World Goddesses Across Time and Space

There are thousands of world goddesses across different cultures that have similar beliefs and traditions. When comparing these goddesses, it is obvious how similar we are to each other. Regardless of our race, ethnicity, or social status. We came from one, and to one we shall return.

The Evolution of Goddesses

Goddesses and their stories have changed through time. When stories were retold through hundreds or even thousands of years, regional variations sometimes developed. At other times cultures collided and goddesses transformed or mixed based on new influences.  

In the earliest times, there seem to have been Great Goddesses, such as the Earth Goddesses, who were all-encompassing in their roles and pretty “generic” in personality.

Next came goddesses who were rather “all-encompassing” but beginning to show some different sides to themselves. Portrayed as different aspects or stages of their identity, such as maiden/mother/crone. 

Eventually, they diversified, creating a tremendous pantheon of major and minor goddesses. All with specific areas of responsibility and widely differentiated, rather “human”, personality traits. Which is how they came to be archetypes present in all cultures.

For example, the characteristics and stories of the Roman Minerva parallel those of the Greek goddess Athena. Both of them show great similarity to that of the earlier Egyptian goddess, Maat, for example.

Goddesses of the Goddess Gift

We have covered a great number of goddesses in-depth with their own articles. Those you can find if you follow the links in the list below or jump straight to the goddesses category.

World Goddesses Sorted by Responsibility/Association

Animals/Hunting

Anat (hunting; Canaanite)

Arachne (spiders; Greek)

Arduinna (hunting; Romano-Celtic)

Artemis (hunting; Greek)

Aspalis (hunting; Western Semitic)

Atalanta (hunting; Greek)

Diana (hunting; Roman)

Epona (horses; Celtic)

Hastseoltoi (hunting; Navajo)

Janguli (snakes; Buddhist)

Kebechet (snakes; Egyptian)

Neith (hunting; Egyptian)

Pakhet (hunting; Egyptian)

Rhiannon (horses; Celtic)

The Arts

Ame-No-Uzume (dancing; Shinto-Japanese)

Athena (inspiration; Greek)

Brigid (poetry; Celtic)

Ceridwen (inspiration; Celtic)

Harmonia (music; Greco-Roman)

Hi’aika (dancing; Hawaiian)

Iambe (poetry; Greek)

Laka (dancing; Polynesian)

Minerva (arts and crafts; Roman)

Mnemosyne (mother of Muses; Greek)

Muraja (music; Buddhist)

Muses (inspiration; Greek)

Rhiannon (inspiration; Celtic)

Saraswati (the arts; Hindu)

Childbirth/Midwifery

Anukis (Egyptian)

Artemis (Greek)

Aveta (Romano-Celtic)

Belet-Ili (Mesopotamian)

Brigid (Celtic)

Decima (Roman)

Diana (Roman)

Eileithyia (Greek)

Heket (Egyptian)

Hera (Greek)

Hesat (Egyptian)

Isara (Mesopotamian)

Nammu (Mesopotamian)

Renenutet (Egyptian)

Sasuratum (Western Semitic)

Taweret (Egyptian)

Teteoinnan-Toci (Aztec)

Thalna (Etruscan)

Xochiquetzal (Aztec)

Zarpanitum (Mesopotamian)

Creatrix

Antu (Mesopotamian)

Birrahgnooloo (Australian Aboriginal)

Cihuacoatl-Quilaztli (Aztec)

Danu (Celtic)

E Alom (Mayan)

Gunabibi (Australian Aboriginal)

Ishtar (Egyptian)

Iusaas (Egyptian)

Izanami-No-Kami (Shinto-Japanese)

Mawu (West African)

Nammu (Mesopotamian)

Neith (Egyptian)

Nu Kua (Chinese)

Nut (Egyptian)

White Buffalo Calf Woman (Native American)

Yhi (Australian)

Crones/Wise Women

Baba Yaga (Slavic)

Black Annis (Celtic)

