Norse mythology encapsulates the religious beliefs of ancient Scandinavian societies. Known by some as the religion of the Vikings, Norse myths were orally shared for hundreds of years before the introduction of Christianity. Tales of daring were told through skaldic poetry, while legends became permanently ingrained in the history of would-be nations. Today we’ll tackle …
An often-used phrase in Mesoamerican (environmental) politics is la agua es vida: water is life. Even the Aztecs had a strong emphasis on water, and any deity that is related to this realm was per definition of great importance. The Aztec god Tlaloc was no different. Some of the most important Aztec temples have been …
Cailleach, also known as the Cailleach Bhéara or the Hag of Beara is a crone-like figure of the Celtic world. Cailleach, whose name literally translates to ‘old woman,’ is a divine hag in Celtic mythology, associated with Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. She is regarded as the goddess of the winds, wilderness, and …
The Greek goddess Ceto is a curious figure. Like Switzerland, she mostly became famous because of her neutrality. It allowed her to hold on to the sea realm that she was the co-ruler of, while it enabled her to give many unorthodox children to the world. What Was Ceto the Goddess Of? While Pontus and …
As with many Chinese gods and goddesses, Mazu was an everyday person that became deified after her death. Her legacy would be long-lasting, to the point that she even made it to the UNESCO list for unintelligible cultural heritage. Calling her a Chinese goddess, however, might be somewhat contested by some. That’s because her impact …
A part of the ancient and complicated Hindu religion, Varuna was the god of the sky, oceans, and water. There are millions and millions of Hindu gods and goddesses. Most Hindus cannot even agree on how many there might be. Varuna is not as important in present-day Hinduism but he is one of the oldest …