God

Hermes · God of Travel, Trade, Thieves, and Messengers

Hermes (Ancient Greek Hermes, Latin Mercurius) is the decisive canonical god of messengers, travel, commerce, thieves, gambling, oratory, and borders among the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure who, as the son of Zeus (Zeus) and Maia (Maia, eldest of the Pleiades), was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene (Kyllene) — on the day of his birth — invented the lyre (lyra) from a tortoise shell — and stole the sacred 50 cattle of Apollo (Apollo). The etymology Greek Hermes is derived from herma (herma, 'pile of stones, boundary stone') — the decisive canonical vocabulary, and the aliases Argeiphontes (Argeiphontes, 'slayer of Argos'), Diaktoros (Diaktoros, 'guide'), Psychopompos (Psychopompos, 'soul guide'), and Soter (Soter, 'saviour') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Homeric Hymns (Homeric Hymns) No. 4 — Hymn to Hermes — 580 lines of c. 7th-6th century BCE — the decisive canon of Hermes's birth, lyre invention, and Apollo's cattle theft — and Theogony (Theogony) lines 938-939 of Hesiod of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon of Hermes's birth as the son of Zeus and Maia.

Athena · Goddess of Wisdom, Strategy, and Craft

Athena (Ancient Greek Athene, Latin Minerva) is the decisive canonical virgin goddess (Parthenos) of wisdom, war strategy, crafts, and city protection among the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure born fully armed from the head of Zeus (Zeus). The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary as the patron goddess of the city Athens (Athenai), and the aliases Pallas (Pallas, 'maiden'), Glaukopis (Glaukopis, 'grey-eyed' or 'owl-faced'), Tritogeneia (Tritogeneia), Polias (Polias, 'of the city'), and Ergane (Ergane, 'the crafter') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is Theogony (Theogony) lines 886-900 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Zeus swallows the pregnant Metis (Metis) — and lines 924-926 — the decisive mythological canon in which Hephaestus (Hephaestus) splits Zeus's head with an axe and Athena is born fully armed. The Iliad (Iliad) Book 5 lines 733-747 of Homer (Homer) of c. 8th century BCE — the decisive canon of Athena's Aegis (aigis) shield — and the Bibliotheca (Bibliotheke) Book 3 chapter 14 section 1 of Pseudo-Apollodorus of c. 1st century BCE — the decisive canon of the contest with Poseidon (Poseidon) for the patronage of Athens — Athena gifting the olive tree (elaia).

Artemis · Goddess of the Hunt, Moon, and Maidenhood

Artemis (Ancient Greek Artemis, Latin Diana) is the decisive canonical virgin goddess (Parthenos) of the hunt, wilderness, the moon, virginity, childbirth, and girls' initiation rites among the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure of the daughter of Zeus (Zeus) and Leto (Leto), twin sister of Apollo (Apollon). The etymology Greek Artemis is the decisive canonical vocabulary meaning 'the safe one' or 'butcher', and the aliases Phoibe (Phoibe, 'shining'), Delia (Delia, 'of Delos'), Kynthia (Kynthia, 'of Cynthus'), and Potnia Theron (Potnia Theron, 'mistress of wild beasts') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Theogony (Theogony) lines 918-920 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon of the birth of Apollo and Artemis as children of Zeus and Leto — and the Homeric Hymns (Homeric Hymns) No. 27 Hymn to Artemis of c. 7th-6th century BCE and the Hymn 3 to Artemis (Hymn 3 to Artemis) of Callimachus (Callimachus) of c. 3rd century BCE are the decisive canon, and the decisive canon in which the 3-year-old young Artemis, on the knee of Zeus, requested eternal virginity, bow, arrows, short tunic, 60 Oceanid (Oceanides) handmaidens, 20 Amnisides (Amnisides) nymphs, and hunting dogs given by Pan (Pan).

Poseidon · Greek God of the Sea — Earth-Shaker and Lord of Horses

Poseidon (Ancient Greek Poseidon, Latin Neptunus) is the decisive canonical god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses among the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the son of Kronos (Kronos) and Rhea (Rhea), elder brother of Zeus (Zeus), and brother of Hades (Hades). The etymology Greek Poseidon is the decisive canonical vocabulary as the compound of 'pos- (lord) and da- (earth)', meaning 'lord of the earth', and the aliases Gaieochos (Gaieochos, 'earth-shaker'), Enosigaios (Enosigaios, 'earth-quaker'), Hippios (Hippios, 'of horses'), and Asphaleios (Asphaleios, 'of safety') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Theogony (Theogony) lines 453-491 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Kronos swallows his children — and lines 881-885 — the decisive canon in which Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades divided the sky, sea, and underworld by lot. The Iliad (Iliad) Book 15 lines 184-217 of Homer (Homer) of c. 8th century BCE — the decisive canon of Poseidon's protest about the lot — and the Odyssey (Odyssey) Book 1 lines 20-25 — the decisive canon of Poseidon's wrath against Odysseus (Odysseus) — are the decisive heroic-epic canon.

