30+ Deities of Thunder, Lightning, & Storms from World Mythology

PDF download Download Article
Fascinating thunder gods from Europe, Asia, Africa, & the Americas
PDF download Download Article

Thunderstorm gods are some of the most prominent and powerful deities in myths and religions around the world, who typically control thunder, lightning, storms, and weather more generally. Many thunderstorm deities are the supreme gods of the sky and heavens, though there are some goddesses, too. If you’re curious to learn who these deities are and where they come from, keep reading! We partnered with mythology experts to go over some of the most popular gods of thunderstorms from across the globe.

Thunder Gods in Mythology

Download Image
An illustration showing the most popular thunderstorm deities.

Thunder gods are present in many cultures’ mythologies. They’re often male deities and the leaders of the rest of the gods, and typically control thunder, lightning, storms, and the sky. Prominent thunderstorm gods include Zeus, Thor, Perun, Indra, Hadad, Raijin, Leigong, Set, Shango, Thunderbird, Tláloc, and Chaac.

1

Zeus

PDF download Download Article
  1. Zeus is the Greek god of the sky, heavens, and storms.
    According to Greek and Roman mythology expert Julia VanderHoeven, Zeus is the king of the Olympian gods who controls the skies and the heavens.[1] He’s also considered a weather and storm god, who sends thunder, lightning, and rain. He famously uses a thunderbolt as his main weapon.[2]

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Julia VanderHoeven is a Greek and Roman mythology expert with a Master’s degree in Classics. She also shares insights on mythology and history on her Instagram, @museofmythology.

    Emma Cairo is a Scandinavian folklore and spirituality expert. She hosts the Nordic Magic Link podcast, where she explores spiritual practices through solo episodes and interviews.

    Adeche Atelier (aka Adwoa Botchey and Solomon Adebiyi) are African mythology experts and storytellers. They host the Afro Mythos Podcast, which explores African mythology and folklore.

    2. Advertisement
2

Astrape and Bronte

PDF download Download Article
  1. Astrape and Bronte...
    Astrape and Bronte are the Greek goddesses of thunder and lightning. Astrape is the personification of lightning, while Bronte is the personification of thunder. In fact, their names translate to lightning and thunder, respectively, in ancient Greek! Both goddesses are attendants to Zeus, with Astrape having more of a role, as she stands by Zeus’ throne and holds his thunderbolts.[4]
    • Culture/religion: Greek
    • Origins: Unknown
3

Poseidon

PDF download Download Article
  1. Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea and storms.
    While Zeus rules the sky and is the primary thunder god, says VanderHoeven, Poseidon rules the sea, which means he controls thunderstorms and earthquakes.[5] He mostly creates stormy skies and turbulent seas to punish sailors and those who have wronged him. However, he can calm the skies and waters as needed, too.[6]
    • Culture/religion: Greek
    • Origins: Poseidon is the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, the former king and queen of the gods.
    • Roman counterpart: Neptune
    2. Advertisement
4

Tempestas

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tempestas is the Roman goddess of storms.
    Tempestas is a minor Roman goddess whose name translates to “season,” “weather,” and “storm.” She controls storms and other sudden weather.[7]
    • Culture/religion: Roman
    • Origins: Unknown
5

Thor

PDF download Download Article
  1. Thor is a...
    Thor is a Norse god associated with thunder, storms, and strength. According to Scandinavian folklore expert Emma Cairo, Thor is one of the most important Nordic gods, who is the god of thunder and power.[8] He famously wields the hammer Mjölnir, which allows him to create thunder and lightning. As the strongest god, Thor is also a defender and protector of his people, and is associated with fertility.[9]
    • Culture/religion: Norse
    • Origins: Thor is the son of Odin (the king of the Norse gods) and Jörð (the goddess/personification of earth). He’s married to Sif, the goddess of fertility and the earth.
    2. Advertisement
6

Perun

PDF download Download Article
  1. Perun is the Slavic god of thunder, lightning, and sky.
    In Slavic mythology, Perun is considered the most supreme god. He controls thunder and lightning and wields thunderbolts and lightning bolts as weapons. In some myths, it’s said that he himself is the flash of lightning and the roar of thunder. Perun is also the god of the sky, storms, fertility, and war, and resides over law and order.[10]
    • Culture/religion: Slavic
    • Origins: Not much is known about Perun’s parents, but they may be Svarog, the god of fire, and Lada, the mother goddess.[11]
7

