The Blasphemous Art Project

In Filipino Visayan mythology, the Goddess Dalikamata is the thousand-eyed diety of health. The eyes covering her body have given her the power of omniscience, for she can see all the good and bad within a person. People often worship her in the hopes of being granted good eyesight, and it is believed that she curses the cruel and unkind with blindness. According to legend, morning dew is a result of Dalikamata crying over all of the evil deeds of mankind that she witnesses. The indigenous priestesses, known as the Babaylan, would collect this morning dew for use in their healing and divination practices. Babaylan were exclusively either cisgender or transgender women who held crucial roles in pre-colonial society. Following the colonization by the Spanish, they were demonized as witches and were persecuted. Here we see Dalikamata meeting with one of her devoted priestesses. While the babaylan would often offer Goddess Dalikamata incense flowers as a token of their devotion, here this priestess has decided to offer herself instead.

Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, ecstasy, and fertility, had several male lovers in Greek mythology, including Ampelus. According to one myth, Ampelus was a beautiful youth who caught the eye of Dionysus while he was tending to his vineyards. Dionysus was so enamored with Ampelus that he transformed him into a vine, which produced the first grapes used to make wine. From then on, Ampelus became a symbol of the wine-making process and a beloved companion of Dionysus. The relationship between Dionysus and Ampelus was celebrated in ancient Greek art, and their love was seen as a symbol of the joy and ecstasy that came with wine-drinking.

In Hawaiian mythology, Poli'ahu and Pele are distinguished goddesses with contrasting domains and traits, where Poli'ahu reigns over snow and ice and Pele governs fire and volcanoes.

Poli'ahu is said to reside on the highest peak of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, where she is believed to have created the snow and ice that blankets the mountain's summit. Pele, on the other hand, as a more fiery and temperamental goddess and is said to live in the Halema'uma'u crater on the Big Island, where she controls the fiery power of the volcano.

According to legend, Poli'ahu, with her power over snow and ice, once challenged Pele to a contest to see who could cover the greatest amount of land with their element. Despite their rivalry, Poli'ahu and Pele are also seen as complementary forces in nature. The snow and ice created by Poli'ahu help to cool the land, while Pele's volcanoes bring new land to the surface. Together, they represent the balance of nature in Hawaii, and are both deeply respected and revered by the Hawaiian people.

Arianrhod and Rhiannon are two important Welsh goddesses and powerful figures in Welsh mythology. Arianrhod is known as the goddess of the moon and the stars. She is also associated with fertility, childbirth, and rebirth, and she is often depicted as a powerful and mysterious figure. Rhiannon, on the other hand, is often portrayed as a goddess of sovereignty and the land. Rhiannon is also connected to the Otherworld, a realm of myth and magic that is said to exist alongside the mortal world. Arianrhod and Rhiannon are often seen as complementary figures in Welsh mythology. Both are associated with powerful, transformative forces, and both are revered for their wisdom and their ability to guide and protect mortals.

In Hawaiian mythology, Pele and Hina are two important goddesses who are often associated with the natural elements. Pele is known as the goddess of volcanoes, fire, lightning, and wind, while Hina is associated with the moon, tides, and water.

The relationship between Pele and Hina is often depicted as a complex and sometimes antagonistic one. Pele is said to be a fierce and impulsive goddess who can be both destructive and creative, while Hina is often portrayed as a calm and nurturing figure who brings balance and harmony to the natural world.

One story about the relationship between Pele and Hina tells of a fierce battle between the two goddesses, in which Pele's volcanic eruptions threatened to destroy the island of Maui, where Hina lived. Hina used her powers to summon a powerful rainstorm that extinguished Pele's fires and saved the island from destruction. Another story tells of how Pele and Hina worked together to create the island of Hawaii, with Pele using her volcanic powers to shape the land and Hina using her powers over water to create rivers and streams.

In Yoruba mythology, Oya and Oshun are both powerful goddesses with distinct personalities and areas of influence. Oya is the goddess of wind, storms, and the dead, while Oshun is the goddess of love, fertility, and beauty.

According to some Yoruba myths, Oya and Oshun were once rivals for the affections of the god Shango. In some versions of the story, Shango chose Oshun over Oya, which caused Oya to become jealous and angry. In other versions, Oya and Oshun both had relationships with Shango and maintained a friendly rivalry.

Despite their initial competition, Oya and Oshun are often portrayed as having a close relationship in Yoruba mythology. In some traditions, they are seen as complementary forces that work together to balance the world. Oya's wild, unpredictable nature is said to be tempered by Oshun's beauty and grace, while Oshun's gentle nature is said to be strengthened by Oya's fierceness and power.

In some traditions, Oya and Oshun are even worshipped together in joint ceremonies and offerings. For example, during the annual Osun-Osogbo festival in Nigeria, followers of both Oshun and Oya come together to pay homage to the goddesses and seek their blessings. This reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of Yoruba mythology, which often emphasizes the interconnectedness of different forces and deities.