Hades · Greek God of the Underworld — King of the Dead

Hades (Ancient Greek Haides, Latin Pluto) is the god of the underworld and king of the dead in Greek mythology — the decisive canon, the son of Kronos (Kronos) and Rhea (Rhea), the elder brother of Zeus (Zeus) and Poseidon (Poseidon), who does not belong to the 12 Olympian gods but holds equal power — the decisive canonical iconographic figure. The etymology of the Greek Haides is the decisive canonical vocabulary of 'unseen (a-idein, not-see)', and the alias Plouton (Plouton, 'god of wealth' — used to avoid speaking his true name) is the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Theogony (Theogony) lines 453-491 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Kronos swallows his children — and lines 768-806 — the decisive canon of Hades's underworld realm — and the Iliad (Iliad) Book 15 lines 187-193 of Homer (Homer) of c. 8th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, the three brothers, divided heaven, sea, and underworld by lot — and the Odyssey (Odyssey) Book 11 — the decisive canon of the Nekyia (Nekyia, evocation of the souls of the dead). The decisive canon of the Persephone (Persephone) abduction myth of the Homeric Hymns (Homeric Hymns) No. 2 Hymn to Demeter of c. 7th-6th century BCE, and the decisive canonical iconography of the mature male god clothed in darkness and dignity, hiding his appearance with the kynee (kynee) helmet, and commanding the guard dog Kerberos (Kerberos, 3-headed dog).

Apollo · God of Sun, Music, Prophecy, and Healing

Apollo (Ancient Greek Apollon, Latin Apollo) is the decisive canonical god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and archery among the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure of the son of Zeus (Zeus) and Leto (Leto), the twin brother of Artemis (Artemis). The etymology Greek Apollon is the decisive canonical vocabulary meaning 'destroyer' or 'assembler' or 'the revered one', and the aliases Phoibos (Phoibos, 'the shining one'), Delios (Delios, 'of Delos'), Pythios (Pythios, 'of Python'), and Musagetes (Musagetes, 'leader of the Muses') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is Homer (Homer) Iliad (Iliad) Book 1 lines 43-52 of c. 8th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Apollo, receiving the prayer of his priest Chryses (Chryses), shoots arrows of plague (loimos) into the Greek camp for 9 days with his silver bow (argurotoxos) — and Theogony (Theogony) lines 918-920 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon of the birth of Apollo and Artemis as children of Zeus and Leto. The Homeric Hymns (Homeric Hymns) No. 3 — Hymn to Apollo — of c. 7th-6th century BCE is the decisive canon of the birth on Delos and the killing of Python (Python) at Delphi (Delphi), and the Pythia (Pythia) of the Delphic oracle is the decisive canon.

Aphrodite · Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Desire

Aphrodite (Ancient Greek Aphrodite, Latin Venus) is the goddess of love, beauty, desire, and fertility in Greek mythology — the decisive canon, the decisive canonical iconographic figure born from the foam (aphros, sea foam) after Kronos (Kronos) castrated his father Ouranos (Ouranos) and threw his genitals into the sea. The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary of the Greek aphros (foam, sea foam) — 'the one born from foam'. The decisive textual canon is the Theogony (Theogony) lines 188-206 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Kronos castrated his father Ouranos and the genitals fell into the sea, foam (aphros) formed, and Aphrodite was born and landed on the shores of Kypros (Kypros) or Kythera (Kythera) — and the Iliad (Iliad) Book 5 lines 311-430 of Homer (Homer) of c. 8th century BCE — the decisive canon of Diomedes (Diomedes) wounding her wrist with a spear and making her flee — and Book 14 lines 214-221 — the decisive canon of the kestos himas (kestos himas, girdle of love) — and the Odyssey (Odyssey) Book 8 lines 266-366 — the decisive canon of the affair with Ares (Ares) caught in Hephaistos's (Hephaistos) bronze net. The fragment 1 Hymn to Aphrodite (Hymn to Aphrodite) of Sappho (Sappho) of c. 7th century BCE and the Homeric Hymns (Homeric Hymns) No. 5 Hymn to Aphrodite of c. 7th-6th century BCE — the decisive canon of conceiving Aineias (Aineias) with the love of Anchises (Anchises).

