GREEK GODS AND GODDESSES

The Coming into Existence of Chaos

First there was Chaos, a rough unordered mass of things, also considered as a void. Chaos
was followed by Gaea (Earth) and Eros (Desire), who came to cancel every logical
thought or act. Gaea then brought Uranus (the Heaven), the infinite Pontus (the Sea) with
his raging waves and high mountains full of forests to the world.

The Great Escape of Zeus from the Threat of Cronus

Soon afterwards, Cronus rescued his brothers and sisters and shared the World (the
Cosmos) with them. Then, Cronus married his sister Rhea and together they created
children who would later on become the Olympian gods.

However, Cronus became fearful as well so he started to swallow his own children, just
like his father. Rhea was highly discomforted, so, in her attempt to save her youngest
child, Zeus, she tricked her husband by giving a huge stone to swallow. Rhea then sent
Zeus to the Greek island of Crete in order to protect him.

The Victorious Battle of the Olympian Gods against the Titans (Titanomachy)
Zeus grew up in the island of Crete. He was fed by the goat Amaltheia and the Nymphs
took good care of him. Doves brought him ambrosia from far away to eat and an eagle
brought him nectar to drink. When he reached manhood, as prophesied, Zeus rescued his
five elder brothers and sisters and then started a war against his father and the Titans. This
war is also known as also known as the "Titanomachy".
In this battle, Zeus succeeded in overthrowing Cronus, casting him and the other Titans
into the depths of the Underworld. A huge battle with the Giants followed, where the
Olympian Gods excelled... and then time had come for the Olympian gods to rule the
world!

12 OLYMPIAN GODS
GREEK ROMAN GOD OF... SYMBOL
Jupiter/
1. Zeus King of the Gods Thunderbolt, eagle and oak tree
Jove
2. Hera Juno Queen of the Gods Peacock, cow, wedding ring
3. Poseidon Neptune The Sea Sea, trident, horse, dolphin
4. Hades Pluto The Underworld Pomegranate, cap of invisibility
5. Hestia Vesta Hearth/Home Fireplace
 6 Athena Minerva Wisdom/War Owl, olive, tree, plow, loom
Moon, deer, silver bow and
7. Artemis Diana Moon/Hunt
arrows
8. Apollo Apollo Light/Music/Prophecy Lyre, sun, mice, Laurel tree
9. Aphrodite Venus Love/Beauty Dove, swan, roses
10.
Vulcan Fire/Forge Hammer, quail
Hephaestus
11. Ares Mars War Dog, wild boar, vulture
Messenger/Divine
12. Hermes Mercury Caduceus, crane
Herald

NORSE MYTHOLOGY
The Children of Odin

1. Baldr

Baldr was the son of Frigg. Baldr was a sailor who captained the greatest boat ever built. He was
known as bright, glorious, and good, but his most famous story unfortunately involves his
death. Loki, the trickster god, manipulated Baldr’s blind archer brother, Hodr, into piercing him
with a mistletoe spear, killing him. Baldr was then taken to Helheim, where the gods attempted
to resurrect him – but without success.

2. Meili

Meili was a favored brother of Thor, though his mother was unclear. He was very similar to
Baldr, and some sources even attest that they were the same person. He was the second son born
after Baldr, but little else is known about him.

3. Vithar

Vithar’s mother was a giant named Grithr. Perhaps because of this, he was a god associated
heavily with vengeance. During Ragnarök, Odin was fated to die at the jaws of the monstrous
wolf Fenrir. However, according to the prophecy, Vithar would survive the battle and kill Fenrir
in return. After Ragnarok, he and Valdi lived together in the temple of the gods in the new world.
4. Nepr

Nepr was known as the brightest of all gods. He was the father of Nanna, who was the beloved
wife of his brother, Baldr. Not much is known about Nepr. Nanna, though, threw herself onto
Baldr’s funeral pyre so that they could be reunited at the end of the world. Nepr was not always
Nanna’s father, however, as uncle and niece pairings were not common in Norse mythology.

