depicted as dressed in white and sitting on a white lotus. She has four arms – two are playing a lute-like instrument, known as the veena, while the third arm holds a mala (a rosary) and the fourth holds a book, symbolizing her artistry, spiritual essence, and intellect. Her image reflects purity and serenity. In Rig Veda, she’s a significant deity associated with flowing water or energy and is known by many names: Brahmani (science), Vani and Vachi (the flow of music and speech); and Varnesvari (writing or letters).
Seshat
In ancient Egypt, Seshat was the goddess of wisdom, writing, knowledge, measurement, time and was often referred to as The Ruler of Books. She was married to the Egyptian god of wisdom and knowledge, Thoth, and they were both considered the part of sesb or the divine scribes.
Seshat was most commonly depicted as wearing a plain sheath dress covered with panther skin. She would also wear a headpiece with horns, a star that had her name inscribed as well as a carved palm rib that symbolized the passing of time.
It was believed that the goddess was an expert in reading the star constellations and planets. Some thought she helped the pharaoh in Stretching the cord ritual, which consisted of astrological measurements for the most favorable temple locations.
Snotra
Snotra, the old Norse word for clever or wise, was the Norse goddess of wisdom, self-discipline, and prudence. According to some scholars, the word snotr could be used to describe wise men and women.
The goddess is only mentioned in the collection of Scandinavian myths called Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century. There, she’s one of the sixteen members in the principal Norse pantheon, the Aesir. She’s depicted as courteous and wise, and regarded as the protector goddess of the female principle.
Sophia
Originating in Greek mythology, Sophia was the goddess of spiritual wisdom and was referred to as the Divine Mother or Holy Feminine. The name Sophia means wisdom. The goddess was a prominent figure in the belief system of Gnostic Christians of the 1st century, who were proclaimed heretics by monotheistic and patriarchal religion in the 4th century. However, many copies of their gospel were hidden in Egypt, in the Nag Hammadi desert, and found in the mid-20th century.
In the Old Testament, there are many hidden references to the goddess, where she’s mentioned with the word wisdom. Her name is familiar thanks to the church in Constantinople, called Hagia Sophia, which was built by the Eastern Christians in the 6th century CE to honor the goddess. In the Greek language, hagia means sacred or holy, and was a title given to older wise women as a sign of respect. Later, the word’s meaning was corrupted and used to describe older women in a negative light as hags.
Tara
In Tibetan Buddhism, Tara is an important deity associated with wisdom. Tara is the Sanskrit word, meaning star, and the goddess is known by many names, including The One Who Fuels All Life, The Compassionate Mother Creator, The Wise One, and The Great Protector.
In Mahayana Buddhism, the goddess is described as a female bodhisattva, any person on the path to complete enlightenment or Buddhahood. In Vajrayana Buddhism, the goddess is considered a female Buddha, the one who had attained the highest enlightenment, wisdom, and compassion.
Tara is one of the oldest and the most prominent meditational and devotional deities, widely worshiped to the modern day by both Hindus and Buddhists, and many others.
To Wrap Up
As we can see from the list above, goddesses of wisdom have been honored and worshiped in many cultures for thousands of years. These distinguished female deities have been highly revered and credited with a variety of powerful attributes, including ageless beauty, divine wisdom and knowledge, healing powers, and many others. Even though they represent similar properties, each of these goddesses embodies a unique image and characteristics, with distinct mythologies surrounding them.
For the most part, the Buddhist position on the God question is neither yes nor no. Although some Buddhists consider themselves to be atheists, and some (sorta kinda) conceptualize the buddhas and bodhisattvas as godlike beings, the Buddha taught that belief in Gods is irrelevant. Believing in God or not believing in God will not help you realize enlightenment. However, within the story of Buddha, many hindu gods make appearances, however, they are different within Buddhism, and Buddhists do not worship these gods, although there are Buddhist shrines to them, especially in Thailand.
List of Gods[]
| God/Goddess | Hindu Name | Buddhist Name | Title of Worship |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Brahma |
Brahmā (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मा) | Phra Phrom (พระพรหม) |
|
|
Vishnu |
Vishnu (Sanskrit: विष्णु) | Phra Nārāyṇ̒ (พระนารายณ์) |
|
|
Shiva |
Shiva (Sanskrit: शिव) | Bhairava |
|
|
Ganesha |
Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश) or Gupati |
Vināyaka (Mahayana) or Phra Phiḳhneṣ̄wr (Thai:พระพิฆเนศวร) |
|
|
Garuda |
Garuda (Sanskrit: गरुड) | Garuda (Pāli: ‘garuḷā or ‘supaṇṇa) |
|
|
Maya |
Māyā (Sanskrit: माया) | Vipallasa (Pāli: Vipallasa) |
|
|
Shakti |
Shakti (Sanskrit: शक्ति) | None |
|
|
Matangi |
Mātaṅgī (Sanskrit: मातङ्गी) | None |
|
|
Annapurna |
Annapurna | None |
|
|
Bhuvaneshvari |
Bhuvaneshvari (Sanskrit: भुवनेश्वरी) | None |
|
|
Saraswati |
Saraswati (Sanskrit: सरस्वती) | None |
|
|
Kali |
Kali (Sanskrit: काली) | None |
|
|
Durga |
Durga (Sanskrit: दुर्गा) | None |
|
|
Lakshmi |
Lakshmi (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी) | None | Goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and the embodiment of beauty (Hinduism) |
|
Indra |
Indra (Sanskrit: इन्द्र) |
|
|
|
Hanuman |
Hanuman (Sanskrit: हनुमान्) |
|
|
|
Krishna |
Krishna (Sanskrit: कृष्ण) | Krishna (Buddhism) |
|
|
Rama |
Ram or Rama |
|
|
 |
Naga | Naga |
|
|
Buddha |
Siddhārtha Gautama
(Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम बुद्ध; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) |
Siddhārtha Gautama
(Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम बुद्ध; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) |
|
|
Yama |
Yama (Sanskrit: यम) |
|
|
Hinduism[]
Hinduism is generally associated with a multiplicity of Gods, and does not advocate the worship of one particular deity. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of only one supreme Absolute called “Brahman”.
