Faces of Death
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Face to Face
Far before recorded history humankind has seen Death as a God or Goddess, angel, demon, or friend. In the Catholic Church for example the archangel Michael is referred to as the Angel of Death. Ancient Aztecs, Egyptians, and all other cultures have some form of personified death. Here we will look at reasons why, and how similar the images can be.
To do that takes a lot more than one lens. At the bottom of the lens you will find links to the rest of the lenses. The first two are fairly mixed, but you'll notice later lenses split into specific sub-groups like Egypt or dragons.
As you start your journey a chill settles over you. The energies from around the world, meld, conflict, and stir the faces of death. Skeletal hands caress your neck, then wander to your waist. You feel a bony form melding with yours, a mere flimsy robe seperating you. Let the dance with death beign.
All pictures used have either the copyright on them or a link back to the artist or collector. No violation of copyright was intended. If you are the original artist and wish for me to remove your art please contact me.
Faces of Death is clebrating over 10,000 visits. Thank you!
This lens in now featured on Blessed by skiesgreen 2012-2
You can also find it on Apostle Peter or Roman Catholic Fraud
To do that takes a lot more than one lens. At the bottom of the lens you will find links to the rest of the lenses. The first two are fairly mixed, but you'll notice later lenses split into specific sub-groups like Egypt or dragons.
As you start your journey a chill settles over you. The energies from around the world, meld, conflict, and stir the faces of death. Skeletal hands caress your neck, then wander to your waist. You feel a bony form melding with yours, a mere flimsy robe seperating you. Let the dance with death beign.
All pictures used have either the copyright on them or a link back to the artist or collector. No violation of copyright was intended. If you are the original artist and wish for me to remove your art please contact me.
Faces of Death is clebrating over 10,000 visits. Thank you!
This lens in now featured on Blessed by skiesgreen 2012-2
You can also find it on Apostle Peter or Roman Catholic Fraud
Why even think about death?
Well, death comes to us all sooner or later, so face him (or her) we must. Learning how to deal with our death and those of our loved ones is a large part of what makes life worth living. Plus we humans want to know if there is anything beyond. Being but flesh we are scared that the spirit world is just a dream. So we want to know if those who have passed can contact us, or at least where they are at. Facing death helps us find those answers. OK, but why make Death a being?
Simply because it works. I assure you that we humans are pretty wise and if giving Death a personality and interacting with him or her was useless, we would not do it. Plus it is a lot less scary when you know a God/dess, angel or friend you have loved all your life will be the one to embrace you.It helps us feel a little bit in control too. The prayers, bribes and offerings we give freely just might buy us or a loved one more time. And yes, on the negative side we hope that Diety will send an angel of death against our enemies.
Ankou
A shuffling corpse stalks the moonlit roads of Brittany. Some victims see him under the full moon, a sightless skeleton in a rotting burial shroud. Others still do not see him coming. For although Ankou is a humble laborer, and his death cart creaks, he can at times be silent. Often victims have up to eight months to live, but his touch or vision is death.
The frightening Ankou was struck blind by St. Peter, his fiery green eyes blinded forever. But now the shuffling corpse merely scents the air to find new prey. He wields a club, sword, or scythe. Perhaps time is his foe, as his broad brimmed hat of a worker and worker's clothes is now odd enough, along with his cart, to alert victims.
Yes, the St. Peter tale may be an attempt to show that God is stronger than death. Then again, he always seems to show up and ruin the pagan fun. (St. Peter, not God.) Remember, being collected or havested would be a great mercy in some cases. Also, in a time when others could or would not help, those eight months would be time enough to get your earthly affairs in order.
The frightening Ankou was struck blind by St. Peter, his fiery green eyes blinded forever. But now the shuffling corpse merely scents the air to find new prey. He wields a club, sword, or scythe. Perhaps time is his foe, as his broad brimmed hat of a worker and worker's clothes is now odd enough, along with his cart, to alert victims.
Yes, the St. Peter tale may be an attempt to show that God is stronger than death. Then again, he always seems to show up and ruin the pagan fun. (St. Peter, not God.) Remember, being collected or havested would be a great mercy in some cases. Also, in a time when others could or would not help, those eight months would be time enough to get your earthly affairs in order.
Beli
Welsh god of death. He was and is a solar god. So you can thank him for all the wonderful things the sun does for us. Solar energy, warmth, light, helping plants grow, and sun tans. Some link balefires to him. His mere presence can clear an area of all evil. He is a gentle death, lovingly taking his children home.
