Saints, Gods and other Holy Individuals

Annotated biographies of saints, gods and other holy individuals, and links to more information

CAUTION: Incomplete! Under development!
Notes: information on saints/gods sometimes differs among faith traditions; one occupation may have several patron saints/gods; the Roman Catholic Pope did not claim the exclusive right to name saints until 1159; before that, a metropolitan conclave could award that distinction. Diacritical marks are omitted because they cause display problems for many internet browsers.

Ste. is the abbreviation for "saint" when used before a female name in a language whose nouns carry a gender; in this list, all saints are listed as St.
Ss. is the abbreviation for "saints" when used before the names of two or more saints

(alphabetized without consideration of St. or Ste. or other prefixes)

A

Acquaviva, Claudio. Christian. Jesuit. Fifth superior general of Society of Jesus (Jesuits). D. 1581.
Abdu'l-Baha: Baha'i. A founder of the faith whose given name was Abbas Effendi.
St. Adela. Christian. Frankish, ca. 720.
St. Adelaide. Christian. Burgundy, ca 950. Portrayed escaping from prison in a boat or holding a church in her hand.
Aesculapius. Roman god. God of Healing. (=Askepios).
Agam: Buddhist. A family, patron or secret deity enshrined in a special building.
St. Agatha. Christian. Sicily, ca 100. Patron saint of nurses, wet nurses, firefighters and bell-makers. Portrayed holding a dish of breasts (her breasts were cut off). Bread blessed on St. Agatha Day (5 February) protects houses from lightening.
St. Agnes. Christian. Italy, ca 300. Patron saint of virginal innocence. Portrayed with a lamb (agnus), a palm or a dove with a ring in its beak.
Agni. Hindu. God associated with fire and the hearth.
Agwe. Voodoo. God of the sea.
Ah Puch. Mayan. God of hell.
Ahura. Ancient Persian god.
Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrian. Creator, Supreme God, God of wisdom.
St. Aidan. His disciples: St. Cuthbert, St. Chad and St. Cedd.
St. Albert le Grand. Christian. Patron of conservators.
St. Alexis Toth, Confessor & Defender of Orthodoxy in North America. See also website.
Alexander of Telese, abbot of the monaster of St. Salvatore near Telese, Sicily, in 12th Century.
Ali. Muslim. One of the Five Holy Ones of Shi'a Islam. [incomplete]
Allah. Muslim: The Arabic word for (the one) God.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Christian. Canonized 31 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.
St. Ambroise: = St. Ambrose.
St. Ambrose (340-397 CE). Bishop of Milan, Italy. Patron of beekeepers. "Church Father".
Amaterasu (=Amaterasu-Omikami): Shinto. Sun Goddess; the chief Shinto deity and the divine ancestor of the Japanese emperor's family.
Amon (=Amun, Amen, Ammon). Egyptian. God of the pharaohs; originally the god of agriculture.
An. Sumerian. One of three top male gods. The others are Enlil and Enki.
Anahid (=Anahit). Goddess in western Armenia.
St. Andrew (=St. Andrew the Apostle). Christian. Feast Day: 30 November. d. approx. 100 CE. Patron of Scotland, fishermen; also patron of Achaia, Amalfi Italy, anglers, diocese of Constantinople, fish dealers, fish mongers, fishermen, gout, Greece, maidens, old maids, Patras Greece, Russia, singers, sore throats, spinsters, University of Patras, unmarried women, women who wish to become mothers. Depicted with fishing net; saltire (x-shaped) cross; fish; man bound to a cross; man preaching from a cross; preacher holding some fish. catholic-forum.com.
Angra Mainyu. Zoroastrian. God of evil.
Angus (=Dream Angus, Angus of the Brug). Celtic. God of love and giver of dreams; god of youth and beauty.

St. Anne. Christian. (=St. Ana?)
St. Anno (=St. Annon). Bishop of Verona. Italian, d. 780. Feast Day: 13 May. See also catholic-forum.com.
St. Annon of Verona.
St. Anthony. Patron of butchers. Depicted with a pig.
St. Anthony of Padua (=Evangelical Doctor). Portugual, 1195-1231. Feast day: 13 June. Patron of lost articles, Portugal and Brazil; also patron against shipwrecks, against starvation, against starving, American Indians, amputees, animals, asses, barrenness, boatmen, domestic animals, elderly people, expectant mothers, faith in the Blessed Sacrament, fishermen, harvests, horses, lower animals, mail, mariners, oppressed people, paupers, poor people, pregnant women, sailors, seekers of lost articles, shipwrecks, starvation, starving people, sterility, swineherds, Tigua Indians, travel hostesses, travellers, watermen. catholic-forum.com
St. Antoine: = St. Anthony (French).
St. Antoine de Padoue: = St. Anthony of Padua (French).
Aphraates (="The Sage"). Christian. Born in the Ninive-Mossul region (Iraq), ca. 300 CE. "Church Father".
Aphrodite. Greek. Goddess of sex.
St. Apolline. Depicted with dental torture (?), her method of martyrdom.
Apollo. Greek. God of learning, medicine, prophecy, the arts, and the sun.
St. Ardalion. Christian. Patron of (male) actors.
Ares. Greek. God of war.
St. Arnould. Christian. Patron of brewers.
Arrupe, Pedro. Christian. 28th superior general of Jesuits. D. 5 February 1991.
Asherah. Jewish. Goddess seen as Yahweh's wife in early Judaism.
Astarte. Ancient mideast. Mother Goddess.
St. Athanasius of Alexandria. Christian. Born in Alexandria, ca. 300 CE. "Church Father".
Athena. Greek. Goddess of war.
St. Athenogenes. Christian. ca. 300. Prelate of Bedochton.
Atmospheric gods (Hindu, Vedic Era): Indra - god of thunder; Vayu - god of wind; Parjanya - god of rain; "cluster of storm gods known as the Maruts.
Attis. Roman god. Derived from dying and rising god of Phyrgia (ancient Anatolia). Consort of Cybele.
St. Augustine. (=St. Augustine of Hippo). Christian. Born in Hippo (Annaba), Algeria, ca. 370 CE; died 430 CE. "Church Father".

