Malina
Encyclopedia
Malina is a solar deity
in Inuit mythology
. She is found most commonly in the legends of Greenland
that link her closely with the lunar deity
Anningan
, her brother. Malina is constantly fleeing from Anningan as the result of strife between the two (legends vary as to the cause). Their constant chase is the traditional explanation for the movement of the sun and moon through the sky.
or Aningaaq
lived together in a village. They were very close when young, but came to live apart as they grew older, in the lodges for women and for men. Malina was asleep and one night, someone raped her. She had no idea who it was. The next night, exactly the same thing happened again. Determined, Malina waited for the same person the next night. When he came to attack her, she turned on the fire torch and smudged ashes in the man's eyes. She was surprised to find that it was her brother, he then chased her to apologize. He could tell where she went by the blood left. She ran so far away that she became the sun. Her brother chased after her and became the moon they are still chasing each other today.
Malina was then known for her passion, courage and beauty.
Solar deity
A solar deity is a sky deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength. Solar deities and sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms...
in Inuit mythology
Inuit mythology
Inuit mythology has many similarities to the religions of other polar regions. Inuit traditional religious practices could be very briefly summarised as a form of shamanism based on animist principles....
. She is found most commonly in the legends of Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
that link her closely with the lunar deity
Lunar deity
In mythology, a lunar deity is a god or goddess associated with or symbolizing the moon. These deities can have a variety of functions and traditions depending upon the culture, but they are often related to or an enemy of the solar deity. Even though they may be related, they are distinct from the...
Anningan
Igaluk
In Inuit mythology, Igaluk is one of the most powerful gods of the pantheon. He is a lunar deity. In Greenland, he is known as Aningan.- Story :...
, her brother. Malina is constantly fleeing from Anningan as the result of strife between the two (legends vary as to the cause). Their constant chase is the traditional explanation for the movement of the sun and moon through the sky.
Story
According to Inuit mythology, Malina and her brother AnninganIgaluk
In Inuit mythology, Igaluk is one of the most powerful gods of the pantheon. He is a lunar deity. In Greenland, he is known as Aningan.- Story :...
or Aningaaq
Igaluk
In Inuit mythology, Igaluk is one of the most powerful gods of the pantheon. He is a lunar deity. In Greenland, he is known as Aningan.- Story :...
lived together in a village. They were very close when young, but came to live apart as they grew older, in the lodges for women and for men. Malina was asleep and one night, someone raped her. She had no idea who it was. The next night, exactly the same thing happened again. Determined, Malina waited for the same person the next night. When he came to attack her, she turned on the fire torch and smudged ashes in the man's eyes. She was surprised to find that it was her brother, he then chased her to apologize. He could tell where she went by the blood left. She ran so far away that she became the sun. Her brother chased after her and became the moon they are still chasing each other today.
Malina was then known for her passion, courage and beauty.