Therefore, to believe that the multiplicity of deities in Hinduism makes it polytheistic is erroneous. The Rig Veda says: «Ekam sath, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti» (The Truth is one). However, to equate “Brahman” with “God” is imprecise. It is neither the “old man in the sky” concept, nor the idea of something capable of being vengeful or fearful.
The doctrine of Spiritual Competence (‘Adhikaara’) and that of the Chosen Deity (‘Ishhta Devata’) in Hinduism recommend that the spiritual practices prescribed to a person should correspond to his or her spiritual competence and that a person should have the freedom to choose (or invent) a form of Brahman that satisfies his spiritual cravings and to make it the object of his worship.
Thus, Hindus have a multitude of gods and goddesses. Deities are represented by a complexity of images and idols symbolizing divine powers. Many of these idols are housed within ornate temples of unparalleled beauty and grandeur. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets.
The most fundamental of Hindu deities, is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva — creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. Other popular deities include Ganesha, Krishna, Hanuman and a number of Goddesses.
Buddhism: What Buddha Didn’t Say About God []
«As far as I can tell, there are Western Buddhists out there who believe God doesn’t exist. Period. Some even go so far as to say that the Buddha said so, too. My challenge is: how do you know? I mean, do you really know what the Buddha said on the matter? I have to say, after doing some research on this topic, I don’t have any idea, and I’m surprised that so many American Buddhists are completely certain.
«Did the Buddha say ‘There is no God,’ directly?
No, he did not, but it’s important to understand why that is true.
The concept of God as a unique and supreme transcendent being and creator of the world appears to be the work of Jewish scholars of the mid-1st millennium BCE. For example, the familiar creation story in Genesis probably was written in the 6th century BCE, according to Karen Armstrong’s A History of God. Before that, Yahweh was just one tribal deity among many.
This development in Judaism was happening at about the same time as the life of the Buddha, but in a different part of the world. The timeline suggests to me that it was unlikely any teachings about the Abrahamic God as is understood today ever reached the Buddha or the Buddha’s disciples. If you were to have asked the Buddha if God exists, he might have said, «Who?»
Yes, there is a «complex pantheon of Brahmanic gods» (quoting another blogger) in the Pali texts. But the role they play in what we call «Buddhism» is very different from the role of gods in standard polytheistic religions.
Most of the time, in what we might call «classic» polytheism, gods are beings who have charge of specific things, such as the weather or harvests or war. If you wanted to have many children (or vice versa) you would make offerings to a fertility deity, for example.
But the Brahmanic gods of the Pali texts aren’t in charge of anything connected to humans. It makes no difference whether one believes in them, or not. There is no point in praying to them, because they rarely interact with humans and aren’t interested in your prayers or offerings. They are characters who live in other realms and who have their own problems.
(Yes, one can find examples of Asian laypeople relating to icons of Buddhism as if they were polytheistic deities. In many parts of Asia, laypeople for centuries were taught very little about the dharma except to keep the Precepts and give alms to monks, and people «filled in the blanks» with local folk beliefs and bits of other Vedic traditions. But that’s a whole ‘nother post; let’s stick to the teachings of the Buddha for now.)
The tantric deities of Vajrayana are something else again. Of these, Lama Thubten Yeshe wrote,
«Tantric meditational deities should not be confused with what different mythologies and religions might mean when they speak of gods and goddesses. Here, the deity we choose to identify with represents the essential qualities of the fully awakened experience latent within us. To use the language of psychology, such a deity is an archetype of our own deepest nature, our most profound level of consciousness. In tantra we focus our attention on such an archetypal image and identify with it in order to arouse the deepest, most profound aspects of our being and bring them into our present reality.» (Introduction to Tantra: A Vision of Totality [1987], p. 42)
So when you speak of God or gods in Buddhism, it’s important to not define the word «god» as westerners usually do but to understand the word in the context of Buddhism. And when you wade into Mahayana, asking if God exists is a double non-starter. Never mind what you mean by God; what do you mean by «exist»?