B

Baal. Ancient Mideast god.
Babalorixa (=pai-de-santo). Afro-Brazilian. Pastor of a church.
Babalu Aye. Afro-Caribbean syncretic religions. Patron of the sick, especially those suffering from skin diseases.
Bacchus. Roman god. God of wine. (=Dionysos).
Bajra Jogini. Hindu. Tantric Goddess.
Baldur (=Balder). Norse/New Age. God of light; son of Frigga and Odin.
St. Balthazar. Christian. Patron of card games and players.
St. Barbe. Christian. Patron of arms manufacturers, bomb disposal experts, artillerists, gunners, carriers, bells, bellringers, roofers, .
St. Barthelemy. Christian. Patron of butchers, blacksmiths, leatherworkers, .
St. Bartholomew. Christian.
St. Basil. Christian. Bishop. Born in Cappadocia ca. 330 CE. "Church Father".
St. Bega. Christian. Britain.
Belial: Mother Goddess.
St. Benedict of Nursia. Christian. Italian monk. 6th Century. Feast Day: 11 July. Founder of Order of St. Benedict; author of Rule of Benedict, regulations to govern monastic life. See also website.
St. Benno (=Benno of Meissen). Christian. German, 1010-1106. Feast day: June 16. Patron of Munich (Germany), anglers, fishermen, weavers. Depicted as a bishop holding a fish with keys in its mouth or as a bishop with a book on which lays a fish and two keys. Catholic reference.
St. Bernard of Aoste. Christian. Patron of mountaineers.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Christian. Burgundy, ca 1100. Patron saint of Gilbraltar. "Last" of the Fathers of the Church.
Bhagavat (="Lord"). Can refer to several deities, including Buddha.
Bhagawati (=Rajarajeswari):Hindu (Kerala): The mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala.
Bhimsen: Hindu. A deity worshipped for his strength and courage.
Birgit. Celtic. Patron saint of Celtic poetry.
St. Birinus. Christian. Roman missionary and first bishop of the West Saxons (Britain).
St. Blaise. Christian. Patron saint of Dubrovnik, Croatia; of farmers, herdsmen, wool carders, roofers. Bread baked on St. Blaise Day guards against floods.
St. Blanchard. Christian. Patron of launderers.
Boann (=Boand, Boyne River). Celtic. River water goddess. Mother of Angus.
Bodb. Celtic. Son (or brother) of Dagda.
Boddhisattva. Buddhist. Beings who represent an aspect of the Buddha. Having forgone Nirvana thay return to earth because of their great love for humankind.
St. Brendan the Voyager. Irish. Active in the export of the Celtic Church to Caledonia.
Brahma (=the Creator). Hindu. Personification of Brahman.
Brahman (=Prajapatu . Hindu (Vedic era). Impersonal spirit. Precursor of Brahma .
St. Brigid. Christian. Patron of Ireland.
St. Brigitte. Christian. Patron of butter makers and marketers.
Brihaspati. Hindu. Teacher of the gods and Lord of Prayer.
Buddha (="Enlightened One"). Buddhist. (563-483 BCE b. in Kapilavastu, Sakayas--near the border of present day India and Nepal) Founder of Buddhism. Also known as an avatar of Vishnu, a transformation of Lao-Tzu, x, y and z. [incomplete]

C

St. Cado. Christian. Patron of (protector of) cats.
St. Catherine. Christian. Patron of the Liberal Arts, librarians, cartwrights (charrons, dressmakers, cyclists, .
Ceres. Roman goddess. Goddess of Grain and Nature.
St. Cecile. Christian. Patron of singers.
Cernunnos. Celtic. Father of animals (husband to Mother Earth).
St. Cewydd. Christian. Welsh. Feast day: 1 July. Catholic Forum listing.
Chac. Mayan. God of rain.
Chakrasamvara. Buddhist (Tibetan). God-the-Father, the "cosmic dancer"; signature color is blue, usually represented with 12 arms -- Tantric tools in hand (to help all beings) and many heads (to see in all directions). Consort is Vajravarahi.
Chango. Santeria. Equated to Saint Barbara. Chango (=Shango) is the owner of fire, lightening, thunder and war; the patron of music, drumming and dancing; represents male beauty and virility, passion and power. See: Chango.
St. Charlemagne. Christian. Patron of hawkers.
Chemosh. Ancient mideast. God.
Santa Chiara d'Assisi: = Saint Clare of Assisi.
St. Clare of Assisi. (Italy, 1194-1253). Founder of Poor Women of St. Damianï¿½s, later known as the Poor Clares. Feast Day: "second day before the Ides of August". See also website.
Chang Tao-Ling. Taoism. "Celestial Master".
Chong Kui. Taoist. His sword and fierce expression protect the altar and scare away demons.
St. Christophe: = St. Christopher.
St. Christopher. Patron of travellers, mountaineers, astronauts, athletes, motorists, sailors, taxi drivers, truck drivers, .
St. Clair. Christian. Patron of glassmakers, boisseliers.
St. Chromatius of Aquileia. Christian. Born in (Syria), ca. 350 CE. "Church Father".
St. Claire. Christian. Patron of washing machines, embroiderers.
St. Claude. Christian. Patron of bimbelotiers, tobacconists,
St. Clement (=Pope Clement I). Christian. Bishop of Rome (ca. 100 CE). Patron of cider merchants.
Clement of Alexandria. Christian. Born in Athens ca. 150 CE. "Church Father".
St. Cloud. Christian.
Coatlicue. Aztec. Mother goddess, mother of four hundred gods and godesses.
St. Colombe. Christian.
St. Columbkille. Christian.
St. Come . Christian. A physician. Patron of surgeons, apothecaries, druggists, pharmacists, confiseurs. Usually paired with St. Damien. Both depicted with box of ointments and a urinal.
St. Congall. Christian. Bangor, Scotland. Irishman active in export of Celtic Church to Caledonia.
Coyolzauhqui. Aztec goddess who was killed by her brother, Huitzilopochtli, who also killed the rest of his 400 brothers and sisters.
St. Crepin. Christian. Patron of shoemakers, leatherworkers, . Usually paired with St. Crï¿½pinien.
St. Crepinien . Christian. Patron of shoemakers, leatherworkers, . Usually paired with St. Crepin.
Cronus. Greek. Creator god; father of Zeus et al.
St. Cuthbert. Christian. British. Disciple of St. Aidan. Abbot of Lindisfarne monastery.
Cybele. Roman goddess. (=Magna Mater, =Kybele)). Consort: Attis. Priests were known as galli.
St. Cyprian. Christian. Born in Carthage, ca. 200 CE. "Church Father".
St. Cyril of Alexandria. Christian. Born ca. 375 CE. Bishop of Alexandria. "Church Father".
St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Christian. Born in Jerusalem, ca. 315 CE. "Church Father".

