sun goddess

noun

often capitalized S&G
: a goddess that represents or personifies the sun in various religions

Examples of sun goddess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sign up Emperor Naruhito's succession problem Japan's imperial line, said to be able to trace its roots back to the sun goddess Amaterasu in 600BC, has included eight empresses down the patrilineal line, with the last on the throne in the 18th century. Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 1 May 2024 For generations, the emperors of Japan were seen as direct descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu, but after Japan surrendered in World War II, Emperor Hirohito renounced his divinity. Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2023 In particular, the sun goddess Amaterasu is revered as the ancestor of Japan’s emperors and empresses and protector of the nation. Kaitlyn Ugoretz, The Conversation, 18 July 2022 Tawada has often mocked its austerity, especially its telling of how deities conceived the sun goddess—and, through her, the imperial family. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022 Her magnetic energy did full justice to the inspiration for her character, the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu. New York Times, 1 Dec. 2021 Bryant pulled a card featuring Yhi, an Australian aboriginal sun goddess, during her interview about season two of the ABC series. Keyaira Kelly, Essence, 25 Nov. 2020 Legend, myth, history and war run deep — the sun goddess was said to have taken refuge in a cave for a time in Miyazaki, along the island’s east coast, until a bawdy dance lured her out. Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2020 Some experts believe the emperor uses it to sleep with the sun goddess to gain divinity. Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sun goddess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sun goddess was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near sun goddess

Cite this Entry

“Sun goddess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sun%20goddess. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

sun goddess

noun
often capitalized S&G
: a goddess that represents the sun in various religions

More from Merriam-Webster on sun goddess

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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