Akasaskye continues,
«I think the gist is that the Buddha did not say anything about a creator deity existing or not. He did mention what he does and doesn’t declare about the nature of existence, but he does not mention the existence or non-existence of a God.»
The Buddha did not speak of a creator deity, but he did speak of creation. The Buddha clearly taught that all phenomena are «created» by means of cause and effect determined by natural law. Further, the course of our lives is determined by karma, which we create. Karma is not being directed by a supernatural intelligence but is its own natural law. This is what the Buddha taught. For more explanation, see «Dependent Origination,» «Buddhism and Karma,» and «The Five Niyamas.»
So while he did not specifically say there is no creator god, in Buddhism there is nothing for a creator god to do. God has no function, no role to play, either as an original source or as an instigator of current events. Every task that God does in the Abrahamic religions was assigned to various systems of natural law by the Buddha.
So, while the Buddha never explicitly said «There is no God,» it’s not incorrect to say that God-belief is not supported by the Buddha’s teaching.
Awhile back I wrote a blog post called «Determining the Dharma,» which addressed a line from the Vimalakirti Sutra — determine the dharma according to the dharma. A commentary on these lines attributed to Sangharakshita said,
«For us in the West it means, not determining, not understanding the Dharma, according to Christian beliefs, whether conscious, unconscious, or semiconscious. It means not determining or understanding the Dharma in accordance with modern secularist, humanist, rationalist, scientific, modes of thought. It means not determining or understanding the Dharma in accordance with the fanciful ideas of the worthy, but woolly-minded people who organize such things the Festival of body, mind and spirit.»
In the Abrahamic religions, the existence and nature of God are all-important. In Buddhism the existence and nature of God (as usually understood in the Abrahamic religions) make no sense, and shoe-horning God-belief into Buddhism just makes a mess. If you want to understand Buddhism, if you are trying to «determine the dharma,» you must put aside Christianity or Judaism, and you must put aside Sam Harris and Deepak Chopra. Make no assumptions about what things «mean» in any other context. Determine the dharma according to the dharma.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Odin sacrificing himself to gain knowledge of the runes.
A knowledge deity is a deity in mythology associated with knowledge, wisdom, or intelligence.
Ancient Egyptian mythology[edit]
- Neith, goddess sometimes associated with wisdom
- Thoth, originally a moon deity, later became the god of knowledge and wisdom and the scribe of the gods
- Sia, the deification of wisdom
- Isis, goddess of wisdom, magic and kingship. She was said to be «more clever than a million gods».
- Seshat, goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing. Scribe of the gods. Credited with the invention of writing and the alphabet. Later demoted to consort of Thoth.[1]
Armenian mythology[edit]
- Anahit, goddess of wisdom[2]
- Tir, the god of written language, schooling, rhetoric, wisdom, and the arts[3]
Aztec mythology[edit]
- Quetzalcoatl, god of the winds, art, culture, and wisdom, as well as the patron god of learning and knowledge. [4]
Caribbean mythology[edit]
- Papa Legba, loa of speech, communication, understanding, and guardian of crossroads[5]
Celtic mythology[edit]
- Ogma, a figure from Irish and Scottish mythology, said to have invented the Ogham alphabet[6]
Chinese mythology[edit]
- Wenchang Wang, the god of literature and scholarship
- Kui Xing, God of examinations
- Zhuyu Xingjun, God of examination successes
- Guan Yu, God of military exams
- Lu Dongbin, God of daoist inner alchemy knowledge
- Laozi, God of wisdom
- Bao Zheng, Star of literature
- Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom[7][8]
Christian mythology[edit]
- The Holy Spirit is the deity of the Christian Triune Godhead who is tasked with guiding humans towards knowledge of righteous action. The Spirit’s duties includes pointing non-believers towards knowledge of the Christian faith, and the faithful towards knowledge of right and just action and lifestyle.[9]
Etruscan mythology[edit]
- Menrva, goddess of wisdom, war, weaving, and medicine[10]
Greek mythology[edit]
- Apollo, god of artistic knowledge, music, education, and youth
- Athena, Olympian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, civilization, weaving, and war strategy
- Coeus, Titan of the inquisitive mind, his name meaning «query» or «questioning». He is the grandfather of Apollo.
- Metis, the Titan associated most closely with wisdom and the mother of Athena, whose name in Ancient Greek described a combination of wisdom and cunning.[11][12]
Hindu mythology[edit]
A Saraswati statue in a park.
- Saraswati, goddess of knowledge, creativity, and speech
- Ganesha, god of wisdom, luck, and new beginnings
- Murugan, god of war, victory, and knowledge
- Brihaspati, guru of the devas
- Shukra, guru of the asuras
- justismurthy, god of justice
- Dakshinamurthy, an aspect of Shiva as the guru of sages
- Hayagriva, an aspect of Vishnu and the god of knowledge
- Gayatri, a form of Saraswati and the goddess of hymns
- Savitri, a form of Saraswati and goddess of wisdom[13][14]
Hittite mythology[edit]
- A’as, god of wisdom
- Kamrusepa[15][16]
Japanese mythology[edit]
- Benzaiten, a Japanese form of Saraswati, goddess of everything that flows: water, words, speech, eloquence, music and by extension, knowledge.