Ukko

PDF download Download Article
  1. Ukko is the Finnish god of thunder, storms, and the sky.
    In Finnish mythology, Ukko is one of the most important deities who lives high up in the center of the heavens. He appears as an old man who controls thunder, lightning, rain, and clouds. In some myths, it’s said that thunder is his voice, the wind is his breath, lightning is the swing of his sword, and the rainbow is his bow.[12] In other myths, it’s thought that his chariot crossing the sky causes thunder and lightning.
    • Culture/religion: Finnish
    • Origins: Ukko’s parents and origin are unknown. However, he is married to Akka (sometimes called Maaemä), the goddess of the earth.
    2. Advertisement
8

Sugaar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sugaar is the god of storms in Basque mythology.
    Sugaar is a serpent or dragon-like deity whose name literally means “male serpent.” While he’s said to live in underground caves, when he flies across the sky, he announces the arrival of rain, thunder, and lightning. In some myths, Sugaar covers himself in fire or lightning when he shoots across the sky.[13]
    • Culture/religion: Basque
    • Origins: Sugaar’s parents and origin are unknown. However, he is married to Mari, the main nature goddess in Basque mythology.
9

Hadad

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hadad is the god of thunderstorms in Mesopotamian mythology.
    Hadad is known for his dual nature: he brings nourishing and fertilizing rains as well as destructive storms that cause thunder, lightning, and hurricanes. He typically carries a thunderbolt with him, which is his main weapon, and wears a horned headdress.[14]
    • Culture/religion: Mesopotamian
    • Origins: In most myths, Hadad is the son of An, the supreme god of the sky, and Uraš, the goddess of the earth. In other myths, he is the son of Enlil, the god of the wind and air.
    2. Advertisement
10

Tarḫunna

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tarḫunna is the god of weather and storms in Hittite mythology.
    As the leader of the gods, Tarḫunna controls all things related to weather, including thunder, lightning, rain, and clouds. He also rules over the Hittite kingdom, the heavens, and the mountains. His weather powers are widely revered, as he is responsible for fertilizing the land or causing catastrophic droughts.[15]
    • Culture/religion: Hittite
    • Origins: Tarḫunna’s parents are unknown. However, he is married to Arinniti, the sun goddess.
11

Vahagn

PDF download Download Article
  1. Vahagn is the Armenian god of thunder, fire, and war.
    In Armenian mythology, Vahagn is a heroic warrior god and slayer of dragons. He controls thunder, lightning, and fire, and is greatly associated with bravery and victory. Vahagn rules the gods alongside Aramazd, the king of the gods and god of fertility, and Anahit, the goddess of fertility and healing.[16]
    • Culture/religion: Armenian
    • Origins: Vahagn has several origins. In some myths, he was created from smoke and fire. In others, he’s the son of Aramazd, the king of the gods, or Tigranes, a legendary Armenian prince.
    2. Advertisement
12

Indra

PDF download Download Article
  1. Indra is the Hindu god of thunderstorms and weather.
    In Hindu mythology, Indra is the king of the gods who brings rain and storms to the world. His main weapon is a thunderbolt, which he often wields while riding atop his divine elephant, Airavata.[17] He’s also the god of the sky, heavens, and war.[18]
    • Culture/religion: Vedic/Hinduism
    • Origins: In some accounts, Indra is the son of Dyaus, the god of the sky, and Prithvi, the goddess of the earth.[19] In others, he is the son of Kashyapa, a sage, and Aditi, the goddess of fertility and the sky.
13

Raijin

PDF download Download Article
  1. Raijin is the...
    Raijin is the Japanese god of thunder and lightning. Raijin is a fierce and powerful god who controls thunder, lightning, and storms. Despite his status as a god (called kami), he’s usually depicted looking more like a demon (oni): he has red skin, horns, and tusks, and a permanent aggressive expression (likely due to the destructive powers he wields). He’s said to carry a dozen drums with him, and when he beats them, thunder sounds.[20]
    • Culture/religion: Japanese/Shinto
    • Origins: Raijin is the son of Izanagi and Izanami, who are the male and female creator deities.
    2. Advertisement
14

Yakusanoikazuchi

PDF download Download Article
  1. Yakusanoikazuchi are a group of 8 thunder gods in Japanese mythology.
    Each of the 8 thunder gods represents a different type of thunder or storm, and may have begun as maggots! The Yakusanoikazuchi are Ō-ikazuchi (Great thunder), Kuro-ikazuchi (Black thunder), Saku-ikazuchi (Cleaving thunder), Tsuchi-ikazuchi (Earth thunder), Hono-ikazuchi (Fire thunder), Waka-ikazuchi (Young thunder), Naru-ikazuchi (Rumbling thunder), and Fusu-ikazuchi (Reposing thunder).[21]
    • Culture/religion: Japanese/Shinto
    • Origins: It’s said that the Yakusanoikazuchi came from maggots inside the rotting corpse of Izanami, the mother goddess.
15