Cailleach (Celtic)

Greine (Celtic)

Hecate (Greek)

Hel (Norse/Germanic)

Oya (Santeria)

Pax (Roman)

Sedna (Inuit)

Skuld (Norse/Germanic)

Takotsi (Mesoamerican)

Toci (Aztec)

Destruction/Vengeance

Ayelala (Yoruba Orisha)

Badb (Celtic)

Bast (Egyptian)

Belili (Mesopotamian)

Durga (Hindu)

Erinys (Greek)

Hina (Polynesian)

Indrani (Hindu)

Itzpapalotl (Mesoamerican)

Kali Ma (Hindu)

Morrigan (Celtic)

Nemesis (Greco-Roman)

Nephthys (Egyptian)

Nirrti (Hindu)

Pele (Hawaiian)

Sekhmet (Egyptian)

Earth Mothers

Aeracura (Celtic)

Arianrhod (Celtic)

Bhumidevi (Hindu)

Changing Woman (Native American)

Chibirias (Mayan)

Cybele (Anatolian)

Danu (Celtic)

Demeter (Greek)

Vaishno Devi (Hindu)

Gaia (Greek)

Green Tara (Hindu)

Hu-Tu (Chinese)

Inanna (Sumerian)

Iord (Nordic)

Kali (Hindu)

Mari (Basque)

Mokos (Slavic)

Ninhursag (Mesopotamian)

Paca-Mama (Inca)

Parvati (Hindu)

Rhea (Cretan/Greek)

Sita Mata (Hindu)

Tellus (Roman)

Terra Mater (Roman)

Tlazolteotl (Aztec)

Touia Fatuna (Polynesian)

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Fate/Destiny

Ananke (Greek)

Atropos (Greek)

Fortuna (Roman)

Freya (Norse)

Laima (Latvian)

Manawat (Western Semitic)

Nortia (Etruscan)

Fertility

Abundantia (Roman)

Ahurani (Persian)

Ama-Arhus (Mesopotamian)

Amaunet (Egyptian)

Anaitis (Persian)

Anat (Canaanite)

Andarta (Celtic)

Asase Yaa (West African)

Ashtoreth (Philistine)

Astarte (Western Semitic)

Athirat (Western Semitic)

Baba (Mesopotamian)

Bast (Egyptian)

Brigid (Celtic)

Demeter (Greek)

Diana (Roman)

Disani (Afghan-Hindukush)

Estsanatlehi (Navajo)

Frigga (Norse/Germanic)

Inanna (Sumerian)

Ishtar (Mesopotamian)

Morrigan (Celtic)

Eostre (Anglo-Saxon)

Ọya – Yoruba Orisha

Quades

Nurturing Mothers

Aditi (Hindu)

Ammavaru (Hindu)

Anu (Celtic)

Artemis (Greek)

Asherah (Canaanite)

Atargatis (Assyrian/Semitic)

Aya (Mesopotamian)

Bhrkuti-Tara (Buddhist)

Brahmani (Hindu)

Ceres (Roman)

Cōātlīcue (Aztec)

Cybele (Anatolian)

Demeter (Greek)

Devaki (Hindu)

Danu (Celtic)

Frigga (Norse/Germanic)

Gaia (Greek)

Hathor (Egyptian)

Ishtar (Mesopotamian)

Isis (Egyptian)

Kundalini (Aztec)

Kybele (Phrygian)

Magna Mater (Roman)

Mata (Hindu)

Mut (Egyptian)

Ninhursaga (Mesopotamian)

Nut (Egyptian)

Parvati (Hindu)

White Buffalo Calf Woman (Native American)

Guardians/Protectors

Ankalamman (against demons; Hindu)

Anna Perenna (against famine; Roman)

Artemis (the vulnerable; Greek)

Bast (household; Egyptian)

Bes (women in labor; Egyptian)

Brigid (protects all who call; Celtic)

Diana (animals, virginity; Roman)

