List of art deities explained

The following list of art deities is arranged by continent with names of mythological figures and deities associated with the arts. Art deities are a form of religious iconography incorporated into artistic compositions by many religions as a dedication to their respective gods and goddesses. The various artworks are used throughout history as a means to gain a deeper connection to a particular deity or as a sign of respect and devotion to the divine being.

Africa and the Middle East

Afroasiatic Middle East

Canaanite

• Kotar or Kothar-wa-Khasis

Egyptian

• • • • Bastet Bes Hathor Isis
• Khnum
• Meret
• Ptah
• Seker

Mesopotamian

• Ishtar
• Nuska

Western Eurasia

Celtic

• Abhean
• Brigid
• Gwydion

Norse-Germanic

• Bragi
• Odin

Greco-Roman

Etruscan

• Menrva

Greek / Hellenic

• Apollo, god of medicine, music, poetry, song and dance
• Athena, goddess of crafts and handicraft
• Dionysus, god of theatre
• Hephaestus, god of forge and sculpture
• Muses
  • Calliope, goddess of epic poetry
  • Clio, goddess of history
  • Erato, goddess of erotic poetry
  • Euterpe, goddess of lyric poetry
  • Melpomene, goddess of tragedy
  • Polyhymnia, goddess of hymns
  • Terpsichore, goddess of dance
  • Thalia, goddess of comedy
  • Urania, goddess of astronomy

Roman

• Apollo
• Minerva

Western Asia

Anatolian - Urarte

• Arubani

Hindu-Vedic

• Saraswati
• Hayagriva

Uralic

• Väinämöinen

Asia-Pacific / Oceania

Meitei

See main article: Meitei mythology.

• Khamlangba, associated with smiths^[1]
• Khamnung Kikoi Louonbi, associated with enchantment^{[2] [3]}
• Lainaotabi, associated with charm, magic, pottery, sorcery, spell, weaving and witchcraft^[4]
• Nongpok Ningthou, associated with dance, music and festival^[5]
• Nongthang Leima, associated with enchantment and seduction^[6]
• Panthoibi, associated with dance, festival, handicrafts, pottery, spinning and weaving^[7]
• Phouoibi, associated with trickery to men^[8]
• Pisatao, associated with smiths^[9]
• Thangching, associated with divine plays^[10]

Far East Asia

Chinese

• Cao Guojiu, patron god of the theater ^[11]
• Han Xiangzi
• Nüwa
• Zhang Guolao, who carries a fish-drum

Japanese

• Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto
• Benzaiten

Vietnamese

• Phạm Thị Trân, the founder of Chèo
• Từ Đạo Hạnh, the founder of the art of water puppetry
• Tổ nghề Sân khấu, the three are said to be the founders of theatrical forms of Vietnam

Austronesia

Filipino

See main article: article and List of Philippine mythological figures.

• Bait Pandi

the Bagobo goddess of weavers who taught women weaving^[12]

• Fu Dalu

the T'boli goddess of the abaca; speak and guide weavers on how to create patterns and designs, which are remembered in dreams^[13]

• Mamiyo

the Ifugao stretcher of skeins, one of the twenty-three deities presiding over the art of weaving^[14]

• Monlolot

the Ifugao winder of thread on the spindle, one of the twenty-three deities presiding over the art of weaving^[15]

• Rirryaw Añitu

place spirit Añitus who played music and sang inside a cave in Sabtang, while lighting up fire; believed to have change residences after they were disturbed by a man^[16]

• Tumungkuyan

leaders of the Salakap from Batak beliefs who paint tree trunks that support the sky using the blood of the epidemic-dead^[17]

Polynesian

Hawaiian

• Lono
• Pele

Native Americas

North America

• Kokopelli (shared among various Southwestern Native American mythologies)

Mexico

Aztec

• Huehuecóyotl
• Xochipilli

Haitian Vodou

• Erzulie
• Maîtresse Délai

Notes and References

1. Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
2. A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. 1991. p. 108.
3. Religion and Culture of Manipur - Page 25 - Moirangthem Kirti Singh · 1988
4. Book: Ray, Bharati. Women of India: Colonial and Post-colonial Periods. 2005-09-15. SAGE Publications India. 978-81-321-0264-9. en.
5. Book: Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Noni. Arambam. Sanatomba. Kangujam. 2015-10-16. Routledge. 978-1-317-27066-9. en.
6. Book: Singh, L. Bhagyachandra. A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. 1991. 51.
7. Book: Jain, Jyotindra. Other Masters: Five Contemporary Folk and Tribal Artists of India. 1998. Crafts Museum and the Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India. en.
8. Book: The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Meitei. Sanjenbam Yaiphaba. Chaudhuri. Sarit K.. Arunkumar. M. C.. 2020-11-25. Routledge. 978-1-000-29637-2. en.
9. Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi (1998). Politics, society, and cosmology in India's North East. Internet Archive. Delhi ; New York : Oxford University Press. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2.
10. Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
11. Book: Fang. Jing Pei. Symbols and Rebuses in Chinese Art: Figures, Bugs, Beasts, and Flowers. 2004. Ten Speed Press. Berkeley. 9781580085519. 68.
12. Jocano, F. L. (1969). Philippine Mythology. Quezon City: Capitol Publishing House Inc.
13. Paterno, M., Castro, S., Javellana, R., Alvina, C. (2001). Dreamweavers. Makati: Bookmark.
14. Zaide, S. M. (1999). The Philippines: A Unique Nation. All-Nations Publishing.
15. Zaide, S. M. (1999). The Philippines: A Unique Nation. All-Nations Publishing.
16. Hornedo, F. H. (1980). Philippine Studies Vol. 28, No. 1: The World and The Ways of the Ivatan Añitu. Ateneo de Manila University.
17. Fox, R. B. (1982). Religion and Society Among the Tagbanuas of Palawan Island, Philippines. Manila: National Museum.