A Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses, Devils and Demons by Lurker Manfred;

Author:Lurker, Manfred;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 2037848
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group

Loki The artful dodger in the Germanic pantheon, and the sire of several agencies hostile to the gods – the wolf Fenrir, → Hel and the → Midgard-snake. In one of his manifestations, as a mare, Loki is said to have given birth to the stallion Sleipnir. He can, in fact, take on almost any shape he wishes. Popular etymology has connected his name with the word log (German Lohe = fierce flames). Wherever Loki appears along with Odin, he acts as the factotum of the gods, never at a loss for sharp practice. Otherwise, however, he is their adversary: he causes the death of → Balder, and brings about the destruction of the world (Ragnarök). His consort is → Sigyn.

Lowalangi (Lowalani) The inhabitants of the island of Nias in Indonesia believe in Lowalangi as the god of the world above, the source of all that is good; his elder brother and adversary is → Lature Danö Lowalangi is lord of life and death; he is omnipresent and omnisicient, the creator of mankind. His name figures in prayers of supplication and in solemn oaths. His sacred creatures are the cock, the rhino-bird and the eagle. He partakes in the sun and in light. Men are the property (the pigs) of Lowalangi, and just as people take good care of their pigs, so does Lowalangi look after his people.

Lucifer (Latin = bringer of light) A name used in Christianity for the devil. It goes back to Isaiah 14: 12, where the casting into hell of the King of Babylon is likened to the fall of the resplendent morning star (Hebrew helal). The name was applied by the church fathers to → Satan, on the basis of Luke 10: 18, where Satan is said to fall as lightning from heaven. Certain Gnostic sects regarded Lucifer as a divine power in his own right, or as the ‘first-born son of God’.

Lucina Old Italic goddess of birth, whose grove was on Cispius. She was absorbed by → Juno, in her capacity as goddess of women.

Lü Dong-bin (also known as Lü Yan) One of the ‘Eight Immortals’ (→ Ba Xian). Many tales are told of his wondrous deeds. He is the tutelary god of barbers; his attribute is a sword with which he slays demons.

Lug (Lugus) A Celtic god, after whom the ancient capital of Galliens Lugdunum (the modern Lyon) was named. His functions identify him as a god of war and of the magic arts, but poets benefit from him as well as warriors and magicians. The raven is particularly associated with him. In the Irish sagas, Lug is also called Lamfada = he of the long hand, and some students have seen in this a reference to the sun’s rays, just as his spear has been interpreted as indicating lightning. His Irish epithet Samildanach (‘he who can do everything’) presents him as a master craftsman and artist. Lug had a particular relationship with the earth-goddess → Tailtu.

Lugalbanda Deified king of the Sumerian city of Uruk.

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