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:
Africa Name Image Mythology / Religion DetailsAmesemiKushite Protective goddess and wife of Apedemak, the lion-god. She was represented with a crown shaped as a falcon, or with a crescent moon on her head on top of which a falcon was standing.AyyurAmazigh (Berber)GletiDahomeanMawuDahomeanIahEgyptianIah means "Moon". iNyanga ZuluGoddess of the Moon.KhonsuEgyptianThe god of the moon. A story tells that Ra (the sun God) had forbidden Nut (the Sky goddess) to give birth on any of the 360 days of the calendar. In order to help her give birth to her children, Thoth (the god of wisdom) played against Khonsu in a game of senet. Khonsu lost to Thoth and then he gave away enough moonlight to create 5 additional days so Nut could give birth to her five children. It was said that before losing, the moonlight was on par with the sunlight. Sometimes, Khonsu is depicted as a hawk-headed god, however he is mostly depicted as a young man with a side-lock of hair, like a young Egyptian. He was also a god of time. The centre of his cult was at Thebes which was where he took place in a triad with Amun and Mut. Khonsu was also heavily associated Thoth who also took part in the measurement of time and the moon.NzambiciBakongoGoddess of Essence, as well as Goddess of Moon, Earth and Sky Mother.ThothEgyptianGod of wisdom, the arts, science, and judgment.Yemọja YorubaGoddess of Creation, Water, Moon, the Motherhood, and Protection.
Americas Aztec mythology Metztli, Deity of the moon and farmers Coyolxauhqui, a Goddess. Tecciztecatl, a God.
Cahuilla mythology Menily, a Goddess.
Haitian Vodou Kalfu, a God.
Hopi mythology Muuya, a God.
Incan mythology Mama Killa, a Goddess. Ka-Ata-Killa, a Goddess. Coniraya, a God.
Inuit mythology Alignak , a God. Igaluk, sister of Alignak (technically the sun). Tarqiup Inua, a God.
Lakota mythology Hanwi, a Goddess.
Maya mythology Goddess Awilix; Xbalanque was their mortal (male) incarnation. Maya moon goddess.
Muisca religion Huitaca, a Goddess. Chía, a Goddess.
Nivaclé Mythology Jive'cla
Pawnee mythology Pah, a God.
Tupi Guarani mythology Abaangui, a God. Arasy, a Goddess. Jaci, a God/Goddess, whose gender depends on the tribe.
East Asia Ainu religion Kunnechup Kamui, a God.
Chinese mythology Jie Lin, a God that carries the Moon across the night sky.太上洞真五星秘授经 Changxi, the mother of twelve moons corresponding to the twelve months of the year. Chang'e, an immortal who lives on the Moon. Taiyin Xingjun () or Queen Jiang(Jiuhou Nü) of Investiture of the Gods in taoism and Chinese folk religion.Fan, Chen 2013. p. 23 Tu'er Ye, a rabbit God who lives on the Moon. Wu Gang, an immortal who lives on the Moon.
Indonesian mythology Dewi Ratih, a Goddess. Silewe Nazarata, a Goddess.
Japanese mythology Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, a God.
Korean mythology Myeongwol, a Goddess.
Vietnamese mythology Thần Mặt Trăng, the embodiment of the moon, the daughter of Ông Trời. Hằng Nga, a Goddess who lives on the moon.
Philippines 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.Jenks, A. (1905). The Bontoc Igorot. Manila: Bureau of Printing. Bulan (Ifugao mythology): the moon deity of the night in charge of nighttime.Bimmolog, H., Sallong, L., Montemayor, L. (2005). The Deities of the Animistic Religion of Mayaoyao, Ifugao. Moon Deity (Ibaloi mythology): the deity who teased Kabunian for not yet having a spouse.Moss, C. R. (1924). Nabaloi Tales. University of California Publications in American Archaeology, 227–353. 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.Wilson, L. L. (1947). Ilongot Life and Legends. Southeast Asia Institute. Bulan (Ilocano mythology): the moon god of peace who comforted the grieving Abra.Alacacin, C. (1952). The Gods and Goddesses. Historical and Cultural Data of Provinces. 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.Eugenio, D. L. (2007). Philippine Folk Literature: An Anthology. University of the Philippines Press. Wife of Mangetchay (Kapampangan mythology): wife of Mangetchay who gave birth to their daughter whose beauty sparked the great war; lives in the Moon.Jose, V. R. (1974). Creation and Flood Myths in Philippine Folk Literature. UP . Mayari (Kapampangan mythology): the moon goddess who battled her brother, Apolaqui.Fansler, D. S. (1921). 1965 Filipino Popular Tales. Hatboro, Pennsylvania: Folklore Assosciates Inc. Apûng Malyari (Kapampangan mythology): moon god who lives in Mount Pinatubo and ruler of the eight rivers.Nicdao, A. (1917). Pampangan Folklore. Manila. Mayari (Tagalog mythology): goddess of the moon;Calderon, S. G. (1947). Mga alamat ng Pilipinas. Manila : M. Colcol & Co. sometimes identified as having one eye;Jocano, F. L. (1969). Philippine Mythology. Quezon City: Capitol Publishing House Inc. ruler of the world during nighttime and daughter of Bathala.Ramos, M. (1990). Philippine Myths, Legends, and Folktales. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Dalagang nasa Buwan (Tagalog mythology): the maiden of the moon.Pardo, F. (1686–1688). Carte [...] sobre la idolatria de los naturales de la provincia de Zambales, y de los del pueblo de Santo Tomas y otros cicunvecinos [...]