Green Tara (against physical and spiritual danger; Hindu)

Hecate (household, travelers, newborns; Greek)

Kuan Yin (against danger; Taoist)

Maharaksa (group of five guardian goddesses; Buddhist)

Mazu/Ma Tsu (seafaring; Chinese)

Securita (stability of empire; Roman)

Sekhmet (against disease; Egyptian)

Volumna (infants; Roman)

White Tara (life, peace; Hindu)

Wosret (protected Horus; Egyptian)

Healing/Health

Athena (Greek)

Bast (Egyptian)

Brigid (Celtic)

Gula (Mesopotamian)

Hygieia (Greek)

Ishtar (Mesopotamian)

Isis (Egyptian)

Ixchel (Mayan)

Kamrusepa (Hittite)

Kuan Yin (Taoist)

Meditrina (Roman)

Psyche (Greek)

Salus (Roman)

Sequana (Romano-Celtic)

Sirona (Romano-Celtic)

Sulis (Romano-Celtic)

Thatmanitu (Western Semitic)

Tozi (Aztec)

Zapotlantenan (Aztec)

Humor/Fun/Pleasure

Bast (Egyptian)

Baubo (Greek)

Iambe (Greek)

Uzume (Shinto-Japanese)

Justice

Athena (Greek)

Chang Yong (Chinese)

Dharma (Hindu)

Dike (Greek)

Hathor (Egyptian)

Maat (Egyptian)

Minerva (Roman)

Nanse (Mesopotamian)

Nemesis (Greco-Roman)

Nzambi (African)

Themis (Greco-Roman)

Magic

Ceridwen (Celtic)

Frigga (Norse/Germanic)

Hecate (Greek)

Isis (Egyptian)

Maidens

Anath (Canaanite)

Blodeuwedd (Celtic)

Brigid (Celtic)

Ceridwen (Celtic)

Concordia (Roman)

Gerd (Norse)

Hestia (Greek)

Kore (Greek)

Persephone (Greek)

Urd (Norse)

Marriage/Love

Aphrodite (Greek)

Frigga (Norse/Germanic)

Hathor (Egypt)

Hera (Greek)

Ishara (Mesopotamian)

Juno (Roman)

Parvati (Hindu)

Radha (Hindu)

Rati (Hindu)

Sati (Hindu)

Venus (Roman)

Mermaids/Underwater

Atargatis (Assyrian/Semitic)

Aycayia (Caribbean)

Derketo (Greek)

Liban (Celtic)

Lorelei (Germanic)

Mami Wata (African)

Melusine (French)

Nereids (Greek)

Ningyo (Japanese)

Nix (Germanic)

Oceanids (Greek)

Ondine/Undine (French)

Sirens (Greek)

Moon

Arawa (East African)

Arianrhod (Celtic)

Artemis (Greek)

Caelestis (Carthaginian)

Ceridwen (Celtic)

Chang’e (Chinese)

Diana (Roman)

Gleti (West African)

Hecate (Greek)

Hina (Polynesian)

Ix Chel (Mayan)

Juno (Roman)

Kaumudi (Hindu)

Luna (Roman)

Mama-Kilya (Inca)

Marama (Polynesian)

Nikkal (Western Semitic)

Phoebe (Greek)

Rhiannon (Celtic)

Selene (Greek)

Tanit (Phoenician)

Oracles

Astarte (Western Semitic)

Freya (Norse/Germanic)

Morrigan (Celtic)

White Buffalo Calf Woman (Native American)

Adeona (children; Roman)

Alemona (unborn children; Roman)

Hecate (crossroads; Greek)

Patadharini (doorways, curtains; Buddhist)

Suleviae (crossroads; Romano-Celtic)

Rebirth/Renewal/Spring

Hera (Greek)

Inanna (Sumerian)

Isis (Egyptian)

Juno (Roman)

Ostara (Anglo-Saxon)

Persephone (Greek)