Ares · Greek God of War and Slaughter

Ares (Ancient Greek Ares, Latin Mars) is the decisive canonical god of war, slaughter, and frenzy among the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the son of Zeus (Zeus) and Hera (Hera), though even his parents disliked him. The etymology Greek Ares is the decisive canonical vocabulary meaning 'destruction', 'curse', or 'vengeance', and the aliases Enyalios (Enyalios, 'god of war'), Brotoloigos (Brotoloigos, 'plague of men'), Andreiphontes (Andreiphontes, 'man-slayer'), and Theoutios (Theoutios, 'of the god') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Theogony (Theogony) lines 921-923 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon of the birth of Ares as son of Zeus and Hera — and the Iliad (Iliad) Book 5 lines 385-391 of Homer (Homer) of c. 8th century BCE — the decisive canon in which the giant brothers Otos (Otos) and Ephialtes (Ephialtes) of the Aloadae (Aloadae) imprisoned Ares in a bronze jar for 13 months — and Book 5 lines 846-863 — the decisive canon in which Diomedes (Diomedes), with the help of Athena (Athena), wounded Ares with his spear, and Ares screamed like the cry of 9000-10000 men.

Zeus· King of Olympus God of Sky and Thunder

Zeus (Ancient Greek Zeus, Latin Iuppiter Jupiter) is the supreme god of Greek mythology — the decisive canon, the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning, the head of the 12 Olympian gods, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the youngest son of Kronos (Kronos) and Rhea (Rhea) who deposed his father and took the sovereignty of the universe. The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary derived from the Proto-Indo-European *dyeu- (light, sky), cognate with the Latin Iuppiter (*dyeu-pater 'sky father') and the Sanskrit Dyaus Pita. The decisive textual canon is the Mycenaean Linear B clay tablet inscriptions 'di-we (di-we, dative of Zeus)' and 'di-wo (di-wo, genitive of Zeus)' of the Bronze Age Mycenaean civilisation, and the Theogony (Theogony) lines 453-506 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Kronos swallowed his children but mother Rhea hid Zeus in Mount Ida (Ida) or the Dikte (Dikte) cave of Crete (Krete) and saved him — and lines 617-720 — the decisive canon of the 10-year Titanomachy (Titanomachia) — and lines 820-880 — the decisive canon of the duel with the giant monster Typhon (Typhon) — and lines 881-887 — the decisive canon of receiving the sky by lot — and Books 1.493-611, 8.5-27, and 14.292-353 of Homer's Iliad of c. 8th century BCE.

Hera · Queen of Olympus — Goddess of Marriage

Hera (Ancient Greek Hera, Latin Juno) is the decisive canonical goddess of marriage, childbirth, women, sovereignty, and the family among the 12 Olympian gods of Greek mythology, the queen of Olympus, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the daughter of Kronos (Kronos) and Rhea (Rhea), the elder sister and legitimate wife of Zeus (Zeus). The etymology Greek Hera is the decisive canonical vocabulary meaning 'lady' or 'season' (hora), and the aliases Teleia (Teleia, 'fulfilled' or 'of marriage'), Basileia (Basileia, 'queen'), Parthenos (Parthenos, 'virgin'), Aigiochos (Aigiochos), and Boopis (Boopis, 'ox-eyed') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Theogony (Theogony) lines 453-491 of Hesiod (Hesiod) of c. 8th-7th century BCE — the decisive canon in which Kronos swallows his children — and lines 921-923 — the decisive canon of the birth of Hebe (Hebe), Ares (Ares), and Eileithyia (Eileithyia), children of Zeus and Hera — and the Iliad (Iliad) Book 14 lines 292-353 of Homer (Homer) of c. 8th century BCE — the decisive canon of Hera seducing Zeus — and Book 1 lines 518-611 — the decisive heroic-epic canon of the quarrel between Hera and Zeus.

Odin · Allfather of Norse Myth — God of Wisdom, War, and Death

Odin (Old Norse Odin, Proto-Germanic Wodanaz, 'the one of frenzy, ecstasy, inspiration') is the decisive canonical chief god, the All-Father (Alfodr) of all gods and humans, and the god of wisdom, poetry, war, death, runes, and seidr magic of the Aesir (Aesir) in Norse mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the grandson of the giant Buri (Buri), son of Borr (Borr) and Bestla (Bestla), who together with his brothers Vili (Vili) and Ve (Ve) killed the primordial giant Ymir (Ymir) and created the world from his body. The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary derived from the Old Norse Odin or Proto-Germanic Wodanaz ('frenzy, ecstasy, inspiration'), cognate with the English Wednesday (Old English Wodnesdaeg, 'Woden's day'), the German Mittwoch, and the Latin furor (frenzy). The decisive textual canon is the Prose Edda (Prose Edda) of c. 1220 of the early 13th-century Icelandic poet-historian Snorri Sturluson (Snorri Sturluson, 1179-1241) — chapters 6-9 (creation), 15 (Mimir's well), and 51 (Ragnarok) of Gylfaginning (Gylfaginning) — and the Voluspa (Voluspa), Havamal (Havamal) stanzas 138-141, Grimnismal (Grimnismal), and Vafthrudnismal (Vafthrudnismal) of the Poetic Edda (Poetic Edda) of the c. 1270 Codex Regius (Codex Regius) manuscript are the decisive poetic canon, and the decisive canonical iconography of sacrificing one eye to the well (Mimisbrunnr) of Mimir (Mimir) to gain cosmic wisdom, and hanging himself on Yggdrasil (Yggdrasill) for 9 days to learn the runes (runir).

