Myths about the Sky

Many early civilizations developed myths of sky gods or goddesses, to help them explain the sky and the stars. These deities were usually particularly important or powerful, associated with or the most powerful gods or goddesses in their pantheons. The stories below provide an overview of a few myths associated with sky gods and goddesses identified by early civilizations around the world.
For millennia, people have sought to understand the origin of the heavens, and the stars in the sky. This image, entitled "The Universe and Man", is based on an earlier 16th century graphic and was later published by French astronomer Camille Flammarion in L'Atmosphre: Mtorologie Populaire (Paris, 1888).<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Photodisc, Inc. </em></small></p>

Explore Myths about the Sky

Navajo: Ahsonnutli

Ahsonnutli was the sky father and chief deity of the Navajo Indians. He created heaven, Earth, ...Read more

Sumerian: An

According to the Sumerians, An was the sky god and symbolized heaven. In fact his name means ...Read more

Egyptian: Horus

Horus was a fierce and proud Egyptian god. He was the son of Osiris, the god of air and the ...Read more

Egyptian: Nut

Nut was the Egyptian sky goddess. She was depicted as a giant, naked woman who was supporting ...Read more

Maori: Rangi

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Norse: Tyr

In the early centuries after the birth of Christ, Tyr was not only the sky god but also the ...Read more

Norse: Odin

Odin was the prominent deity of the Norsemen. He was called the All-Father. Odin was depicted ...Read more

Hindu: Indra

In the Rig Veda, which is a collection of antique Hindu hymns, Indra is described as the king ...Read more

Greek: Zeus

In Greek mythology, Zeus (Jupiter in Roman mythology) was the king of heaven and Earth and ...Read more

Roman: Jupiter

In Roman mythology, Jupiter (Zeus in Greek mythology) was the king of heaven and Earth and ...Read more

More about Myths about the Sky

Historical Events

Full Earth and Space Science    History Calendar (Members only)

Teacher Opportunities

Full Teacher Events Calendar (Educator Members only)

Did you know?

Did you know that there is a strange hexagon in the atmosphere at the northern pole of Saturn?

Did you know that, in Japanese and Inuit mythology, there is a Sun goddess rather than a Sun god?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Lithosphere
xLithosphere : The lithosphere is the outer solid part of the earth, including the crust and uppermost mantle.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Scientists Study "Glaciovolcanoes," Mountains of Fire and Ice, in Iceland, British Columbia, U.S.

Glaciovolcanoes, they're called, these rumbling mountains where the orange-red fire of magma meets the frozen blue of glaciers. Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which erupted recently, is but one of...Read more


Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA