Igaluk, also known as Aningan, is the Inuit god of the Moon and brother to Malina, the Sun goddess.

Igaluk : The Moon God

Q: Who is the Inuit god of the moon?

The Inuit god of the Moon is Igaluk, also known as Aningan in some Inuit communities. In Inuit mythology, Igaluk is the brother of Malina, the Sun goddess. The myth tells of Igaluk’s love for his sister, which led to him eternally chasing her across the sky. This chase explains the natural cycle of day and night, with Igaluk representing the Moon and Malina the Sun, highlighting the Inuit connection to celestial rhythms and the Arctic environment.

Q: What is brother moon and sister sun an Inuit legend?

The Inuit legend of *Brother Moon* and *Sister Sun* tells of *Igaluk* (the Moon) and his sister *Malina* (the Sun). After Igaluk’s hidden love for Malina is revealed, she flees from him, and both are transformed into celestial bodies. Malina becomes the Sun, and Igaluk the Moon, leading to their eternal chase across the sky. This myth explains the cycle of day and night in Inuit culture. It reflects the connection between the Inuit and their Arctic environment.

Q: What is the moon myth of the Inuit?

The Inuit moon myth centers on *Igaluk* (also called *Aningan*), the god of the Moon, and his sister *Malina*, the Sun goddess. According to the legend, Igaluk fell in love with his sister and secretly visited her at night. When Malina discovered that her visitor was her own brother, she fled in horror. Igaluk chased after her, and in their pursuit, both were transformed into celestial bodies. Malina became the Sun, and Igaluk the Moon, eternally chasing her across the sky. This myth explains the cycle of night and day, reflecting Inuit beliefs about the natural balance and rhythms of their Arctic world.

Q: Who is the Inuit goddess of the sun?

The Inuit goddess of the Sun is Malina. In Inuit mythology, she is often depicted as the sister of Igaluk, the Moon god. Malina is associated with light, warmth, and the life-giving aspects of the Sun. The legend describes her fleeing from her brother Igaluk after he reveals his love for her, leading to both siblings being transformed into celestial bodies—Malina becoming the Sun and Igaluk the Moon. This transformation illustrates the cycle of day and night and highlights the Inuit’s reverence for the natural world and celestial phenomena.

ByNitten Nair

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At a glance

	Description
Origin	Inuit Mythology
Classification	Gods
Family Members	Malina (Sister)
Region	Greenland, Alaska, Canada
Associated With	Moon, Natural Phenomenon

Igaluk or Anningan

Introduction

According to the legend of the Inuit, Igaluk was a man who lived on Earth. He once forced himself upon a woman in the village’s dance hall after the lights went out. However, after the lights came back on, he realized that she was his sister.

Igaluk’s sister Malina, who was very angry at him, cut off her breasts and threw them at him. Her brother then went looking for her, but he tripped and fell into the snow. His torch, which was still glowing, left an ember.

The wind carried both of them up into the sky. Malina, who had her bright torch still shining, became the sun, while her brother, whose fading light was still visible, became the moon. The moon continued chasing his sister as she tried to avoid him, while the sun continued to rise.

Physical Traits

Igaluk is said to have had the characteristic features of an Inuit male before reaching the skies and transforming into the all powerful moon.

Family

According to the legend, Igaluk and his sister, Malina, lived together in a village. However, as they grew older, they started to separate and live in separate lodges for women and men. One day, while looking at the women, he noticed that his sister was the most beautiful. He then snuck into their dwelling after the lamp had been extinguished, and he discovered her by the unique textures and feel of her clothes and proceeded to mate with her.

Other Names

Igaluk is more commonly referred to as Anningan, Aningan or as Aningaaq in Greenland.

Powers and Abilities

According to the indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland (where he is known as Aningan), he is the supreme, divine being that rules over natural phenomena.

Modern Day Influence

The Inuit tribes across North America and Greenland continue to place a lot of importance in their traditions and attribute all natural phenomenon with Igaluk who is their most powerful god. They still attribute the lunar eclipse with the fact that Igaluk was finally able to catchup with Malina for a brief union

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