D

Dagda (=The Dagda). Celtic. Powerful god; leader of warriors. Father of Angus.
St. Dagobert. Christian. Merovingian monarch (northern France). 8th Century. Feast Day: 23 December.
St. Damase. Christian. Patron of archaeologists.
St. Damien. Christian. A physician. Patron of surgeons, apothecaries, druggists, pharmacists, confiseurs . Often associated with care for those with AIDS/HIV. Often portrayed alongside St. Cï¿½me . Both depicted with box of ointments and a urinal.
St. Damien the Unmercenary. Christian: Russian Orthodox.
Damballah. Voodoo. Rainbow serpent god. (=St. Patrick)
Demeter. Greek. Earth mother, goddess of the earth; mother of Persephone.
St. Denis (=St. Dionysius). Christian. France, ca. 250. Patron saint of Paris, of France, and as curer of headaches. After his beheading, walked (carrying his head) from Montmartre to where the Abbey Church of St. Denis now stands. Portrayed headless, carrying his head, with a palm, sword or book.
Diana. Roman goddess. Goddess of the Moon and of Fertility.
Dionysos. Greek. God of wine, god of drunkeness.
St. Domenica. Christian. Patron of astronomers, clothing-makers (costumiers), .
St. Dominique: = St. Domenica.
St. Donnan. Christian. Irish. Martyred at Eigg in 617.
Drolma. Buddhist. The goddess redemptress, the bodhisattva of compassion and the feminine aspect of enlightenment.
Durga. Hindu. Mother goddess.

E

St. Edmund. Christian. England. Archbishop of Canterbury in 13th Century.
Ek Chuah. Mayan. God of war.
Eleggua: Santeria. One of the four Gods (the others are Ochosi, Oggun and Oshu). Wears necklace of alternating red and black beads.
St. Elizabeth. Christian.
St. Eloi . Christian. Patron of goldsmiths, jewelers, harnessmakers (bourreliers), carriage makers, cartwrights (charrons), ironmongers, couteliers. Depicted with the hammer and anvil of a goldsmith.
Enki. Sumerian. One of three top male gods; the others are An and Enlil. Enki is the brother of Enlil, and the son of An and Ninmah.
Enlil. Sumerian. One of three top male gods; the others are An and Enki.
St. Ephrem. Christian. Born in Nisibis (Syria), ca. 306 CE. "Church Father".
Erzulie. Voodoo. Goddes of love.
Eusebius of Caesarea. Christian. Born in Caesarea, ca. 260 CE. "Church Father".
St. Eusebius of Vercelli. Christian. Born on Sardinia, ca. 300 CE. Bishop of Northern Italy. "Church Father".
St. Eustace. Christian. Patron of hunters, (protector of) dogs, .
St. Expedit. Christian. Patron of businessmen.
Exu . Afro-Brazilian. Umbanda:devil; Candomble : messenger of higher spirits for both good and evil.

F

Fatimah. Muslim. One of the Five Holy Ones of Shi'a Islam. [incomplete]
St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938). Christian: Roman Catholic. Canonized 30 April 2000 in Rome by Pope John Paul II. A perpetually professed member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
St. Feock. Christian. Irish. "Rode across the sea [to Britain] on a granite boulder".
St. Fiacre. Christian. Patron of nurserymen, mushroom-hunters, ironmongers, taxi drivers, .
St. Firmilian. Christian. ca. 250. Bihop of Caesarea.
Five Holy Ones. Muslim (Shi'ite): Refers to Muhammad, Fatimah, Ali, Hasan and Husayn.
Fortuna. Roman goddess. Goddess of Luck. One of seven major gods.
St. Fortunat. Christian. Patron of biscuitiers.
St. Foy. Christian. Patron of (release of) prisoners, articles made of horn, .
St. Francis: Usually refers to St. Francis of Assisi.
St. Francis de Sales. Christian. France, ca. 1600. A founder of the Order of the Visitation of Mary in 1610. Author of Introduction to a Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God.
St. Francis of Assisi (=St. Francois d' Assise) (Italy, ca. 1181 - 1226): Depicted with small animals and birds. Patron of the protection of animals and birds. Feast Day: October 4. Founder of Franciscan Order. See also website.
St. Francis Xavier. Jesuit (contemporary of St. Ignatius Loyola). Patron of missionaries.
Francisco de Jassu y Javier. Basque. Birth name of St. Francis Xavier.
Freyr. Norse. God of Fertility. Brother of Frigga/Freya.
St. Frideswide. (=Frevisse) Christian. England, ca. 400.
Frigga (=Freya). Norse. Supreme Goddess; source of "Friday". Mother of Baldur.
Fudo myoo (=Unmovable Wisdom King, =Acala). Shingon Buddhist. Japan. Usually depicted holding a sword and rope and surrounded by flames. Fire god.
St. Fursey (=Fursey of Peronne; Fursa of Peronne; Fursey of Lagny) Christian. Irish. 567-648. Missionary, priest, abbot. Patron of Peronne, France. Related to Saint Foillan and Saint Ultan. Feast day: 16 January. Representation: abbot raising a young nobleman from the dead; abbot in an ecstastic trance; priest in a trance with spectral images hovering nearby. Catholic Forum listing