5. Hodr

Hodr, Frigg’s son, was known as the blind archer, was the god manipulated into killing Baldr by
the hand of Loki. Despite the manipulation, he was the one who was punished, slayed by a
brother who was born specifically for this purpose. Hodr was defenseless against the attack due
to his blindness.

6. Váli

Váli was Odin’s son by the giantess Rindr. He was conceived and grew to adulthood in the same
day, born only to avenge Baldr. He killed Hodr, then went to punish Loki. He did this by killing
Loki’s son Narfi, then binding Loki in place using Narfi’s entrails. Váli was prophesised to
survive Ragnarok. Some transcription errors make him Loki’s son.

7. Áli

Áli was the Norse version of the Swedish king Onela who is attested in Beowulf. According to
Norse tradition, he was Odin’s son who went to war with Ailis of Sweden. At the battle, he was
struck by a spear and fell from his horse, where he died. As Onela, Áli was also the son-in-law of
a King of Denmark known as Halfdan.

8. Bragi

Bragi was a skald and a god of poetry and song. Much gentler than his warlike brothers, he was
often invoked by those who favored the creative arts. His mother was either Frigg or the giantess
Gunnloth. Frigg was very dismissive of him in either case, claiming him as no son of hers when
compared to Baldr. Bragi married Idunn, a goddess of youth and apples. The two were often
attested as happiest amongst the gods.

9. Thor

Perhaps the most famous of Odin’s sons, Thor was a warlike god of thunder who nursed a
special hatred for the giants. This was despite the fact that his mother was likely a giantess.
However, while Thor often got caught up in duels, he was also a protector of his family and of
mankind. His wife was the beautiful goddess Sif, who had hair of gold. He had a petty rivalry
with Loki and with several other gods.
10. Hidolfr

Not much is known about Hidolfr. He was listed as the next son after Thor, and his name meant
war-wolf. Like most of his brothers, he was presumably war like and likely a soldier at
Ragnarok. Hidolfr is also an epithet name that is sometimes given to Odin himself.

11. Hermothr

Hermothr or Hermodr was a messenger of the gods. After Baldr’s death, Hermothr won the favor
of his mother, Frigg, by riding to Hel to ask for the life of his brother back. He took Odin’s own
mount and rode for nine days and nine nights. Though he did locate Baldr, the attempt to bring
him back was ultimately unsuccessful. Baldr, however, did give him a gift – a great ring – as
thanks for his arrival.

12. Sigi

Sigi, father of Rerir, was Odin’s third son. He was violent and temperamental, and once found
himself exiled for murder. He killed a slave who was under his command because the slave won
a hunting competition against him. However, Odin helped him escape to another land, where he
became king. Eventually, Sigi was killed by his usurping brothers-in-law. Eventually, Sigi’s son
killed his uncles in turn.

13. Skjöldr

This son of Odin was the first of the legendary Kings of the Danes. Odin gifted unto him
Denmark, over which he ruled for many years. In Beowulf, he appears as Scyld Scefing, where
he is given a funeral at sea. Skjoldr is the ancestor of Scylding kings of Denmark. He also
appeared in various other sources under a number of different names.

14. Yngvi (or Yngvi-Freyr)

Yngvi was given Sweden as his Skjoldr was given Denmark. He was the father of the Yngling
legendary dynasty. His powers and heritage are sometimes conflated with Freyr, the Vanir god of
sacred kingship. The Norse kings also claimed to descend from his heritage. Sometimes, Yngvi
was actually considered an aspect of Odin rather than a son.

15. Itreksjoth

This is another little-known son of Odin who was listed amongst his brothers. He presumably
was fated to fight at Ragnarok with the rest, though no word is given on his prophecied survival
or death. He is listed amongst the Aesir, the primary pantheon over which Odin rules.
16. Heimdallr

Heimdallr was known as the Watcher, and it is he who watched for the signs that mark the onset
of Ragnarok. He lived at the edge of the rainbow bridge known as the Bifrost, and he could see
for miles in any direction. He had nine mothers, all sisters, who gave birth to him
simultaneously. He once did battle with Loki, who was wearing the form of a seal. During
Ragnarok, Heimdallr and Loki were fated to kill each other once and for all.