Thor · Norse God of Thunder — Protector of Mankind

Thor (Old Norse Thorr, Proto-Germanic Thunraz 'thunder') is the god of thunder, lightning, storms, strength, and fertility of Norse mythology — the decisive canon, the son of Odin (Odin) and the earth goddess Jord (Jord), married to Sif (Sif) — the decisive canonical iconographic figure. The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary derived from the Old Norse Thorr or Proto-Germanic Thunraz ('thunder'), cognate with the English Thursday (Old English Thunresdaeg, 'Thunor's day'), the German Donnerstag, and the Latin Tonans (epithet of Jupiter, 'thundering'). The decisive textual canon is chapter 9 of the Germania (Germania) of the c. 1st-century Roman historian Tacitus (Cornelius Tacitus, c. 56-120) — the decisive Roman-era canon of Donar (Donar, later Thor) identified by the Germanic tribes with Hercules (Hercules) — and the Prose Edda (Prose Edda) of c. 1220 of the early 13th-century Icelandic poet-historian Snorri Sturluson (Snorri Sturluson, 1179-1241) — chapters 21 (introduction), 25, 28 (Mjollnir), 42-48 (Utgarda-Loki, Skrymir episode), and 50 (Jormungandr fishing) of Gylfaginning (Gylfaginning) — the decisive canon — and the Voluspa (Voluspa), Thrymskvida (Thrymskvida), Hymiskvida (Hymiskvida), Harbardsljod (Harbardsljod), and Alvissmal (Alvissmal) of the Poetic Edda (Poetic Edda) of the c. 1270 Codex Regius (Codex Regius) manuscript are the decisive poetic canon. The decisive canonical iconography of the hammer Mjollnir (Mjollnir) — a weapon that returns when thrown — and the chariot drawn by two goats Tanngnjostr (Tanngnjostr) and Tanngrisnir (Tanngrisnir).

Loki · Norse God of Mischief and Shape — The Trigger of Ragnarök

Loki (Old Norse Loki, 'knot or spider web') is the god of shape-shifting, cunning, fire, chaos, and the trickster of Norse mythology — the decisive canon, the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the son (Loki Laufeyjarson) of the giants Farbauti (Farbauti) and Laufey (Laufey), who became a member of Asgard (Asgard) by becoming a blood-brother of Odin (Odin) through a blood oath. The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary of the Old Norse Loki or 'knot (loop, knot)' or 'spider web (spider web)'. The decisive textual canon is the Prose Edda (Prose Edda) of c. 1220 of the early 13th-century Icelandic poet-historian Snorri Sturluson (Snorri Sturluson, 1179-1241) — chapters 33 (introduction), 34-35 (children), 42 (Asgard wall), 49 (death of Baldr), and 50 (binding) of Gylfaginning (Gylfaginning) — the decisive canon — and the Lokasenna (Lokasenna), Voluspa (Voluspa), and Thrymskvida (Thrymskvida) of the Poetic Edda (Poetic Edda) of the c. 1270 Codex Regius (Codex Regius) manuscript are the decisive poetic canon. The decisive canonical iconography in which with the giantess Angrboda (Angrboda) he produced three monster children — Fenrir (Fenrir, wolf), Jormungandr (Jormungandr, Midgard serpent), Hel (Hel, goddess of death) — and caused the death of Baldr (Baldr), igniting Ragnarok (Ragnarok).

Freya · Norse Goddess of Love, Fertility, War, and Seiðr

Freya (Old Norse Freyja, 'lady') is the decisive canonical goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, death, and seidr (seidr, prophecy and fate magic) of the Vanir (Vanir) in Norse mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the daughter of Njord (Njord) of the Vanir and sister of Freyr (Freyr). The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary derived from the Old Norse freyja ('lady, mistress'), and according to some scholars, cognate with the English Friday (Old English Frigedaeg) and the German Freitag. The decisive textual canon is the Prose Edda (Prose Edda) of c. 1220 of the early 13th-century Icelandic poet-historian Snorri Sturluson (Snorri Sturluson, 1179-1241) — chapters 24 and 35 of Gylfaginning (Gylfaginning) — the decisive canon of Freya — and the Skaldskaparmal (Skaldskaparmal) of the Prose Edda are the decisive canon, and the Voluspa (Voluspa), Lokasenna (Lokasenna), and Thrymskvida (Thrymskvida) of the Poetic Edda (Poetic Edda) of the c. 1270 Codex Regius (Codex Regius) manuscript are the decisive poetic canon. After the end of the Vanir-Aesir War (Aesir-Vanir War), she came to Asgard (Asgard) as a peace hostage, and half of the slain go to her Folkvangr (Folkvangr, 'field of the host') hall Sessrumnir (Sessrumnir), while only the other half go to Odin's Valhalla (Valholl) — the decisive canonical iconography.

