Goddess Gallery

A Celebration of the Sacred Feminine

    The Chinese goddess Kwan Yin (also Kuan Yin, Quanyin). Before being relegated by Chinese society to the lesser role of goddess of compassion and mercy, Kwan Yin was widely revered throughout China as the Great Mother.



    Thalia, one of the nine patron goddesses of the arts in ancient Greece. Muse of comedy and of playful and idyllic poetry, Thalia is usually depicted with a comic mask and sometimes with a crown of ivy and a crook.



    Among the ancient Sumerians, the goddess Inanna reigned supreme as Queen of the Cosmos. The Sumerians, who inhabited the region that later became Babylonia (now part of southern Iraq), are credited for numerous technological, legal and cultural advancements, and are believed to have invented the earliest known system of writing, known as cuneiform.


    Epona the pan-Celtic horse goddess. Epona was widely known and respected throughout most of Europe. Our word "pony" is believed to have originated from the name of this goddess. Epona is perhaps better known today by her Welsh name, Rhiannon.



    Isis. In ancient Egypt, she was once widely worshipped as the Great Mother. Later, she became goddess of life and rebirth. Isis is often depicted with wings or wearing a headdress bearing the throne. Here her headdress comprises cow horns and a solar disk.



    The goddess Europa, after whom the continent of Europe was named. According to Greek legend, Europa was a Phoenician woman. How she entered the Greek world is the subject of debate, but the most common story has her riding a bull, who was really the god Zeus in disguise.



    The ancient Roman goddess Venus, known as Aphrodite to the Greeks. Originally associated with the cultivation of fields and gardens, Venus was later regarded by the Romans as goddess of the great unifying force of love.



    The ancient Egyptian goddess of writing Seshat. In addition to writing, Seshat, whose name means "female scribe," was also responsible for measurements, mathematics, architecture and record keeping.


    A painted drum depicting Sisiutl. This three-headed watersnake goddess of the Bella Coola and Kwakiutl tribes of coastal British Columbia, Canada is a shapeshifter who strikes terror in human hearts.
    Wearing a wrathful smile, Sisiutl constantly searches for people who can't handle their fears. When she finds them, she turns them to stone or kills them. Sisiutl is a powerful reminder of the importance of facing and conquering our fears.


    Juno, Roman goddess of the heavens and supreme female deity, had a widespread following and exerted considerable influence, both in the heavens and on earth, where she protected women and ruled over childbirth and marriage. The month of June, named after her, is still believed by many to be the best time to marry. The god Jupiter was her consort.


    Saraswati, or Sarasvati. Originally a riverine goddess, Saraswati today is India's goddess of the arts, culture, the sciences, learning and wisdom. Saraswati holds a prominant place in Hindu mythology, and many people pray to her for success in those aspects of life that she represents.


    The clown goddess Ame-no-uzume, or simply Uzume, who earned her place in Japanese mythology by making the deities laugh with her lusty antics. The sun goddess Amaterasu, who was resigned to her cave, heard the laughter and stepped outside, returning light to the world.


     The Greek goddess Athena, who was known to the Romans as Minerva. Believed to be a pre-Hellenic goddess who was later taken over by the Greeks, Athena was the goddess of war, handicraft, especially spinning and weaving, and practical reason, wisdom and righteousness. She was associated with birds, especially the owl, and with the snake. Athena was thought to have had neither consort nor offspring.



    Kichijoten, also known as Kisshoten, the Japanese goddess of happiness and good fortune. Originally, Kichijoten was imported into Buddhism from Hinduism, where she was known as Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and beauty.



    The Greek goddess Baubo, or Lambe. According to legend, when Baubo saw the inconsolable goddess Demeter at the well, Baubo exposed herself salaciously. This made Demeter laugh, which saved the day for all.




    The Yoruba goddess Oya. This powerful African wind goddess symbolizes many things, including transformation and persuasive charm.




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