Cizim ( aka Kizin, God A, Ah Puch, Yum Cimih)
Although his specialty was earthquakes this death god of the Aztecs bears the name of 'stinking one'. Or rather 'flatulent one'. He is often seen with a nice potbelly. So we know he loves to eat and pass gas. Geez, don't men ever change?
But he was a very beloved and almost funny god to his followers. He loves all humankind, and may be playful and child-like. Sweets or any food are sure to get his loving attention. But of course, once fed, he is yours until death.
But he was a very beloved and almost funny god to his followers. He loves all humankind, and may be playful and child-like. Sweets or any food are sure to get his loving attention. But of course, once fed, he is yours until death.
Dagda
Irish god of the dead, and also lord of rebirth. His name means the good one. His awesome club could kill nine men at once, but the butt end could grant new life to the dead. His magical harp keeps the seasons in proper order, and his two awesome pigs provide an endless supply of food. He is a good and loving provider, a most gentle death to his children and followers.
Donn
Literally The Dark one. This Irish face of death is a god of the underworld. His house is a resting or gathering place for the spirits of the dead. Therefore we can assume he is a fine host. Souls will not rest after all, where they are in danger.
Donn may be linked both to human ghosts and the The Others. Which of course are the lost gods or Ireland, reborn as what most folks call the fae. Be careful as this would be the warrior type, no matter how fine his hospitality.
Donn may be linked both to human ghosts and the The Others. Which of course are the lost gods or Ireland, reborn as what most folks call the fae. Be careful as this would be the warrior type, no matter how fine his hospitality.
Erlik (aka Erlig)
The king of the dead was know to the Altaic people of Iceland. He was not very well liked, having tempted the first people to sin against the holy supreme god Ulgan. Perhaps this was a move to claim them, as all the dead must be judged by him. You know how annoyingly immortal good first people tend to be. To make matters worse, when the sky god sent down a savior in human form to save mankind, Erlik slew him.
This was a bad move as the savior's blood became a tower of fire, destroying Erlik and all his followers. Not surprisingly, he and his followers ended up in the underworld where he still rules today. I'm guessing only really rotten people are sent to keep him company after death. He is much feared both as death and an evil spirit. His animal form is that of a bear.
Just to make things interesting he can also send a spirit of death to fetch a human to be judged. In other legends he is the first man or even to co-creator of the earth. In these legends he tends towards goodness but becomes evil over time, due to his enormous pride.
This was a bad move as the savior's blood became a tower of fire, destroying Erlik and all his followers. Not surprisingly, he and his followers ended up in the underworld where he still rules today. I'm guessing only really rotten people are sent to keep him company after death. He is much feared both as death and an evil spirit. His animal form is that of a bear.
Just to make things interesting he can also send a spirit of death to fetch a human to be judged. In other legends he is the first man or even to co-creator of the earth. In these legends he tends towards goodness but becomes evil over time, due to his enormous pride.
Es-tonea-pesta (Lord of Cold Weather)
Lord of Cold Weather he dwells in the Snow Teepee. He brings his snows, winds and ice from the Northland, bringing rest and death to the earth and people with it. But he also has taught mankind how to survive in his winter, and will never stay too long. Being gentle he can hold back his snows long enough for people to get food. But angered he will bring the worst of his powers to punish evil people. The Fates
This trio of women may well be a maiden, mother, and crone. One spins the flax of life, one measures the spun thread of a life span, and on cuts the thread, brining death. They are also called daughters of the night, and perhaps death himself. This trio is named Clotho (Spinner), Lachesis (the one who measures), and Atropos (the inevitable). Yes I bet we do get death atrophy from her name.
Februus
Yup, he was the mate of Februa and ruled over love, death, and purification with her. Along with her he would grant a pass to the dead on wrongs occurred during a lifetime. Of course if they were not repentant, no such help would be forthcoming. Their procession involved torches of holy light, which would become candles under Christian rule. Though it is doubtful they knew the torches and purification kept the evil dead away. Just like another holiday celebration, these lights led the good dead home.
Freya
This goddess of love has it all. A full womanly figure worthy of the mighty warrioress she is. Shining armor, a chariot drawn by gigantic cats, and the fabulous necklace envied by women everywhere. Which Freya got by cavorting with some dwarves. She also leads the Valkyries into battle, and also over battlefields , selecting the hottest slain warriors to come share her castle of unending delights.
Needless to say many a happy warrior has embraced this death for all eternity.
Needless to say many a happy warrior has embraced this death for all eternity.
Gefion
She is the mighty Germanic goddess of agriculture and so too one who reaps her children back to her. She protects virgins after death from those who would defile them. She is thought to be a virgin goddess herself, no matter what Loki has to say about it.
