List of solar deities Facts for Kids

Many cultures around the world have stories about powerful gods and goddesses connected to the Sun. These special beings, called solar deities, represent the Sun's amazing power and light. People have honored the Sun in different ways throughout history, seeing it as a source of life, warmth, and strength. This article explores some of these fascinating Sun gods and goddesses from various mythologies.

African Sun Deities: Ancient Beliefs

The Bakongo Cosmogram shows how the Bakongo people understood the Sun's journey and creation.

Many African cultures have rich stories about the Sun. These stories often connect the Sun to creation, life, and power.

Gods of the Sun in Kongo and Bantu Cultures

In Bakongo mythology, Nzambi Mpungu is a powerful god of the Sun and creation.
The Bantu people honored Nyambe as their god of the Sun and creation.

Sun Deities of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt had many gods linked to the Sun. The Sun was central to their beliefs about life and the afterlife.

Ra was one of the most important Sun gods. He was often seen as the creator of everything.
Aten represented the visible disk of the Sun itself.
Khepri was the god of the rising Sun. He symbolized new beginnings and life.
Atum represented the setting Sun, marking the end of the day.
Horus, the sky god, had the Sun as his right eye and the Moon as his left.
Sekhmet was a fierce goddess of war and the Sun.
Bast, a cat goddess, was also connected to the Sun.

Other African Sun Gods and Goddesses

In Berber mythology, Magec was a goddess of the Sun and light.
The Igbo of West Africa believed Anyanwu lived in the Sun.
Mawu was a goddess from Dahomey linked to both the Sun and the Moon.
The Zulu people honored uMvelinqangi as a god of the Sun and sky.

Sun Gods and Goddesses of the Americas

Across North and South America, many ancient civilizations and Indigenous peoples honored the Sun. It was often seen as a powerful force for life and creation.

Aztec Sun Deities

The Aztec people of ancient Mexico had several important Sun gods:

Huitzilopochtli was a god of the Sun and war.
Tonatiuh was another significant Sun god and ruler of the heavens.
Nanahuatzin also played a role as a Sun god in their stories.

Inca and Maya Sun Worship

For the Inca in South America, Apu Inti was the most important god. He was the god of the Sun and the patron deity of their empire.
In Maya mythology, Kinich Ahau was a powerful Sun god.
The Maya Hero Twins story tells how Hunahpu transformed into the Sun.

Other American Sun Deities

The Muisca people of Colombia worshipped Sué as their god of the Sun.
In Inuit mythology, Siqiniq is a goddess of the Sun, known across the Arctic regions.
The Navajo people honored Jóhonaaʼéí, known as "The One Who Rules the Day."
Tawa was the Hopi creator and god of the Sun.
The Cherokee people had Unelanuhi, a sun goddess.
The Abenaki believed Kisosen, an eagle, created day and night with his wings.

Asian Sun Deities: Myths from the East

Asia is home to many ancient cultures with fascinating stories about the Sun. These deities often represent light, life, and justice.

Sun Gods and Goddesses in Chinese Mythology

Statue of the goddess Xihe charioteering the Sun, being pulled by a dragon, in Hangzhou

Xihe is a Sun goddess and the mother of ten suns. She drove a chariot carrying one sun across the sky each day.
Yu Yi was a god who helped carry the Sun across the sky.

Hindu Sun Gods and Goddesses

Surya

In Hindu mythology, the Sun is a very important deity.

Surya is the main Sun god. He rides across the sky in a chariot pulled by horses.
Aruna is Surya's charioteer, representing the morning Sun.
Aryaman is the god of the midday Sun.
Savitr is associated with the twilight Sun, both sunrise and sunset.
Ushas is the beautiful goddess of dawn.

Japanese Sun Goddess: Amaterasu

Amaterasu emerging out of a cave, bringing sunlight back to the universe.

Amaterasu is the most important deity in Japanese mythology. She is the goddess of the Sun and the universe. Her stories often involve bringing light back to the world.

Other Asian Sun Deities

In Ainu mythology, Chup Kamui became the goddess of the Sun.
Shams was a solar goddess honored in ancient Arabian mythology.
Marici is a goddess in Buddhist mythology associated with the Sun and light.
Shapash was the goddess of the Sun in Canaanite mythology.
Istanu was a god or goddess of the Sun and judgment in Hittite mythology.
Shamash was the god of the Sun and justice in Mesopotamian mythology.
Mithra is a deity often linked with the Sun in Persian mythology.
The Zunbil dynasty worshipped the Sun, calling it Zun. They believed it was the god of justice.
In Vietnamese mythology, Thần Mặt Trời is the goddess of the Sun.

European Sun Deities: Ancient Traditions

Europe has a rich history of Sun worship, with many gods and goddesses bringing light and warmth.

Celtic Sun Deities

Lugh was an important Sun god in Celtic mythology, also known for his skills in crafts and warfare.
Sulis was a British goddess connected to the Sun, healing, and thermal springs.
Belenos was a Gaulish god of the Sun.

Germanic and Norse Sun Goddesses

Sól (also called Sunna or Sunne) is the common Sun goddess among the Germanic peoples. In Nordic mythology, she rides a horse-drawn chariot across the sky, chased by a wolf.

Greek and Roman Sun Gods

In Greek mythology, Helios was the god who personified the Sun. He drove his chariot across the sky each day.
Apollo was also a significant god of the Sun and light. His epithet "Phoebus" means "Radiant."
Eos was the Greek goddess of the dawn.
In Roman mythology, Sol was the god of the Sun, similar to Helios.
Aurora was the Roman goddess of dawn.

Other European Sun Deities

Dielli is the Sun god in Albanian mythology, bringing light, life, and energy.
Saulė is the goddess of the Sun in Baltic mythology.
Ekhi is the goddess of the Sun and protector of humanity in Basque mythology.
Päivätär is the goddess of the Sun in Finnish mythology.
Nap Király is the Hungarian god of the Sun, who rides his silver horse from east to west daily.
Beiwe is the goddess of the Sun, spring, and fertility in Sami mythology.
Dažbog and Hors were gods of the Sun in Slavic mythology.

Oceania Sun Deities

The peoples of Oceania also have stories about the Sun, often linking it to creation and daily life.

Australian Aboriginal Sun Goddesses

Gnowee is a solar goddess who searches daily for her lost son. The light from her torch is the Sun.
Yhi is a goddess of the Sun, light, and creation.

Māori Sun Personification

Tama-nui-te-rā is the personification of the Sun in Māori mythology.

Images for kids

Sun (Dielli) and Fire (Zjarri) symbols in Albanian traditional tattoo patterns (19th century).
Idol of the Saulė used for peasant rituals in early 20th century from Palūšė, Ignalina District

List of solar deities facts for kids

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