Tyr · Norse God of War, Justice, and Oaths

Tyr (Old Norse Tyr, Proto-Germanic Tiwaz) is the decisive canonical god of war, justice, law, and oaths of the Aesir (Aesir) in Norse mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure who lost his right hand by putting it in the mouth of the giant wolf Fenrir (Fenrir) as a pledge to bind him with the sacred chain Gleipnir (Gleipnir). The etymology Proto-Germanic Tiwaz ('god, sky god') is derived from the Proto-Indo-European deywos ('shining sky god'), cognate with the Latin deus (god), the Greek Zeus, and the Sanskrit dyaus pitar ('sky father') — the decisive canonical vocabulary. The English Tuesday (Old English Tiwesdaeg, 'Tiw's day'), the German Dienstag, and the Norwegian tirsdag are the decisive canonical vocabulary of Tyr, and the rune T Tiwaz (Tiwaz Rune) is the decisive canon of his name. The decisive textual canon is the Prose Edda (Prose Edda) of c. 1220 of the early 13th-century Icelandic poet-historian Snorri Sturluson (Snorri Sturluson, 1179-1241) — Gylfaginning (Gylfaginning) chapters 25 and 34 — the decisive Tyr canon and the Fenrir binding canon — and the Poetic Edda (Poetic Edda) Hymiskvida (Hymiskvida) of the c. 1270 Codex Regius manuscript is the decisive poetic canon of Tyr.

Heimdall · Watchman of Bifröst — Trumpeter of Ragnarök

Heimdall (Old Norse Heimdallr, 'shining one of the world' or 'pillar of the world') is the decisive canonical god of light, vigilance, and watching of the Aesir (Aesir) in Norse mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure of the eternal watchman of the rainbow bridge Bifrost (Bifrost). The etymology is the Old Norse compound of heim ('world, home') and dallr ('shining one' or 'pillar') — meaning 'shining one of the world' — the decisive canonical vocabulary, and the aliases Gullintanni (Gullintanni, 'the one with golden teeth') — the god with golden teeth — and Vitli (Vitli, 'the white one') and Hallinskidi (Hallinskidi) are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Prose Edda (Prose Edda) of c. 1220 of the early 13th-century Icelandic poet-historian Snorri Sturluson (Snorri Sturluson, 1179-1241) — chapter 27 of Gylfaginning (Gylfaginning) — the decisive Heimdall canon — and chapter 51 — the Ragnarok canon — and the Voluspa (Voluspa), Grimnismal (Grimnismal) stanza 13, Thrymskvida (Thrymskvida) stanza 15, and Rigsthula (Rigsthula, Lay of Rig) of the Poetic Edda (Poetic Edda) of the c. 1270 Codex Regius (Codex Regius) manuscript are the decisive poetic canon of Heimdall. The decisive canon of mysterious birth from nine mothers (nine waves, nine sisters), and the decisive canonical iconographic figure who at Ragnarok blows the great horn Gjallarhorn (Gjallarhorn) to wake the gods and mutually destroys with Loki (Loki).

Baldr · God of Light and Purity — Tragedy of the Beloved

Baldr (Old Norse Baldr or Baldur, Proto-Germanic Balthraz 'brave, bright') is the decisive canonical god of light, purity, joy, beauty, and dreams of the Aesir (Aesir) in Norse mythology, and the decisive canonical iconographic figure as the son of Odin (Odin) and Frigg (Frigg), the brother of Thor (Thor), and the most beloved among the gods. The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary derived from the Old Norse baldr or Proto-Germanic Balthraz ('brave, bold, bright'), cognate with the English bold. The decisive textual canon is the Prose Edda (Prose Edda) of c. 1220 of the early 13th-century Icelandic poet-historian Snorri Sturluson (Snorri Sturluson, 1179-1241) — chapter 49 of Gylfaginning (Gylfaginning) — the decisive canon of Baldr's death — and the Baldrs draumar (Baldrs draumar, Baldr's Dreams) and Voluspa (Voluspa) of the Poetic Edda (Poetic Edda) of the c. 1270 Codex Regius (Codex Regius) manuscript are the decisive poetic canon. When Baldr dreamed nightmares predicting his death, his mother Frigg took oaths from all things not to harm him, but the mistletoe (mistilteinn), considered too young to swear, became his weakness, and Loki (Loki) had the blind brother Hodr (Hodr) hold a mistletoe arrow and killed Baldr — the decisive canon that became the catalyst of Ragnarok (Ragnarok).

