Sun God Myths |

Multicultural Myths About Sun Gods

Parallel Mythologies of Solar Deities through History — Pagan, Christian & Astrological

Some of the following details about these solar gods may be disputable, because there may be several different versions of all the sun god myths on this page. The origins of some have been lost, yet there is still enough similarity between these stories to give us reason to look beyond them to a deeper unifying reality.

The basis of all these myths about solar gods appears to be astrological

The common thread that weaves through these sun god myths provides a way for us to recognize our commonality.

Many of these stories point to earlier myths of a virgin mother of all the gods. She has many names the world over. In the mythology of the British Isles, she is called Modron (meaning Mother), Danu, Don, Dana, Brigit, or Arianrhod.

Here are just a few common themes from the solar god myths of the world with their astrological connections:

Virgin mother — constellation Virgo
Birth at the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21 — 25)
Visit of three kings or magi — three belt stars in the constellation of Orion
The “carpenter” — who builds the “houses” of the zodiac
Twelve disciples — twelve signs of the zodiac
Baptism in a river — Milky Way Galaxy
The sun’s warmth turns water into wine through ripening grapes
The serpent (Scorpio) betrays him, decreasing his power as winter arrives
The crucifixion — the cross of the Solstices and Equinoxes and/or the four elements and directions
Resurrection at the Spring Equinox — light becomes longer than dark
Hanging on a tree — Tree of Life — the Torus field of our Galaxy

There are many striking parallels between the following myths (as well as those of Dionysus, Attis, and Adonis), which are quite obvious when you take the time to look for them. When these parallels are noted, we are faced with the question: Who or what is the reality reflected in all these similar stories?

Surely they are not multiple characters who come to Earth to start conflicting religions that wage war on each other throughout history.

These stories must be reflections of the same energy, or perhaps the same being as seen through different cultural lenses. Let’s look for the unifying factors and the truth behind them, starting from the earliest known to the most modern.

LUGH, Llew, Lieu — Sun God Myths of Ireland, Wales — pre-historic

was born of a Virgin — Arianrhod
can only die at the Autumn Equinox when he stands balanced (Libra) with one foot on a cauldron (Cancer) and the other foot on the back of a goat (Capricorn)
is betrayed by his wife who is made of flowers (Virgo-Autumn)
After he is killed he turns into an eagle (Scorpio) and sits in a tree (Tree of Life — torus field of our galaxy/universe)
Resurrected back to original form
Called a Savior
Known as Lugh of the long arm — representing long rays of the sun
Holds the spear of the Tuatha de Danaan — sun ray, symbol of the element of fire (or air in some traditions)

According to Robin Heath http://www.skyscript.co.uk/sunheath.html, “The very ancient stories of the Tuatha de Danaan in Ireland tell us that the first battle of Mag Tuired was fought by their savior-hero Lug [Lugh] and thirty-two other leaders.” And the number thirty-three is repeated frequently throughout Irish legends. He goes on to say:

“This material contains a common theme. It tells the knowing listener or reader to look to the number thirty-three as something relevant to a hero, a savior. In the analysis of the Welsh White Book of Rhydderch, we may read that, ‘Both three and eleven were equally symbolic, the multiplicant thirty-three particularly so. It has frequently been used to imply supra-human attributes, regal authority and deification.'”

Heath’s fascinating article goes on to show that the number 33 is related to the movement of the sun over a 33 year cycle. (Also, Jesus is said to have died at the age of 33.)

KRISHNA — Sun God Myths of India — circa 5000-3500 BC

was born of a Virgin
his father was a carpenter
his birth was attended by angels, wise men and shepherds
was presented with gold, frankincense and myrrh
was persecuted by a tyrant who ordered the slaughter of thousands of infants
was of royal descent
was baptized in a river ( Milky Way)
worked miracles and wonders
was transfigured in front of his disciples
In some traditions he died on a tree or was crucified between two thieves
He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven
is called the “Shepherd God” and “Lord of lords,” and was considered “the Redeemer, Firstborn, Sin Bearer, Liberator, Universal Word”
He is the second person of the Hindu Trinity (an incarnation of Vishnu), and proclaimed himself the “Resurrection” and the “way to the Father”
was considered the “Beginning, the Middle and the End,” (“Alpha and Omega”), as well as being omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent
His disciples bestowed upon him the title “Jezeus,” meaning “pure essence”
A common earlier English spelling of Krishna was “Christna”
He is expected to return to do battle with the “Prince of Evil,” who will desolate the earth

OSIRIS — Sun God Myths of Egypt — circa 2300 BC

His mother is Nut (or Nuit) Queen of Heaven
was born in a cave or cowshed (Underworld)
His birth was prophesied by a star in the heavens
At a marriage ceremony, he performed the miracle of converting water into wine
rode triumphantly into a city on a donkey (two stars in the constellation of Cancer are called “the asses”)
had 12 disciples
was killed near the time of the Vernal Equinox, about MARCH 21
died “as a sacrifice for the sins of the world”
was hung on a tree, stake, or cross (Tree of Life)
After death, he descended into hell (the Underworld)
On the third day after his death, he was resurrected
He later ascended to heaven
His titles: God made flesh, Savior of the world, son of God
is “God made man” and equal to his Father
will return in the last days
will judge the human race at that time
The god-man’s sacrificial death reunites the believer with God and atones for his original sin

HORUS — Sun God Myths of Egypt — circa 2613-2160 BC

His mother was Nuit Queen of Heaven (or Isis in some sources)
was called “the KRST,” or “Anointed One.”
was born on December 25th
had 12 disciples (signs of the zodiac)
performed miracles and raised one man, el-Azar-us, from the dead
walked on water (as the sun appears to do)
was transfigured on the Mount
was crucified, buried in a tomb and resurrected
was called the “Way, the Truth, the Light, the Messiah, God’s Anointed Son, the Son of Man, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, the Word”
was “the Fisher,” and was associated with the Lamb, Lion and Fish (Aries, Leo, Pisces)
In the catacombs at Rome are pictures of Him as a baby being held by his mother Isis — the original “Madonna and Child.”

