Annotated biographies of saints, gods and other holy individuals, and links to more information
CAUTION: Incomplete! Under development!
Notes: information on saints/gods sometimes differs among faith traditions; one occupation may have several patron saints/gods; the Roman Catholic Pope did not claim the exclusive right to name saints until 1159; before that, a metropolitan conclave could award that distinction. Diacritical marks are omitted because they cause display problems for many internet browsers.
Ste. is the abbreviation for "saint" when used before a female name in a language whose nouns carry a gender; in this list, all saints are listed as St.
Ss. is the abbreviation for "saints" when used before the names of two or more saints
(alphabetized without consideration of St. or Ste. or other prefixes)
A
Acquaviva, Claudio. Christian. Jesuit. Fifth superior general of Society of Jesus (Jesuits). D. 1581.
Abdu'l-Baha: Baha'i. A founder of the faith whose given name was Abbas Effendi.
St. Adela. Christian. Frankish, ca. 720.
St. Adelaide. Christian. Burgundy, ca 950. Portrayed escaping from prison in a boat or holding a church in her hand.
Agam: Buddhist. A family, patron or secret deity enshrined in a special building.
St. Agatha. Christian. Sicily, ca 100. Patron saint of nurses, wet nurses, firefighters and bell-makers. Portrayed holding a dish of breasts (her breasts were cut off). Bread blessed on St. Agatha Day (5 February) protects houses from lightening.
St. Agnes. Christian. Italy, ca 300. Patron saint of virginal innocence. Portrayed with a lamb (agnus), a palm or a dove with a ring in its beak.
Agni. Hindu. God associated with fire and the hearth.
Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrian. Creator, Supreme God, God of wisdom.
St. Albert le Grand. Christian. Patron of conservators.
St. Ambrose (340-397 CE). Bishop of Milan, Italy. Patron of beekeepers. "Church Father".
Amaterasu (=Amaterasu-Omikami): Shinto. Sun Goddess; the chief Shinto deity and the divine ancestor of the Japanese emperor's family.
Anahid (=Anahit). Goddess in western Armenia.
St. Andrew (=St. Andrew the Apostle). Christian. Feast Day: 30 November. d. approx. 100 CE. Patron of Scotland, fishermen; also patron of Achaia, Amalfi Italy, anglers, diocese of Constantinople, fish dealers, fish mongers, fishermen, gout, Greece, maidens, old maids, Patras Greece, Russia, singers, sore throats, spinsters, University of Patras, unmarried women, women who wish to become mothers. Depicted with fishing net; saltire (x-shaped) cross; fish; man bound to a cross; man preaching from a cross; preacher holding some fish. catholic-forum.com.
Angra Mainyu. Zoroastrian. God of evil.
Angus (=Dream Angus, Angus of the Brug). Celtic. God of love and giver of dreams; god of youth and beauty.
St. Anne. Christian. (=St. Ana?)
St. Anno (=St. Annon). Bishop of Verona. Italian, d. 780. Feast Day: 13 May. See also catholic-forum.com.
St. Anthony. Patron of butchers. Depicted with a pig.
St. Anthony of Padua (=Evangelical Doctor). Portugual, 1195-1231. Feast day: 13 June. Patron of lost articles, Portugal and Brazil; also patron against shipwrecks, against starvation, against starving, American Indians, amputees, animals, asses, barrenness, boatmen, domestic animals, elderly people, expectant mothers, faith in the Blessed Sacrament, fishermen, harvests, horses, lower animals, mail, mariners, oppressed people, paupers, poor people, pregnant women, sailors, seekers of lost articles, shipwrecks, starvation, starving people, sterility, swineherds, Tigua Indians, travel hostesses, travellers, watermen. catholic-forum.com
St. Benno (=Benno of Meissen). Christian. German, 1010-1106. Feast day: June 16. Patron of Munich (Germany), anglers, fishermen, weavers. Depicted as a bishop holding a fish with keys in its mouth or as a bishop with a book on which lays a fish and two keys. Catholic reference.
St. Bernard of Aoste. Christian. Patron of mountaineers.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Christian. Burgundy, ca 1100. Patron saint of Gilbraltar. "Last" of the Fathers of the Church.
Bhagavat (="Lord"). Can refer to several deities, including Buddha.
