Queen of Heaven: Jeremiah 7:18 and 44:17-19 refer to the "Queen of Heaven'', here are all known references to her in other cultures
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The Queen of Heaven is a title found across various cultures and religions, representing different goddesses or divine feminine figures.
Below is a comprehensive list of references to the "Queen of Heaven" in major religions, including interpretations from ancient mythologies and later traditions.
1. Queen of Heaven in the Hebrew Bible (Judaism and Christianity)
Jeremiah 7:18 and 44:17-19, 25: The "Queen of Heaven" is a title used to criticize a female deity worshiped by the Israelites, likely a reference to Asherah or Ishtar.
"We will certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings, and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem."
(Jeremiah 44:17)
The prophet condemns the worship of this goddess as a violation of monotheistic devotion to Yahweh.
2. Ancient Near Eastern Religions
Ishtar (Babylonian Religion): In Mesopotamian mythology, Ishtar (Inanna in Sumerian) is associated with love, fertility, war, and the planet Venus. She is often called the Queen of Heaven, particularly in hymns and prayers.
- "Lady of Heaven, brightest of all stars, your light illuminates the Earth." (Ancient Sumerian hymn)
Astarte (Canaanite Religion): Astarte, a Canaanite goddess, is another candidate for the "Queen of Heaven." Often linked to fertility and sexuality, her worship was widespread in the ancient Levant and was similar to that of Ishtar.
Asherah (Canaanite and Israelite Religion): Asherah, considered a consort of El or Yahweh in early Israelite traditions, was venerated with Asherah poles. While not directly called the "Queen of Heaven," her attributes align with this title.
3. Greco-Roman Religions
Hera (Greek Mythology): Hera, the wife of Zeus and queen of the Olympian gods, was often depicted as a celestial figure, associated with marriage and the heavens. She was sometimes referred to as "Queen of the Gods," a title similar in meaning.
Juno (Roman Religion): The Roman equivalent of Hera, Juno, was also called Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven). She was the protector of women and marriage and was venerated in state religion and private worship.
4. Egyptian Religion
Isis: In ancient Egypt, Isis was a major goddess associated with magic, motherhood, and the heavens. During the Hellenistic period, she was often called the "Queen of Heaven" and worshiped throughout the Roman Empire.
- In the Isis Hymn: "Queen of Heaven, Mistress of all the Gods, hear my prayer."
5. Hinduism
Durga and Parvati: In Hindu traditions, goddesses like Durga and Parvati are considered celestial queens, embodying the divine feminine. While not directly called "Queen of Heaven," their roles in the cosmic order resonate with the title.
Lakshmi: Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and consort of Vishnu, is often depicted as ruling the celestial realm alongside her divine partner.
6. Christianity (Post-Biblical Development)
Mary (Mother of Jesus): In Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, Mary is referred to as the "Queen of Heaven." This title reflects her exalted status in heaven as the mother of Christ, the King.
Papal declaration by Pope Pius XII (1954): "Mary is the Queen of Heaven and Earth by grace, by divine relationship, by right of conquest, and by singular choice of God."
Mentioned in the Litany of Loreto: "Queen of Heaven, pray for us."
7. Pre-Columbian Religions
- Ix Chel (Mayan Mythology): The Mayan goddess Ix Chel, associated with fertility, childbirth, and the moon, was sometimes seen as a celestial queen figure.
8. Chinese and East Asian Religions
Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West): In Chinese mythology, Xi Wangmu is a goddess associated with immortality, ruling over the celestial heavens. Her title as a queen aligns with the broader concept of the "Queen of Heaven."
Mazu (Taoism): In Taoist tradition, Mazu, a sea goddess and protector of sailors, is often called the "Queen of Heaven" (Tianhou).
9. Indigenous and Shamanistic Traditions
- Polynesian Mythology: In Polynesian cultures, goddesses like Hina (associated with the moon) or others who governed the celestial sphere could be seen as Queens of Heaven.
10. Comparative Analysis
The "Queen of Heaven" title resonates across cultures as a powerful feminine archetype, associated with the heavens, fertility, and cosmic authority. Jeremiah's critique reflects a monotheistic effort to suppress these widespread traditions, aligning worship exclusively with Yahweh. Yet, the persistence of the title in various religions demonstrates its deep cultural and symbolic significance.
