Inner Sanctuary
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Inner Sanctuary Table of Contents
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Qudsh-wa-Amrur
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Shataqat
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Gapn and Ugar
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Padraya, Talaya, Arsaya
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Dagan
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Yatpan
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King Khirkhib
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Rahmayyu
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Yam's supporters: Arsh, Attik, Ishat, Litan, Zabib
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Please visit Synopses of Ancient Stories and Texts to learn more about the deities
To listen to Ugaritic hymns to the Deities while you're reading, check out the musical arrangements in " The Oldest Song in the World."
Prayers and Blessings
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Give Well-being
Give well-being, O Father and the Deities,
Yea give well-being, give well-being,
O Ilu and the Gracious Gods.šlm ảb. w ỉlm
w šlm. šlm
ỉl w ỉlmy n‛mm(Patched together from Pardee, Dennis. Ritual and Cult at Ugarit. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, Georgia, 2002; and Parker, Simon B., ed. Ugaritic Narrative Poetry. Society of Biblical Literature, U.S.A., 1997. See Resources)
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Ilu Did Build
Ilu, the sons of Ilu,
The circle of the sons of Ilu,
The assembly of the sons of Ilu;
Thukamnua-wa-Shunama;
Ilu and Athirat,
The grace of Ilu,
The stability of Ilu,
The wellbeing of Ilu;
Ba’al of Sapan,
Ba’al of Ugarit;
By Ilu’s blade,
By Ilu’s axe,
By Ilu’s yoke,
By Ilu’s crusher,
By Ilu’s fire,
By Ilu’s foundation,
By Ilu’s care did Ilu build.ỉl bn ỉl
dr bn ỉl
mpkhrt bn ỉl
trmn w šnm
ỉl w ả trt
hnn ỉl
nşbt ỉl
šlm ỉl
b‛l spn b‛l
ủgrt
b mrhỉl
b nỉt ỉl
b smd ỉl
b d tn ỉl
b šrp ỉl
b knt ỉl
b gdyn ỉl
bn ỉl(Excerpted from Pardee, Dennis. Ritual and Cult at Ugarit. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, Georgia, 2002, pgs. 22-3. See Resources.)
- Peace
Peace to the deities
Peace to humanity
Peace to you all
Peace to your clan/family
Peace to you
Peace to myself
Peace, peace, peaceyišlam l-ỉlm
yišlam l-ảdamu
yišlam l-humu
yišlam l-ủmt-ka
yišlam l-ảtta
yišlam l-ảnaku
šlam, šlam, šlam(Of my own creation.)
Spin, Athirat, Spin
Spin, for Wisdom, Spin
Spin, Abundance, Spin
Spin, O Mother, Spin
Spin, Athirat, SpinRide, Shapshu, Ride
Ride, to Morning, Ride
Ride, to Evening, Ride
Ride, Life and Death, Ride
Ride, Shapshu, RideSing, Nikkalu, Sing
Sing, for Marriage, Sing
Sing, to the Moon, Sing
Sing, the Orchards, Sing
Sing, Nikkalu, SingRoar, Anatu, Roar
Roar, Sisterhood, Roar
Roar, Warrior, Roar
Roar, Loyalty, Roar
Roar, Anatu, RoarStand, Athtartu, Stand
Stand, for Justice, Stand
Stand, Honesty, Stand
Stand, Integrity, Stand
Stand, Athtartu, Stand(Modern, of my own creation.)
'Athirat is the Queen of the pantheon, Co-Creatress of the Universe. She is also very wise. She is the nurturer, the giver of life, the tree of Wisdom. She protects and cares for her family, which is most of the pantheon. She is keeper of the shore, and often sailors of ages past would call for her assistance to assure a safe arrival to port. In one of the tales, we see her spinning thread, and tending a cauldron upon the shore of the sea. Date palm trees are sacred to 'Athirat, and some say that she is associated with snakes and dolphins. As a goddess known to the Hebrew, her name was Asherah, which means "straight" or "upright." Sometimes Athirat is called "'Ilat," "'Ilatu," or "Elat" which means "Goddess." Athirat is called "mother" by all in the pantheon out of respect, whether or not she is that particular deity's biological mother.