- Fukurokuju, god of wisdom and longevity
- Kuebiko, scarecrow god of wisdom and agriculture
- Omoikane, Shinto god of wisdom and intelligence
- Tenjin, god of scholarship[17][18]
Middle Eastern mythology[edit]
- Al-Kutbay, Nabataean god of knowledge and writing
- Enki, Sumerian god of intelligence, crafts, mischief, water, and creation
- Nabu, Babylonian god of wisdom and writing
- Ninimma, a minor Mesopotamian goddess regarded as the scribe and scholar of Enlil
- Nisaba, Sumerian goddess of writing, learning, and the harvest[19]
Muisca mythology[edit]
- Bochica, messenger god of knowledge[20]
Neoplatonism[edit]
- Nous, the cosmic embodiment of knowledge and intellect.
Lakota mythology[edit]
- Hnašká, Lakota frog spirit of pezuota (sacred medicine)
- Hunúŋpa, Lakota bear spirit of wóksape (Lakota concept of sacred knowledge), lesser spirit of knowledge
- Iktómi, Lakota spider spirit of wóksape and trickery, greater knowledge spirit
- Kssa, Oglala spirit of knowledge, sometimes considered Iktómi before being stripped of his title
- Matȟó, Lakota mischievous healer spirit, taught the Lakota to fish
- Ptesáŋwiŋ/White buffalo calf woman, Lakota prophetess, often conflated with Wohpe
- Wiyóhiyaŋpa, Lakota wind spirit of the east, oversees new beginnings and knowledge
- Whapiya/Wóhpe, Lakota spirit of knowledge, wishes, dreams, visions, prophecy and the wife of Okaga the south wind
- Zuzéča, Lakota snake spirit of hidden knowledge and lies
Norse mythology[edit]
Wodan and Frea by Emil Doepler.
- Mimir, god of wisdom
- Odin, god of wisdom who nevertheless relentlessly keeps searching for more knowledge; associated with the runes
- Frigg, she is said to know the future, but never tells. The three following goddesses may be hypostases of her.
- Gefjon, goddess associated with plowing, foreknowledge, and virginity.
- Sága, goddess of wisdom
- Snotra, goddess associated with wisdom
- Vör, goddess associated with wisdom[21]
- Numerous minor characters in Norse mythology are said to be very wise, though there’s often no instance of them demonstrating this supposed wisdom:
- Dwarfs, particularly Alviss, whose name means «all-wise». Thor keeps him from marrying his daughter by challenging him to a wisdom contest that lasts all night. He’s turned to stone by the rising sun.
- Elfs possibly
- Heimdallr
- Kvasir
- Mimir
- Tyr
- Utgard-Loki, while not outright stated to be wise, he’s notable for being the only giant to be cleverer than the gods and getting to escape with his life
- Vafthrudnir, a wise jotunn Odin seeks out to challenge to a wisdom contest[22]
- the Vanir in general[23]
Persian mythology[edit]
- Anahita, goddess of wisdom
- Ahura Mazda, Zoroastrian god of light, benevolence, creation, truth, and perfect wisdom
- Chista, goddess of wisdom and knowledge, she leads the mortals to the right way in life and the afterlife; she is also the goddess of religion in Zoroastrian mythology.[24]
Anahita Vessel, 300-500 AD, Sasanian, Iran, silver and gilt – Cleveland Museum of Art – DSC08130
Polynesian mythology[edit]
- Anulap, god of magic and knowledge
- Eijebong[25]
Roman mythology[edit]
- Egeria, a water nymph who gives wisdom and prophecy in return for libations of water or milk at her sacred grove
- Fabulinus, the God who teaches children to speak
- Minerva, goddess of wisdom and crafts, the Roman equivalent of Athena
- Providentia, goddess of forethought
- Neptune, the god of the sea and freshwater, is said to have all the knowledge of water.[26]
Slavic mythology[edit]
- Gamayun, symbol of knowledge and wisdom[citation needed]
Turco-Mongol mythology[edit]
- Mergen, deity of abundance and wisdom. Mergen symbolizes intelligence and thought.[27]
Vietnamese mythology[edit]
- Nữ thần nghề mộc, the goddess who taught mankind how to create everyday utensils.
- Văn Xương, god of exams, he holds the honor and career of those who follow the academic path.
West African mythology[edit]
- Anansi, the spider trickster and spirit of all stories, best known from Akan and Ashanti folklore; according to some tales, also creator of the sun, moon and stars, and teacher of agriculture to humans[28]
- Orunmila, god of wisdom, knowledge, and divination[29]
References[edit]
- ^ «Ancient Gods of Egypt». discoverinegypt.com.
- ^ «the-goddess-of-love-and-fertility-anahit».
- ^ Herouni, Paris (2004). Armenians and Old Armenia. Yerevan. pp. 8, 133.
