The following list of art deities is arranged by continent with names of mythological figures and deities associated with the arts. Art deities are a form of religious iconography incorporated into artistic compositions by many religions as a dedication to their respective gods and goddesses. The various artworks are used throughout history as a means to gain a deeper connection to a particular deity or as a sign of respect and devotion to the divine being.
Africa and the Middle East
Afroasiatic Middle East
Canaanite
- Kotar or Kothar-wa-Khasis
Egyptian
Mesopotamian
Western Eurasia
Celtic
Norse-Germanic
Greco-Roman
Etruscan
Greek / Hellenic
- Apollo, god of medicine, music, poetry, song and dance
- Athena, goddess of crafts and handicraft
- Dionysus, god of theatre
- Hephaestus, god of forge and sculpture
-
Muses
- Calliope, goddess of epic poetry
- Clio, goddess of history
- Erato, goddess of erotic poetry
- Euterpe, goddess of lyric poetry
- Melpomene, goddess of tragedy
- Polyhymnia, goddess of hymns
- Terpsichore, goddess of dance
- Thalia, goddess of comedy
- Urania, goddess of astronomy
Roman
Western Asia
Anatolian - Urarte
Hindu-Vedic
Uralic
Asia-Pacific / Oceania
Meitei
- Khamlangba, associated with smiths [1]
- Khamnung Kikoi Louonbi, associated with enchantment [2] [3]
- Lainaotabi, associated with charm, magic, pottery, sorcery, spell, weaving and witchcraft [4]
- Nongpok Ningthou, associated with dance, music and festival [5]
- Nongthang Leima, associated with enchantment and seduction [6]
- Panthoibi, associated with dance, festival, handicrafts, pottery, spinning and weaving [7]
- Phouoibi, associated with trickery to men [8]
- Pisatao, associated with smiths [9]
- Thangching, associated with divine plays [10]
Far East Asia
Chinese
- Cao Guojiu, patron god of the theater [11]
- Han Xiangzi
- Nüwa
- Zhang Guolao, who carries a fish-drum
Japanese
Vietnamese
- Phạm Thị Trân, the founder of Chèo
- Từ Đạo Hạnh, the founder of the art of water puppetry
- Tổ nghề Sân khấu, the three are said to be the founders of theatrical forms of Vietnam
Austronesia
Filipino
- Bait Pandi: the Bagobo goddess of weavers who taught women weaving [12]
- Fu Dalu: the T'boli goddess of the abaca; speak and guide weavers on how to create patterns and designs, which are remembered in dreams [13]
- Mamiyo: the Ifugao stretcher of skeins, one of the twenty-three deities presiding over the art of weaving [14]
- Monlolot: the Ifugao winder of thread on the spindle, one of the twenty-three deities presiding over the art of weaving [15]
- Rirryaw Añitu: place spirit Añitus who played music and sang inside a cave in Sabtang, while lighting up fire; believed to have change residences after they were disturbed by a man [16]
- Tumungkuyan: leaders of the Salakap from Batak beliefs who paint tree trunks that support the sky using the blood of the epidemic-dead [17]
Polynesian
Hawaiian
Native Americas
North America
- Kokopelli (shared among various Southwestern Native American mythologies)
Mexico
Aztec
Haitian Vodou
References
- ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
- ^ A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. 1991. p. 108.
- ^ Religion and Culture of Manipur - Page 25 - Moirangthem Kirti Singh · 1988
- ^ Ray, Bharati (2005-09-15). Women of India: Colonial and Post-colonial Periods. SAGE Publications India. ISBN 978-81-321-0264-9.
- ^ Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (2015-10-16). Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9.
- ^ Singh, L. Bhagyachandra (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. p. 51.
- ^ Jain, Jyotindra (1998). Other Masters: Five Contemporary Folk and Tribal Artists of India. Crafts Museum and the Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India.
- ^ Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
- ^ Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi (1998). Politics, society, and cosmology in India's North East. Internet Archive. Delhi ; New York : Oxford University Press. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2.
- ^ Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
- ^ Fang, Jing Pei (2004). Symbols and Rebuses in Chinese Art: Figures, Bugs, Beasts, and Flowers. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. p. 68. ISBN 9781580085519.
- ^ Jocano, F. L. (1969). Philippine Mythology. Quezon City: Capitol Publishing House Inc.
- ^ Paterno, M., Castro, S., Javellana, R., Alvina, C. (2001). Dreamweavers. Makati: Bookmark.
- ^ Zaide, S. M. (1999). The Philippines: A Unique Nation. All-Nations Publishing.
- ^ Zaide, S. M. (1999). The Philippines: A Unique Nation. All-Nations Publishing.
- ^ Hornedo, F. H. (1980). Philippine Studies Vol. 28, No. 1: The World and The Ways of the Ivatan Añitu. Ateneo de Manila University.
- ^ Fox, R. B. (1982). Religion and Society Among the Tagbanuas of Palawan Island, Philippines. Manila: National Museum.