Qudsh-wa-Amrur
He is often referred to as “the Fisherman.” He is a servant of 'Athirat.
'Ilu is King of the pantheon, Co-Creator of the Universe, kind and benevolent father. He is compassionate and merciful, and he often appears in dreams to offer guidance and assistance to humans. Ilu lives in Mount Ks at the source of two rivers, and in a palace that has seven doors. Because he lives so far away, 'Ilu often uses Shapshu as a messenger. 'Ilu known for his great wisdom and cares a great deal for the plight of human beings. The Hebrew called this god El; both 'Ilu and El mean "God." A bunch of grapes is offered to 'Ilu on the new moon of the month of Ra'shu Yeni ("New Wine"). 'Ilu often holds a marzichu, a feast, in honor of the Rapi'uma (the shades of the deceased). In this Ugaritic image, he is seen in benediction or blessing pose.
Shataqat, Sha ‘taqat
Ilu fashions Shataqat, the dragon, from mud in order to free King Kirta from an illness. In order to complete his creation, Ilu holds up his cup of blessing to her and names her "Shataqat." Shataqat then flies to King Kirta and, using a wand, releases the illness from his body.
Ba'lu, Ba’al Hadad, Ba’al, Ba’lu, Addu, Baal
Ba’al Hadad is the Thunder; a warrior who often lives on impulse. He battles the forces of Death (Mot) and Sea (Yam). Ba’al ensures the life-giving rains, thus making the land fertile for agriculture. He fights these forces with his two clubs: Yagrush and Ayyamur (Driver and Chaser). Ba'al lives atop his mountain, Mt. Sapan (also known as Tsaphon, Zapan, Sapanu, Saphon). One of the two temples found in Ugarit was for the veneration of Ba'al Hadad. His lightning is compared to cedars.
Gapn-wa-Ugar, Gapnu-wa-Ugaru, Gupen-wa-Ugar, Gapen-wa-Ugar
Gapn and Ugar are both servants and messengers of Ba’al. They are Vine and Field, respectively. The name of the city "Ugarit" may well be related to the word for "field."
Padraya, Pidray; Talaya, Tallay; Arsaya, Arsay, Aratzaya, Artsay
The three daughters or wives of Ba’al. Padray and Tallay signify mist and rain, while Artsaya may signify flood or may represent Ba'al's chthonic and earthy nature while he was deceased and living among the Rapi'uma.
Dagan, Daganu, Dagon
Ba'al's father and God of Grain. The second temple in Ugarit was devoted to Dagan. A possible Phoenician symbol for Dagan is the fish.
Mot is the God of Death. His appetite is insatiable, and his mouth is the Grave. His realm is sometimes considered to be the desert, where very little can survive. In the tale of the "Birth of the Gracious Gods, Shachar and Shalim," Mot is treated as if he were a grapevine, in need of pruning and training; this may have represented a synthetic magic technique to limit Death. In the Phoenician creation story, as recorded by Philo of Byblos, the word for firmament is mot, possibly making him a primeval element of the universe.
When Ba’al was swallowed by Mot, 'Athtar, tried to take Ba’al’s place, making the land fertile. He was not nearly as successful as Ba’al. 'Athtar is portrayed as young and rather disgruntled at his lot in life. He steps down voluntarily from the throne because he realizes he cannot fulfill Ba'al's role. 'Athtar may be a God of Irrigation, or an astral God (associated with Venus/morning & evening star), or both.
Anat, the “impetuous adolescent” is loyal, quick to love, quick to defend. She does not fear; she is impulsive and passionate. She destroys all of her beloved Ba’al’s enemies, works with him to help him gain Ilu's permission to build his palace and establish his kingship. She is very loyal to those she loves. She murders Prince Aqhat because she coveted his bow.