- ^ Smith 2003 p. 213
- ^ Herskovits, Melville J. (1937). «African Gods and Catholic Saints in New World Negro Belief». American Anthropologist. 39 (4): 635–643. doi:10.1525/aa.1937.39.4.02a00080.
- ^ Jones, Mary. «The Ogham Tract». Celtic Literature Collective. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ 民間信仰的神明概念 [Hierarchic organisation of the spiritual world]. web.sgjh.tn.edu.tw.
- ^ Hackin, J. (1932). Asiatic Mythology: A Detailed Description and Explanation of the Mythologies of All the Great Nations of Asia. Asian Educational Services.
- ^ Millard J. Erickson (1992). Introducing Christian Doctrine. Baker Book House. pp. 265–270.
- ^ de Grummond, Etruscan Myth, Sacred History and Legend
- ^ «Volume: Hellas, Article: Greek Mythology». Encyclopaedia The Helios. 1952.
- ^ Homer, Iliad, 8. An epic poem about the Battle of Troy. 366–369
- ^ Arthur Anthony Macdonell (1978). Vedic Mythology. Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint). ISBN 978-81-208-1113-3.
- ^ Yves Bonnefoy (1993). Asian Mythologies. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-06456-7.
- ^ J. G. Macqueen, ‘»Hattian Mythology and Hittite Monarchy'», Anatolian Studies (1959).
- ^ R.Lebrun, «Le zoomorphisme dans la religion hittite,» L’Animal, l’homme, le dieu dans le Proche-Orient ancien, (Leuven) 1985:95-103, noted in Beckman 1989.
- ^ Chamberlain 2008
- ^ Kelsey, W. Michael (1983). «Untitled», Asian Folklore Studies Vol 42
- ^ Bertman, Stephen (2005). Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia (Paperback ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 122. ISBN 9780195183641. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
- ^ Hermann & Bullock, 1954
- ^ «The Children of Odin». gatewaytotheclassics.com.
- ^ Orchard (1997:170).
- ^ Du Chaillu, P. B. (1889).
- ^ «The Library of the world’s myths and legends» (PDF). dl.lilibook.ir.
- ^ «Handbook of Polynesian Mythology». academia.edu.
- ^ «Roman Gods and Goddesses» (PDF). wetheredccn12.com.
- ^ «The Gods of Turks». milliyet.com.
- ^ Courlander, Harold (1996). A Treasury of African Folklore. New York: Marlowe & Company. p. 136. ISBN 1-56924-816-8.
- ^ Bascom, William (1991). Ifa Divination: Communication Between Gods and Men in West Africa. Indiana University Press. p. ix. ISBN 9780253206381. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
Qrunmila is another name for Ifa, the deity
Goddess names in mythology were often chosen to reflect their powers and qualities. Goddess names appear across all ancient cultures and continue to influence girl’s name choices for girls today. Currently some of the most popular Goddess names for girls include those that are linked with the sun, like Aurora Goddess of the dawn and Phebe. The moon Goddesses are also popular including Luna and Selena. In the UK Iris has also in popularity as Goddess of the rainbow her name signifies hope. In countries like Greece it is very common to name children after the ancient goods and Goddesses.
In choosing a name, you may want to consider the meanings behind these names, the goddesses main attributes and character.
I have found researching and producing this list of female Goddess names a useful reminder of the similar themes and reoccurring archetypal figures that are incorporated across the word’s myths and legends.
Goddess Names List
A list of Goddess names from around the world
Aetna (Roman) — Mount Etna is named after this Volcano Goddess.
Agneya (Hindu) – She is the daughter of the sun God Agni, when setting-up magical space she is worshipped as the guardian of the South East.
Aine (Celtic) – Goddess of love, growth, cattle and light. Her name means bright. She is linked to Midsummer’s Eve. The name Anya comes from this Goddess name.
Aja (Sumerian) — Her name means «the bride.» She was associated with the eastern mountains where she helped the sun into the sky at the beginning of the new day.
Amphitrite (Greek) — Ancient Goddess of the sea and consort of the God Poseidon.
Aphrodite (Greek) — The beautiful Goddess of love and fertility. No man could resist Aphrodite when she wore her magic girdle. Her name means foam born or raised from foam as she was birthed from the churning sea.
Arianrhod (Celtic) — Goddess of fertility, rebirth and the weaving of cosmic time and fate. The last aspect of her nature is contained within her name which means “silver wheel” or “round wheel,” suggesting her importance in the cycles of life. Other common spellings of her name are Aranhod and Arianrod.
Artemis (Greek) — An independent spirit, she is Goddess is of the hunt, nature and birth. There are several different theories about the origin of her name, one school of thought says it comes from an ancient word for “safe” and another argues that it means “strong limbed.” Either way the suggestion is that this maiden Goddess has the strength and ability to protect herself from any unwanted attention.
Asteria (Greek) — Goddess of the stars, she escaped the advances of Zeus by changing into a quail. She is also mother of Hecate the Goddess associated with witches and magic.