Glooskap
A creator god, he is clever and willy. He was slain by his brother wolf, but arose with the sun his emblem.He has saved mankind from evil and is a mighty warrior. His magic is strong, but even he can be defeated by a tiny baby. In his many adventures Glooskap both heals and kills those he confronts. His bow can bring death with a mere touch. He is a giver of gifts to the good, and punishes the wicked. Those who are greedy must beware lest he teach them a good lesson as the trickster that he is.
He is also considered the first man, having made himself from nothing.
le grand veneur de Fontainebleau (aka Grand Huntsman of Fontainebleau)
This French version of death rode out in a hunt for lost souls. He would then take then to the underworld. He may also be one who harries the wicked souls and drives them to ground. Of course like many other huntsman he picks up the souls of those still living whose time on this plane is finished. Hades (aka Pluto)
Ruler of a rather gloomy underworld. Which would have been a lot nicer if the mortals kept brining blood offerings for the dead. Anyhow, he gaurds the dead in his realm and in rare cases allows some to try and leave. But of course no one can cheat death, so something always goes wrong. Often it is that people don't follow his or the dead loved one's instructions.Devotees never dared look at Hades statue when giving offerings and called him Pluto "the giver of wealth". Invoking his name was as good as calling him to your side. And although not evil, he could not be entreated in most cases to let go if the person caught his eye.
Hel
Ruler of the underworld where those who died of illness, were thieves or just about anyone who angered the gods ended up. This daughter of Loki had the upper half of a woman and lower half of a corpse. Perhaps angered at how the gods treated her family, she would and could take heroes forever, denying them the pleasures of Valhalla.
Her digs are cold, dark with bitter winds, and some say damp. Yeah, you could say Hel froze over. Entreating her was useless, and probably still is. She is a dark face of death indeed. Or is she? Modern pagans prefer to see her as half-formed, with endless potential. To them she can be as sweet and supportive as they could dare hope for.
Her digs are cold, dark with bitter winds, and some say damp. Yeah, you could say Hel froze over. Entreating her was useless, and probably still is. She is a dark face of death indeed. Or is she? Modern pagans prefer to see her as half-formed, with endless potential. To them she can be as sweet and supportive as they could dare hope for.
Kishimo-Jin (aka Kangimo, Hariti)
This face of death deserved the worst mother of eternity award. Forget Mommy Dearest, this mother of all demons used to eat children. She also liked to lay waste to entire towns until macha Buddha showed up to kick her sorry assets. How did he do this? He kidnapped her son. Don't freak out, he hid the little nino under a rice bowl. He is the Buddha after all.
The same mother that ate other children went wild with grief looking for her baby boy everywhere in the universe. When the Buddha returned her son, he explained that her grief at losing her son was the same as the grief of her human victims. She repented and became the protector of all children. She loves to help with childbirth, protecting both mother and baby. She also is an expert in nursing, no wonder with all the babies she has helped deliver.
She no doubt still has those demon children. Though now they must pick only those who hurt kids. She'd still be the queen and mother of all demons, plus has been elevated to Goddess too. So unless you'd like to see her for all eternity and her demon kin, leave those kids alone.
The same mother that ate other children went wild with grief looking for her baby boy everywhere in the universe. When the Buddha returned her son, he explained that her grief at losing her son was the same as the grief of her human victims. She repented and became the protector of all children. She loves to help with childbirth, protecting both mother and baby. She also is an expert in nursing, no wonder with all the babies she has helped deliver.
She no doubt still has those demon children. Though now they must pick only those who hurt kids. She'd still be the queen and mother of all demons, plus has been elevated to Goddess too. So unless you'd like to see her for all eternity and her demon kin, leave those kids alone.
Lelwani
One of the most interesting gods of death you'll ever find. You see, over the centuries he was turned into a she. So he or she can be either or both at the same time. This Hittie King or Queen lives in the underworld or dark earth. Her temples were charnel houses and mausoleums.
Mahakala (aka Mahalka, Mgon-Po)
The Great Black One is a form of Shiva. He imparts knowledge, He can brings peace, enrich lives, or of course destroy. His mission is to destroy all those who oppose the teachings of Buddha. Makes one hope a free Tibet is not that far off.
Mictlantecuhtli
Great Lord of the Dead. He ruled over an essential afterlife where those not ready for the heavens would fight a series of challenges to earn their place and atone for wrongs. As the Aztecs were a warrior people, these wrongs could simply be dying outside the battlefield. He is often seen as having a skull face or entirely skeletal. Despite his grim job he seems very happy as he will at last release the cleansed souls to the heavens.His animals are spiders and bats, and his direction is North. It is thanks to him thwarting at least partially the gods from stealing back the old god's bones that we have life. Quetzalcoatl dropped the bones and the shattered fragments were turned into all living beings.
