Arabia is a peninsula located in the extreme southwestern corner of Asia. It makes up modern-day Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

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DEITIES

Please note that a lot of the deities in this list did not have proper names so they are referred to by titles that indicate a quality, family relationship, etc.

For deities whose gender is unknown, they are referred to as "deity."

'Amm - moon god of Qataban

'Athtar - god of thunderstorms and natural irrigation

A'ra - local god of Bosra

Abgal - local god of Palmyra

Abirillu - unknown deity

Almaqah - chief god of Sabaeans, god of artificial irrigation

Anbay - god of command and decision, often regarded as a deity of justice

Aranyada' - unknown deity

Arsu - personification of the evening star

Ashar - nomadic deity

Asira - local god of Tayma

Atarquruma - unknown god worshipped by the Qedarites

Atarsamain - unknown deity worshipped by the Isamme tribe

Athirat - unknown goddess worshipped in Qataban

Athtar Shariqan - unknown god

Azizos - personification of the morning star

Balaw - god worshipped by the Awsan Kingdom

Basamum - god worshipped in South Arabia, believed to be associated with healing

Dai - unknown deity

Datin - unknown god

Dhat-Badan - goddess of the oasis

Dhat-Sanat - goddess of official Qatabanian pantheon, function unknown

Dhat-Zahran - goddess of official Qatabanian pantheon, function unknown

Dhu-Ghabat - chief god of the Lihyanites

Dhu-Samawi - unknown deity

Dushara - mountain god

Gad - god of fortune

Haubas - oracle, unknown deity

Haukim - god of law and justice

Hawl - moon god

Hilai - god of the new moon

Hubal - god of divination

Kahl - patron god of the Kindah Kingdom

Al-Kutbay - god of writing

Al-Lat - goddess of fertility and war (Athena is her Greek counterpart)

Ma'n - nomadic deity

Malik - unknown god

Manaf - unknown god, but believed to be solar god (Zeus is his Greek counterpart)

Manāt - goddess of fate, destiny, and death (Nemesis is her Greek counterpart)

Mun'im - nomadic deity

Nab'al - god worshipped in Kaminahu

Nasr - god worshipped by the Himyarites

Nikrah - god of healing

Nuha - goddess of the sun

Qaynan - believed to be god of smiths

Qaysha - unknown deity

Ruda - solar god

Salm - unknown deity

Sha'd - nomadic deity

Shams - solar goddess

Shay al-Qawm - god of war and the night

Shingala - unknown deity

Syn - chief god of the Hadhramites

Ta'lab - moon god

Theandrios - unknown god (Arabian name not known)

Al-'Uzza' - goddess of might, protection, and love (Aphrodite is her Greek counterpart)

Wadd - god of the Minaeans

Yatha - god of salvation

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CREATURES

Anqa: A female bird said to fly far away and only appear once in ages. The words means "long-necked," which suggests the bird resembles a heron, crane, or other long-necked birds. It is said to be very beautiful and colorful with a long neck, human face, and four pairs of wings.

Bahamut: A sea monster (a gigantic fish, whale, or sea serpent) that helps to hold the earth up while being completely submerged in the water.

Dandan: A mythical fish said to be the largest fish in the sea that can swallow a ship in one gulp.

Falak: A giant serpent that lives below Bahamut, to help hold up the earth. They live in the seventh hell and are known to be very powerful.

Ghoul: A demon-like humanoid who lives in graveyards and consumes human flesh.

Hatif: A voice that can be heard from an unidentifiable source. It usually comes from ghosts.

Hinn: supernatural creature, exact nature unknown.

Jinn (also referred to as a djinn or genie): They are believed to have originated as malevolent spirits in deserts and unclean spaces. They are spirits, ranked lower than angels, who can appear in human and animal forms.

Karkadann: A mythical rhinoceros. Its horn is believed to be an antidote to poison.

Kujata: The cosmic bull that carries the angel who supports the earth. It stands on top of Bahamut.

Marid: A type of devil.

Al-Mi'raj: A sea serpent who lives on an island called Jazirah al-Tennyn (which translates to Sea Serpent Island). It can take on the form of a rabbit with unicorn-like horn or horns.

Nasnas: A monster who is described as "half a human being; having half a head, half a body, one arm, one leg, with which it hops with much agility."

Nephilim: In some cultures, they are considered giants, but in others, they are considered fallen angels.

Qareen: A spiritual double of a human, similar to a jinn but not actually one.

Qutrub: A type of jinn or demon, kind of like a werewolf. It is similar to a ghoul in that it haunts graveyards and eats corpses.

Roc: A giant raptor.

Shadhavar: A creature that resembles a unicorn.

Shahmaran: A half-woman and half-snake creature.

Sila (also referred to as si'lat): A malicious class of jinn. They are talented shapeshifters, but animals can recognize them. They are known to lead travelers and nomads away to their deaths.

Were-hyena: A type of werewolf, but involves hyenas.

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LEGENDS, MYTHS, AND FOLKTALES

Please note that this section doesn't cover all the legends, myths, and folktales. We thought we'd share the ones that would sound interesting and inspire you all!

CREATION OF THE PEOPLE

There once was a man who fell in love with a si'lat and had children with her (known as the banu si'lat). It was rumored that the people of Arabia were conceived from the individuals who were half-si'lat. The mother had left the family behind after seeing lightning in the sky.

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THE LOST CITY OF ATLANTIS OF THE SANDS

The lost city of Atlantis of the Sands was an ancient city in Arabia that was destroyed and buried under sand, caused by the anger of the gods. Many archaeologists believe in the existence of this lost city and it is believed to be in the southern deserts of modern day Saudi Arabia.

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LEGEND OF ŞAHMARAN

(also in Ancient Anatolian Mythology)

Şahmaran encounters a poor man named Camasb, who is known as Yada Jamsab or Jamisav in other versions of the story. When he tries to steal honey with some of his friends, he gets stuck in a cave and his friends leave him. While exploring the cave, he discovers a secret passage to a chamber that leads to a beautiful garden with thousands of snake and Şahmaran, a serpent-shaped female body. He falls in love with her and they live together for a while.

She teaches him about medicine and herbs, but he begins to miss his family and life on earth. When he expresses his desire to leave, he promises he won't share the secret of her home. As time goes on, he continues to maintain this secret. Until one day, the king of Tarsus becomes ill and it is explained that Şahmaran can cure his disease. She is caught in her cave and brought back to the king where she is killed in a bath called Şahmaran Hamam. Now a troubled physician, Camasb faces misfortune after betraying Şahmaran.

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