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
According to legend, the first emperor of Japan was the warrior-king Jimmu, believed to be the great-grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu.
—
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
The revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami is actually comprised of 125 smaller shrines, and is a terrific way to gain a richer understanding of Japanese culture and values.
—Katie Chang, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The mountain is a significant landmark in Shinto mythology, because Ninigi—the grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu—is said to have descended there to become the first ruler of Japan, establishing the divinity of all emperors thereafter.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
Norse Meaning: Of the sun goddess Sunna Peak Popularity: 1966
Fun Fact: In Norse mythology, Sunna—also known as Sól—was the personification of the sun.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 29 July 2024
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
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Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
The revered Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami is actually comprised of 125 smaller shrines, and is a terrific way to gain a richer understanding of Japanese culture and values.
—Katie Chang, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The mountain is a significant landmark in Shinto mythology, because Ninigi—the grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu—is said to have descended there to become the first ruler of Japan, establishing the divinity of all emperors thereafter.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
Norse Meaning: Of the sun goddess Sunna Peak Popularity: 1966
Fun Fact: In Norse mythology, Sunna—also known as Sól—was the personification of the sun.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 29 July 2024
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
Cite this Entry
“Sun goddess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sun%20goddess. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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