Atalanta (Greek) — A very competitive warrior Goddess, adventurous and amazing runner who could not be beaten by a man. She was turned into a lion by the jealous Aphrodite. Other spellings of this name also include Atlanta.
Athena (Greek) — Goddess of war and wisdom and domestic crafts. Plato believed her name meant «mind of God» whilst others suggest it comes an ancient word meaning “sharp.” Both these words point to Athena’s great intellectual ability to see the true nature of a situation and to develop successful strategies.
Aurora (Roman) — Her name means «light». She is the personification of the dawn as this is the first light of day.
Averna (Roman) — The Queen of the Dead, her name comes from an underworld river called the Avernus.
Badb (Celtic) — A shape-shifting, warrior goddess who symbolizes life
and death, wisdom and inspiration. She represents an aspect of Morrigan. Her name is pronounced «beeve.»
Bast (Egyptian) — The famous cat Goddess, she protected pregnant woman and children. Bast was a very sensual Goddess who enjoyed music, dance and perfume. Her name comes from the bas jars used to store perfumes and ointments. Other versions of this Goddess names include: Bastet, Baset, Ubasti and Pasht.
Baubo (Greek) — A bawdy, crone Goddess who lifted her skirt in front of Demeter.
Bellona (Roman) — A serpent -haired goddess and feminine aspect of Mars. The Latin word for war «bellum,» is a derivative of her name.
Blodeewedd (Celtic) – She was created by magic, from nine blossoms to
break a curse that prevented Llew Llaw from a human wife.
Branwen (Celtic) – The Welsh goddess of love. Her name means “blessed
raven.” Bronwyn is a modern day version of this name.
Cailleach Bheur (Celtic) – The hag, destroyer goddess who ruled over disease,
death, wisdom, seasonal rites and weather magic. She was known as Cally Berry
in Ireland which means “old gloomy woman” in Irish
Ceres (Roman) — This Goddess of agriculture and grains name comes from the Indo European word root, “ker” meaning “to grow.” In turn her name has become the origin of our modern word cereal.
Cerridwen (Celtic) — Goddess of moon, magic, agriculture, nature, poetry language, music, art, science and astrology. She was also keeper of the cauldron. Her name means “chiding love.” Ceridwen, Caridwen, Kerritwen, Keridwen, Kyrridwen are other variations of her name.
Clemencia (Roman) – Goddess of forgiveness and mercy.
Our modern word clemency stems from the ideals this Goddess represents. Names related
to this include Clementine and Clemence.
Coventina (Celtic) – Goddess of the sacred waters and springs. One of her shrines is a well at Bricolita Fort by Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.
Danu (Celtic) – Her name means “knowledge.” From her flowed all of
life. She is also linked to fairy hills and a tribe of ancient deities known as
Tuatha de Danaan.
Demeter (Greek) — Goddess of the harvest who possessed great knowledge of the best way to grow, preserve and harvest grain. She was also the devoted mother of Persephone. Her name reflects her nurturing personality as it means “earth mother” in Greek.
Diana (Roman) — Goddess of the hunt and wild animals. She later took over from Luna as the Roman Goddess of the moon, responsible for fertility and childbirth. The name Diana means «heavenly divine,» reflecting her celestial role.
Dike (Greek) — Goddess of judgement and justice.
Discordia (Roman) – Goddess of discord and strife. This
word is still used in modern Italian to signify a quarrel or disagreement. Discordia (Roman) – Goddess of discord and strife. This
word is still used in modern Italian to signify a quarrel or disagreement.
Eirene (Greek) — This Greek Goddess name means peace in her native language, expressing her diplomatic nature. Her name also often appears as Irene.
Elen (Celtic) – Known as Elen of the ways she appears in the the
Mabinogion. Here she magically built highways for her soldiers to protect the
country against invaders.
Eos (Greek) — A sunny natured Goddess whose name means «dawn.» She is also known for her numerous relationships with mortals.
Elli (Nordic) — This Goddess name means «old age.» she reminds us that we can not defeat ageing, as she beat Thor in a wrestling contest. The name
Epona (Celtic) — Protector of horses, donkeys, and mules. She was also an ancient fertility Goddess. Epona’s Goddess name comes from the Gaullist word “epos” meaning «great mare.»
Ereshkigal (Sumerian) — Goddess of Attalu, the land of the dead and ancestral memories. Her name translates as «great lady under the earth.» Irkalla is an alternative name by which this Goddess is identified.
Eris (Greek) — This Goddess personifies the energies of strife, discord, contention and rivalry.
Feronia (Roman) –Her fiery energy was linked to reproduction and the fire beneath the earth’s crust. She was associated with granting freedom to slaves, who walked across hot coals in her honour.
Flidais (Celtic) – The woodland goddess, protectress of wild animals and cattle.
Flora (Roman) – Goddess of flowers. Today the word «flora» is used to indicate all plant life.
Fortuna (Roman)- «Lady Luck,» this blind Goddess controlled the fortunes of mankind. Our word fortune comes from this deity.