Oh his necklace of human eyes, and ear spools of human bones along with his skeletal apperance could all point to him having a role in fertility and abundance as well.
Mictlancihuatl (aka Mictlantecuhtzi or Tzontemoc)
Wife of the Great Lord of the Dead. She ruled the underworld by his side. She was often seen in sacred art as wearing a necklace of skulls and a small garland of them as well. Some statues show her as wearing ear spools, a crown of skulls, and wearing a beautiful dress or skirt. She looks very happy and sometimes wears severed hands, perhaps from the dead who failed her tests. Morgan Le Fey
Actually this lady is a goddess of winter and death. She also can rule over peace and prosperity. She was later cast as a mortal but powerful witch. Try goddess of magic. She is the Queen of Avalon, and some say, a goddess of abundance as well. See the full version of this awesome art here Morgan Le Fay Art Print
Mother Holle (aka Mother Hulda, Frau Holde)
Known in many sources of Germanic lore, she appears in Grimm's fairytales. In this version two young women die after falling down her well. She is gentle good and loving to the thrifty kind and honest good maiden. Indeed she covers her with gold. To the lazy evil and disobedient maiden she pays pitch, which sticks to her forever.Often she was seen as a snow goddess and one of the tasks both maidens face is to shake out her blanket until the feathers (snow) flies. She was seen as the protector and loving mother of young women and children who went to her if they died and lived and worked in her paradise.
The sweet Frau Holle is also linked to nature, and some say is the true gentle face of Hel herself. Mother Holle is seen as a rare face as death, as she will often release good or bad workers back into the earthly realm.
Nga
Not everything, my kittens is the black and white, good and evil our Western society would have. Take for example Nga. He is a ruler over the dead and the lord of Hell. But that doesn't mean he is all evil or even part evil. After all he let his daughter marry a holy shaman, and he himself holds up the world. Should any fool succeed in casting him out we will all no doubt enjoy an eternal bungee drop. Without the cord or niceties like oxygen. Ogma
Gifted in poetry he is also a mighty warrior. His happy task is to take the souls of the dead to the paradise of afterlife. The Oni
These demons answer only to Emma-O. Hellspawn that they are, they enjoy stealing the souls of dying men and women. I'd say what else they do to women but most likely you have an idea. They also like seizing the souls of perfectly healthy people too. Lechery and cruelty are bywords to them. These demons have ox or horse heads and brings all souls to answer to Emma-O's judgement. Patollo
This Baltic face of death is the one-eyed god of war, magic, and a muse of inspiration. Patollo is seen to be a very thin and wizened old man with a green beard. His sacred symbols are skulls both of man and beast. He can give great gifts, but easily take then away. He is said to be fond of the taste of human blood in his death aspect, and so comes and takes away his gift of life.Do not mistake him for evil, but do not linger in his presence either. Patollo will still no doubt give help in his areas, but may suddenly claim the supplicant as his own.
The Pey (ALakai, Iruci, PIicacu)
These wild creatures have tangled hair and haunt battlefields. Death personified they feast on the blood of the dead and the living. No doubt dragging many of the wounded to the other side to satisfy their unending thirst. They are considered demons who delight in bringing misfortune and misery to humans. Which of corse provides them with even more to feast upon.Dualistic by nature they are also faithful servants of Yama. Yes the one who destroys evil. They are considered by many to be ghouls and or vampires. Now I know there's a story about hellspawn that fights for good in our culture somewhere.
Rangda
This goddess (some say demon) had heavy breasts, red skin, and a large tongue, all clear attributes of her procreative nature. She led a band of magical women and men who practiced her darkest of arts. She was and still to some people the demon of sickness and death. Serious folk have attributed plagues to her followers.Her followers however have pointed out she is no less positive than the fearsome Kali. Both ladies just like to use agression to get a point across.
Rashnu
He not only stands for righteousness, but will gladly strike you dead if you don't as well. He is the Iranian lord of the dead and sits in judgement of all souls. This is a frightening prospect for the dead and a lengthy one. It takes all the judges three days and nights to deliver a verdict. This is done by weighing the good and bad deeds of a lifetime on golden scales. Should the good win out the soul would pass on to a happy afterlife across a wide bridge guided by a beautiful lady. Evil souls would find a bridge as thin and sharp as a razor's edge. They would of course fall off into the terrors of demon-filled pits. Both roads and endings are in effect until the last day when all souls will be judged.
