Arabic mythology

Arabic Mythology is the ancient beliefs of the Arabs. Prior to the arrival and initial codification of Islam on the Arabian Peninsula in 622 CE, year one of the Islamic calendar, the physical centre of Islam, the Kaaba of Mecca, did not hold only the single symbol of "the God" as it does now. The Kaaba was instead covered in symbols representing the myriad demons, djinn, demigods and other assorted creatures which represented the profoundly polytheistic environment of pre-Islamic Arabia. We can infer from this plurality an exceptionally broad context in which mythology could flourish.

Related Topics:
Arab - Islam - Arabian Peninsula - 622 - Islamic calendar - Kaaba - Mecca - God - Demon - Djinn - Demigod - Polytheistic - Plurality - Mythology

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The Arabian deities included :

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• El or Ilah (meaning 'God')
• Bel or Belshamin
• Yarhibol or Malakbel
• Aglibol
• a number of astral and local deities
• Sin (mythology) (or Nanna-Suen, Babylonian)
• Athtar (related to Ishtar)
• Shams (Samas or Utu)
• Orotalt
• Alilat (al-Lat?)
• Nergal
• Nabu (or Nebo)
• Bes (Egypto-Arabic)
• Uzza
• Yaghuth
• Manah or Manat
• Atargatis (Syrian)
• Astarte (possibly)
• Beltis (possibly)

See Demons in pre-Islamic Arab Culture.

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The pre-Islamic arabs, such as the Garamantes, were influenced by ancient Egyptian and Babylonian mythology. These pre-Islamic mythological systems also later influenced Islamic mythology.

Related Topics:
Garamantes - Egyptian - Babylonian mythology - Islamic mythology

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Arabic mythology: See also ►