Sun gods and goddesses have been worshipped in various cultures throughout history. These deities were often associated with the sun and its life-giving properties. In ancient mythology, the sun was seen as a powerful force that could bring both life and death to the world.
One of the most well-known sun gods is Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. Apollo was also associated with the arts, healing, and prophecy. In Japanese mythology, Amaterasu is the sun goddess who is believed to be the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family. In Egyptian mythology, Ra was the sun god who was believed to have created everything, including himself.
Ancient Egyptian Sun Deities
Ra
Ra was the ancient Egyptian sun god, who was believed to be the creator of everything. He was often depicted as a falcon-headed man, wearing a sun disk on his head. Ra was considered to be the most important god in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, and his worship was central to Egyptian religion. He was believed to be the source of all life and the ruler of the heavens.
Horus
Horus was another important sun god in ancient Egyptian mythology. He was often depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon’s head. Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis, and he was considered to be the god of the sky and the protector of the pharaohs. He was also associated with the sun, and was sometimes depicted as a sun disk with wings.
Aten
Aten was a solar deity who was worshipped during the reign of the pharaoh Akhenaten. Aten was depicted as a sun disk with rays ending in hands, symbolizing the life-giving power of the sun. Akhenaten believed that Aten was the only true god, and he tried to replace the traditional Egyptian pantheon with the worship of Aten. However, this attempt was short-lived, and the traditional gods were restored after Akhenaten’s death.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the sun was an important symbol of life and power. The sun gods and goddesses were revered and worshipped for their ability to bring light and warmth to the world. Ra, Horus, and Aten were some of the most important sun deities in Egyptian mythology, and their worship played a significant role in Egyptian religion and culture.
Hindu Solar Deities
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, and its pantheon of gods and goddesses is vast and diverse. Among the many deities worshipped in Hinduism are several solar deities, who are associated with the sun and its life-giving properties.
Surya
Surya is the most well-known of the Hindu solar deities. He is often depicted as a handsome man with golden skin and a radiant aura, riding across the sky in a chariot drawn by seven horses. Surya is the god of light and warmth, and is associated with knowledge, truth, and enlightenment. In Hindu mythology, Surya is also the father of many important figures, including the god of death, Yama, and the goddess of the dawn, Usha.
Savitṛ
Savitṛ is another important solar deity in Hinduism. He is often depicted as a young man with golden skin, holding a lotus flower in one hand and a bow in the other. Savitṛ is associated with the sun at sunrise and sunset, and is considered to be a god of creation and fertility. In Hindu mythology, Savitṛ is also associated with the Gayatri Mantra, one of the most important hymns in Hinduism.
Overall, the Hindu pantheon of solar deities is rich and varied, reflecting the importance of the sun in Hindu culture and mythology.
Greco-Roman Sun Gods
Helios
Helios is the Greek God of the Sun, often depicted as a handsome young man with a crown of sun rays on his head, and driving a golden chariot across the sky each day. According to Greek mythology, Helios was the son of Hyperion and Theia, and brother of Selene (the Moon) and Eos (the Dawn). He was a powerful deity, considered to be the source of all life, warmth, and light on Earth. Helios was also associated with prophecy and healing, and was worshipped throughout the ancient Greek world.
Apollo
Apollo is another famous Greco-Roman sun god, who was also the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. He was the son of Zeus and Leto, and twin brother of the goddess Artemis. Apollo was often depicted as a handsome young man with a lyre in his hand, and a crown of laurel leaves on his head. He was also associated with the arts, especially music and poetry, and was considered to be the patron of the Muses. Apollo was worshipped throughout the ancient Greek world, and his temple at Delphi was one of the most important religious sites in the ancient world.
Norse Sun Goddess
Sól
Sól is the Norse goddess of the sun, and is also known as Sunna. She is the daughter of Mundilfari, and shares her celestial lineage with her brother, Máni, the moon god. Sól is often depicted as a beautiful woman with golden hair and a radiant aura.
In Norse mythology, Sól drives the chariot that carries the sun across the sky during the day. She is also associated with fertility and warmth, and is considered a protector of crops and harvests.