G

St. Gabriel. Christian. Patron of ambassadors. NOTE to add: St. Gabriel/Qu'ran/Muhammad
Ganesh (=Ganesha). Hindu. God of wisdom. Has head of an elephant.
St. Genes. Christian. Patron of (male) actors. See also St. Pelagie.
St. Genevieve. Christian. (b.411, Nanterre, France; d. 512) Patron of Paris, also shepherdesses, waxes and candles. Feast day Jan. 3. Depicted dressed in a long flowing gown with a mantle covering her shoulders, often with a loaf of bread. See also Catholic.org.
St. George. Christian. Patron of cavaliers, knights. Depicted on horseback, slaying a dragon.
St. Gertrude. Christian. Patron of (protector of) cats.
St. Gertrude of Helfta. Christian. Born 1256, Saxony (Germany). Died 1301 or 2. Feast Day: November 16. Never formally canonized, but a liturgical office of prayer, readings, and hymns in her honor was approved by Rome in 1606. See website.
God [incomplete]

Khor Vrap, where St. Gregory was imprisoned

St. Gregory the Illuminator (=St. Gregory the Enlightener). Christian. (b. ca 257, d. ca 337. National saint and patron of Armenia. See website.
St. Gregory Nazianzen. Christian. Born in Cappadocia ca. 330 CE. "Church Father".
St. Gregory of Nyssa. Christian. Born in Cappadocia ca. 335 CE. Brother of St. Basil. "Church Father".
Guan Yin: Taoist. The Mother Goddess, embodiment of the healing power of love and compassion.
Guru Rimpoche. Buddhist. Eighth century tantric master who established Buddhism in Tibet; known as the Second Buddha to Tibetans.

H

Hades. Greek. God of the underworld; son of Cronus and Rhea, husband of Persephone.
Hanuman. Hindu. God. Depicted as a monkey.
Harisiddhi: Hindu/Buddhist. A fierce Tantric Goddess.
St. Hanno of Verona.
Hasan. Muslim. One of the Five Holy Ones of Shi'a Islam.
Hathor. Egyptian. The "greatest" goddess.
Hephaistos. Greek. God of fire and of crafts.
Hera. Greek goddess. Wife of Zeus.
Hercules. Roman god. The risen hero, Hercules.
St. Herman of Alaska. Russian Orthodox. Born in Serpukhov, Russia, ca. 1756. Died 15 November 1837 on Spruce Island, Alaska. Canonised 9 August 1970 by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Patron saint of the Americas. Feast day: 9 August. Attributes: clothed as a monk, flowing white beard, wearing wrought iron cross and chains about the chest.
Hermes. Greek. "Divine trickster".
St. Hilary of Poitiers. Christian. Born in Poitiers, France, ca. 310 CE. "Church Father".
St. Hippolytus. Christian. Rome, ca. 200. Patron saint of horses. Portrayed in armor, holding a lance or a palm; or dragged and torn by horses; or holding a jailer's keys; or holding a horse's curry comb. Feast day: 13 August.
Hodur. Norse. Blind God of winter. Brother of Baldur.
St. Honoratus: see St. Honore.
St. Honore. Christian. French(?). Patron saint of bakers (biscottiers, boulangers). Feast Day: 16 May.
St. Honorine. Christian. Patron of sailors.
Horus. Egptian. Sky god, sun god. Son of Isis.
Hua To. Taoist. Patron of healing and Chinese medicine.
Huaxtec. Aztec. Goddess of love.
St. Hubert. Christian. Patron of hunters, (protector of) dogs, . Depicted with a stag.
Hugin: Norse. A black raven representing thought. Accompanies Sleipnir around the sky.
Huitzilopochtli. Aztec. God of war; son of Coatlicue (who sprang forth from his mother's womb full grown and in full war regalia).
Hunab Ku. Mayan. Creator god; father of Itzamna
Hurakan. Mayan. God of lightening.
Husayn (=Husain). Muslim (Shi'ite). Grandson of Muhammad; martyred at the Battle of Karbala. One of the Five Holy Ones of Shi'a Islam. [incomplete].

I

St. Iago (Santiago). = St. James Christian. (Spanish).
St. Ignatius of Antioch. Christian. Ca. 100 CE. Third Bishop of Antioch.
Iansa . Nigerian deity. Mistress of war and of the winds.
St. Ignatius Loyola. Christian. Founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) on 15 August 1534 in Montmartre, Paris, France. (1491-1556) Feast Day 31 July. Part of legendary Basque family known for its warriors, esp. the seven brothers who fought in the Battle of Beotibar in September 1321. Canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XIV.
St. Illtud. Christian. British. Founded Llanilltud monastery.
Indra. Hindu (Vedic era). Atmospheric god, specifically god of thunder; also, god of warriors.
Inigo Lopez de Onaz y Loyola. Birth name of St. Ignatius Loyola
St. Innocent of Alaska. Russian Orthodox. Born 26 August 1797, Anginskoye, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. Died 31 March 1879, Moscow, Russia. Feast day: 31 March/13 April (repose), 6/19 October (glorification). Attributes: Vested as a bishop, black beard, holding book or scroll of Gospels.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons. Christian. Born in Smyrna, ca 135 CE.
Ishtar. Babylonian. Mother Goddess.
Ishtar (=Inanna). Sumerian Goddess of war, and of rain, and of carnal love, and of prostitutes. Daughter of Nanna.
St. Isidore. Christian. Patron of farmers.
Isis. Egyptian, and later, Roman goddess. In Egypt: Goddess of the annual inundations of the Nile.
Itzamna . Mayan. Ruler of the gods; son of Hunab Ku.
Itzpapalotl. Aztec. Goddess of fertility.
Ixchel. Mayan. Moon goddess.

J

St. James (=St. Jacques, =St. Jacobi). One of Jesus' first disciples. Went to Iberia, returned to Jerusalem, was beheaded by Herod; remains gathered by Christians and sent (guided by an angel) to Compostela (in Kingdom of the Asturians on Iberian peninsula). Object of pilgrimage to Compostela, which became the primary Christian pilgrimage site after the Muslim capture of Jerusalem. Symbol: scallop shell (coquilles St. Jacques). Patron of hatmakers.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Christian. (France, ca. 1600): A founder of the Order of the Visitation of Mary in 1610.
Janus. Roman God (Latin: Januarius). One of the seven major gods. Usually represented as two-faced. Guardian of doorways, and custodian of the universe.First month of the calendar year in common usage, January, is named for Janus.
St. Jean Porte Latine. Christian. Patron of baigneurs, etuvistes, cartonniers .
Jeremiah. Jewish/Christian. Prophet.
St. Jerome. Christian. Born in Stridon (Italy) ca. 347 CE. Patron of archaelogists, librarians, conservators. "Church Father".
Jesus. Jewish/Christian. [incomplete]
St. Joachin. Christian.

