The avenger of evil deeds. Lugh is thought to have been the father of demi god and famous Irish warrior, Are Celtic gods immortal? Hestia/Vesta - The goddess of the home. This list includes Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Norse and Meitei versions of similar gods and goddesses. Somebody pointed out to me the topic on LJ (it was Naissur9, who doesn't come here much anymore) and I read it there. She tried unsuccessfully to seduce him and when this failed, she sought revenge for his spuned rejections by attacking C Chulainn in the form of an eel, a wolf and a heifer. Athena, goddess of wisdom, warfare and craftsmanship. With her, he is the father of two children: the god of war and the god of fishing. As noted on Owlcation, this may have been a heterosexual ending, but the love story was laced with LGBT themes. Replacing broken pins/legs on a DIP IC package. Spurned, Ciconian women would eventually tear Orpheus apart during a Bacchic orgy. Important Aztec Gods and Goddesses. Manannan has a strong connection to Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Functions He married Emer, the daughter of the King of Lusk, but first had to pass a series of quests set by the brides father. Clodhna, was the daughter of the sea god Manannan and like him, also has a special connection to the Celtic Otherworld., In Irish folklore,Snann was responsible for the overflowing of a well that led to creation of the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. His shrine was decorated with blue bands representing rain and water. Aeolus Greek god of the winds and air Aether Primordial god of the upper air, light, the atmosphere, space and heaven. Artemis, Goddess of the hunt, the moon, and the protector of girls and animals. (From Ovid, Metamorphoses, trans. By some accounts, she was Callisto's lover before the nymph was raped by Zeus. In all the temples of the gods she has a share of honor, and among all mortal men she is chief of the goddesses. But when Zeus disguised himself as Artemis, she was lured into the goddess's embrace. The creature of both sexes was frequently depicted in classical art as a figure with womanly breasts and form but with male genitalia. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Among them: Abderos, who kept the mares of Diomedes for Heracles but was eaten by the beasts; Hylas, Heracles' companion when he sailed on the Argo, who was eventually kidnapped by nymphs in Mysia; and Iolaus, who help cauterize the necks of the hydra when Heracles famously chopped off the beast's many heads. By. Artemis/Diana - The Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon. Good, fruitful harvests were critical for the survival of Celtic people and animals, so it is easy to see how central a role this god played in the Celtic pantheon. Also - isn't "Athena wanted to make love to [Hephaestus]" something of a direct counterexample to her asexuality? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. (Just in case you were wondering, it is not completely clear whether the god Lir was the same individual named Lir in the Children of Lir.). Maestri, Nicoletta. Osiris was a god responsible for taking care of the departed souls in the next world. Lugh, is one of the most important of all the gods of the Celts. His name means Hummingbird of the Left and he was the patron of war and sacrifice. As a mother goddess figure, she is most usually associated with fertility and wisdom and is sometimes thought of as the Celtic goddess of nature. It is likely that the early Christian Church decided to incorporate Brigid in the form of Saint Brigid of Kildare into their teachings to appeal to her worshippers.. Other myths also disclose Achilles was struck by the beauty of Troilus, a Trojan prince. But when Zeus disguised himself as Artemis, she was lured into the goddess's embrace. If so, is there both asexuality in the Pantheon and asexuality outside of it, or is it just one of the two? Above: Pentheus Scorns The Prophecies of Tiresias, AthenaThe goddess of wisdom and patron of Athens was a virgin by nearly every mythological account but did express a romantic attraction to the Attic maiden Myrmex. He was a nourishing god who provided warmth and fertility to the people. Ultimately, Iphis fell in love with Ianthe, a woman, and was betrothed to her. The quintessential example, the way "asexuality" is used nowadays, would be if someone in some situation were to turn down a sexual situation - not because they didn't want to have sex with them, but rather because they just didn't feel like having sex, as a whole, with anyone. Should I clarify that with an edit? Other myths also disclose Achilles was struck by the beauty of Troilus, a Trojan prince. 