Japanese

Sun Mythology

The land of Japan is often referred to as "Nippon" or "Nihon." Those names translate to "Origin of the Sun." Even the Japanese' flag symbolizes the sun by using a red ball.

The Japanese sun goddess is Amaterasu. She is worshiped as both a heavenly body and an ancestor to the Imperial family. She is saluted every morning; when the Japanese wake up in the morning, they start to clap. Amaterasu's chief worship shrine is located in Isa.

In one legend, it is said that Amaterasu was very angry with her younger brother's rude behavior. She went away and hid behind a rock. The world turned dark and there was no sun. The other Japanese Gods and Goddesses had to do something. They decided to throw a party. They held it right in front of the rock. The Goddess of dance started dancing an authentic performance. Amaterasu peeked to have a look and there was light all over the world again. This legend is told in many different ways from different cultures.

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