Freya (Nordic) — Goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, wealth, divination and magic. Her name comes from the ancient Norse word for lady or mistress. There are several variations of the spellings of this Goddess name including: Freyja, Freyr and Freyja.
Frigg (Nordic) — Goddess of marriage, childbirth, motherhood, wisdom, household management and weaving and spinning. Her name means «beloved» in ancient Norse and is derived from “fri” meaning “to love.» She is also known as Frige, Friia, Frija and Frea.
Gaia (Greek) — Goddess of the Earth and prophecy. She is the primordial mother and a personification of Mother Earth. She gave birth to the Titans. Her name is also spelt Gaeo.
Hanwi — (Sioux) She was originally the Moon Goddess, her name means «night sun,» but she made a mistake and was later demoted to Goddess of the dawn and twilight.
Hathor Egyptian) — This heavenly cow’s areas of influence included music, dancing, joy and fertility. Her name translates as «house of Horus». Alternative names for this Goddess are Het-Hert, Hetheru, Mehturt, Mehurt, Mehet-Weret, and Mehet-uret.
Hebe (Greek) – Hebe’s name literally means youth or in the prime of life. She was one of the daughters of Zeus and Hera. Her role was to serve the nectar and ambrosia to the Gods and Goddesses that prevented them from aging.
Hekate (Greek) — Goddess of the wild places, childbirth and the crossroads. She is closely associated with magic and witchcraft. Her name is said to be derived from the Greek word hekas, meaning «far off» describing her unworldly, shamanic nature. This Goddess’s name is also spelt, Hecate.
Hella (Nordic) — The fearsome Goddess of the Nordic realm of the dead. Her name is derived from the word kel, meaning «to conceal.» There are numerous spellings of her name including Halje Hell, Hel, Helle, Hela and Holle.
Hemera (Greek) — The Primordial Goddess of daylight.
Henwen (Celtic) – A fertility goddess whilst in the form of a magical
sow, birthed strange litters. Her name translates as “old white.”
Hekt (Egyptian) — A frog-headed Goddess, she is midwife to the sun each morning. The name Hekt is said to come from the word «heqa,» meaning ruler.
Hera (Greek) — Queen of the Olympians and Goddess of marriage and birth. The meaning of her Goddess name has been lost. One historian claims her name could be connected to the Greek word for seasons “hora,” suggesting she is ripe for marriage.
Hestia (Greek) — The domestic Goddess of the Greek Pantheon, she rules over the hearth and home. Her name comes from the Greek word “estia” meaning «she that dwells or tarries.» This reflects the importance of the role that the ancient Greeks attributed to this Goddess in sacrificing her position as an Olympian to guard the fire and maintain a happy home.
Hygieia (Greek) — Goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation. There are beautiful statues of this Goddess in Kos, the home of Hippocrates who is considered the “father of modern medicine. Her name also forms part of the word, hygiene.
Inanna (Sumerian) — Goddess of love, war, and fertility. Inanna was the personification of the morning and evening star. Her beautiful name means «lady of the sky.» This Goddess is closely linked to Ishtar and Nin-anna.
Indunn (Nordic) — Goddess of youth and springtime. Her name means she who renews and has several alternative spellings of this Goddess name includes Indun, Iduna and Idhunna.
Iris (Greek) — Goddess of the rainbow and messenger to the Gods. Her name means rainbow in her native language.
Ishtar (Sumerian)- Ruler of the morning star this Goddess. A complex Goddess who also represented the fierce and creative aspects of womanhood.
Isis (Egyptian) — This famous Goddess has so many different aspects, her most important roles are as Goddess of life and magic. Isis’s name comes from the Egyptian word “asset” which means «she of throne» in other words the Queen of the Goddesses. Many other Goddess names have been lost as Isis took over their roles and titles.
Juno (Roman) — Goddess of marriage, pregnancy and childbirth. She protected the finances of the citizens of Rome. Her name is a mystery; it speaks of a contradictory role for this Goddess, before her alignment to the matronly, Greek Goddess, Hera. Juno’s name is derived from the root “yeu” meaning «vital force» indicating a more youthful, maiden Goddess.
Juventas (Roman) – She is the maiden Goddess associated
with rejuvenation and the protection of young men during their rites of passage
into adulthood. Her name derives from the Latin word iuventas meaning youth.
Kali (Hindu) — The fearsome demon destroying Goddess who represents death and rebirth. Her name means the «black one.»
Lakshmi (Hindu) — Goddess of abundance of material and spiritual wealth. Her name is derived from the Sanskrit word “laksya” meaning aim or goal.
Leto (Greek) — Mother of the twin Olympians, Apollo and Artemis.
Luna (Roman) – A beautiful Goddess of the moon, her
name still has links to this celestial body today, we need only think of the
word lunar. J.K Rowling named one of Harry Potter’s friends after this Goddess.
Maat (Egyptian) — Goddess of truth, justice and balance. She prevented the creation from reverting to chaos and judged the deeds of the dead with her feather. This Goddess name stems from the word Mayet meaning “straight.” This reflects her unbending nature, upholding what is right and just.