Ra · Egyptian Sun God — Creator and King of the Gods

Ra (Egyptian Ra or Re, 'sun') is the decisive canonical sun-god, creator, and king of the gods of ancient Egyptian mythology — the Heliopolis (Heliopolis, Egyptian Iunu, 'city of the pillar') theology — and the decisive canonical iconographic figure, who rose by himself from Nun (Nun), the primordial chaos sea, and as the ancestor of the Heliopolis Ennead (Ennead) of Shu (Shu), Tefnut (Tefnut), Geb (Geb), Nut (Nut), Osiris (Osiris), Isis (Isis), Seth (Seth), and Nephthys (Nephthys). The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary of the Egyptian Ra ('sun'), and during the New Kingdom 18th dynasty (1550-1292 BCE) he merged with the god Amun of Thebes to become Amun-Ra (Amun-Ra), the supreme god — the decisive canon. The decisive textual canon is the Pyramid Texts (Pyramid Texts) of c. 2400-2300 BCE — Old Kingdom 5th-6th dynasty — the decisive canon of the inside of the pyramids of Unas (Unas, 2375-2345 BCE) and Pepi I (Pepi I) — and the Coffin Texts (Coffin Texts) of c. 2100-1700 BCE Middle Kingdom — and the Book of the Dead (Book of the Dead) and the Amduat (Amduat) of c. 1550 BCE New Kingdom are the decisive canon. The pharaoh's title 'son of Ra (sa-Ra)' and the decisive canonical iconography of a falcon head with sun disc and the Uraeus (Uraeus) cobra.

Osiris · Egyptian King of the Afterlife — God of Resurrection and Abundance

Osiris (Egyptian Wsjr Asar or Usir, Greek Osiris, 'seat of the strong' or 'throne') is the god of the underworld, resurrection, fertility, and grain of ancient Egyptian mythology — the decisive canon, the son of Geb (Geb, earth) and Nut (Nut, sky) of the Heliopolitan Ennead (Ennead), husband of Isis (Isis), who was killed by his brother Seth (Seth), whose dismembered body was gathered and resurrected by Isis, and then became the king of the underworld Duat (Duat) judging the souls of the dead — the decisive canonical iconographic figure. The decisive textual canon is the Pyramid Texts (Pyramid Texts) of c. 2400-2300 BCE — Old Kingdom 5th dynasty — the decisive origin canon of about 200 of the about 759 spells of the pyramid texts of Unas (Unas, reigned 2375-2345 BCE) in Saqqara — and the Coffin Texts (Coffin Texts) of c. 2100-1700 BCE Middle Kingdom — and the Book of the Dead (Book of the Dead) of c. 1550 BCE New Kingdom, especially chapter 125 'Negative Confession (Negative Confession)' — the decisive canon of Osiris's 42 judges. The De Iside et Osiride (De Iside et Osiride) of the Greek Plutarch (Plutarch, c. 46-119) of c. 100 CE of the c. 1st century CE is the most complete decisive Greek-Latin mythological canon.

Isis · Egyptian Goddess of Magic and Motherhood — Goddess of Ten Thousand Names

Isis (Egyptian Iset or Aset, Greek Isis, Latin Isis) is the goddess of magic, healing, motherhood, and kingship of ancient Egyptian mythology — the decisive canon, the daughter of Geb (Geb) and Nut (Nut) of the Heliopolitan Ennead (Ennead), the sister and wife of Osiris (Osiris), and the mother of Horus (Horus) — the decisive canonical iconographic figure. The etymology of the Egyptian Iset (Aset) is 'throne (throne)' — the decisive canon as the personification of the throne — and the aliases Aset (Aset), Auset (Auset), Weret-hekau (Weret-hekau, 'Great Sorceress'), Mut-netjeret (Mut-netjeret, 'Mother of God'), and Anima Versatilis (Anima Versatilis, 'goddess of ten thousand names') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the decisive origin canon of the Pyramid Texts (Pyramid Texts) of Unas (Unas) of the Old Kingdom 5th dynasty of c. 2400-2300 BCE, and the decisive canon of 'Isis and the Secret Name of Ra (Isis and the Secret Name of Ra)' of the Turin Papyrus (Turin Papyrus) of the New Kingdom of c. 1250 BCE. The De Iside et Osiride (De Iside et Osiride) of Plutarch (Plutarchos) of c. 100 CE of the c. 1st century CE and the decisive canon of the 'goddess of ten thousand names' in Book 11 of the Metamorphoses (Metamorphoses) of Apuleius (Apuleius) of c. 170 CE.