Prosperina (Roman)

Sexual Love/Beauty

Áine (Celtic)

Alpanu (Etruscan)

Anat (Canaanite)

Aphrodite (Greek)

Astarte (Canaanite)

Freya (Norse/Germanic)

Hathor (Egyptian)

Huitaca (Columbian)

Inanna (Sumerian)

Ishtar (Mesopotamian)

Lillith (Hebrew)

Oshun (Santeria)

Radha (Hindu)

Rati (Hindu)

Turan (Etruscan)

Venus (Roman)

Xochiquetzal (Aztec)

Sky/Stars/Heaven

Arundhati (Hindu)

Astlik (Armenian)

Coyolxauhqui (Aztec)

Eos (Indo-European)

Hathor (Egyptian)

Hera (Greek)

Inanna (Sumerian)

Inmar (Finno-Ugric)

Ishtar (Mesopotamian)

Juno (Roman)

Lilith (Sumerian)

Marici (Buddhist)

Mater Matuta (Italic)

Mawu (West African)

Naksatras (Hindu)

Nut (Egyptian)

Oya (Santeria)

Sophia (Gnostic)

Sothis (Egyptian)

Tara (Hindu)

Subconscious/Dreams

Astarte (Canannite)

Inanna (Sumerian)

Maat (Egyptian)

Nanshe (Mesopotamian)

Nephthys (Egyptian)

Persephone (Greek)

Psyche (Greek)

Sun/Light

Áine (Celtic)

Amaterasu (Shinto-Japanese)

Athena (Greek)

Bast (Egyptian)

Dipa (Buddhist)

Hathor (Egyptian)

Hine-Ata-Uira (Polynesian)

Kaumudi (Hindu)

Narisah (Manichaean)

Ningal (Mesopotamian)

Ostara (Anglo-Saxon)

Saule (Latvian)

Sophia (Gnostic)

Sul (Celtic)

Surya (Hindu)

Taditkara (Buddhist)

Tate Velika Vimali (Mesoamerican)

Tefnut (Egyptian)

Thesan (Etruscan)

Waka-Hiru-Me (Shinto-Japanese)

Wuriupranili (Australian Aboriginal)

Triple Goddesses

Brigid (Celtic)

Carmentes (Roman)

Changing Woman (Native American)

Diana Triformis (Celtic)

Fortunae Concordia/Salus/Pax (Roman)

Hecate (Greek)

Helice (Greek)

Inanna/Ereshkigal (Sumerian)

Kali (Hindu)

Moirai (Greek)

Morrigan (Celtic)

Norns Urd/Verdandi/Skuld (Old Norse)

Persephone/Demeter/Hecate (Greek)

The Three Zoryas (Russian)

Underworld/Death

Allatu (Western Semitic)

Alpanu (Etruscan)

Ammut (Egyptian)

Arsay (Western Semitic)

Ataecina (Romano-Iberian)

Belet-Seri (Mesopotamian)

Ereshkigal (Sumerian)

Hakea (Polynesian)

Hel (Norse/Germanic)

Hina (Hawaiian)

Hine-Nui-Te-Po (Polynesian)

Libitina (Roman)

Mictēcacihuātl (Aztec)

Nephthys (Egyptian)

Persephone (Greek)

Prosperina (Roman)

Rhiannon (Celtic)

Sedna (Inuit)

Sulis (Romano-Celtic)

Velu Mate (Latvian)

Yewa (Santeria Orisha)

Forests/Agriculture

Abnoba (forests; Romano-Celtic)

Anna Kuari (Indian)

Aranyani (Hindu)

Arduinna (forests; Romano-Celtic)

Ariadne (Greek)

Ashnan (Mesopotamian)

Ashratum (Western Semitic)

Bhumi Devata (Indian)

Centeocihuatl (maize; Aztec)

Ceres (Roman)

Demeter (Greek)

Flora (flowers; Roman)

Frigga (Norse/Germanic)