1. Are there any recorded discrepancies between The Odyssey as oral tradition and The Odyssey as Homer transcribed it? There was a catch that Caer was stuck in the form of a swan and was only able to return to a human form for one day every second year. The Virgin Mary - the mother of Jesus and one of the most respected women probably in the world. ine is sometimes referred to as the Irish goddess of Love or as the Faery Queen. I thought of both of them as asexual (and Artemis was an aro ace arrow ace, haha!). One of many forms of the Eye of Ra. Hestia, goddess of the hearth, the fireside, architecture, domesticity, the family, the home, and the state. What exactly were all those men doing before she came? Manannans father Lir, was likely the main sea god before Mannanan came to prominence., There are actually several Celtic goddesses connected with water. Mayahuel is also known as "the woman of the 400 breasts" to feed her children, the Centzon Totochtin or "400 rabbits". He is also connected with life and death. Mayahuel(pronounced My-ya-whale) is the Aztec goddess of the maguey plant, the sweet sap of which (aguamiel) was considered her blood. She was one of the most important goddesses to the daily lives of the romans and the greeks because she was the one who looked out for and protected their homes. Teiresias revealed the ladies had it roughly 10 times better than the lads. Goddess of Running Water, Xipe Totec, God of Fertility and Sacrifice, Ph.D., Anthropology, University of California Riverside, M.A., Anthropology, University of California Riverside. For some reason, I just always liked her attitude, if that makes any sense. 650 Views. Another Artemis fan here And I remember admiring the vestal virgins of ancient Rome, when I was at school. Forseti - God of justice, peace and truth. 3. ThoughtCo. This website saves cookies to your browser in order to improve your online experience and show you personalized content. A few more things that I find interesting about Athena and her asexuality is that she really does seem sexless in the way that she acts. I posted this at the livejournal community, and it's become a pretty interesting topic, so I thought I would post it here. Among them: Abderos, who kept the mares of Diomedes for Heracles but was eaten by the beasts; Hylas, Heracles' companion when he sailed on the Argo, who was eventually kidnapped by nymphs in Mysia; and Iolaus, who help cauterize the necks of the hydra when Heracles famously chopped off the beast's many heads. Pan frequently was depicted in sculpture chasing both women and men around with his always-erect penis and oversized scrotum. However in the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, we read. But the story is of Greek origin. Above: Enrique Simonet, El Juicio de Paris (1904), ErosWhile the best-known myths of Eros depict the son of Aphrodite as a fertility god -- the version that proved inspirational to the popularized Roman god Cupid -- later Greek myths portrayed Eros as one of several winged erotes, and the one regarded as a protector of homosexual culture, according to research in the scholarly book Among Women: From the Homosocial to the Homoerotic in the Ancient World. There is just something about her that is comforting. Also, the older-younger thing had a class dynamic. If you preorder a special airline meal (e.g. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Tema principal: Ancient History. Most of the evidence supporting the worship of Cernunnos was found in Gaul (the name given to France by the Romans) and Britain, with less influence in Ireland. The triple goddess is composed of the goddesses Badb, Macha and Nemain. In Rome, the Vestal Virgins (the servants of Hestia, who kept the fires of Rome burning) were some of the most respected people in the realm. Above: Zeus and Ganymede, artist and date unknown. As far as she was concerned, love didn't equal sex. Teiresias revealed the ladies had it roughly 10 times better than the lads. Half goat. In the General Post Office (or GPO) in Dublin, Ireland there is a sculpture by Oliver Shepard of C Chulainns final moments.. Danu is the mother goddess of Ireland and of the Tuatha d Danann. Muse, tell me the deeds of golden Aphrodite the Cyprian, who stirs up sweet passion in the gods and subdues the tribes of mortal men and birds that fly in air and all the many creatures that the dry land rears, and all that the sea: all these love the deeds of rich-crowned Cytherea. During the great migration from their legendary home of Aztalan, Huitzilopochtli told the Aztecs where they should establish their capital city of Tenochtitlan and urged them on their way. And for those who think same-sex nuptials are a 21st-century invention, Apollo also was in a relationship with Hymen, the god of marriage. https://www.thoughtco.com/deities-of-mexica-mythology-170042 (accessed March 4, 2023). By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Above: Chrysippus, kidnapped by Laius, looks for his father Pelops running behind the chariot; Volute Krater image (320 B.C.). She is also sometimes equated with the Welsh literary