Horus · Egyptian God of Sky and Kingship — Falcon-Eyed Restorer of Justice

Horus (Egyptian Ḥr Hor, Greek Hōros) is the god of the sky, kingship, and justice of ancient Egyptian mythology — the decisive canon, the son of Osiris (Osiris) and Isis (Isis), the decisive canonical iconographic figure who became the legitimate king of Egypt after an 80-year throne struggle with his uncle Seth (Seth). The etymology of the Egyptian Ḥr is the decisive canonical vocabulary of 'the high one' or 'the distant one', and the aliases Heru (Heru), Hor (Hor), Hor-sa-Iset (Hor-sa-Iset, 'Horus son of Isis'), Hor-wer (Hor-wer, 'Horus the Great'), Hor-akhti (Hor-akhti, 'Horus of the two horizons'), and Harpokrates (Harpokrates, 'Horus the Child') are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the decisive origin canon of the Pyramid Texts (Pyramid Texts) of Unas (Unas) of the Old Kingdom 5th dynasty of c. 2400-2300 BCE, and the decisive canon of the 80-year struggle of the 'Contendings of Horus and Seth (Contendings of Horus and Seth)' of the Chester Beatty Papyrus I (Chester Beatty Papyrus I) of the New Kingdom 20th dynasty period of Rameses V of c. 1250 BCE. The De Iside et Osiride (De Iside et Osiride) chapters 12-20 and 54-58 of Plutarch (Plutarchos) of c. 100 CE of the Greek 1st century CE — the decisive Greek-Latin canon.

Anubis · Egyptian God — Guardian of Death and Mummification

Anubis (Egyptian Anpu, Greek Anubis) is the underworld god of ancient Egyptian mythology — the decisive canon — who guides the souls of the dead and presides over the mummification (embalming) ritual — the decisive canonical iconographic figure with a jackal's head and a human body, black skin or fur. Aliases — Anpu (Anpu), Imy-ut (Imy-ut, 'He who is in the bandages'), Khenty-amentiu (Khenty-amentiu, 'Foremost of the Westerners'), Wepwawet (Wepwawet) — are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the decisive origin canon of the Pyramid Texts (Pyramid Texts) of Pharaoh Unas (Unas) of Saqqara of the 5th Dynasty of Egypt of c. 2400-2300 BCE, and the decisive canon of Spell 125 of the Book of the Dead (Book of the Dead, Book of Coming Forth by Day) of the New Kingdom of Egypt of c. 1550 BCE. The decisive mythological canon is the decisive canon of the 'Weighing of the Heart' — the decisive canon in which Anubis brings the soul of the deceased to the Hall of Two Truths and weighs his heart against the feather of Maat (Ma'at, goddess of justice) on a scale.

Indra · God of Thunder — Supreme Deity of Hindu Mythology

Indra (Sanskrit Indra) is the supreme deity of Indian Vedic mythology — the decisive canon — and god of thunder, lightning, war, and rain — derived from the Sanskrit 'indra' meaning 'strong, ruler' — the decisive canonical iconographic figure of the most praised deity of the Vedic era (c. 1500-500 BCE). Aliases — Shakra ('mighty one'), Vajrapani ('bearer of vajra'), Purandara ('destroyer of fortresses'), Meghavahana ('rider of clouds'), Devaraja ('king of the gods'), Sakra Devanam Indra (Buddhist Indra) — are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the decisive origin canon of the Rigveda (Rigveda) of c. 1500-1200 BCE in which about 250 of the 1028 hymns are dedicated to him — the most of any deity. The decisive mythological canon is the decisive origin canon of Rigveda 1.32 in which Indra slew the drought demon Vritra (Vritra) with the vajra (vajra, thunder weapon) and released the blocked waters, bringing rain to humanity.

Jade Emperor · Supreme Deity of Daoism — Emperor of Heaven

Jade Emperor (Yu Huang Shang Di, Yu Di) is the supreme god of Taoism and Chinese folk religion — the decisive canon, the emperor of the celestial realm who resides in the heavenly Jade Capital (Yujing) and rules all gods, humans, ghosts, and natural phenomena — the decisive canonical iconographic figure. The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary of Yu (jade) + Huang (emperor) + Shangdi (Lord of Heaven), and the aliases Yudi, Yuhuang Dadi, Tiangong (Heavenly Lord), and Haotian Jinque Zhizun Yuhuang Dadi are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the decisive origin canon of the Heavenly Emperor (Tiandi) and Lord (Shangdi) of the Taiping Jing (Taiping Jing) of the Han dynasty c. 2nd century CE, and the decisive Taoist canon of the Jade Emperor Sutra (Yuhuang Jing, Gaoshang Yuhuang Benxing Jijing) of the Tang dynasty (618-907). The decisive canon is the canon as the official imperial object of worship through the title 'Taishang Kaitian Zhifu Yuli Hanzhen Tidao Yuhuang Datian Di' bestowed by Emperor Zhenzong of Song (reigned 997-1022) in 1012, and the title 'Taishang Kaitian Zhifu Yuli Hanzhen Tidao Haotian Yuhuang Shangdi' bestowed by Emperor Huizong of Song (reigned 1100-1126) in 1116.

Shiva · Hindu God of Destruction and Renewal — Cosmic Dancer

Shiva (Sanskrit Śiva, 'the auspicious one') is the god of destruction and regeneration of Hindu mythology — the decisive canon, one of the Trimūrti (Trimūrti) — the decisive canonical iconographic figure. The decisive textual canon is the Rudra (Rudra) hymns 1.43, 1.114, 2.33, and 7.46 of the storm god of the Rigveda (Rigveda) of c. 1500-1200 BCE — the decisive origin canon — and the Shvetashvatara Upanishad (Shvetashvatara Upanishad) 3.4-5 of c. 6th-4th century BCE — the decisive canon of the identification of Rudra and Shiva. The Mahabharata (Mahābhārata) Anushasana Parva 14.4 of c. 4th century BCE-4th century CE — the decisive canon of the Shiva Sahasranama (Shiva Sahasranama, 'Thousand Names of Shiva') — and the Shiva Purana (Śiva Purāṇa) of c. 800 CE — one of the 18 Mahapuranas (Mahāpurāṇa) — and the Natya Shastra (Nāṭya Śāstra) of Bharata Muni of c. 200 CE — the decisive canon of the Tandava (Tāṇḍava, cosmic dance) — and the Kumarasambhava (Kumārasambhava) of Kalidasa (Kālidāsa) of c. 5th century CE — the decisive canon of marriage to Parvati (Pārvatī).

Hwanung· Korean Sky God Father of Dangun

Hwanung (Hanja Hwanung) is the heavenly god of Korean mythology — the decisive canon, the son of Hwanin (Hwanin), the heavenly god, and the father of Dangun Wanggeom (Dangun Wanggeom) — the decisive canonical iconographic figure who descended to the human world and founded the divine city of Sinsi (Sinsi). The etymology is the decisive canonical vocabulary of Hwan ('brightness') + Ung ('male, hero'), and the aliases Cheonwang ('Heavenly King'), Hwanung Cheonwang (Hwanung Cheonwang), Sinung ('divine hero'), and Ungsang (Ungsang) are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) Volume 1 'Gi-i (Strange Events)' chapter 'Old Joseon Wanggeom Joseon' of c. 1281 — the 7th year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo — by the monk Iryeon (1206-1289) — the decisive canon in which the illegitimate son of Hwanin, Hwanung, asked to rule the human world, and his father Hwanin looked down upon Mount Samwi-Taebaek (Samwi-Taebaek) and determined it as a place where one could 'broadly benefit humans (Hongik Ingan)', and gave Hwanung three Cheonbuin (Heavenly Seal) and 3,000 followers to descend. The Jewang Ungi (Songs of Emperors and Kings) Volume 2 of Yi Seunghyu (Yi Seunghyu, 1224-1300) of 1287 — the 13th year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo — is the decisive canon.

Amaterasu · Japanese Sun Goddess — Ancestress of the Imperial House

Amaterasu (Amaterasu-Ōmikami) is the supreme deity and sun goddess of Japanese Shinto mythology — the decisive canon — the ruler of Takamagahara and the ancestor of the Japanese Imperial Family — the decisive canonical iconographic figure. The etymology is Amaterasu (, 'the one who illuminates heaven') + Ōmikami (, 'great deity') — the decisive canonical vocabulary — and aliases Ōhirume-no-Muchi (, 'great goddess of the sun'), Amaterasu-Ōmikami, and the Great Deity of Ise are the decisive canonical vocabulary. The decisive textual canon is the decisive origin canon of Kojiki Vol. 1 of 712 CE by Ō no Yasumaro — Amaterasu was born from Izanagi's left eye when he returned from Yomi and purified himself — and the decisive canon of Amaterasu hiding in Ame-no-Iwato (, Heavenly Rock Cave) in fury at her brother Susanoo's outrages, plunging the world into darkness. The decisive canon of Nihon Shoki Vol. 1 Age of the Gods of 720 CE by Prince Toneri, and the decisive canon of the principal deity of the Inner Shrine (Naiku) of Ise Grand Shrine and the Shikinen Sengū ritual every 20 years.