Myths about the Sky

Many early civilizations developed myths of sky gods or goddesses, to help them explain the sky and the stars. These deities were usually particularly important or powerful, associated with or the most powerful gods or goddesses in their pantheons. The stories below provide an overview of a few myths associated with sky gods and goddesses identified by early civilizations around the world.
For millennia, people have sought to understand the origin of the heavens, and the stars in the sky. This image, entitled "The Universe and Man", is based on an earlier 16th century graphic and was later published by French astronomer Camille Flammarion in L'Atmosphre: Mtorologie Populaire (Paris, 1888).<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Photodisc, Inc. </em></small></p>

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Navajo: Ahsonnutli

Ahsonnutli was the sky father and chief deity of the Navajo Indians. He created heaven, Earth, ...Read more

Sumerian: An

According to the Sumerians, An was the sky god and symbolized heaven. In fact his name means ...Read more

Egyptian: Horus

Horus was a fierce and proud Egyptian god. He was the son of Osiris, the god of air and the ...Read more

Egyptian: Nut

Nut was the Egyptian sky goddess. She was depicted as a giant, naked woman who was supporting ...Read more

Maori: Rangi

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Norse: Tyr

In the early centuries after the birth of Christ, Tyr was not only the sky god but also the ...Read more

Norse: Odin

Odin was the prominent deity of the Norsemen. He was called the All-Father. Odin was depicted ...Read more

Hindu: Indra

In the Rig Veda, which is a collection of antique Hindu hymns, Indra is described as the king ...Read more

Greek: Zeus

In Greek mythology, Zeus (Jupiter in Roman mythology) was the king of heaven and Earth and ...Read more

Roman: Jupiter

In Roman mythology, Jupiter (Zeus in Greek mythology) was the king of heaven and Earth and ...Read more

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