Yatpan
Warrior and servant of Anat. He may be human, he may be divine, he may even take the form of a vulture or eagle. Yatpan assists to bring the downfall of the hero Prince Aqhat. Later, he brags of his dead to Princess Pughat, Aqhat's sister, who is seeking to avenge her brother and thereby return fertility to the land.
She is a Goddess of compassion, restraint, and peace. She prevents Ba’al from killing two messengers of Yam. Some even call upon her to aid in divination. She was called “Ashtoreth” by the Hebrew, in order to discredit her and link her name with the Hebrew word for shame, “bosheth.” (See Did the Canaanites Worship Ashtoreth?)She is often seen in conjunction with Anat. She may be related to the Greek-named Goddess Astarte, known in later Phoenician times, and as such, she is often compared with Ishtar and Inanna.
Shapshu is the radiant Goddess of the Sun. Often called the "Torch of the Deities," she is enlightenment and the messenger of Ilu, and can represent comfort and consolation. It is she who returns Ba’al to the living from the Betu Khupthti, the Underworld. She visits and helps care for the Rapi’uma, the spirits of the deceased, as she travels to the Underworld each night and returns to the world of the living during the day. She can have a healing or cleansing ability to burn off the illness/negativity like the sun burns away fog. She may be connected to horses.
Kothar-wa-Khasis, Kathiru-wa-Khasisu, Kothar-wa-Hasis
God of magic and craftsmanship. His name means "Skilled with Both Hands" or "Deft and Clever." He built Prince Aqhat’s great bow, and the two magic clubs for Ba’al to vanquish Mot and Yam. He is able not just to make items, but to enchant them. He makes his home in Memphis, Egypt or in Caphtor (possibly Crete or Cyprus) and may be related to the Egyptian Gods Ptah and Thoth. The picture to the right is of the Egyptian Ptah.
Yarikh, Yarikhu, Yareah, Yarik
God of the Moon, and the fertilizing, semen-like dew of night. He works with Khirkhib in order to ensure his marriage to Nikkal. Because he is the moon God, and because of the cycles of the moon, he may well assist in measuring time. Sometimes he is considered a God of one horn because of the crescent-shape when the moon waxes or wanes.
Khirkhib, Hirhib
Known as the “Summer King,” possibly the father of Nikkal-wa-Ib of the Orchards, or possibly an arranger of marriages. He may be divine or he may be human.
Nikkal, Nikkal-wa-Ib, Nikkalu-wa-Ibbu
Goddess of the Orchard, wed to Yarikh, receives his fertile dew. She may also be related to or the same as a Mesopotamian Moon Goddess. Her marriage to Yarikh would then also symbolize the meeting of the two cultures and the two moon Deities.
Known as the seven Goddesses, the bird-like ones, the Sparrows, they assist in conception and childbirth, and also assist in carrying out proper ritual action.
Shachar and Shalim, Shacharu-wa-Shalimu
Shachar and Shalim, the twin Gods, are also known as Dawn and Dusk, respectively. They were born with an insatiable appetite. The are also known as “the gracious Gods,” the “children of the sea,” and “the cleavers of the sea.”
Rahmayyu, Rahmay, Rachmay
Possibly another name for Athirat or Anat; or possibly refers to a mortal woman. Athirat-wa-Rahmayyu, or Athirat and Rahmayyu is/are the mother of the twins Shachar and Shalim.
Rashap, Rashpu, Reshef, Reshep, Resheph
Rashap is God of burning plague, pestilence, and quite possibly also healing. He, along with Choron, are often called upon to end a crisis. He may very well assist in providing care and attention to the Rapi'uma. It is sometimes said that he has the horns of a gazelle. He is connected to horsemanship and warrior skills, and his colors are red and black. In Egyptian art, he often appears beside Min, a God of fertility, and Qadash, a goddess of Syrian roots, but whose identity is still in question. The picture to the right is from Egyptian art.
Choron is a God called upon to ensure that both parties keep faith in a treaty. He is also called upon in curses. He may be called upon to end illness brought on by poisoning or poisonous scorpion stings and snake bites. Like Shapshu, Choron may also be connected to horses.