MITHRA — Sun God Myths of Persia — India — Rome— circa 1500 BC

was born on December 25th
was considered a great traveling teacher and master (as the sun travels across the sky)
had 12 companions or disciples
performed miracles
was buried in a tomb
after three days he rose again
was considered “the Way, the Truth and the Light, the Redeemer, the Savior, the Messiah”
was identified with both the Lion and the Lamb (Leo, Aries)
His sacred day was Sunday, “the Lord’s Day”
His resurrection was celebrated every year
was called “the Good Shepherd”
had his principal festival on what was later to become Easter, at which time he was resurrected (Spring Equinox)
His religion had a Eucharist or “Lord’s Supper”

Mithra dates from the time that the Hindus (Mithra) and Persians (Zarathushtra) still formed one people, for the god Mithra occurs in the Vedas and in the Avesta.

Zarathushtra spoke to his pupils in these words: “He who will not eat of my body and drink of my blood, so that he will be made one with me and I with him, the same shall not know salvation.”

BUDDHA — Sun God Myths of India — circa 490-410 BC

was born of the virgin Maya, who was considered the “Queen of Heaven”
was of royal descent
crushed a serpent’s head (Scorpio)
performed miracles and wonders, healed the sick, fed 500 men from a “small basket of cakes,” and walked on water
abolished idolatry, was a “sower of the word,” and preached the establishment of a kingdom of righteousness
taught chastity, temperance, tolerance, compassion, love, and the equality of all
was transfigured on a mount
was crucified in a sin-atonement
suffered for three days in hell (Underworld)
was resurrected
ascended to “heaven” (Upper world — Nirvana)

JESUS — Sun God Myths of Greece — Rome — Israel — circa 4 BC-36AD

was born on December 25th (Winter Solstice)
Born of a virgin, Mary — Queen of Heaven (Virgo)
His father was a carpenter
His birth was attended by angels, wise men and shepherds
was presented with gold, frankincense and myrrh
was persecuted by a tyrant who ordered the slaughter of thousands of infants
was of royal descent
Called the Savior
was baptized in a river (Milky Way)
had 12 companions or disciples (12 signs of the zodiac)
worked miracles and wonders
healed the sick, fed crowds from a small basket of bread and fish, and walked on water
was transfigured on a mount in front of his disciples
was crucified at the age of 33 in a sin-atonement
was hung on a tree [Tree of Life], stake, or cross (Equinox-Solstice)
was buried in a tomb (Underworld)
After three days he was resurrected (to begin the 33 year cycle again)
has his principal festival at Spring Eqinox — Easter
ascended to heaven (Upper world)
His religion has a Eucharist or “Lord’s Supper”
is called the “Good Shepherd” and “Lord of lords,” and was considered “the Redeemer, Firstborn, Sin Bearer, Liberator, Universal Word”
is the second person of the Trinity, and proclaimed himself the “Resurrection” and the “way to the Father”
was considered the “Alpha and Omega,” as well as being omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent
Jesus Christ said to his disciples: “He who eats of my body and drinks of my blood shall have eternal life.”

Are all these sun god myths beginning to sound familiar?

Recognizing these parallels should not lessen the value of any of the stories or the beings they represent, since they all point to a reality of cyclical renewal and liberation that is often overlooked in our day-to-day struggle of life.

Rather than doubting their validity, it would make sense to accept the possibility that our Sun (along with all the other stars and planets) is a living being who repeatedly shows us the path of initiation and enlightenment.

We could let our differing stories divide us into warring factions, or we can see our commonality through understanding the similarities and the timeless realities behind them. One way will lead the world to war and destruction. The other will bring peace and prosperity to all.

Whether these solar gods ever actually incarnated in a human body, or one being incarnated in multiple bodies, is beside the point. Our “salvation” lies in our own awakening to the wonder of who WE are within the whole scheme of things. Our journey through life can be enlightened, or we can get lost in the mire of materialism, fear, conflict, and disease.

Each one of these mythic stories highlights the path of enlightenment, harmony, peace, and spiritual awakening. Choose the one that feels best to you, or simply follow the path of the Sun on its 33 year journey through the heavens and it’s yearly cycle through the signs of the zodiac, as it awakens the memory of the Sun God, the Virgin Goddess, and the Four Sacred Hallows.

Multiple Sun Gods Reflect the Oneness of All That Is

All these myths are pointing to the same underlying reality. When we become aware of our interconnectedness within the Oneness, the seeds of compassion and love begin to sprout within us. We see that there is no reason to kill or persecute others just because they accept a different version of mythology or follow a different religion.

This is a mystery we may never fully understand, but it seems promising that there is such a clear and vital thread that weaves between so many different cultures through ages of time.

The Virgin Mother: The Spinner Goddess

We may well wonder, who is this virgin mother goddess who births the Sun and spins the thread that weaves so clearly through our myths?

Could it be the “Virgin” (Virgo) Goddess Arianrhod in her whirling crystal castle of stars?

That is her Welsh name, but she is also known as Danu, Mother Mary, Brigit, Isis and a multitude of other names in different cultures.

To some, she is simply “the Void” or the goddess. She is the mother that births it all — the beginning of all things.

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