Susanoo

PDF download Download Article
  1. Susanoo is the Japanese god of storms and the sea.
    In Japanese mythology, Susanoo is an impulsive and chaotic god who rides the line between good and bad. While he’s done some heroic deeds, his control over storms, winds, and the seas mostly causes destruction. His behavior was so bad that he got kicked out of the heavens![22]
    • Culture/religion: Japanese/Shinto
    • Origins: Susanoo is the son of Izanagi, who gave birth to the god after he cleaned his nose. He’s the brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon.
    2. Advertisement
16

Leigong

PDF download Download Article
  1. Leigong is the...
    Leigong is the god of thunder in Chinese mythology. Leigong is a powerful and fearsome god who looks like a bird with the face of a monkey, complete with claws, wings, and blue skin. And there’s a reason he’s so feared: he punishes criminals and evil doers with his thunder, which he makes by striking a drum.[23]
    • Culture/religion: Chinese/Taoism
    • Origins: Leigong’s parents are unknown, but he was born as a mortal. He came across a divine peach tree, which turned him into a god.
17

Dianmu

PDF download Download Article
  1. Dianmu is the goddess of lightning in Chinese mythology.
    She also happens to be married to Leigong, and the two work together to create thunderstorms. Dianmu carries mirrors, which she uses to create bolts of lightning. Her mirrors also help light the sky for Leigong, helping him better identify his victims.[24]
    • Culture/religion: Chinese/Taoism
    • Origins: Dianmu’s parents are unknown, but she was born a mortal. She accidentally offended Leigong, who killed her. However, she was revived and turned into a god.
    2. Advertisement
18

Tāwhirimātea

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tāwhirimātea is the god of weather, storms, and clouds in Māori mythology.
    Tāwhirimātea is a powerful weather god, who controls thunder, lightning, wind, storms, and the clouds. He’s locked in an eternal battle with his brother, Tūmatauenga, who’s the god of the people. Tūmatauenga and his other brothers physically split up their parents, the sky and earth, to bring light to the world. Tāwhirimātea didn’t want this, so he continues to send destructive weather at his brother.[25]
    • Culture/religion: Māori
    • Origins: Tāwhirimātea is the son of Ranginui, the sky god, and Papatūānuku, the earth goddess.
19

Whaitiri and Te Uira

PDF download Download Article
  1. Whaitiri and Te Uira are deities of thunder and lightning in Māori mythology.
    Whaitiri is a goddess and personification of thunder, while Te Uira is a god and personification of lightning.[26] Whaitiri isn’t just a fearsome figure due to her thunder powers, but she’s also a noted cannibal![27] Less is known about Te Uira, but he’s said to specifically control forked lightning.
    • Culture/religion: Māori
    • Origins: Unknown. Whaitiri is the mother of the hero Hema.
    2. Advertisement
20

Kanehekili

PDF download Download Article
  1. Kanehekili is the god of thunder in Hawaiian mythology.
    Kanehekili is revered as a powerful and dangerous god who controls thunder. In some myths, it’s considered “law” to stay silent while Kanehekili is producing thunder![28]
    • Culture/religion: Hawaiian
    • Origins: Kanehekili is the child of Haumea, the goddess of fertility. His siblings are Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire, and Hiʻiaka, the goddess of hula dancers, sorcery, and medicine.
21

Set

PDF download Download Article
  1. Set is the Egyptian god of storms, disorder, and foreign lands.
    Set (also spelled Seth) is an ancient and powerful Egyptian god, who is typically depicted as having the head of a wild dog. He is an unpredictable and destructive god who controls thunderstorms and other chaotic natural phenomena, like earthquakes and eclipses. Set also rules over desserts and foreign lands.[29]
    • Culture/religion: Egyptian
    • Origins: Set is the son of Geb, the earth god, and Net, the sky goddess.
    2. Advertisement
22

