9 Items Tagged

Deity

Nishiki Tenmangū Shrine

A 1000-year-old shrine in Kyoto with a poorly planned sacred arch.

Kagoshima, Japan

Masked God Boze of Akusekijima Island

Once a year, these 'visitor deities' chase away evil spirits with a phallic-shaped staff.

The Zodiac Gods of Horikiri

All 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are depicted in anthropomorphized deity form.

Kulasekharapatnam, India

Arulmigu Kulasai Mutharamman Temple

Every year, massive crowds flock to this 300-year-old temple to celebrate a unique, goddess-centric Hindu festival.

In 2015, this effigy of the Pagan goddess Marzanna met a fiery end.

In Poland, Drowning the Pagan Goddess Marzanna Ushers in Spring

A straw effigy of the winter goddess is burned and then submerged in chilly waters.

Sarah Laskow May 3, 2023

Adam Johnson (center) dresses up as Heikki Lunta as part of the Upper Peninsula's Heikinpäivä festival in Hancock, Michigan.

The Dancing Snow God That Brings Blizzards to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Heikki Lunta even has his own song.

Daniel Bromfield January 5, 2023

One of Kanha Tiger Reserve's revered residents: Conservation scientists are studying how villagers near the Central Indian park coexist with the big cats.

An Ancient 'Tiger God' Helps Communities and Big Cats Coexist in India

Across the central and western parts of the country, reverence for the deity translates to tolerance for predators.

Radhika Iyengar September 14, 2021

112-foot Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Center.

Booluvampatti, India

The Adiyogi Shiva Statue

The world's largest bust sculpture celebrates the Hindu deity, Shiva.

A Morena effigy in

Welcoming Spring by Burning the Goddess of Winter

Sarah Laskow March 20, 2018