Gefjon (agriculture; Norse/Germanic)

Kore/Persephone (corn; Greek)

Mayahuel (Aztec)

Morrigan (Celtic)

Pomona (Roman)

Saraddevi (Buddhist)

Sif (Norse)

War

Anat (Canaanite)

Andrasta (Romano-Celtic)

Astarte (Western Semitic)

Athena (Greek)

Badb (Celtic)

Bellona (Roman)

Boadicea (British)

Durga (Hindu)

Freyja (Norse/Germanic)

Inanna (Sumerian)

Ishtar (Mesopotamian)

Korravai (Dravidian)

Minerva (Roman)

Morrigan (Celtic)

Nike (Greek)

Oya (Santeria)

Sekhmet (Egyptian)

Water/Rivers/Sea

Abnoba (rivers; Romano-Celtic)

Ame-No-Mi-Kumari-No-Kami (heavenly water divider; Shinto-Japanese)

Amphitrite (sea; Greek)

Anaulikutsai’x (rivers; Native American)

Arnemetia (water; Romano-Celtic)

Boann (rivers; Celtic)

Buk (rivers; Sudanese)

Chalchiuhtlicue (water; Aztec)

Coventina (water; Roman)

Danu (water; Celtic, Irish)

Djila’qons (sea; Native American)

Doris (sea; Greek)

Eurynome (sea; Greek)

Ganga (rivers; Hindu)

Harpina (rivers; Greek)

Immap Ukua (sea; Inuit)

Leukothea (sea; Greco-Roman)

Mama Qoca (sea; Inca)

Manannan (sea; Celtic)

Mazu (sea; Taoist)

Mizu-Ha-No-Me (Shinto-Japanese)

Sedna (deep sea; Inuit)

Thetis (rivers, sea; Greek)

Tin Hau (water; Taoist)

Yemaya (Santeria)

Yemoja (Yoruba)

Wealth/Fortune/Luck

Abundantia (Roman)

Aje (Yoruba)

Anuradha (Hindu)

Ashiakle (West African)

Benten-San (Shinto-Japanese)

Ekajata (Buddhist)

Fortuna (Roman)

Lakshmi (Hindu)

Obà (Yoruba orisha)

Rhiannon (Celtic)

Tyche (Greco-Roman)

Woman Who Fell to Earth (Native American)

Wisdom

Asherah (Canaanite)

Athena (Greek)

Cailleach (Celtic)

Ceridwen (Celtic)

Hecate (Greek)

Ishtar (Mesopotamian)

Isis (Egyptian)

Kuan Yin (Taoist)

Lilith (Sumerian)

Metis (Greek)

Minerva (Roman)

Nissaba (Mesopotamian)

Saraswati (Hindu)

Shekinah (Hebrew)

Sophia (Gnostic)

Tara (Hindu)

Vajrayogini (Buddhist)


Other Goddesses

If you enjoyed this post we are sure you will enjoy getting to know some of the other goddesses we also write about. You can find the complete list of goddesses sorted across regions and religions here.

Featured Image Credit: Francesco di Giorgio, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo of author

Liz Turnbull

Sharon and Elizabeth Turnbull, mother and daughter team and the website's midwives, had over 45 years of combined work and continuous study in psychology when they decided to create the Goddess Quiz and goddessgift.com. In 2001, we launched our mission to provide visitors with tools for personal insight, self-knowledge, inspiration, and refinement. Sharon, the bestselling author of Goddess Gift (a book about finding the goddess in yourself) worked as a senior partner in a consulting firm, a speaker at seminars and conferences, and as a professor and administrator at four universities during an academic career that spanned over three decades. Liz is also a published author who works as a healthcare provider, an instructor in communication skills for healthcare providers, and leads workshops on multiple subjects including health/healing, communication, and personal growth. It is our greatest hope that our gift may help the Sacred Feminine within and all around us thrive and bless us all with Her Gifts.