figure, Dn. A mix of stories from ancient history and mythology merged together by bards or the kings poets to record important family history of kings. There is one story in which the god Hephestis, (I can't spell his name, but it's close to that) was told by Ares that Athena wanted to make love to him, so when she asked him to make her some new weapons, he said that the only payment he would need was her love. Seemingly not all of them, Lugh is said to have been speared and drowned in Loch Lugborta(or Loch Lugh) in County Westmeath, by the sons of Cermait after he killed their father. The inscriptions on some early texts suggest that the Tuath d Danann were deities, while others allude more to them having magical powers, including shapeshifting. (I note that it is wide spread that Dionysius married Ariadne, against the abstinent view.). These cookies do not store any personal information. Jupiter, Juno and Minerva composed the Capitoline Triad - that is, the 3 main Roman Gods who went to replace the Archaic Triad of Jupiter, Mars and Quirinus, a god whose origins were found in Sabine mythology. Above: Rossi Domenico, Pan and Apollo (circa 1704), engraving. The frenzy of battle is connected with the aspect of Nemian. This is a concept distinct from both celibacy (not having sex for a particular reason) and abstinence (not having sex by choice). I think so, yes. iva, goddess of love and fertility. Lugh was a master craftsman and skilled warrior, known for his ability to throw a spear a very long distance and hence his other name Lugh Lmhfhada. Irish mythology is rich in tales gods and goddesses and their rituals, battles, revenge and sexual encounters. She first taught earthly craftsmen to make chariots of war and cars variously wrought with bronze, and she, too, teaches tender maidens in the house and puts knowledge of goodly arts in each one's mind. Often they appear as wise figures who are linked with sovereignty, fertility and the ability to punish. How to match a specific column position till the end of line? He is primarily the, Water was considered a sacred element and. ine, the goddess of the summer and summer sun and Grian (asgrian means sun in Irish) was the goddess of the pale winter sun., Water was considered a sacred element and Manannn the sea god is one of the most notable of all the gods in Irish mythology. NikeAguaraguazu. As a child C Chulainn was known by the name of Stanta. Like her son Enki/Ea she is also associated with magic. Social Science. Thanks! Retribution payments for certain crimes were also paid in cattle according to the old Irish Brehon laws. Set around the 3rd century C.E. In another story of rape, ine exacted revenge by turned her offender, Additionally, the goddess Brigid associations include, Interestingly, Brigid is thought to have been a. Brigid was the goddess Celtic people turned to when they needed to be healed. She was a very powerful goddess as well, very strong willed. Aengus (or engus as is sometimes used) was another member of the Tuatha d Danann with expert knowledge of weaponry. But I'm going to focus specifically on Athena. When Prosymnus died before that deal would be consummated, the god created a wood phallus to ritually fulfill the promise, according to research by a number of Christian historians, including Hyginus and Arnobius. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Best known as the Greek god of wine, Dionysus was also the god of intersex and . One such example is the Celtic god Nordens, who was god of hunting and the Roman god Mars, who acted as the god of war and protector of agriculture. You Might Like Asexual Goddesses Published: Jun 19, 2020. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? Given the overlapping focus of the major Celtic deities, it has been suggested that some of the Celtic deities equate to the Roman ones. Pan frequently was depicted in sculpture chasing both women and men around with his always-erect penis and oversized scrotum. Majorities or pluralities of Muslims (66%), Christians (68%), Sikhs (57%) and Buddhists (39%) say "there is only one God.". By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. I don't know exactly why I am writing this post, and I know that nobody else cares, I just think that it's interesting, especially in our society where sex is so valued above almost everything else, that a completely asexual woman could be viewed as one of the most powerful and respected dieties to ancient greek society. Besides dalliances with numerous nymphs, Apollo was also lover to Macedonian Prince Hyakinthos, who died catching a thrown discus, then turned by the god into the hyacinth flower. The real question, then, is whether old Greek writings reflect an idea of asexuality similar to our modern one. She is also said to have the ability to foretell the outcome of battles and predict violent deaths. The Morrigan goddess is usually thought of as the Celtic goddess