According to Norse legend, at the start of Ragnarok, the end of the world, the sun will be swallowed by the wolf Fenrir, and Sól’s chariot will be pulled from the sky. She is fated to die in the final battle, along with many other gods and goddesses.
Despite her tragic end, Sól remains an important figure in Norse mythology, representing the power and beauty of the sun, and the cycle of life and death.
Mesopotamian Sun Gods
The Mesopotamian pantheon had several sun gods, each with their own unique attributes and characteristics. Two of the most prominent sun gods in Mesopotamian mythology were Shamash and Utu.
Shamash
Shamash was the Babylonian sun god and was considered the giver and sustainer of life. He was also associated with justice and righteousness, as he was believed to be the judge of both gods and humans. Shamash was closely associated with the protection of travelers and his role in divination. Worship of Shamash was centered in the cities of Sippar and Larsa.
Utu
Utu, also known as Šamaš, was the Sumerian god of the sun. He was responsible for bringing light and warmth to the land, allowing plants and crops to grow. Utu was believed to emerge from his underground sleeping chamber at sunrise and take a daily path across the skies. As the sun filled the entire sky with light, Utu oversaw everything that occurred during the daytime.
In Mesopotamian mythology, the sun was considered a powerful force that brought life and warmth to the land. The sun gods, Shamash and Utu, were revered and worshipped for their ability to provide light and sustenance to the people. Their influence extended beyond the physical world, as they were believed to be the judges of both gods and humans.
Aztec Sun Gods
The Aztec civilization had a complex mythology that included several gods and goddesses associated with the sun. Two of the most important sun gods were Huitzilopochtli and Tonatiuh.
Huitzilopochtli
Huitzilopochtli was the Aztec god of war and the sun. He was often depicted as a hummingbird or an eagle. According to Aztec mythology, Huitzilopochtli was born as a fully grown warrior from his mother’s womb, and he immediately fought and defeated his sister, who was a goddess of the moon.
The Aztecs believed that Huitzilopochtli required human sacrifices to keep the sun moving across the sky. They would offer captured enemies or volunteers as sacrifices to him in his temple, which was located on top of the Great Temple in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.
Tonatiuh
Tonatiuh was another important sun god in Aztec mythology. His name meant “Movement of the Sun.” According to legend, Tonatiuh was one of the gods who sacrificed himself in order to create the world. He was also believed to have jumped into the fire to gain immortality.
The Aztecs believed that Tonatiuh required human sacrifices to keep moving across the sky. They would offer sacrifices to him in his temple, which was located on the west side of the Great Temple in Tenochtitlan.
Overall, the Aztec sun gods played a significant role in the Aztec religion and mythology. They were believed to be responsible for the movement of the sun and required human sacrifices to keep it moving across the sky.
Incan Sun God
Inti
Inti was the Incan sun god and one of the most important deities in the Incan religion. He was considered the patron of the Incan Empire and was revered as a powerful and benevolent deity. The Inca believed that Inti was the source of life and that his rays brought warmth and fertility to the earth.
According to Incan mythology, Inti was the son of Viracocha, the god of creation. He was often depicted as a golden disk with a human face and rays extending outward. Inti was also associated with agriculture, fertility, and military conquest, and was believed to be the most powerful of all the Incan gods.
The worship of Inti played a significant role in Incan society and culture. The Inca built many temples and shrines dedicated to Inti, including the famous Coricancha, or Temple of the Sun, in Cusco. The temple was adorned with gold and other precious materials, and was considered one of the most important religious sites in the Incan Empire.
Overall, the Incan sun god Inti was a powerful and important deity in Incan mythology. His worship played a significant role in Incan society and culture, and his legacy continues to be felt in modern-day Peru and other parts of South America.
Japanese Sun Goddess
Amaterasu
Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology. She is also known as Amaterasu Ōmikami or Ōhirume no Muchi no Kami. According to legend, Amaterasu was born from the left eye of her father, Izanagi, who bestowed upon her a necklace of jewels and placed her in charge of Takamagahara, which is the realm of the gods.
Amaterasu is a major deity in the Shinto religion of Japan. She is considered the most important deity in the pantheon, and it is from the sun goddess that the Japanese imperial family is believed to be descended. In Japanese mythology, Amaterasu is credited with bringing light to the world and is seen as a symbol of purity and goodness.
