Uranus is best known as the third largest planet in our solar system. Tucked between Saturn and Neptune, and a distant seven planets away from the sun, Uranus the Ice Giant seems remote and irrelevant. But like the other planets, Uranus was first a Greek god. And he was not just any god. He was …
Beyond the shape-shifting trickster Māui (of Disney’s Moana fame), many people know very little about the fascinating Hawaiian mythology. Among the thousands of Hawaiian gods and goddesses there is huge variety, from the powerful and terrifying to the peaceful and beneficent. Some gods and goddesses reigned over extensive realms of utmost importance to native Hawaiian …
When you think of gods and deities, what usually comes to mind? The Abrahamic God, with his singular power over the entire universe? What about Ra, the sun god of ancient Egypt? Or perhaps Phanes, the Greek gods’ original ancestor according to the legendary poet Orpheus? These would all be good answers. But what do …
If you are a pop culture freak, you might have come across the groundbreaking fantasy title ‘The Witcher’ or the utterly terrifying winged demon Chernobog in the classic Disney film ‘Fantasia’. As you might have guessed, characters like these are often somber and moody, as if they were painted in a murky coat of black. …
One of the first civilizations to grace the Earth, the Sumerians banded together and settled in ancient southern Mesopotamia (modern day south-central Iraq) around 3500 BC. Like most ancient civilizations, the Sumerians came to believe that just about every earthly phenomenon, anthropological aspect, and astronomical event was somehow controlled by unseen deities. This gave rise …
Apollo one of the most influential and revered of all the Olympian gods. Temples were built for him all over the ancient world, and he was worshiped by Greeks in major cities such as Athens and Sparta. Today, he lives on as the god of the the sun, light, and music. What else do we …