St. Joan of Arc (=St. Jeanne d' Arc). Christian. Patron of shepherdesses.
Jogini. Hindu/Buddhist. Mystical Goddess.
St. John. Christian. One of the four Gospel writers. Symbol: eagle. Patron of (male) shepherds.
St. John de Brebeuf. Christian (Jesuit). Missionary in North America; known as the Apostle to the Hurons. Martyred 16 March 1649.
St. John the Baptist (=St. Jean ï¿½vangï¿½liste). Christian. Patron of administrative agents, alchemists, chemists, couteliers, .
St. John Berchmans (b.Diest, Brabant (Belgium), 13 March, 1599; d. Rome, 13 August, 1621). Christian. Patron of altar boys. Canonized: 1888. Feast day: 26 November. His statues represent him with hands clasped, holding his crucifix, his book of rules (the Rule of Saint Ignatius), and his rosary. See also Catholic Encyclopedia.
St. John Chrysostom (Chrysostom="golden-mouthed"). Christian. Born in Antioch ca 349 CE; died 407 CE. Bishop of Constantinople; best known for his preaching ability. "Church Father".
St. Joseph. Christian. Patron of loggers, carpenters. Depicted with an axe or wood saw. For details on the use of statues of St. Joseph by those selling houses, click on Urban Legends.
St. Joseph the Worker. Christian.
St. Julien l'Hospitalier. Christian. Patron of landords.
Junipero Serra (=Miguel Jose Serra). Christian. Known as Apostle to California. 1713-1784. Catholic Forum listing.
Juno. Roman Goddess (Latin: Junius). Wife of Jupiter. Sixth month of the calendar year in common usage, June, is named for Juno.
St. Justin. Christian. Born in Samaria ca. 100 CE.
Jupiter (=Jove). Roman God. The father of the seven major gods.

K

Kaali (=Kali). Hindu. Goddess; the destroyer or liberator and is depicted in a fearful form. One of the principal deities of Bengal.
Kamakhya. Hindu: Goddess.
Kami. Shinto: A deity; spirit of nature.
St. Katherine. Christian.

Church of St. Katherine, Zagreb, Croatia

St. Kentigen. (Also known as St. Mungo.) Christian. Irish. Patron saint of Strathclyde. d. 617
St. Keverne. Christian. Cornwall. Friend, co-worker of St. Kieran. Feast day: 18 November. Catholic Forum listing.
Khonsu. Egyptian. Moon god, god of healing.
St. Kieran. (=Ciaran; Kerrier; Kieran of Seirkeiran; Kiernan; Kyran; "First born of the Saints of Ireland") Christian. Ireland. D. c530. First Bishop of Ossory, Ireland. Feast day: 5 March. Friend, co-worker of St. Keverne. Catholic Forum listing.
Kino, Eusebio. Christian (Jesuit). Missionary in lower California and Arizona. D. 15 March 1711.
Kisin. Mayan. God of earthquakes.
Krishna (=Krshna). Hindu. One of Vishnu's avatars.

L

Lainez, Diego. Christian. Second Superior General of the Jesuits. D. 19 January 1565 in Rome.
Lakshmi: Hindu. Goddess; the consort of Vishnu.
Lakshminarayana: Hindu. Vishnu and Bhagawati together.
Lao-Tzu: Taoist. Founder of Taoism and author of Tao Te Ching.
St. Laurent: = St. Lawrence (French).
St. Lawrence. Christian. Patron of (male) cooks. Depicted with a grill, his method of martyrdom. Patron of policemen.
St. Leander. the feast of St. Leander has been celebrated on 27 February in non-leap years and on 28 February in leap years.
St. Leonard. Christian. Patron of butter makers and marketers, (release of) prisoners, .
St. Lezin. Christian. Patron of slate roofers.
Loki. Norse. God who is agent of evil; trickster God.
St. Louis. Christian. French king. Patron of barbers, embroiderers, (male) hairdressers, tailors. NOTE: St. Louis, Mo., named in honor of this saint. Born 25 April 1214(1214-04-25) Poissy, France; Died 25 August 1270(1270-08-25) (aged 56); Tunis in what is now Tunisia Venerated in Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion Canonized 1297 by Pope Boniface VIII Feast 25 August Attributes Depicted as King of France, generally with a crown, holding a sceptre with a fleur-de-lys on the end, possibly with blue clothing with a spread of white fleur-de-lys (coat of arms of the French monarchy) Patronage Third Order of St. Francis, France, French monarchy; hairdressers; passementiers (lacemakers)
St. Loup. = St. Wolf (French).
St. Lubin. Christian. Patron of cavistes.
St. Lucy Fillippini (b. 13 January 1672 in Corneto-Tarquinia, Italy; d. 25 March 1732). Christian. Founded Institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini (with Cardinal Mark Anthony Barbarigo) in 1692. See also website.
St. Luke (=St. Luc). One of the four Gospel writers. Symbol: ox. Patron of artists, craftsmen, painters.
Luther, Martin [incomplete]

