Which celestial bodies were associated with gods in the South Arabian pantheon?

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In the South Arabian pantheon, several deities were associated with celestial bodies, reflecting a broader tradition in Arabian polytheism where gods were linked to heavenly entities to whom powers of protection, fecundity, or revenge were ascribed.12

The primary celestial associations included:

  • Sun: The goddess Shams was the national deity of the kingdom of Himyar and was also worshipped in Sabaʾ. While some national gods like Almaqah and Syn were previously misidentified as lunar deities, recent scholarship suggests they possessed solar attributes.1
  • Moon: Several deities were associated with the moon, including Wadd in Maʿīn and Ḥawl in Ḥaḍramawt, whose name alludes to the lunar cycle. ʿAmm, the national god of Qatabān, may also have been a moon god.1
  • Venus: The god ʿAthtar was associated with the planet Venus, corresponding to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar. When invoked as Sharīqān ("the Eastern One"), he was likely referenced as the Morning Star. Additionally, the god Anbay and the deity Ḥawkam may represent twin aspects of the planet Mercury, though some interpretations suggest they could relate to the Evening and Morning stars.1