Fire gods and goddesses appear in almost every mythology, as givers of warmth, protectors of the hearth, patrons of blacksmiths and forces of volcanoes. Among the best known are Agni in Hindu mythology, Hephaestus and Hestia in Greek mythology, Vulcan and Vesta in Roman mythology, Pele in Hawaiian mythology and Xiuhtecuhtli in Aztec mythology.
This list groups fire deities by mythology, with each name’s role as given in the standard reference list of fire deities.
Greek Mythology
- Hephaestus, god of blacksmiths, crafting, fire and volcanoes. His Roman form is Vulcan.
- Hestia, goddess of the hearth and its fires. Her Roman form is Vesta.
- Helios, god and personification of the Sun.
- Apollo, god of the Sun, healing, prophecy and writing.
Roman Mythology
- Vulcan, god of crafting and fire, the Roman form of Hephaestus.
- Vesta, goddess of the hearth and its fire, the Roman form of Hestia.
- Fornax, goddess of the furnace.
- Stata Mater, a goddess who stops fires.
- Cacus, the fire-breathing giant son of Vulcan, who might have been worshipped in ancient times.
- Caca, Vulcan’s daughter, who might have been worshipped before Vesta.
Hindu Mythology
- Agni, god of fire, messengers and purification.
- Svaha, the goddess wife of Agni.
- Agneya, daughter of Agni and guardian of the south-east.
Norse Mythology
- Logi, a jötunn who personifies fire.
- Glöð, the jötunn wife of Logi, who rules with him.
- Surtr, the jötunn king who ruled the volcanic powers of the underworld and will cover the Earth in fire during Ragnarök.
Celtic Mythology
- Brigit, Irish goddess of fire, poetry, arts and crafts.
- Aed, an Irish god whose name means “fire”.
- Grannus, god of fire, health, water springs and the Sun.
- Nantosuelta, goddess of fire, nature, fertility, rivers and the earth.
Mesopotamian Mythology
- Girra, god of fire in Akkadian and Babylonian records.
- Gibil, a skilled god of fire and smithing in Sumerian records.
- Nusku, god of heavenly and earthly fire and light, and patron of the arts.
- Ishum, a god of fire who was the brother of the sun god Shamash.
Japanese Mythology
- Kagu-tsuchi, blacksmith god of fire, whose birth burned his mother Izanami to death.
- Kōjin, god of fire, the hearth and the kitchen.
- Konohanasakuya-hime, goddess of volcanoes.
Aztec Mythology
- Xiuhtecuhtli, god of fire, day, heat, volcanoes and the afterlife, among other roles.
- Chantico, goddess of the hearth fires and volcanoes.
- Mixcoatl, a hunting god who introduced fire to humanity.
Hawaiian Mythology
Pele is the goddess of fire, wind and volcanoes.
Māori Mythology
- Mahuika, goddess of fire who was tricked into revealing the knowledge of fire to her grandson Māui.
- Auahitūroa, god of fire and comets and husband of Mahuika.
- Rūaumoko, god of volcanoes and earthquakes.
African Mythology
- Ogun, Yoruba fire god and patron of blacksmiths, iron, warfare and metal tools.
- Ọya, Yoruba goddess of fire, wind, storms and fertility.
- Shango, Yoruba god of thunder, lightning and fire.
- Sekhmet, the protective lioness goddess of war in Egyptian mythology, sometimes linked with the Sun’s power and with fire.
Slavic Mythology
- Svarog, the bright god of fire, smithing and the Sun, sometimes considered the creator.
- Svarožič, the god of the earthly fire.
- Dazhbog, the regenerating god of the solar fire who rides in the sky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous fire god? Many people think of Hephaestus, Agni, Vulcan or Pele, depending on the tradition.
Who is the Greek goddess of fire? Hestia is the goddess of the hearth and its fires. Hephaestus is the Greek god of fire and the forge.
What is the Roman god of fire? Vulcan, the Roman form of Hephaestus.
Related
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- Sun Gods in Mythology: Ra, Helios, Surya, Amaterasu and More