Shango

PDF download Download Article
  1. Shango is the Yoruba god of thunder, fire, strength, and dance.
    According to mythology experts Adeche Atelier, Shango is a West African deity (called an Orisha) who represents thunder and lightning.[30] He’s a powerful and prominent god who also controls fire. It’s said that fire flew from his mouth when he spoke and his voice sounded like thunder.[31]
    • Culture/religion: Yoruba/West African
    • Origins: Shango is the son of Ọranyan, a legendary Yoruba king and founder of the Oyo Empire (with Shango being his eventual successor).
23

Amadioha

PDF download Download Article
  1. Amadioha is the Igbo god of thunder and lightning.
    Amadioha is a god of justice in Igbo mythology, who uses his powers of thunder and lightning to strike down evil-doers and those who oppress others. It’s said that Amadioha announces himself with thunder and marks his victims with lightning. He often appears as a white ram, which is also one of his sacred offerings.[32]
    • Culture/religion: Igbo
    • Origins: Amadioha was created by Chukwu, the main creator deity.
    2. Advertisement
24

Hevioso

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hevioso is the Dahomean god of thunder and lightning.
    Hevioso (also spelled Xevioso) is a god or spirit who controls thunder, lightning, and rain.[33] He’s also a figure of justice and righteousness, who uses his storm powers to strike down evil-doers, villains, and thieves.
    • Culture/religion: Fon/Ewe people of West Africa (mostly Ghana and Benin)
    • Origins: Hevioso is the son of Mawu, the creator goddess.
25

Thunderbird

PDF download Download Article
  1. Thunderbird is a thunder and lightning deity in Algonquian mythology.
    Thunderbird is a bird-like spirit who controls thunder and lightning in many Indigenous American cultures, particularly in the Algonquian and Iroquois tribes. A flap of Thunderbird’s wings causes thunder, and a blink of its eyes causes lightning. It’s said to be a mediator between humans and the Creator.[34]
    • Culture/religion: Indigenous American (Algonquian)
    • Origins: Unknown
    2. Advertisement
26

Hé-no

PDF download Download Article
  1. Hé-no is the god of thunder in Iroquois mythology.
    Hé-no is the leader of the thunderers, a race of winged, magical spirits who live in the sky and create thunder and lightning. Depending on the myth, Hé-no might look like a winged man, have the face of a bird, or be able to shapeshift. While Hé-no is considered dangerous (just looking at him can cause death), he’s a positive spirit.[35]
    • Culture/religion: Indigenous American (Iroquois)
    • Origins: Unknown
27

Tláloc

PDF download Download Article
  1. Tláloc is the Aztec god of storms and fertility.
    Tláloc is an important god in Aztec culture who controls rain, thunder, lightning, and hail. While his destructive powers and scary blue appearance inspire fear, he’s also heavily worshipped for the nourishing rains he provides.[36]
    • Culture/religion: Aztec
    • Origins: Tláloc was likely created by other gods, like Quetzalcoatl and Huitzilopochtli.
    2. Advertisement
28

Xolotl

PDF download Download Article
  1. Xolotl is the Aztec god of thunder, lightning, and fire.
    Xolotl is more of a minor god in Aztec mythology, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t powerful and fearsome. Besides controlling thunder, lightning, and fire, he has a monstrous appearance: he’s a man with the face of a dog that has empty eye sockets. According to myth, he carries and protects the sun through the underworld each night.[37]
    • Culture/religion: Aztec
    • Origins: Xolotl is the son of Chīmalmā, the goddess of fertility, and the twin brother of Quetzalcoatl.
29

Chaac

PDF download Download Article
  1. Chaac is the Mayan god of rain, thunder, and lightning.
    Chaac is a reptilian-like god: he looks like a man but has scales, fangs, and a prominent nose. He’s the bringer of storms, carrying an axe that he uses to strike clouds to produce rain, thunder, and lightning. His axe can produce gentle, nourishing rains or destructive storms and hurricanes. Chaac is notable for having 4 different forms, which correspond to the 4 cardinal directions.[38]
    • Culture/religion: Mayan
    • Origins: Unknown
    2. Advertisement
30

Guabancex

PDF download Download Article
  1. Guabancex is the...
    Guabancex is the Taíno goddess of storms, hurricanes, and chaos. According to Adeche Atelier, Guabancex is a powerful storm deity of chaos and hurricanes.[39] She’s an erratic goddess who controls the weather (including thunder and lightning) based on her moods. Most notably, she makes hurricanes when she’s upset or unhappy. Guabancex is also said to control other destructive phenomena like earthquakes and volcanoes.
    • According to myth, Guabancex is accompanied by the spirits Guatauba and Coatriskie. Guatauba announces her entrance by creating thunder and lightning, and Coatriskie controls the torrential rain and floods.
    • Culture/religion: Taíno (Indigenous Caribbean)
    • Origins: Unknown