Rayden (aka Raiden, Raijin, Kaminari-sama)
I'm not making this up. He was quite the thunder stud, er, god thousands of years before video games came along. Of course he looks a lot more demonic than divine and is shown beating drums to raise his magical thunder. He can control the lightning as well. I don't have to go into how deadly lightning is? Good.Japanese parents often warn kids that he loves to eat bellybuttons. Good way to keep their shirts on, eh? It also makes them fly inside where it is safe to watch the storm. He's become famous in film, on stage and in the ever-evolving MK line of games. That won't keep the real thunder god from striking your house though.
He does have a good side, as he brings life-giving rain to mankind. Just mind your manner whatever you call him.
Redcap (aka Red Cap, Redcaps)
Hundereds of years ago it wasn't all that unusual to pick a living victim to be entombed or slaughtered on a buildings foundations. They whys are lost in time, but it may be to bless the house with fertility or to appease the numerous spirits that dwelt around. Despite the sunny spin of newage historians I doubt they met their doom with much happiness.Now imagine this practice went on a long time in Scotland. Where the veil between the spirits of dead humans and of other beings are blurred. Imagine the wrath and hatred such poor souls would have felt at being slaughtered.
Think of one born into a different form, to take revenge upon the living and drag as many to the other side as he could. So the redcap could have been born. He is the most dangerous of spirits as he is seen as a possible ghost hellbent on revenge, and an evil spirit drawn to scenes of evil.
Redcaps kill nightly, drinking the blood of their victims, then soaking their caps, hence the name. They are thought to look like old men, but with monestrous claws and teeth. This makes a sort of odd sense, as the victims of sacrifice were always young healthy males. It would be fitting for their anger to make a visible form old and wasted, robbed of their youth as they were. Even though a redcap is shod in iron boots and carries an iron pike he can outrun the swiftest human.
Possibly he is the only remnant of a forgotten god of war. Or he may be a spirit sent to stop human evil only to be consumed by it. But whatever he is, he shows no mercy and lives only to feed on blood and destroy humans.
Do not on any circumstances try to contact one. The last fellow who did was executed. Of course nobody believed he had a redcap under his spell and thought he committed the crimes himself. If you do believe him, it only shows that this grisly form of death can't be mastered.
According to more modern Wiccan research there is only one redcap and he haunts the ruins of border castles. He is a fearform that can destroy those who trespass the areas he chooses to defend. He is armed with a wooden scythe.
Red Death
So named because his victim's literally sweated blood upon death. He was so feared and popular with artists that the image of the Red Death is still with us today.Poe gave us his wonderful take where the Red Death turns out to look just like his victim under that skeletal mask.
Rudra
He was at one time a god apart from Shiva. His name means The Howler and he loves to hunt with his bow. So much so that he only spared the life of another god when promised to be lord over all animals. To show this he often is pictured as a bull.Although he is considered a dark god, seeing as how he also likes to shoot people dead, he is not evil. For although his arrows can cause disease and death, they can also bring peace and healing. Remember, dying if you were evil and getting a chance to be reborn and repent was seen as a good thing.
Also, people knew that if they couldn't protect themselves Rudra surely would. I'd only call on him in extreme danger as I don't know if he is now also a gaurdian of Buddhism.
St. Death (aka Santa Muerte)
A rare saint as she is Death Herself and not a former saint. She may be linked to the sister Death mentioned by some saints, or the ancient Mexican Goddess of Death. She loves her children and wears a rainbow of different colors, each having gained a meaning among her followers.It is said that some will try to send her against enemies, but people have done that ever since we've had an inkling of religion. If it isn't a prayer to a God, then a prayer to a saint or what have you.
She seems to have taken on traits of Oya as Catholic Saints by and large don't demand much in the way of offerings. She gets rum, cigars or more usually, flowers. She is said to cure any illness if willing, and many testify to her saving their lives.
Devotees can use any grim reaper statue, but many are starting to make statues resembling Mary, in that she holds a globe. She is always seen with her scythe. Most followers stick to the white robes of protection for her, but they also come in rainbow colored and other forms. As her movement is fairly recent I don't truly think having a statue of her in black will cause her to kill everyone in the household or some other such nonsense.
Setesuyara
Wife of Barta Kala. She rules the Balinese underworld with him. She is seen as a death goddess, but there is little other information on her. We do know the underworld she rules is a cave. She is also credited with creating light and earth with her husband.
Tammuz
He is the husband to Ishtar which led to his demise. Being a lord of life and fertility he would need rest at some point. But Ishtar literally loved the poor man to death. Being exhausted from all that baby making he died and retreated to the underworld. He no doubt planned to live there ever after, but Ishtar came looking for him.A very amused god of the dead allowed that he could return to earth six months of every year but that he must be allowed to rest half the year in the underworld. Thus relieved of too much of a good thing Tammuz could rule his upper world and help rule if not completely rule the underworld the rest of the year. Oh in a lot of these tales the underworld god is never seen. Makes you wonder if a diety did some fibbing on landing in an empty underworld.