This God is also known as Prince Sea, Judge River (Nahar). He, and his sea serpent, Lotan, fight Ba’al for world domination. Yam is known as a primordial force of nature, a Deity of chaos. He is a Deity of awesome, fearsome power; not a Deity to be taken lightly. The zigzags represent the Egyptian hieroglyph for "water." He is a very powerful, primordial force of nature. The picture to the left is Yam as portrayed in Egyptian art.
Arsh
Chthonic entity, Sea Monster and Servant of Yam.
Atik
The “Calf of El,” “the Quarrelsome One,” minor foe of Ba’al, supporter of Yam, son of Ilu and Athirat.
Ishat
Her name means “flame,” or “fire.” She is a supporter of Yam, a minor foe of Ba’al, a daughter of Ilu and Athirat.
Litan, Litanu, Lotan
Chthonic entity, Sea serpent, supporter and servant of Yam. Takes the form of a "sea monster" or a "sea serpent." This is probably the same entity, Leviathan, that Yahweh is known for defeating in Hebrew mythology.
Zabib
Her name may also mean “flame.” She is a supporter of Yam, a minor foe of Ba’al. She is a daughter of Ilu, and possibly also of Athirat.
The above information is compiled from many sources, some of which are listed below.
For more about the deities, please see:
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Binger, Tilde. Asherah: Goddesses in Ugarit , Israel , and the Old Testament. Sheffield Academic Press, Ltd., Sheffield, England , 1997.
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Fulco, William J., S.J. The Canaanite God Rešep. American Oriental Society, 1976. Second printing by Cushing-Malloy, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI, 1986.
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Handy, Lowell K. Among the Host of Heaven: The Syro-Palestinian Pantheon as Bureaucracy. Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake, Indiana, 1994.
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Walls, Neal H. The Goddess Anat in Ugaritic Myth. The Society of Biblical Literature, Scholars Press, Atlanta, GA, 1992.
And see also the literature of Ugarit, to read the stories of the deities:
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Coogan, Michael David. Stories from Ancient Canaan. The Westminster Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1978.
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Gibson, John C.L. Canaanite Myths and Legends, 2 nd Edition. T. and T. Clark, Ltd., Edinburgh, 1978.
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Pardee, Dennis. Ritual and Cult at Ugarit. Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, Georgia. 2002.
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Parker, Simon B., ed. Ugaritic Narrative Poetry. Society of Biblical Literature, U.S.A., 1997.
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Smith, Mark S. The Ugaritic Baal Cycle, Volume I: Introduction with Text, Translation and Commentary of KTU 1.1-1.2. E.J. Brill, Leiden, the Netherlands, 1994.
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Wright, David P. Ritual in Narrative: The Dynamics of Feasting, Mourning, and Retaliation Rites in the Ugaritic Tale of Aqhat. Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake, IN, 2001.
For more information about modern Canaanite religion, see:
For further information, please see Resources.
All original written work on this site is copyright © 2005, 2008 Tess Dawson, unless otherwise noted.
Please do not use without permission, proper crediting, and a link to my site.
All original artwork and photographs on this site are copyright © 2005, 2008 Tess Dawson, unless otherwise noted.
Please do not use without permission, proper crediting, and a link to my site.
This page is about Canaanite gods and goddesses, Canaanite deities, Canaanite gods, and Canaanite goddesses.
Natib Qadish: Modern Canaanite Polytheism is a site about Canaanite Polytheism, also called Canaanite Paganism, Canaanite NeoPaganism, or Canaanite Reconstructionism, or "Canaanite Recon"; and dedicated to exploring topics of interest for a solitary Canaanite pagan, Canaanite pagans, Qadish, and Canaanite and Pagan Recons. Judeo Pagans, and JewWitches, or those interested in Judeo Paganism and JewWitchery may find this site of interest even though it is about a different path. It is also devoted to information regarding the ancient Canaanites themselves, and both ancient and modern Canaanite religion. This page in particular covers topics such as deity, Canaanite gods, goddesses, and deities; early Hebrew gods, goddesses, and deities; and some of these deities are also listed in the Phoenician pantheon.