Mabb (Celtic) – As Queen Mabb, she was midwife to the
fey folk.
Macha (Celtic) – A wild goddess who battles on behalf of woman and
children against injustice.
Maeve (Celtic) – A great, Irish, warrior queen.
Maia (Greek) — Spring Goddess and the eldest and considered the most beautiful of Atlas’s seven daughters. She is also the name of one of the stars that make-up the constellation known as the Pleiades.
Metis (Greek) — Ancient, Goddess of wisdom and prudence.
Minerva (Roman) — Goddess of wisdom, medicine and crafts. Her name is linked to the Latin word “mens” which means «intellect,» suggesting the intelligence and inventiveness of this ancient Goddess.
Mnemosyne (Greek) — The Goddess linked to memory and the mother of the Muses.
Morrigan (Celtic) — The terrifying crow Goddess associated with war and death on the battlefield. She was queen of phantoms, demons, shape-shifters and patroness of priestesses and Witches. Her name means «great queen» in the old Irish language. Morrigan was also known as Morgane, Morrigu, Morrighan, Mor-Rioghain and Morrigna.
Nephthys (Egyptian) — Goddess of death, decay and the unseen. Her name speaks of her priestess role as it means «lady of the temple enclosure.» Other variations of her title include Nebet-het and Nebt-het.
Nike (Greek) — This Greek Goddess name means victory, she represented success especially in the sporting arena which is why her name was chosen for a famous brand of sportswear.
Olwen (Celtic) – The golden sun goddess who survived thirteen different
trials to win her true love. Her name translates as “white footprint” as white
clovers spring-up wherever she treads.
Ostara (Germanic) — The spring Goddess whose name is linked to the East and the dawn. The early Christians took her fertility symbols of eggs and hares and incorporated them into the Easter celebrations.
Parvarti (Hindu) – Goddess of love and devotion, her name means “she of the mountain.”
Pax (Roman) – Her name means “peace” in Latin she is often
depicted with an olive branch. We still use the metaphor “offering an olive
branch,” today.
Pele (Hawaiian) – Offerings are still made to this famous Volcano Goddess. Her name means «she who shapes the sacred land.»
Persephone (Greek) — Daughter of Demeter and Queen of the Underworld. She was also none as Kore reflecting the Maiden aspect of this Goddess. Other variations of her name include Persephoneia, Persephassa, Persephatta and Pherepapha
Phoebe (Greek) — her name means “bright” or “shining one.” Phoebe is linked to the oracle of Delphi. This has become one of the most popular goddess names after it was used as a name for a character in the sitcom, “Friends.”
Pomona (Roman) –Protected fruiting trees and gardens. Her name is derived from the Latin word pomus, meaning “fruit tree.”
Rhea (Greek) — The ancient Titan Earth Goddess, responsible for the fertility of the soil and women. The name is most likely a form of the word era meaning «earth», although it has also been linked to “rheos” the Greek term for “stream.”
Rhiannon (Celtic) –A Celtic Goddesses of fertility, linked with the
moon, night and death. Her name means “night queen.” This is one of the Goddess
names that are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
Saraswati (Hindu) — The Goddess of knowledge, language and the arts. She is the one who through wisdom, brings order out of chaos.
Selene (Greek) – Selene was the Titan personification of the moon, unsurprising then that her name means moon in Greek.
Seshat (Egyptian) — The great scribe and librarian Goddess who was responsible for accounting, architecture, astronomy, historical records and mathematics. Her name means «she who scribes.» It is also one of the Goddess names that has numerous different spellings including: Safkhet, Sashet, Seshata, Sesat, Sesheta and Sheshat.
Sophia (Greek) — Her name comes from the Greek word «Sophas» which means «wisdom.» Alternative spellings include Sofia, Sofija and Sofie.
Tara (Hindu/Tibetan)- Her name means «star.» She is the Goddess of compassion and healing. She is often divided into two separate deities Green Tara and White Tara.
Tefnut (Egyptian) — Goddess of morning dew, linked to the East where the sun begins its travels across the skies.
Theia (Greek) — Ancient Goddess of sight and the bright sky. She was mother Helios, Selene and Eos. Her name itself means Goddess. Thea is the anglicised version of this name.
Themis (Greek) — Goddess of divine justice, order and customs. She also had the gift of prophecy. This name simply means «law of nature» or «divine nature.»
Tiamat (Babylonian) A primordial, dragon Goddess of the sea who created many monsters that were banished to the world of our unconscious and dreams. Her name is said to come from «tiamtum,» a word that means «sea.»
Ushas (Hindu) — Also known as Urvasi. This dawn goddess was the remover of darkness and the bringer of light. It is also the sanskrit word for dawn.
Venus (Roman) — Goddess and love and beauty. Her Goddess name has become synonymous with her role as the woman who all men desire.
Vesta (Roman) — Guardian of the sacred Flame. Vesta’s name and function is derived from the Greek Goddess Hestia.
Zorya (Slavic) — This is the word that describes three different Slavic deities: the morning star, evening star and midnight.
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Goddess Names