17. Saemingr

Saemingr was Odin’s son by Skaldi, the goddess of hunting, skiing, and other such activities,
who was Odin’s second wife. Saemingr was a king of Norway and a descendant of jarls. He was
mighty in battle and his shield was dyed red by the blood of his enemies. Saemingr’s wife was
Nauma and his son Thrandr. In some versions, his father is not Odin, but instead Yngvi-Freyr.

18. Tyr

The bravest of the gods, Tyr sacrificed his hand to restrain the monstrous Fenrir, therefore
postponing Odin’s death until Ragnarok. As Odin (or Woden) gave his name to Wednesday, so
too did Tyr give his name to Tuesday. He is either a son of Odin or of a giant, Hymir. The arrow
shaped T rune used to spell Tyr’s name was a magical symbol in Norse mythology which was
often invoked in spells.

19. Other sons

Some lists contain several other sons of Odin, though nothing else is written about them other
than their name. They are listed as: Ennelang, Eindride, Bior, Hlodide, Hardveor, Sönnöng,
Vinthior, Rymur, and Olner.

20. Odin’s daughters

The Valkyries, servants of Odin, were also often listed as his daughters. They were goddesses or
other figures who scoured the fields of battles and decided those who would live and die. From
the dead, they would select those to escort to Valhalla or another afterlife.
Several Valkyries are named in mythology. Some of these include:
PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY DEITIES
The stories of ancient Philippine mythology include deities, creation stories, mythical
creatures, and beliefs. Ancient Philippine mythology varies among the many indigenous
tribes of the Philippines. Some groups during the pre-Spanish conquest era believed in a
single Supreme Being who created the world and everything in it, while others chose to
worship a multitude of tree and forest deities (diwatas). Diwatas came from the Sanskrit
word devata which means "deity", one of the several significant Hindu influences in the
Pre-Hispanic religion of the ancient Filipinos. Below are some of the gods and goddesses
of the ancient Philippines:

Bathala- the chief deity of the Tagalogs.

Lakampaki (Lacapati/Lacanpate) - the major fertility deity of the ancient Tagalogs.

Farmers with their children brought offerings for them at the fields and invoke them to
protect them from famine. Some sources also said that foods and words are offered to
them by their devotees asking for "water" for their fields and "fish" when they set sail in
the sea for fishing. Lakampati was a genderless or genderfluid deity. They are identified
to the ancient Zambal goddess Ikapati although they also have characteristics similar to
other Zambal deities such as Anitong Tawo, Dumangan, Damulag, Kalasokus, and
Kalaskas. They are the parent of Anagolay and spouse of Mapulon. In some myths, they
are listed as the spouse of Bathala himself, before the world was created.

Pati - According to Ferdinand Blumentritt the Igorots call the rain Pati and look upon him
as a merciful divinity to whom they directed their prayers. According to Dr. D. Sinibaldo
Mas, the anito of the rain is called Pati by the Ifugaos.

Lakambakod (Lachan Bacor) – a phallic god who was the protector of the growing
crops and healer of diseases. His name literally means “great/noble fence”, from Lakan (a
title of nobility) + bakod (fence) according to Diksyunaryo-Tesauro Pilipino-Ingles by
J.V. Panganiban. Some sources claim him to be a protector of houses. One of his
identifiers is his penis, which was said to be as long as a rice stalk.

Idiyanale (Idianale) – the goddess of labor and good deeds. Natives used to call for her
guidance in order to make their works successful. She married the agricultural god
Dimangan and had two offspring.

Amansinaya (Aman Sinaya) – the patron goddess of fishermen, she was appealed when
the fishing net were cast. She is identified as one of the primordial deities of creation,
existing alongside Bathala and Amihan during the creation of land.
Amanikable (Ama ni Cable/Ama ni Coable) – the patron god of hunters. Sometimes
identified as the god of the sea, known for his ill and frightful temper.

Diyan Masalanta (Dian Masalanta) – The goddess of love, fecundity and childbirth.
Daughter of Anagolay and Dumakulem.

