The Encyclopedia
Every deity, from every tradition
Who they are, how to recognise them, the names devotees call them by, their stories and feast days, with sources. New figures are added as their entries are written.
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No. 001Mazu
Chinese Folk Religion & Taoism
Motherly goddess of the sea, guardian of sailors and fishing families
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No. 002Guanyin
Buddhism · Chinese Folk Religion & Taoism
Bodhisattva of compassion, who hears the cries of the world
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No. 003Guan Gong
Chinese Folk Religion & Taoism
Red-faced god of loyalty and righteousness, guardian of merchants and scholars
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No. 004Ganesha
Hinduism
Elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, remover of obstacles and lord of beginnings
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No. 005Krishna
Hinduism
The dark, flute-playing cowherd of Vrindavan and teacher of the Bhagavad Gita
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No. 006Jesus Christ
Christianity
Son of God, Saviour and Lord of Christians; teacher, healer and Pantokrator
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No. 007Our Lady of Guadalupe
Christianity
Mother and protector of the Americas, the starry-mantled Virgin of Tepeyac
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No. 008St Francis of Assisi
Christianity
Merchant's son turned poor brother, friend of birds and peacemaker of Assisi
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No. 009St James the Greater
Christianity
Fisherman-apostle and patron of pilgrims, whose shell marks the road to Compostela
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No. 010Kōbō Daishi
Buddhism · Shinto & Japanese Buddhism
Founder of Shingon, and the companion who walks beside every Shikoku pilgrim
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No. 011Jizō
Buddhism · Shinto & Japanese Buddhism
Gentle shaven-headed monk who guards children, travelers and the dead
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No. 012Caishen
Chinese Folk Religion & Taoism
The smiling court official who brings honest prosperity to home and shop
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No. 049Lakshmi
Hinduism
Goddess of fortune and well-being, lotus-seated consort of Vishnu
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No. 071Shakyamuni Buddha
Buddhism
The awakened prince of the Śākyas who taught the middle way beyond suffering
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No. 105Zhong Kui
Chinese Folk Religion & Taoism
Fierce bearded guardian who drives harmful spirits from Chinese doorways
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No. 119Athena
Ancient Traditions
Grey-eyed goddess of wisdom, good counsel and the defence of cities
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No. 123Thor
Ancient Traditions
Norse god of thunder, strong protector of gods and people
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No. 124Freyja
Ancient Traditions
Lady of the Vanir: love, gold, battle and seeing-magic
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No. 139The Virgin Mary
Christianity
Theotokos, the God-bearer: mother of Jesus, intercessor and model of faith
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No. 140Amaterasu
Shinto & Japanese Buddhism
Sun kami of Shinto, whose return from the Heavenly Rock Cave brought light back
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No. 141Allah
Islamic Art & Sufi Poetry
The One God of Islam, creator and sustainer of all, beyond image or likeness
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No. 142The Prophet Muhammad
Islamic Art & Sufi Poetry
Final messenger of God in Islam, who received the Qur'an; a man, not a deity
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No. 143God in Judaism
Judaism
The one, incorporeal God of Israel, creator of the world and giver of the Torah
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No. 144Ik Onkar
Sikhism
The One Creator, formless and timeless, remembered as Waheguru
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No. 145Baháʼu'lláh
The Glory of God: Baháʼí Founder who taught one God, one faith, one humanity
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No. 146Krampus
Folk & Fairy
Shaggy, horned Advent companion of St Nicholas in Alpine folk custom
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No. 147Tomte
Folk & Fairy
The small grey guardian of the Scandinavian farm, who loves porridge with butter
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No. 148Kitsune
Folk & Fairy
The wise, shape-shifting fox of Japanese folklore and messenger of Inari
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No. 149Tanuki
Folk & Fairy
The shape-shifting raccoon dog: jolly trickster and shopfront good-luck charm
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No. 150Baba Yaga
Folk & Fairy
Slavic forest crone of the flying mortar: tester, guardian, sometimes ogress
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No. 151Selkie
Folk & Fairy
Seal-woman who sheds her grey skin to walk the moonlit shore
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No. 152La Befana
Folk & Fairy
Italy's kindly old gift-bringer who sweeps out the year on Epiphany Eve
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No. 153Aos Sí
Folk & Fairy
The Good People of Ireland's fairy mounds, neighbours to treat with courtesy
About the images
What you see here, and what you don't
Each entry is illustrated as its tradition allows. A cinnabar seal means the entry's painted portrait is still being made; it appears once a design has been drawn to the tradition's iconography and approved.
Some traditions do not picture certain figures at all: God in Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, and the Prophet Muhammad. We make no images of them. Their entries show calligraphy, architecture and sacred places instead, and say why.
The gallery pictures on each entry are public-domain works from museums and archives, credited under each image.
Not every tradition is here yet. Entries are added a few at a time, in the order of our roadmap; if a figure you love is missing, it is probably on its way, and you are welcome to suggest one.