In African spirituality and mythology, the concept of a "Queen of Heaven" manifests in various forms through goddesses and divine feminine archetypes. These figures embody fertility, motherhood, creation, and cosmic authority. While the exact title "Queen of Heaven" is not commonly used in African contexts, analogous roles and characteristics are present. Below is an overview of African traditions where similar figures appear.
1. Ancient Egyptian Religion
Isis (Auset): Isis, originating in Kemet (ancient Egypt), was one of the most widely venerated goddesses in Africa and beyond. She embodies the archetype of the "Queen of Heaven" due to her associations with magic, motherhood, and the celestial realm.
- She is often depicted with a throne-shaped crown or holding the sun disk, symbolizing her cosmic authority.
- Isis's worship spread far beyond Egypt, influencing Mediterranean and Roman concepts of a celestial queen.
2. Yoruba Religion (West Africa)
Yemoja (Yemaya): Yemoja is a goddess of motherhood, fertility, and the ocean in Yoruba spirituality. As the mother of all Orishas (deities), she holds a revered position that can be likened to the concept of a "Queen of Heaven."
- In Afro-Caribbean syncretism (e.g., Santería, Candomblé), Yemoja has been merged with Catholic figures like the Virgin Mary, further reinforcing her celestial and maternal associations.
3. Dahomey Religion (Benin)
Mawu: Mawu is a creator goddess associated with the moon, fertility, and motherhood. In Dahomey mythology, she is part of a divine pair with her male counterpart, Lisa (associated with the sun), symbolizing cosmic balance.
- Mawu is revered as the mother of life and the universe, making her a celestial figure akin to a "Queen of Heaven."
4. Akan Religion (Ghana)
Asase Yaa: Asase Yaa is the Akan goddess of the Earth, fertility, and motherhood. While not directly linked to the heavens, her role as a cosmic mother figure aligns with the broader archetype of a divine queen.
- She is considered the mother of humanity and is deeply respected for her life-giving power.
5. Berber Mythology (North Africa)
Tanit: Tanit was a major goddess worshiped by the Berber peoples and later adopted by the Phoenicians in Carthage. She was associated with fertility, the heavens, and the moon, earning her a position as a celestial queen figure.
- In Carthaginian culture, she was often depicted with a crescent moon and stars, reinforcing her cosmic connections.
6. Zulu Religion (Southern Africa)
- Nomkhubulwane: Nomkhubulwane is a Zulu goddess associated with fertility, agriculture, and the balance of nature. Though not specifically a "Queen of Heaven," her role as a nurturing, life-sustaining force places her within the divine feminine archetype.
7. Ethiopian and Cushitic Traditions
Makeda (The Queen of Sheba): While primarily a historical and legendary figure, Makeda (Queen of Sheba) has celestial and divine connotations in Ethiopian traditions. She is sometimes mythologized as a divine ruler under the heavens' mandate, linking her to the concept of heavenly queenship.
Waaq (Cushitic Religions): In Cushitic traditions, the sky god Waaq is often paired with a feminine divine counterpart, symbolizing cosmic harmony and celestial rule.
8. African Syncretism and Christianity
- Virgin Mary as "Queen of Heaven": In Christianized African regions, particularly in Catholic communities, the Virgin Mary has been adopted as the "Queen of Heaven." Her image often merges with indigenous African goddesses like Yemoja or Mawu, reflecting syncretism between Christianity and traditional beliefs.
9. Pan-African Cosmic Archetypes
Many African spiritual systems recognize a cosmic mother figure or feminine principle tied to creation, fertility, and the heavens. These figures, while diverse, collectively embody the "Queen of Heaven" archetype in African cosmology:
- They serve as intermediaries between humanity and the divine.
- They emphasize balance, life-giving power, and protection.
Conclusion: The African Queen of Heaven Archetype
In African traditions, the "Queen of Heaven" archetype is richly represented through goddesses like Isis, Yemoja, Mawu, and Asase Yaa. These figures demonstrate a universal reverence for the feminine divine as a creator, nurturer, and cosmic ruler. While the title "Queen of Heaven" is not explicitly used in many African contexts, the role and symbolism resonate deeply across the continent's diverse spiritual landscapes.
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