Apolaki (Apolaqui) – the ancient Pangasinenses worshipped him as their supreme deity
addressed as Ama-Gaoley or Anagaoley(Supreme Father) whom they invoke for various
matters such as war, trade and travel. They offered oils, incenses, and other aromatic
herbs to his idol/images, slaves and pigs was also sacrificed in his honor. He was
Identified to Suku a deity of ancient Kapampangans which associated him to the sun.
Based on historical records, there is no hard evidence that he was also worshiped by the
ancient Tagalogs, he is often not listed (just like Mayari) to the pantheon of anitos that
ancient Tagalogs worshiped. In some informal and modern folktale version based on
Pampangan Mythology his sister was Mayari a Zambal deity and their father was Bathala
which is a Tagalog deity, this probably caused the misconception. Some sources list him
as the son of Bathala and brother of Hanan, Mayari and Tala, but other sources list him as
the son of Anagolay and Dumakulem, brother of Diyan Masalanta.

Mayari/Malyari (Mallari) – She/He was worshipped by the Negritos of Zambales as

their chief deity in which the “bayoc” (high priest) was the only one allowed to make
offerings and sacrifices to him/her. Mayari seems to be the only one represented by an
actual idol among the Zambal pantheon, a wooden head with a straw body and arms,
constructed and clothed by the bayoc for the occasion. Based on historical records, there
is no hard evidence that she/he was also worshiped by the ancient Tagalogs, so as Anitong
Tawo and Dumangan.
In Pampangan mythology he/she was a sibling of Suku, he/she was also
associated to the moon based on that mythology, in some informal and modern folktale
version based on the said myth his/her brother was Apolaki a Pangasinense deity and their
father was Bathala which is a Tagalog deity, this probably caused the misconception. The
ancient Tagalogs do venerate the moon, however there is no recorded evidence that they
deified it as Mayari. She was considered the most beautiful of all the gods.

Lakambini (Lacambui) – An obscure deity often called by the Spaniards as “abogado de

la garganta” (the throat advocate). It is also known as the pure maiden.

Mangkukutod (Mancucutor) – the patron god of a particular class of ancient Tagalogs,

but the traditions were very obscure.

Anitong Tawo (Aniton Tavo) – the god of the wind and of rain of the ancient Zambal.
The name literally means “man god or demigod”. He received the most important
sacrifices among the deities invoked for good crops.

Kabunian - One of the gods to some tribes (Ibaloi, Kalanguya, Kankana-ey) in the
Cordillera mountain range, specially in Benguet Province.
 Benguet Kankana-eys - Many years ago, some old folks believed that he resides in Mt.
Kabunian (in Bakun, Benguet) while Ibaloi and Kalanguya believers say he resides in Mt.
Pulag (straddling the boundaries of Benguet and Ifugao) together with the spirits of their
ancestors and anitos.

Ginoong Ganay (Unmarried Lady) - according to Luciano P.R. Santiago (To Love and
to Suffer) the goddess who was believed to inhabit the "calumpang tree" was the advocate
of single women. Her presence in the tree was heralded by the fact that its pretty flowers
drove away their insect suitors by releasing a rank scent.

There are many different creation myths in Philippine mythology, originating from
various ethnic groups.
Sitan- the kasanaan is a place of punishment ruled by Sitan, which shares striking
similarities with Christianity’s ultimate villain, Satan. However, Jocano said that Sitan
was most likely derived from the Islamic ruler of the underworld named Saitan.

Mangangaway- the wicked shapeshifter who wore skull necklace and could kill or heal
anyone with the use of her magic wand. She could also prolong one’s death for weeks or
even moths by simply binding a snake containing her potion around the person’s waist.
Mansisilat was literally the home-wrecker of Philippine mythology. As the goddess of
broken homes, she accepted it as her personal mission to destroy relationships. She did
this by disguising herself as an old beggar or healer who would enter the homes of
unsuspecting couples. Using her charms, Mansisilat could magically turn husbands and
wives against each other, ending up in separation
Mankukulan was described as a “witch who appears at night as if burning, setting fires
that cannot be extinguished, or wallows in the filth under houses, whereupon some
householder will sicken and die.