Tapio
Finnish forest god who along with his wife and children kept the woods supplied with game, and was thus a giver of life. He could however turn dark and tickle or more likely smother people to death. So he can be seen as the giver of abundance who claims mankind back into him at the end.
Thanatos
Greek god of the dead. He brother Hypnos rules over sleep. And they are the children of our sweet lady Nox, goddess of the night. Thanatos makes sure dead souls are collected and oversees them in the underworld. His realm is much happier when he and the dead are remembered by the living, and there are paradise-like spots there. It is also thought he will let the dead come back to the living both to visit, but also if they are neglected too long. Oh his brother Hypnos can help him or the dead enter dreams to ask to be remembered or pass on knowledge.
Tuonetar
This Virgin of death keeps her underworld guests happy. The Goddess of death she is married to Tuoni God of the dead. Being a good Finnish hostess she will give you as many tankards of frogs and worms as you can handle. Needless to say this is one Queen whose kingdom is ever-expanding.
Does seeing Death as a person help?
I thinnk Death being a figure you can interact with is more soothing. But I've seen it creep visitors out. so, do you like thinking of Death as a person or does a process seem less scary?
Well, does seeing Death as a person or process help you more?
Person
Steve_Kaye says:
We humans have invented personifications for everything that we were unable to understand.
mihgasper says:
Person, or may I say Persona non grata...
Process
jimbarnes says:
interesting, but a little crazy
skiesgreen says:
No, this is how people saw their ancestors in the after-life.
JGracey says:
I like the figural references (no idea there were so many) but because each person is an individual with different needs, they have to process death and grief in their own way. Mine is through memory; photos of my parents, and friends - old ones, newer ones - representations of happy times in our lives. I write letters in my mind to them, I share memories with other people who knew them. It's different for everyone.
JimDickens says:
You can fight a person but not a process.
zim says:
death is a part of all of us
Tuoni
Finnish god of the dead who lives in a dark underworld. His daughter is illness. His loving wife and co-ruler is Tuonetar He son likes to tear folks to pieces if they disturb the family pets.. Wise people will leave Tuoni's pet swan well alone. But if you charm this host he will feed you a feast of frogs and worms. Yummy!
Uma (aka Uma Maheshvara)
This divine and gentle consort of Shiva is his shakti or other half. So like Shiva, she can take on monestrous size and strength to battle demons. She is often shown as a warrior slaying a demon. She is armed with a sword and shield and carries a severed head. Uitzilopochtli (aka Huitzilopochtli)
Aztec hummingbird god of the south. He rules over both warfare and death. His symbol is of course the hummingbird. He is an excellent warrior. So excellent in fact that when he heard his sister plotting to kill his mother, he sprang from the womb and slew her.He is seen both as a blue hummingbird and a left-handed god. Sometimes he is seen carrying a snake or mirror. The shield may well be the sun as he also protects the world from darkness. A loving father, he allows warriors to return to earth as butterflies or hummingbirds.
Vajravarahi (aka Vajrayogini)
The diamond sow of Tibet and Nepal. She carries a club, so we know she is in warfare. Her thunderbolt and skull attributes appoint to divine destruction of evil. She also has much more peaceful forms which prevent ordinary death and help mortals attain purity.
She can make the most mundane tasks holy and helps us rise above ignorance, She is the goddess of meditation and ensures safe passage for all souls who die in her favor.
She will then help in rebirth to a new life, or finding the right afterlife.
She can make the most mundane tasks holy and helps us rise above ignorance, She is the goddess of meditation and ensures safe passage for all souls who die in her favor.
She will then help in rebirth to a new life, or finding the right afterlife.
Varuna
This King of the dead is very gentle. Omnipresent he knows the thoughts and deeds of all humans and will send spirits to interfere. His symbol is the noose, with which he takes away the evil of the world. He can easily erase sin, and thus is seen as having great pity for all humans. He rules the heavens and the stars are his eyes. Varuna also rules water as well.
White Tiger
He stands in balance to the life-brining dragon. He dwells in the west and brings death and darkness. But he is full of yin, courage and nobility. He must be present to balance life. Landscapers and other feng shui users always make him lesser than green dragon, but the two must also entwine.
White Tiger is also appealed to for healing. He can bring or take away vital yin.
White Tiger is also appealed to for healing. He can bring or take away vital yin.
