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A water deity is a deity in mythology associated with water or various bodies of water. Water deities are common in mythology and were usually more important among civilizations in which the sea or ocean, or a great river was more important.
We find intriguing parallels among water gods in various mythologies. These divine beings possessed the formidable power to control water elements and presided over vast water bodies such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. In the following sections, we’ll introduce some of the most prominent water deities.
Apr 28, 2020 · Water is essential to life, which is why so many cultures have created their own water gods and sea gods. Learn who they are and read their stories.
Jan 31, 2024 · Water gods: which are the most famous in world history? Anuket – Egyptian goddess of the Nile; Chalchiuhtlicue – Aztec goddess of water, rivers, and lakes; Enki – Sumerian god of Water, Wisdom, and Creation; Ganga – Hindu goddess of the river Ganges; Poseidon – Greek god of the sea; Mami Wata – African water spirit; Mazu – Chinese ...
- Lauren Good
- Poseidon
- Oceanus
- Neptune
- Llyr
- Njǫrd
- Aegir
- Sebek
- Nu
- Enki
- Varuna
In ancient Greek religion, Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. His name means lord of the earth or husband of the earth. In Greek mythology, he’s the son of the Titan Cronus and Rhea, and the brother of Zeus, the god of thunder, and Hades, the god of the underworld. He’s commonly depicted with his trident, a powerful weapon wh...
In Greek mythology, the Titans were the old generation of gods that reigned before the twelve Olympian gods, and Oceanus was the personification of the sea, which encircled the world. In Hesiod’s Theogony, he’s mentioned as the eldest Titan, the son of Uranus and Gaea, and the father of all ocean and river gods. He’s commonly depicted as a half-man...
The Roman counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon, Neptune was the god of the seas, springs, and waterways. His name is thought to be derived from the Indo-European term for moist. He’s commonly depicted as a bearded man accompanied by dolphins, or being pulled in a chariot by two hippocampi. Neptune was originally the god of fresh water, but by 399 ...
In Celtic mythology, Llyr is the god of the sea and the leader of one of two warring families of gods. In Irish tradition, his name is commonly spelled as Lir, and Llyr in Welsh, and translates to the sea. An ancient Irish deity, Llyr appears in few Irish myths like the Children of Lir, but little is known about him and he is not as popular as his ...
Njǫrd is the Norse god of the sea and of the wind, and the father of Freyr and Freyja. In Norse mythology, there are two different tribes of gods and goddesses—the Aesir and the Vanir. As a Vanir god, Njǫrd is generally associated with fertility, wealth, and commerce. Njǫrd was the god invoked by sailors and fishermen. Some scholars believe that he...
The personification of the power of the ocean, Aegir was a primeval god in the Norse pantheon, known for the lavish entertainment he gave to the other gods. His name is associated with the Old Gothic word ahwa which means water. In Skáldskaparmál, he’s called as Hlérthat means sea. The Norse people were seafarers and believed that shipwrecks were c...
In ancient Egypt, Sobek was the god of water, and the lord of wetlands and marshes. His name means crocodile, so it’s no wonder that he’s commonly depicted either as a man with a crocodile’s head, or entirely in the form of a crocodile. Sobek was most popular during the Old Kingdom, around 2613 to 2181 BCE, but later merged with Ra, the sun god, an...
The most ancient of the Egyptian gods, Nu was the personification of the dark watery abyss that existed at the beginning of time. His name means primeval waters, and the water of chaos he represented contained the potential for all life. In the Book of the Dead, he’s referred to as the father of the gods. However, he wasn’t worshipped and had no te...
In Sumerian mythology, Enki was the god of fresh water, wisdom and magic. Before his cult spread throughout Mesopotamia, he was the patron god in Eridu during the Early Dynastic Period, around 2600 to 2350 BCE. By 2400 BCE, the Mesopotamian god became known as Ea in Akkadian. The ritual cleansing waters of the time was even called Ea’s water. Enki ...
In Hinduism, Varuna is the god of sky and waters. However, early texts, especially the Rigveda, refer to him as the god-sovereign and the upholder of cosmic and moral law. In later Vedic literature, he plays a lesser role and became associated with the celestial waters, oceans, rivers, streams, and lakes. Like most other water gods, he also dwelt i...
A water deity is a deity in mythology associated with water or various bodies of water. Water deities are common in mythology and were usually more important among civilizations in which the sea or ocean, or a great river was more important.
Aug 12, 2023 · Dive into the fascinating world of water deities with our comprehensive list of the Gods of Water. These ancient and mythical beings have been worshipped and revered throughout history for their connection to the powerful and life-giving element of water.
