Fire Goddesses From Around the World

The fire Goddesses appear in the mythology of many ancient civilisations. They are the personification of different expressions and usage of the element of fire. These different aspects of the fire Goddess are discussed below.

Fire Goddess Names

The A-Z list of Fire Goddesses below deals directly with the element of fire.

I have a separate page that is dedicated to the Sun Goddesses

Agneya (Hindu) – Daughter of the sun God Agni, she is worshipped as the guardian of the South East.

Brigit (Celtic) – Goddess of the forge, hearth and sacred flame. She is also represents the fire of inspiration in creative pursuits.

Aetna (Roman) The Mountain Goddess that Mount Etna is named after and home of the blacksmith God Vulcan.

Agischanak (Tlingit) Mountain Goddess of the Tlingit’s of Alaska. A powerful Goddess, she supports the world on pillar preventing it from sinking into the cosmic ocean. Fires are offered to please her.

Biliku (Andamanese Islands) – This spider Goddess was the creator Goddess of the earth. She was the first Goddess to own fire but when the kingfisher stole this gift she deserted the earth.

Hestia (Greek) – Goddess of the home fire and the sacred flame. Historically she presided over family meals and sacrificial feasts.

Darago (Philippine) – The warrior Goddess associated with volcanoes. Her fiery nature was appeased with annual sacrificial offerings.

Feronia (Roman) – Ancient Goddess, she was associated with the fiery energy of reproduction and the fire beneath the earth’s crust.

Masaya (Nicaraguan) – Goddess of volcanoes and earthquakes. She was an oracle whom was consulted for information about future eruptions and other natural events.

Pele (Hawaiian) – Offerings are still made to this famous volcano Goddess.

Poza- Mama (Siberian) - The Goddess of the hearth fire and mistress of the mountains.

Sengen – Sama (Japanese) - Also known as Kona-Hana, she is the cherry blossom Goddess of the volcano, Mount Fuji.

Tabiti (Scythian) – For the ancient Indo- Iranians civilisation. Tabiti represented the primeval substance from which the universe was formed.

Stata Mater (Roman) – An important Goddess of the capital of Rome. Her main role was the prevention of destructive fires.

Vesta (Roman) – Goddess of hearth and eternal flame.

Wadjet (Egyptian) – The “Lady of the flame,” this serpent Goddess used fire to burn her enemies like a snake spitting venom.

Volcano Goddesses

The element of fire can be very destructive and cleansing. The Goddess in this most fearsome form is the Volcano Goddess. She brings fire from deep within the womb of the earth.

Many areas of the Globe that experience volcanic activity include Volcano Goddesses within their mythology and folk tales. Pele from Hawaii is perhaps the most famous of the fiery Volcano Goddesses. You will find other interesting Volcano Goddesses in the list below including Darago and Masaya. The peoples, who live in the shadows of these volcanos, still make offerings to appease these Goddesses and prevent her from destroying their land and crops.

 These Volcano Goddesses also represent the fire of creation as new land is spawn and will eventually be colonised by new vegetation and animals. 

Eternal Flame Goddesses

This is the term I use to describe the Goddesses that worshipped at a community level in many ancient tradition. These civic fires were tended to constantly and it was considered an ill omen if they were allowed to go out.

The most famous of these fire Goddesses is Vesta whose temples were attended by the vestal virgins.

In the Hindu tradition you also have the Goddess Agneya who is the personification of the South East direction.

Survival Fire Goddesses

When man first harnessed the element of fire he used it for survival. It provided warmth, somewhere to cook and protection against wild animals. Here the element of fire is temporarily tamed. This fire Goddess is still wild, she is represented with Goddesses like Feronia, the ancient Roman Goddess, whose altars and temples remain outside the city walls.

Hearth Fire Goddesses

The hearth fire in comparison is the domestication of the fire element. Fire is used in a controlled way to cook and heat the home. This was a traditional realm of the fire Goddesses as the role was traditionally performed by the woman. These Goddesses are often also linked to marriage and a happy home. Like Hestia the Greek Goddess.

Despite these Goddesses being viewed as more benign, elaborate rituals and rules were often performed at the setting of the fire. Offerings of food were also given to the fire in thanks.