Wodan
Leader of the wild hunt. In olden times this Hunt was a good thing. Wotan and his pack would hunt high and low for souls that had been lost. The baying of the hounds or sight of the hunt let those lost souls know help was coming.
He would also collect the souls of those still living, making sure that they were first ready to leave the earthly plane.
He also was a lord of great harvest festival feasts.
He would also collect the souls of those still living, making sure that they were first ready to leave the earthly plane.
He also was a lord of great harvest festival feasts.
Xolotl
Aztec god of the underworld, referred to as the animal. His attributes include lightning, fire, and bad luck. But besides being death, he aided the dead through the underworld, and bravely protected the sun on its nightly journey there.
He was also the patron of the wildy popular Aztec ballgames. Think Rollerball without the wheels and more violence.
He was also the patron of the wildy popular Aztec ballgames. Think Rollerball without the wheels and more violence.
Yanluo Wang
He is the highest king of the Chinese underworld. His duty is to judge the souls of the dead, then hand them over to the right king for punishment or reward. He may also pick the punishment, and favors giving people what they asked for. So greedy folks get to swallow molten gold, some take baths in boiling oil, or get crushed repeatedly.
Yellow Death
Named for the pallor of his victims, the yellow death was one of many plagues to spread throughout America. More commonly known as yellow fever or black vomit. Heck we Americans just rock at making names. Anyhow, he went global, infecting pretty much every culture.
It is kind of interesting how he stuck around in one culture.
It is kind of interesting how he stuck around in one culture.
Zeus
Sorry ladies and gents (he invented bi) but he does have a death form. I know he is the hottest, studliest, god of sexual bliss you've even seen but hold on a second. Remember he is a god of war. Which means he will often be away fighting somewhere. Good old Zeus is always just of course, but he is so just he loves to kill evil mortals by thunderbolts or other methods. This is sort of a shock and awe attack as the target never sees it coming.
His worship at one time consisted of an altar made of animal ashes. New offerings would be thrown on top and burned. Oddly, although ashes are light great towering altars are said to have stood in place.
He also ruled the underworld at one point and took only black animals, in contrast to the white ones usually given to gods. He may still rule there and be a lord of the dead in this aspect. Remember he carries a triton like many other underworld leaders.
One cult of Zeus would practice a very strange ritual. Animal entrails would be thrown on the ground with a bit of human entrails as well. The cult then ate the entrails, perhaps as a show of faith in his protection. The unfortunate one who ate human flesh would become a wolf for nine years.
He would only regain his human form if he did not eat another human in that time. So a type of beserzker or werewolf might have been thus give the care of the group. After his nine year rule another would be selected to take his place.
His worship at one time consisted of an altar made of animal ashes. New offerings would be thrown on top and burned. Oddly, although ashes are light great towering altars are said to have stood in place.
He also ruled the underworld at one point and took only black animals, in contrast to the white ones usually given to gods. He may still rule there and be a lord of the dead in this aspect. Remember he carries a triton like many other underworld leaders.
One cult of Zeus would practice a very strange ritual. Animal entrails would be thrown on the ground with a bit of human entrails as well. The cult then ate the entrails, perhaps as a show of faith in his protection. The unfortunate one who ate human flesh would become a wolf for nine years.
He would only regain his human form if he did not eat another human in that time. So a type of beserzker or werewolf might have been thus give the care of the group. After his nine year rule another would be selected to take his place.
Get Santa Muerte holy figures, books, and more
She's a lady
eBay is chockful of wonderful stuff for this most endearing of saints. A lot comes directly from the craftspeople who made them item.
The Hour of Our Death
A good prep book
I'd strongly recommend this book to every visitor. It covers the Western view of death from roughly the 1600's to the present. Readers will see how death has gone from something we looked forward to and knew as a personal friend, to the modern horror that is pushed in the corner and forgotten.
It is my sincere wish that my visitors take time to read this book, as you will find that death is really nothing to be afraid of. Whatever your system of belief you will learn to embrace him or her and to accept the loss of others.
Remember that in most cultures death is only the beginning of an amazing voyage.
It is my sincere wish that my visitors take time to read this book, as you will find that death is really nothing to be afraid of. Whatever your system of belief you will learn to embrace him or her and to accept the loss of others.
Remember that in most cultures death is only the beginning of an amazing voyage.
The Hour of Our Death: The Classic History of Western Attitudes Toward Death over the Last One Thousand Years
Amazon Price: $9.11 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $22.00
Used Price: $4.57
There are many riches in this amazing book. From the author's outrage that men may no longer swoon, to tales of manly knights that did swoon, a lot of parts will make you smile. There are wonderful coverages of the transformation of gravestones over time, and a lovely look at wolf stones.