M

Machhendra. Hindu (Nepalese): The guardian God of the Kathmandu Valley, guarantor of rain and plenty. The deity is also a popular interpretation of Avalokiteshwara or Lokeshwar and is enshrined as the Rato (Red) Machhendra in Patan and the Seto (White) Machhendra in Kathmandu.
St. Maelrubha. Christian. Applecross, Scotland. Active in the export of the Celtic Church to Caledonia.
Maia. Roman Goddess (Latin: Maius). The fifth month of the calendar year in common usage, May, is named for Maia.
Mambo. Voodoo. Title for a priestess.
Mani. Religious innovator. Manichaeism.
Mara. Buddhist. God of death; evil tempter; demon-king; god of delusion. Often depicted riding an elephant. His companions, uncouth bandits, represent uncontrolled passions, the "demon hordes" within the human mind.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Christian. (Spanish?); member of the Order of the Visitation of Mary.
St. Mark. Christian. One of the four Gospel writers. Symbol: winged lion. Patron saint of Venice, Italy.
Mars. Roman god (Latin: Martius). Son of Jupiter. God of war and agriculture; father of Romulus. One of the seven major gods. His priests were known as Salii. Third month of calendar year in common usage, March, is named for Mars.
St. Martha. Christian. Patron of landlords, housewives, (female) cooks, .
St. Marthe: = St. Martha (French).
St. Marie-Madeleine. Christian. Patron of (female) hairdressers, courtesans,
St. Martin of Tours. Christian. Roman soldier serving in Gaul (France). 316-398 CE. Patron of policemen, landlords, drinkers, wine-brokers, cavaliers. Feast day, 10 November. A Roman soldier in Gaul who converted to Christianity and became the patron saint of reformed drunkards. Traditionally the day in medieval Europe when animals were slaughtered and salted for the winter. See also St. Martin of Tours.
Maruts. Hindu (Vedic era). Among the atmospheric gods, a cluster of storm gods.
St. Mary (see special section, below)
St. Mary The Consoler. Christian. Italian. 8th century. Sister of St. Anno, bishop of Verona. Feast day: 1 August.
St. Matthew. Christian. Patron of stockbrokers, bankers, moneychangers, accountants.
St. Mathias. Christian. Patron of drinkers.
Matsyavathara. Hindu: Incarnation of Vishnu in the form of a fish.
St. Matthew (=St. Matthieu). One of the four Gospel writers. Symbol: angel.
St. Maur. Christian. Patron of ironmongers.
St. Maurice. Christian. Patron of soldiers, launderers, horse-riders.
St. Maximus of Turin. Christian. Born in northern Italy ca. 370 CE. "Church Father".
St. Medard. Christian. Patron of brewers.
Medha: Hindu. Goddess denoting intellect.
Mercury. Roman god. Messenger god.
St. Mesrob. Christian. 4th Century. Armenia.
St. Michael. Christian. Patron of aviators, stocking-sellers, merchants, dairymen. Feast day 29 September.
St. Michel: = St. Michael (French).
Midir (=Midhir, Mider, Midar). Celtic. Father (or brother, or son) of Dagda. Foster father of Angus.
St. Miklos: = St. Nicholas (Hungarian).
Min. Egyptian. Male god of fertility; always depicted with an erection.
Mitra. Persian god.
Mjollnir . Norse. "Breaker of giants and dispeller of evil spirits.
Molech. Ancient mideast. God.
St. Moluag. Christian. Lismore, Scotland. Active in the export of the Celtic Church to Caledonia.
Montu. Egyptian. God of war; solar god.
Muhammad. Muslim. Prophet of Allah.[incomplete]
St. Mummolus (=Momble, Momleolus, Mumbolus). Christian. France. D. 690. Feast Day: 18 November. Friend of Saint Fursey. Abbot of Lagny, Meaux, France. Catholic Forum listing.
St. Mungo. (also known as St. Kentigern.) Christian. Founder of the church in Glasgow, Scotland.
Munin. Norse. Black raven representing Memory. Accompanies Sleipnir around the sky.
Mut. Egyptian. "Great Mother" goddess, wife of Amon; part of the Theban Triad.

N

Naga. Buddhist (Tibetan). Serpent deity.
St. Neot (=the Pygmy Saint). Christian. English, d. 877. Feast day: 31 July. Patron of fish. Catholic site.
Nanna. Sumerian. Moon god.
Nephthys. Egyptian. Daughter of Nut. Sister/wife of Seth.
Neptune. Roman god. God of the sea. (=Poseidon).
Nestor. Christian. Heretical teacher.
St. Nicholas (=Klaus, Mikulas, Nicholas of Bari, Nicolaas, Nicolas, Nikolas, Niklas). Christian. Asia Minor, ca. 260-343 CE). Bishop of Myra (in modern Turkey). Patron of children; sailors, fishermen, boatmen, longshoremen, mariners and watermen; butchers; cartwrights, coopers and barrel makers; pawnbrokers; apothecaries, druggists and pharmacists; bakers; boot blacks and shoe shiners; brewers; judges; lawsuits lost unjustly; merchants; newlyweds, brides and grooms; parish clerks; paupers and poor people; perfumeries and perfumers; pilgrims and travellers; scholars and students; repentant thieves, murderers and prisoners; captives; unmarried girls, maidens, and spinsters; also patron saint of Apulia, Italy; Bari, Italy; Duronia, Italy; Fossalto, Italy; Greece; Greek Catholic Church in America; Greek Catholic Union; Limerick, Ireland; Lorraine; Naples, Italy; Portsmouth, England; Russia; Sicily; Sassari, Italy; University of Paris. Associated with Christmas celebrations, especially in Europe (see website). Feast Day: 6 December (19 December on Julian Calendar). Often depicted with: crozier and wearing a miter; often shown with three gold balls or coins (representing gold thrown into houses for dowry money), three maidens (representing dowry recipients), three children in the salting tub of the butcher from his legend, anchor and/or ship, Bible, shoes (from legend about children placing treats for St. Nicholas' horses in their shoes). Catholic site.
St. Nicholas Owen. Christian (Jesuit). English. Martyred 2 March 1606.
St. Ninian. Christian. Irish. Missionary to the Caledonian British.
Ninmah. Sumerian. Mother goddess, consort of An.
Nintura. Sumerian. God of Storms.
Nipper. Sumerian. God of Wind.
St. Nivard. Christian. French. Archbishop of Rheims, France. D. ca 673 CE. Feast day: 1 September. Catholic Forum listing.
North American Martyrs. Christian (Jesuit): Antoine Daniel, Charles Garnier, Gabriel Lalemant, Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf, John de la Lande, Noel Chabanel and Rene Goupil. All were canonized by Pope Pius XI on 29 June 1930. Feast day: 19 October.
Nriteshwar: Hindu. God of dance.