. Sevilla, Spain: Archivo de la Indias. 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.Beyer, H. O. (1912–30). H. Otley Beyer Ethnographic Collection. National Library of the Philippines. 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.Eugenio, D. L. (2013). Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press Bulan (Bicolano mythology): son of Dagat and Paros; joined Daga's rebellion; his body became the Moon;Beyer, H. O. (1923). Ethnography of the Bikol People. vii. 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.Arcilla, A. M. (1923). The Origin of Earth and of Man. Ethnography of the Bikol People, vii. Haliya (Bicolano mythology): the goddess of the moon,Tiongson, N. G., Barrios, J. (1994). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Peoples of the Philippines. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 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.Miller, J. M. (1904). Philippine folklore stories. Boston, Ginn. Bulan (Bisaya mythology): the moon deity who gives light to sinners and guides them in the night.Buyser, F. (1913). Mga Sugilanong Karaan. Launsina (Capiznon mythology): the goddess of the Sun, Moon, stars, and seas, and the most beloved because people seek forgiveness from her.Cruz-Lucero, R., Pototanon, R. M. (2018). Capiznon. With contributions by E. Arsenio Manuel. In Our Islands, Our People: The Histories and Cultures of the Filipino Nation, edited by Cruz-Lucero, R. 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.Unabia, C. C. (1986). THe Bukidnon Batbatonon and Pamuhay: A Socio-Literary Study. Quezon City : UP Press. 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.Casal, G. (1978). The T'boli Creation Myth and Religion. T'boli Art: in its Socio-Cultural Context, pp. 122–123 Moon Deity (Maranao mythology): divine being depicted in an anthropomorphic form as a beautiful young woman; angels serve as her charioteers.Talaguit, C. J. N. (2019). Folk-Islam in Maranao Society. History Department, De La Salle University – Manila.
Europe Name Image Mythology / Religion Details Arianrhod Welsh Artemis Greek Artemis is the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, chastity, and occasionally the Moon due to being mistaken for Selene.Shen (2018), p. 60Sacks (1995), p. 35 She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo.Neils (2003), p. 117 She would eventually be extensively syncretized with the Roman goddess Diana. Cynthia was originally an epithet of the Greek goddess Artemis, who according to legend was born on Mount Cynthus. Selene, the Greek personification of the Moon, and the Roman Diana were also sometimes called "Cynthia".Pannen, p. 96. Artume Etruscan Ataegina Lusitanian Sin Ancient Mesopotamian religion Bendis Thracian Devana Slavic Devana was the Slavic goddess of wild nature, forests, hunting and the moon, equated with the Greek goddess Artemis and Roman goddess Diana. Diana Roman Diana is a goddess in Roman and Hellenistic religion, primarily considered a patroness of the countryside, hunters, crossroads, and the Moon. She is equated with the Greek goddess Artemis (see above), and absorbed much of Artemis' and Selenes mythology early in Roman history, including a birth on the island of Delos to parents Jupiter and Latona, and a twin brother, Apollo,Larousse Desk Reference Encyclopedia, The Book People, Haydock, 1995, p. 215. though she had an independent origin in Italy. Elatha Irish Elatha was a king of the Fomorians in Irish mythology. He succeeded his father Delbáeth and was replaced by his son Bres, mothered by Ériu. Hecate Greek While associated with the Moon, Hecate is not actually considered a goddess of the moon. Hëna Albanian Hëna ("the Moon) is a personified female deity in Albanian mythology. Khors Slavic Hjúki and Bil Norse Ilargi Basque Kuutar Finnish Losna Etruscan Luna Roman Roman counterpart to the Greek Titaness Selene. Sibling to Sol and Aurora. Considered one of the 20 principal deities of Rome, having had temples on both the Aventine and Palatine hills. Mano Sámi Máni Norse Máni is the personification of the Moon in Norse mythology. Máni, personified, is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson. Both sources state that he is the brother of the personified sun, Sól, and the son of Mundilfari, while the Prose Edda adds that he is followed by the children Hjúki and Bil through the heavens.Meh₁notProto-Indo-European mythology Meness Latvian Myesyats Slavic Phoebe Greek Selene Greek Selene is a Titan goddess and personification of the moon. She was depicted as a woman riding sidesaddle on a horse or driving a chariot drawn by a pair of winged steeds. TõlzeMari God of the Moon for Volga Finnic peoples. Triple Goddess Wicca
Oceania Malagasy mythology Andriamahilala, a Goddess.
Polynesian mythology Avatea, a God. Fati, a God. Hina, a Goddess. Mahina, a Goddess. Marama, a God.
Australian Aboriginal mythology Bahloo, a God.
Mandjindja mythology Kidili, a God.
Yolŋu mythology Ngalindi, a God.
Western Asia
Anatolian Arma (Luwian religion), a God. Kašku (Hittite mythology), a God. Men (Phrygian mythology), a God.
Elamite Napir, a God.
Hinduism