You will also get to see the modern view of death and see if it is really any better to push the dead and death away from you. Remember most cultures embraced the dead, death, and saw them as a balance to life.
I hope this book can bring peace of mind to the grieving and help them see we are all in this cycle of life and death together.
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Keep Going, brave surfer!
Faces Them All
You made it through the first lens, but many remain to be explored. Use the links below to continue your journey.
- Faces of Death II
- Hey kittens! Hopefully you've surfed over from the first lens. If not, the whole purpose of both lenses is to help people face death. The best way is personification. Who better then, to show you than gods, goddesses, demons, angels or more?
- Faces of Death III: Death Checker
- You had to know I'd use that joke sooner or later. Welcome to the third installment of Faces of Death. As always I hope this page helps you face death, or at least come to terms with him or her.
- Faces of Death IV: Flight to Egypt
- All of my loyal readers have made the FoD installments my best lens group ever. Also my first one, but you hear me, right?So let's take a look at the next 25, er, 27. Here we can stop by the Nile and stare into the depths as the gods and goddeses welcome us.
- Faces of Death V: Death of the People
- The installments are like death, everywhere. I'm not trying to incite riots. Death of the people, as in man of the people? You get it? Good. The faces of death here will be the ones largely adopted by common every day people. No fancy attire required.
- Faces of Death VI: Dragon Attack!
- Dragon gods and goddesses have a long history. Often they bring life, but in anger or by accident they bring death as well. These faces of death are most often kind and giving, but they do have famous tempers.
- Faces of Death VII: Angels Among Us
- A long time before man was even created, the angels existed. Bonded to God by a time span eons long, they do pretty much as He says. Tremble then mortal as you consider His holy angels of death. As I know my visitors have diverse backgrounds there are a couple of proto-angels.
- Faces of Death VIII: Egypt Rises
- Well you didn't think Egypt stopped at 25 death gods, did you? Welcome to the home of the more rarely seen gods and goddesses, including a few who just creep people out. Oh, I wouldn't smash any bugs while you're here.As you enter the tomb, a stone slab slams down behind you.
- Faces of Death IX: Wolf Pack
- A lot of gods and goddesses are conected to wolves. Still more have wolves as their sacred animals or faithful gaurdians. The spirit of the wolf is in all cultures, and is often a sytmbol of death, be it spiritual or physical.
- Faces of Death X: Deadly Waters
- Many faces of death are connected to water. Gods of the sea, goddess of water, and deadly boatmen. These faces are but masks for mankind's primal fear of a watery grave. As you approach the deepest seas, waves batter your tiny ship.
- Faces of Death XI: Halloween Horrors
- All hail and merry meet mortals! Welcome to a very special Halloween edition of FOD. Why is it so special? Because up until now we have seen many ancient fa
- Faces of Death XII: From Africa to Haiti
- The African and Haitian FOD have moved here, along with several new ones.
Death Notes
I loves Gallows Humor
Leave 'em here. Geez, there are so many to add yet. If you find a new or rare face let me know.
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Nightcat
May 22, 2012 @ 8:29 pm | delete
- Not at all Ssomack. I got sent back myself, so to me death isn't anything to be afraid of. And God never tells us why we live through something or get se3nt back. I guess He wants us to figure that part out for ourselves, thanks for visiting! :)
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Ssomack
May 22, 2012 @ 10:57 am | delete
- i could have almost killed myself serveral times, i had serveral huge car accident, but didn't injured at all, once i was almost hit by transit bus after i got drunk, which i know how crazy it was.. We all know that death is something that we can controll,,and it can happen to us anytime unexpectedly,, but i know one thing for sure,, death will come to any of us eventually whenever God want us to leave this world, and i believe everyone of us have reasons to live.. sorry if i was being too religious... :)
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Nightcat
May 21, 2012 @ 4:53 am | delete
- Thank you, WriterJanis. Thanks for visiting! :)
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WriterJanis
May 21, 2012 @ 2:00 am | delete
- Such a fasinating lens! Blessed!
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Nightcat
May 19, 2012 @ 7:03 am | delete
- Yes it did, Ladyeaglefeather. I knew a lot of the faces, but forgot the details. Thanks for visiting! :)
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Updates:
OK, I've posted a link to give credit for the Morgan Le Fay photo, and if you can't find folks you like here, they might be in one of the other lenses. Still drop me a note and I'll see if I can hunt them down.
Also as you can see, the FOD lens family is up to XII with From Africa to Haiti.
Also as you can see, the FOD lens family is up to XII with From Africa to Haiti.
by Nightcat
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