Nut. Egyptian. Goddess of the sky. Mother of Isis and Osiris, Seth, and Nephtys.

O

Obatala. Yoruba. Creator of human bodies, which were brought to life by Olorun's breath.; father of all Orishas; owner of all ori. In Santeria, wears necklace of all white beads.
Ochosi: Santeria. One of the four Gods (the others are Eleggua, Oggun and Oshu).
Odin. Norse/New Age. All-Father God. God of wisdom, poetry, war and agriculture. Father of Baldur. He rode around the sky on his eight-legged stallion.
Oga. Brazil. Honorary advisers and guarators of the house.
Oggun: Santeria. One of the four Gods (the others are Eleggua, Ochosi, and Oshu).
Omeciuatl. Aztec. Wife of Ometecuhtli.
Ometecuhtli. Aztec. Creator god; husband of Omeciuatl.
Ontontecuhtl. Aztec. God of fire.
Origen of Alexandria. Christian. Ca. 150-200 CE. "Church Father".
Oshu (=Oshun): Santeria. One of the four Gods (the others are Eleggua, Ochosi, and Oggun). Wears necklace of alternating yellow and white beads.
Osiris. Egyptian. Brother/husband of Isis. Son of Nut.
St. Otmar. Christian. Patron of drinkers, cafe owners .
Oxossi. Yoruban deity. Patron of hunters.

P

Padma. Hindu. Another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, in her form as ï¿½mother of the earthï¿½.
Pak: Muslim. The South Asian term for the Five Holy Ones of Shi'a Islam.
Panacea. (=Panacea de Muzzi; Panacea of Quarona; Panassia; Panexia) Christian. Italian. Feast day: 1 May. Martyred 1383. Patron of: Ghemme, Italy; shepherdesses, shepherds. Representation: young girl being beaten by an older woman. Catholic Forum listing.
Papa Loco. Voodoo. God in charge of rituals.
Parjanya. Hindu (Vedic era). One of the atmospheric gods, specifically, god of rain.
Parvati. Hindu. Goddess: the consort of Shiva.
St. Paul of the Cross. Christian. Born in Italy, ca. 1750-1800. Founded Passionist Orders for men (1720?) and women in 1771.
St. Paulinus of Nola. Christian. Born in Aquitaine (France), ca. 400 CE? "Church Father".
St. Pelagie. Christian. Patron of actresses. See also St. Genes.
Persephone. Greek. Wife of Hades.
St. Peter (=St. Pierre). Christian. Depicted with keys.
Peter de Smet. Christian. Jesuit. First missionary in the Pacific Northwest of North America. D. 1840.
Peter Faber. Christian. Jesuit. Contemporary of Ignatius Loyola. Born 1506.
St. Philip Neri. Christian. Jesuit. Canonized 1622 by Pope Gregory XIV.
St. Philippe. Christian. Patron of stocking-sellers.
Poseidon. Greek. God of the oceans.
Prajna. Hindu. Goddess of wisdom.
Prometheus. Greek. Cousin of Zeus, who stole fire from him and gave it to humans.

Q

Quirinus. Roman god. One of the seven major gods. The "ascended" Romulus, legendary founder of Rome.

R

Ra (=Re). Egyptian. A "withdrawn" creator god.
St. Raphael. Christian. Patron of hawkers.
Re-Herakhte . The sole god acknowledged by Egyptian pharoah Akhenaten. Symbol: aten (solar disk).
Rhea. Greek. Consort of Cronus, mother of Zeus et al.
St. Rita (=St. Rita Cascia). Christian. "Saint of the Impossible" (b. Roccaporena, Italy, 1381, d. 1457); patron of Sisters of St. Rita.
St. Roch. Christian. Patron of antique dealers, second-hand dealers, carriers, (protection of) dogs, .
Rudra (=Red One or Howler). Hindu (Vedic era). Father of the Maruts feared for his angry and destructive nature.

S

Sakyamuni. (=Sakya clan sage_. Buddhist. See Buddha. [incomplete]
St. Sampson of Dol. Founder of monasticism in Brittany. Known for using a Roman chariot to transport his books.
St. Sarah (=Sara). Christian. Patron of fortunetellers (cartomanciennes).
Sarasvati. Hindu. Earth Goddess.
Sastha: Hindu. God; consorts are Purna and Pushkala.
Sati: Hindu. The consort of Shiva; daughter of Daksha Prajaapati. See Legend of Sati.
Saturn. Roman god. Father of Jupiter.
St. Sebastian. Christian. Patron of archers. Depicted in agony with arrows piercing his body.
St. Sebastien: = St. Sebastian (French).
Serapis. Roman god via Egypt: "supreme god".
St. Server. Christian. Patron of policemen.
Seth. Egyptian. Evil god. Brother/husband of Nephthys.
Shakti. Hindu: Female aspect of divinity; the manifestation of energy. See also Ambaa, Devi.
Shekali Mai (=Rudrayana): Hindu (Nepal). A Kathmandu Valley nature Goddess.
Shang-ti. Shang (ancient China). Cosmic high god; Jade Emperor; eldest ancestral spirit.
Shiva: Hindu. One of the Supreme Trinity of multitude of manifestations of Divinity, along with Brahma and Vishnu. See About Shiva.
Shou Lao: Taoist. The God of longevity, easily recognized by his large cranium, medicinal gourd and "peach of immortality".
Siddhartha Gautama. Founder of Buddhism. See also Buddha. [incomplete]
Skanda (=Muruga, =Murugan): Hindu. God; the supreme commander of the Gods and the destroyer of evil forces. He is also regarded as the epitome of knowledge. One of the most revered deities in the Southern State of Tamilnadu. The three integral elements of Muruga's personality are spear (vel) in His hand, peacock as His mount and cock adorning His banner. See Murugan.org.
Soma. Hindu. God of the moon.
Spenta Armaiti (=Spandaramet). Zoroastrian. Minor diety to which the earth was sacred.
Sleipnir
Soma. Hindu. God of the hallucinogen consumed at sacrifices.
St. Stanislaus Kostka. Christian. 1550-68 (buried in Chapel of the Novitiate, St. Andrea del Quirinale, Rome, Italy). Canonized 31 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. Patron saint of Jesuit novices (died as a Jesuit novice); named chief patron saint of Poland by Pope Clement X on 8 January 1674. See article in The Company.

