Solar chariot

A solar deity is a deity who represents the sun, or an aspect of it. People have worshipped the sun and solar deities for all of recorded history. Hence, many beliefs and legends have been formed around this worship, most notably the various myths containing the "missing sun" motif from around the world. Although many sources contend that solar deities are generally male, and the brother, father, husband and/or enemy of the lunar deity (usually female), this is not cross-culturally upheld, as sun goddesses are found on every continent ...

Including:

• Solar deity - Missing sun
• Solar deity - Examples
• Solar deity - Chinese mythology
• Solar deity - Hindu mythology

Read more here: » Solar deity: Encyclopedia - Solar deity

The "missing sun" motif is a theme in the myths of various cultures. It may have served to explain any of several natural phenomena, including the disappearance of the sun at night (the Egyptian version of the motif described below is an example), the shorter days during the winter (for example, the Japanese one mentioned below), or even solar eclipses. Most myths following the motif involve the disappearance of a solar deity, through imprisonment, exile or death. Some other tales are similar, such as the Sumerian story of Inanna's descent into the underworld. These may have parallel themes but do not fit in th ...

See also:

Solar deity, Solar deity - Missing sun, Solar deity - Examples, Solar deity - Chinese mythology, Solar deity - Hindu mythology, Solar deity - Trivia

Read more here: » Solar deity: Encyclopedia II - Solar deity - Missing sun

The "missing sun" motif is a theme in the myths of various cultures. It may have served to explain any of several natural phenomena, including the disappearance of the sun at night (the Egyptian version of the motif described below is an example), the shorter days during the winter (for example, the Japanese one mentioned below), or even solar eclipses. Most myths following the motif involve the disappearance of a solar deity, through imprisonment, exile or death. Some other tales are similar, such as the Sumerian story of Inanna's descent into the underworld. These may have parallel themes but do not fit in th ...

See also:

Solar deity, Solar deity - Missing sun, Solar deity - Examples, Solar deity - Chinese mythology, Solar deity - Hindu mythology

Read more here: » Solar deity: Encyclopedia II - Solar deity - Missing sun

In the Vedas, numerous hymns are dedicated to Surya, the Sun personified, and Savitar, "the impeller", a solar deity either identified with or associated with Surya. Even the Gayathri mantra, which is regarded as one of the most sacred of the Hindu hymns is dedicated to the sun god. The Adityas are a group of solar deities, from the Brahmana period numbering twelve. The Mahabharata describes its warrior hero Karna as being the son of Kunti and the Sun God. The Ramayana has its protagonist Ram as being from the Raghu Vam ...

See also:

Solar deity, Solar deity - Missing sun, Solar deity - Examples, Solar deity - Chinese mythology, Solar deity - Hindu mythology, Solar deity - Trivia

Read more here: » Solar deity: Encyclopedia II - Solar deity - Hindu mythology

Unlike many other cultures, the Chinese do not personify nor worship the sun or the moon. The most likely reason is the heavy influence of Taoism and I Ching in Chinese culture because the moon represents Yin and the Sun represents Yang which are the basis of everything in nature. (See Yin and yang.) In Chinese mythology (cosmology), there were nine suns in the sky in the beginning. The world was so hot that nothing grew. A hero called Hou Yi shot down eight of them with bow and arrows. The world became better ever since. In an ...

See also:

Solar deity, Solar deity - Missing sun, Solar deity - Examples, Solar deity - Chinese mythology, Solar deity - Hindu mythology, Solar deity - Trivia

Read more here: » Solar deity: Encyclopedia II - Solar deity - Chinese mythology

Unlike many other cultures, the Chinese do not personify nor worship the sun or the moon. The most likely reason is the heavy influence of Taoism and I Ching in Chinese culture because the moon represents Yin and the Sun represents Yang which are the basis of everything in nature. (See Yin and yang.) In Chinese mythology (cosmology), there were nine suns in the sky in the beginning. The world was so hot that nothing grew. A hero called Hou Yi shot down eight of them with bow and arrows. The world became better ever since. In an ...

See also:

Solar deity, Solar deity - Missing sun, Solar deity - Examples, Solar deity - Chinese mythology, Solar deity - Hindu mythology

Read more here: » Solar deity: Encyclopedia II - Solar deity - Chinese mythology