The worship of Amaterasu has been an important part of Japanese culture for centuries. Her shrine at Ise is one of the most important in Japan, and it has been rebuilt every 20 years for over a thousand years. The shrine is considered the most sacred place in Japan and is visited by millions of pilgrims every year.
In conclusion, Amaterasu is a revered figure in Japanese mythology and is considered the most important deity in the Shinto religion. She is seen as a symbol of purity and goodness and is credited with bringing light to the world. Her shrine at Ise is one of the most important in Japan and has been rebuilt every 20 years for over a thousand years.
Slavic Sun Gods
Dazhbog
In Slavic mythology, Dazhbog is the god of the sun. He is often depicted as a radiant, golden-haired man holding a wheel or a solar disk. Dazhbog was a popular deity among the ancient Slavs, and his worship was closely linked to agriculture and fertility.
According to myth, Dazhbog rides across the sky in a chariot pulled by horses, bringing light and warmth to the world. He is also associated with the harvest, and his blessings were sought by farmers and peasants. In some versions of the myth, Dazhbog is the son of the god Svarog, who is the creator of the universe.
Dazhbog’s cult was particularly strong in the region of Kiev, where a temple dedicated to him was built in the 10th century. The temple was destroyed during the Christianization of the Slavs, but Dazhbog’s memory lived on in folk traditions and rituals. Today, Dazhbog remains an important figure in Slavic mythology, representing the power and vitality of the sun.
African Sun Deities
Ra (Again)
Ra is the ancient Egyptian sun god. He was considered the king of the gods and was often depicted with a falcon head and a sun disk on top of it. Ra was believed to have created the world and everything in it. He was also believed to have sailed on a boat across the sky during the day and through the underworld at night. Ra was one of the most important gods in Egyptian mythology and was worshipped for over 3,000 years.
Liza
Liza is a sun goddess from the Fon people of Benin. She is the daughter of Mawu, the moon goddess, and is often depicted with a sun disk on her head. Liza is associated with fertility, prosperity, and the cycle of life. She is also believed to have the power to heal and protect her worshippers. The Fon people celebrate Liza during the summer solstice with a festival called Gidigbo. During this festival, they offer sacrifices and perform dances to honor the goddess.
African mythology is rich with stories of sun deities. From Ra, the king of the gods in ancient Egypt to Liza, the sun goddess of the Fon people of Benin, these gods and goddesses played important roles in the lives of people across the continent.
Native American Sun Deities
Wi
Wi is the sun god of the Zuni people. He is also known as the Sun Father, and is believed to be the creator of all life. According to Zuni mythology, Wi created the world and all living things by singing and dancing.
Wi is often depicted as a young man with a radiant face and a headdress made of feathers. He is also associated with the color yellow and the number six. The Zuni people believe that Wi is responsible for bringing warmth, light, and life to the earth.
In Zuni culture, the sun is considered to be a sacred and powerful entity. The Zuni people believe that the sun is a source of energy and life, and that it has the power to heal and purify. They also believe that the sun is responsible for the growth of crops and the success of their hunting and fishing expeditions.
Overall, Wi is an important figure in Zuni mythology and culture. He is revered as a powerful and benevolent deity who brings light and life to the world.
Polynesian Sun Deities
Polynesian mythology has a rich collection of sun deities, with Māui being the most well-known. Māui is a trickster demigod who is often depicted as a hero in Polynesian mythology. He is known for his many feats, including slowing down the sun’s movement across the sky. Māui is also associated with fire and is believed to have brought fire to the people.
Māui
Māui is one of the most famous Polynesian deities, known for his many adventures and mischievous acts. According to Polynesian mythology, Māui was responsible for slowing down the sun’s movement across the sky, allowing people more time to work and play. He is also credited with creating the islands of Polynesia by fishing them up from the ocean floor.
Māui is often depicted as a trickster figure, using his wit and cunning to outsmart his enemies. He is associated with fire and is believed to have brought fire to the people. Māui is also known for his many feats, including capturing the sun and forcing it to slow down.