of war and sometimes the Celtic goddess of death, but she has strong association with fertility and sovereignty as well. This post contains affiliate links. [36] Hatmehit - Fish goddess Heqet - Frog goddess said to protect women in childbirth [37] Maestri, Nicoletta. Above: Athena, center, in a mural by John Singer Sargent, AphroditeWhile the goddess of love is not identified prominently as lesbian herself, the Greek poet Sappho (as in sapphic) of Lesbos (yes, as in lesbian) told many homoerotic tales and named Aphrodite as the greatest patron and ally of lesbians and homosexuals within the Greek pantheon of gods. According to some versions, the war goddess Morrigan is the wife of the Dagda and they have a special coupling around the feast of Samhain. The hunt especially was important to them, and if they didn't have her blessing, then the hunt would not turn out very well. For a long time she was associated as being a woodland goddess, somewhat similar to the Roman goddess Diana, scholars now deem this association with woodland to be incorrect. A gay cupbearer on Mount Olympus? Enjoyed this post? She is a warrior goddess who protects cities. Now you might ask: how do I pick these gods? - Athena, goddess of widsom, was a lesbian. Artemis is the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, moon and archery. During his female years, Teiresias became a priestess of Hera, married, and even had children, according to Hesiod. In comparison to Roman gods, many Celtic deities often represent multiple different aspects and had more all-encompassing powers. He searches day and night until he finds her at the Lake of the Dragons Mouth. In comparison to Roman gods, many Celtic deities often represent multiple different aspects and had more all-encompassing powers. IsisThe Egyptian goddess, also worshipped by Greeks, is known for solving a gender identity issue of yore. While Homer never explicitly states a gay relationship between Achilles and sidekick Patroclus, many scholars read a romantic connection between the two, as only Patroclus ever drew out a compassionate side to the famously arrogant warrior. CallistoThis nymph follower of Artemis took a vow to remain a virgin and could not be tempted even by Zeus, at least in male form. The crow symbol is thought to connect with Badb (meaning crow in Irish). In greek culture heterosexual males would engage in sexual activities with each other. The "sun-bearer," Tsohanoai is the Navajo god of the sun, which acts as his shield. Below are 10 most revered gods and goddesses in ancient Egypt: Osiris, god of the underworld Osiris- the Egyptian god of the underworld Ancient Egyptians were firm believers in life after death. Above: Antonio Verrio, The Gods on Mount Olympus (1690-1694), AchillesThe Greek hero Achilles was invulnerable excepting his famous weak heel, but a male shieldbearer broke through the warrior's romantic defenses. Above: Francois Joseph Navez, The Nymph Salmacis and Hermaphroditus. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Before the wedding, Iphis prayed in the Temple of Isis for a solution, and voila! Above: Diego Velazquez, The Triumph of Bacchus, a.k.a. Mutually exclusive execution using std::atomic? Above: Jean-George Vibert, Narcissus, ApolloThe sun god, one of the most important in all literature, was also quite the libertine. She was the goddess of War, which was usually considered a man's job. The god Lugh, (also spelled Lug or Luga) is one of the most notable of all the Irish deities and equates to the pan-Celtic god of Lugus. Perhaps a case can be made for Hermaphroditus. As a mother goddess figure, she is most usually associated with, Some scholars have argued that Danu may be, The crow symbol is thought to connect with, in Irish). Other tales link him romantically to the sea goddess Fand. I've been reading through a fraction of Ancient Greek literature, lately, and an odd thought occurred to me. Are you asking if asexuality can be read into the texts through a modern understanding of sexuality, or are you looking for evidence that asexuality in the modern sense is a concept we share with the ancient Greeks? This is a series I started about asexual greek gods. Does anyone know of any other virgin/asexual gods or goddesses in other religions and cultures? Good, fruitful harvests were critical for the survival of Celtic people and animals, so it is easy to see how central a role this god played in the, One ritual to ensure a fruitful harvest in the coming year was the annual coupling of the Dagda with his wife, the, Some of the Dagdas most prized possessions included an, The Dagda was the supposed father of several other important figures in Irish mythology including the goddess, The Dagda is not thought to have welcomed the news of the arrival of, It is said that upon hearing the news that Boann was pregnant, the Dagda attempted to, It is possibly fitting then that Aengus, the, One story exists of how the Dagda when assigning land to his children, he forgot to leave land for Aengus. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. As I remember younger men would couple with older men prior to marriage in Greek culture. Lir is thought to have taken over the role of sea god from his father, the god Lir. Ameinias, desperately depressed over the rejection, killed himself. ), While there isn't a whole lot of evidence either way, the speculation I've read about whether Athena had sex with anyone seems to have trouble differentiating between Athena as an asexual figure or an abstinent one. It has been suggested that the origin of her name possibly stems from an area used to graze cattle. hey my avatar is Artimis (Diana) so woohoo! Mayahuel is also known as "the woman of the 400 breasts" to feed her children, the Centzon Totochtin or 400 rabbits. Son of Baldr and Nanna. Ultimately, Iphis fell in love with Ianthe, a woman, and was betrothed to her. Literature Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for scholars and enthusiasts of literature. His father, Lugh, was one of the major Celtic gods and his mother, Deichtine, was a mortal making him a demi-god, although some say that he was the reincarnation of his father Lugh. Did asexuality as a concept ever appear in Greek writings? I think of the most greek gods as pansexual, no pun intended.Why would Zeus care which sex he has sex with, as he has sex with everything that's available? Tezcatlipoca was the patron of the night, of the north, and in many aspects represented the opposite of his brother, Quetzalcoatl. You can find the links to the blogs here. (2021, July 29). For her, love was what most people feel for their brothers and their sisters. Centeotl (pronounced Cen-teh-otl) was the god of maize, and as such he was based on a pan-Mesoamerican god shared by Olmec and Maya religions. Reporting this earned him a blinding by Hera. And while some stories list Daphnis, the inventor of pastoral poetry, as the son of Hermes, other sources claim him to be the god of speed's favorite lover. Antique fresco from Pompeii. By Boann is thought to have done something similar and created the River Boyne. Or at least, the way Ovid tells it, "he did not know what love was"; and when the water nymph Salmacis offers herself to him, he spurns her. Aetna (aka Aitna) - Nymph Goddess of the volcano Mount Etna, located in Sicily. Plato was a wrestler who competed in the Isthmian Games, a Greek athletic event similar to the Olympics. . Above: Felice Giani, The Marriage of Poseidon and Amphitrite (1802-1805), OrpheusThe legendary poet and musician may be best known for the story of his journey to the underworld to retrieve his wife, Eurydice; he failed to do so when he succumbed to temptation and looked at her before both had returned to the world of the living. Jarilo, god of fertility and springtime, sometimes regarded as god of lust and passion. Water is strongly associated with healing and both the Celtic goddess Brigid and Saint Brigid are connected with the healing power of wells. Despite being married, C Chulainn is also known for his many affairs including with Aife, with whom he has a son and the Scandinavian Princess,Derbforgaill who turned into a swan to be with him. According to some stories he was the husband, or perhaps the father of the goddess ine and foster father of the god Lugh. He only earned his name C Chulainn (Irish for Hound of Culainn) after killing the trusted guard dog of Culainn in self defense, by accurately hitting a sliotar (ball used in the Irish game of hurling) down its throat as it attacked him. The ancient Celts were polytheistic and are thought to have worshiped over 400 Celtic gods and goddesses, although it is difficult to pinpoint an exact figure. Many of the other gods wanted to marry her, but she would have none of it. earliest literary reference to an intersex person. Elli - Goddess of old age. How can we prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? She too, like the Morrigan is thought to have the ability to shapeshift and is represented by a red mare, known for its speed. Above: Francois Joseph Navez, The Nymph Salmacis and Hermaphroditus. I find it interesting how there are so many virgin goddesses in relgions, and how respected they usually are. Half man. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Aztec believed that the cries and tears of newborn children were sacred to the god, and, therefore, many ceremonies for Tlaloc involved the sacrifice of children. Later he got a really bad headache, so he had Haephestus split his head open to release the pressure, and Athena came out of his head, fully grown and dressed in battle armor. Celtic pagan gods and goddesses were thought to have special influential powers over aspects of daily life and the natural world. Still, beyond this, many of the Greek gods are described as sexually promiscuous.