T

Tara. Buddhist: Tibetan. Goddess of Compassion. Mother of Liberation.
Teilhard de Chardin, Pierre. Christian (Jesuit). 1881-1955. Theologian and scientist.
St. Terentian. Christian. Italian. Bishop of Todi, Umbria, Italy. Feast day: 1 September. Martyred c118.Catholic Forum listing.
Terenzio of Luni. Christian. Italian. Martyred Bishop of Luni, Italy. Feast Day: 24 September. Patron of Pesaro, Italy.
St. Teresa of Avila. Christian. Spanish. 1515-1582. The subject of Bernini's 17th C. marble sculpture, "Ecstasy of St. Teresa" in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, Italy. See also website.
Terrestrial gods. Hindu (Vedic era). Agni, Brihaspati, and Soma.
Tertullian. Christian. Born (probably) in Carthage, ca. 200 CE. "Church Father".
Tepoztecatl . Aztec. God of drunkenness.
Texcatlpoca. Aztec. God of night.
St. Thaddeus.
Theban Triad. Egyptian. Amon, Mut and Knonsu.
St. Theodosius of the Kiev Caves. Christian: Russian Orthodox.
St. Thibault. Christian. Patron of loggers, coalmen.
St. Thomas. Christian. Patron of architects, land surveyors, researchers.
Thor. Norse/New Age. Sky God, controlling winds and storms. and associated with the oak. Thursday is his day. He guarded the Aesir from attack. Traveled in a chariot drawn by two billy-goats. One of the four main dieties who ruled over Asgard. His hammer represented lightening; small hammers were worn as amulets in the late Viking age and have been adopted as an emblem by contemporary members of Asatruar clans.
St. Thorette. Christian. Feast day: 1 May. Catholic Forum listing.
Thoth. Egyptian. Moon god (who rules over earth).
Tlaloc. Aztec. God of rain and of lightening.
Toyouke Okami: Shinto. Goddess of farming and harvest.
Tu Di Gong: Taoist. God of the soil, guardian of the realm of the ancestors, bestower of wealth.

U

Umananda: Hindu. Goddess.
Urban II. Roman Catholic Pope (1088-1099). Launched the First Crusade in 1095.
Urvasi: Hindu. Heavenly nymph or damsel; minor goddess. See The Legend of Urvasi and Pururavas.
Utu. Sumerian. Sun god; son of Nanna.

V

Vajravarahi. Buddhist: Tibetan. God-the-Mother; usually depicted in red. Consort of Chakrasamvara.
St. Valentine. Christian. Patron of lovers.
Valkyries. Norse. "Choosers of the Slain" who decided whom to take to Valhalla.
Vamana (=Vikrantha). Hindu. Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as a dwarf.
Vardhamana Mahavira. Founder/perfector of Jainism.
St. Vartan the Warrior. Christian. Armenian.
Varuna. Hindu (Vedic Era). Most important of the celestial gods, who ruled over the night.
Vayu Hindu (Vedic Era). Atmospheric god, specifically: god of wind.
Vedic era (approx. 1500-500 BCE Indus Valley).(Hindu) At least 33 gods were worshipped.
Verethraghna (=Viihagn). Zoroastrian. God of strength and valor. Symbol: wild boar.
Venus. Roman goddess. Goddess of Gardens and Beauty (=Aphrodite).
St. Veronica (=St. Veronique). Christian. Patron of washing machines.
Vesta. Roman goddess. Goddess of the Hearth. Served by the six Vestal Virgins. (=Hestia)
Vikrantha (=Vamana): Hindu. Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as a dwarf.
St. Vincent. Christian. Patron of brickmakers, cafï¿½ owners, cavistes.
Vishnu (=Visnu). Hindu. Usually depicted holding four sacred objects: chakra, One of the three most important Gods, the preserver of the world and god of love (the others are Shiva and Brahma) He is typically depicted as descending to earth in various forms (avatars) to uphold order (for example, see Krishna, the eighth avatar). Gautama, the Buddha (the founder of Buddhism) is considered (by some) the ninth avatar of Vishnu).
Vishvarkman. Hindu. Son of Brahma, architect of the universe.
Vixtociatl. Aztec. Goddess who discovered salt after being banished to the saltwaters by her brothers, the rain gods. Attributes: ears of gold, yellow clothes, iridescent green plumage, fishnet skirt; carries shield trimmed with eagle, parrot and quetzal feathers and a cane topped by incense-filled paper flowers.
Vohu Manha. Zoroastrian. (Minor diety) The Good Mind.
Vulcan. Roman god. God of Fire and Craftsmen. (=Hephaistos)
Vtra. Hindu (Vedic era). Serpentine monster who battled Indra.

W

White, Andrew. Christian. Jesuit. Missionary to Maryland. d. 1656.
St. William (=Guillaume). Christian. Patron of arms manufacturers, (male) shepherds.
St. Wolf. Christian. Patron of (male) shepherds. Depicted with a wolf.

Z

Zeus. Greek. God of the heavens and earth; son of Cronus and Rhea.

Y

Yama. Buddhist: Tibetan. God of death; usually depicted in black.
Yum Kaax. Mayan. God of corn and of the forest.
St. Yves. Christian. Patron of lawyers, solicitors.

Z

St. Zita. Christian.
Zoroaster. Founer of Zoroastrianism. Name means, literally, "he who manages camels".
Zurvan. Zoroastrian (heretical). Parent of Ahura Mazda (creator and ruler of the universe) and Angra Mainyu (the fiendish spirit who causes calamities and tempts humans into evil).

Mary

[incomplete]

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Loretta (=Notre-Dame de Lorette). Christian. Patron of aviators.

ï¿½ Susan McKee
(created 30 May 2002 but SITE and LINKS UNDER (perpetual) CONSTRUCTION
(last updated 3 February 2020)