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Norse Gods and GoddessesThe Ultimate Guide to the Gods & Goddesses of Norse Mythology
Wind Deities42 Gods & Goddesses of the Wind from World Mythology
Names That Mean Storm125+ Baby Names that Mean Storm, Thunder, or Lightning
Nature DeitiesThe Ultimate Guide to the Gods and Goddesses of Nature
Cat GodsAll the Cat Gods from Mythology Around the World
Japanese Mythology Gods25 Major Deities in Japanese Mythology
Zeus PersonalityWhat Was Zeus' Personality Like? (And Other Facts about the Greek God)
Which Greek God Are YouWhich Greek God Am I Quiz
Shinto GodsThe Shintoism Gods & Goddesses of Japan
Greek Gods Family TreeThe Family Tree of the Greek Gods
Moon GodsPopular Lunar Deities from Different Cultures
Norse Names60+ Norse Baby Names for Boys, Girls, and Fictional Characters
Horse Mythical25 Magical Horses from Mythology & Folklore
White Horse MeaningWhat Does a White Horse Symbolize?
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zeus
  3. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.theoi.com/Titan/Astrape.html
  5. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Poseidon.html
  7. ↑ https://pantheon.org/articles/t/tempestas.html
  8. ↑ Emma Cairo. Scandinavian Folklore Expert. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://people.uncw.edu/deagona/herakles/thor.htm
  1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Perun
  2. ↑ https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/perun
  3. ↑ https://open.bu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/dac5fc2f-a9ac-465c-adcc-63404ae3c548/content
  4. ↑ https://buber.net/Basque/2022/03/27/basque-fact-of-the-week-sugaar-the-serpent-god-consort-of-mari/
  5. ↑ https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/hadad
  6. ↑ https://worldhistoryedu.com/tarḫunna-in-hittite-mythology/
  7. ↑ https://armenian-history.com/armenian_mythology.htm
  8. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indra
  9. ↑ https://people.uncw.edu/deagona/herakles/indra.htm
  10. ↑ https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/indra-deity
  11. ↑ https://cdn.serc.carleton.edu/files/teachearth/activities/thunderstorm_wind_gods_japan.pdf
  12. ↑ https://d-museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp/eos/detail/?id=9730
  13. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Susanoo
  14. ↑ https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/lei-gong-deity
  15. ↑ https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/lei-gong-deity
  16. ↑ https://teara.govt.nz/en/tawhirimatea-the-weather
  17. ↑ https://teara.govt.nz/en/tawhirimatea-the-weather
  18. ↑ https://pantheon.org/articles/w/whaitiri.html
  19. ↑ https://sacred-texts.com/pac/hm/hm06.htm
  20. ↑ https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/set/
  21. ↑ Adeche Atelier. Mythology Experts. Expert Interview
  22. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shango
  23. ↑ https://igbocybershrine.com/2011/05/18/amadioha-the-igbo-god-of-thunder-and-lightning/
  24. ↑ https://ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu/cultures/fa18/summary
  25. ↑ https://verbs.colorado.edu/ArapahoLanguageProject/RMNP/Stories/weather/thunderbird.html
  26. ↑ https://www.native-languages.org/morelegends/hinon.htm
  27. ↑ https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/tlaloc-deity
  28. ↑ https://www.aao.org/museum-blog/detail/lost-eye-of-xolotl
  29. ↑ https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/chaac-deity
  30. ↑ Adeche Atelier. Mythology Experts. Expert Interview

About This Article

Julia VanderHoeven
Co-authored by:
Julia VanderHoeven
Greek and Roman Mythology Expert
This article was co-authored by Julia VanderHoeven and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Julia VanderHoeven is a Greek and Roman mythology and ancient history scholar. Julia is known as @museofmythology on Instagram, where she shares engaging and informative insights on mythology and history, with particular interest in Greek and Roman myths, and their influences on pop culture myths and memes. She has undergraduate degrees in French and Ancient World studies, a diploma in Latin, and a Master’s degree in Classics from Trinity College - Dublin. She is most interested in Greek mythology, doing her thesis on a feminist reading of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Although Julia now specializes in AI and its modern use in the corporate world as a Technology Consultant, she remains passionate about ancient history and culture.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 4
Updated: April 1, 2026
Views: 561
Categories: Paranormal Beliefs
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 561 times.

Did this article help you?

Advertisement