A lunar deity is a deity who represents the Moon, or an aspect of it. Lunar deities and Moon worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms. The following is a list of lunar deities:
African
American
Nivaclé Mythology
- Abaangui, a God.
- Arasy, a Goddess.
- Jaci, a God/Goddess, whose gender depends on the tribe.
Moon gods of East Asia
Moon gods in Philippine mythology
- Kabigat (Bontok mythology): the goddess of the moon who cut off the head of Chal-chal's son; her action is the origin of headhunting.
- Bulan (Ifugao mythology): the moon deity of the night in charge of nighttime.
- Moon Deity (Ibaloi mythology): the deity who teased Kabunian for not yet having a spouse.
- Delan (Bugkalot mythology): deity of the moon, worshiped with the sun and stars; congenial with Elag; during quarrels, Elag sometimes covers Delan's face, causing the different phases of the moon; giver of light and growth.
- Bulan (Ilocano mythology): the moon god of peace who comforted the grieving Abra.
- Bulan (Pangasinense mythology): the merry and mischievous moon god, whose dim palace was the source of the perpetual light which became the stars; guides the ways of thieves.
- Wife of Mangetchay (Kapampangan mythology): wife of Mangetchay who gave birth to their daughter whose beauty sparked the great war; lives in the Moon.
- Mayari (Kapampangan mythology): the moon goddess who battled her brother, Apolaqui.
- Apûng Malyari (Kapampangan mythology): moon god who lives in Mount Pinatubo and ruler of the eight rivers.
- Mayari (Tagalog mythology): goddess of the moon; sometimes identified as having one eye; ruler of the world during nighttime and daughter of Bathala.
- Dalagang nasa Buwan (Tagalog mythology): the maiden of the moon.
- Dalagang Binubukot (Tagalog mythology): the cloistered maiden in the moon.
- Unnamed Moon God (Tagalog mythology): the night watchman who tattled on Rajo's theft, leading to an eclipse.
- Bulan-hari (Tagalog mythology): one of the deities sent by Bathala to aid the people of Pinak; can command rain to fall; married to Bitu-in.
- Bulan (Bicolano mythology): son of Dagat and Paros; joined Daga's rebellion; his body became the Moon; in another myth, he was alive and from his cut arm, the earth was established, and from his tears, the rivers and seas were established.
- Haliya (Bicolano mythology): the goddess of the moon, often depicted with a golden mask on her face.
- Libulan (Bisaya mythology): the copper-bodied son of Lidagat and Lihangin; killed by Kaptan's rage during the great revolt; his body became the moon.
- Bulan (Bisaya mythology): the moon deity who gives light to sinners and guides them in the night.
- Launsina (Capiznon mythology): the goddess of the Sun, Moon, stars, and seas, and the most beloved because people seek forgiveness from her.
- Diwata na Magbabaya (Bukidnon mythology): simply referred as Magbabaya; the good supreme deity and supreme planner who looks like a man; created the Earth and the first eight elements, namely bronze, gold, coins, rock, clouds, rain, iron, and water; using the elements, he also created the sea, sky, Moon, and stars; also known as the pure god who wills all things; one of three deities living in the realm called Banting.
- Bulon La Mogoaw (T'boli mythology): one of the two supreme deities; married to Kadaw La Sambad; lives in the seventh layer of the universe.
- Moon Deity (Maranao mythology): divine being depicted in an anthropomorphic form as a beautiful young woman; angels serve as her charioteers.
Moon gods of Europe
Oceanic
Western Asian
- God Agni, invoked as a male Moon deity in some hymns
- Chandra or Soma, the Moon God.
- Anumati, the Moon Goddess.
See also
References
Bibliography
- Harley, Timothy. Moon Lore. London: S. Sonnenschein [etc.], 1885. pp. 77âÂÂ139.