Bhagawati (=Rajarajeswari):Hindu (Kerala): The mother Goddess, one of the most popular deities in Kerala.
Bhimsen: Hindu. A deity worshipped for his strength and courage.
St. Blaise. Christian. Patron of farmers, herdsmen, wool carders, roofers. Bread baked on St. Blaise Day guards against floods.
St. Blanchard. Christian. Patron of launderers.
Boann (=Boand, Boyne River). Celtic. River water goddess. Mother of Angus.
Boddhisattva. Buddhist. Beings who represent an aspect of the Buddha. Having forgone Nirvana thay return to earth because of their great love for humankind.
St. Brigitte. Christian. Patron of butter makers and marketers.
Buddha (="Enlightened One"). Buddhist. (563-483 BCE b. in Kapilavastu, Sakayas--near the border of present day India and Nepal) Founder of Buddhism. Also known as x, y and z. [incomplete]
C
St. Cado. Christian. Patron of (protector of) cats.
St. Catherine. Christian. Patron of the Liberal Arts, librarians, cartwrights (charrons, dressmakers, cyclists, .
Chakrasamvara. Buddhist (Tibetan). God-the-Father, the "cosmic dancer"; signature color is blue, usually represented with 12 arms -- Tantric tools in hand (to help all beings) and many heads (to see in all directions). Consort is Vajravarahi.
St. Charlemagne. Christian. Patron of hawkers.
St. Clare of Assisi. (Italy, 1194-1253). Founder of Poor Women of St. Damian’s, later known as the Poor Clares. Feast Day: "second day before the Ides of August". See also website.
St. Christopher. Patron of travellers, mountaineers, astronauts, athletes, motorists, sailors, taxi drivers, truck drivers, .
St. Clair. Christian. Patron of glassmakers, boisseliers.
St. Chromatius of Aquileia. Christian. Born in (Syria), ca. 350 CE. "Church Father".
St. Claire. Christian. Patron of washing machines, embroiderers.
St. Claude. Christian. Patron of bimbelotiers, tobacconists,
St. Clement (=Pope Clement I). Christian. Bishop of Rome (ca. 100 CE). Patron of cider merchants.
Clement of Alexandria. Christian. Born in Athens ca. 150 CE. "Church Father".
St. Cloud. Christian.
St. Colombe. Christian.
St. Columbkille. Christian.
St. Come . Christian. A physician. Patron of surgeons, apothecaries, druggists, pharmacists, confiseurs. Usually paired with St. Damien. Both depicted with box of ointments and a urinal.
St. Crepin. Christian. Patron of shoemakers, leatherworkers, . Usually paired with St. Crépinien.
St. Crepinien . Christian. Patron of shoemakers, leatherworkers, . Usually paired with St. Crepin.
St. Cyprian. Christian. Born in Carthage, ca. 200 CE. "Church Father".
St. Cyril of Alexandria. Christian. Born ca. 375 CE. Bishop of Alexandria. "Church Father".
St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Christian. Born in Jerusalem, ca. 315 CE. "Church Father".
D
Dagda (=The Dagda). Celtic. Powerful god; leader of warriors. Father of Angus.
St. Damien. Christian. A physician. Patron of surgeons, apothecaries, druggists, pharmacists, confiseurs . Often associated with care for those with AIDS/HIV. Often portrayed alongside St. Côme . Both depicted with box of ointments and a urinal.
St. Damien the Unmercenary. Christian: Russian Orthodox.
St. Denis (=St. Dionysius). Christian. France, ca. 250. Patron saint of Paris, of France, and as curer of headaches. After his beheading, walked (carrying his head) from Montmartre to where the Abbey Church of St. Denis now stands. Portrayed headless, carrying his head, with a palm, sword or book.
St. Domenica. Christian. Patron of astronomers, clothing-makers (costumiers), .
St. Eloi . Christian. Patron of goldsmiths, jewelers, harnessmakers (bourreliers), carriage makers, cartwrights (charrons), ironmongers, couteliers. Depicted with the hammer and anvil of a goldsmith.
St. Ephrem. Christian. Born in Nisibis (Syria), ca. 306 CE. "Church Father".
Eusebius of Caesarea. Christian. Born in Caesarea, ca. 260 CE. "Church Father".
St. Eusebius of Vercelli. Christian. Born on Sardinia, ca. 300 CE. Bishop of Northern Italy. "Church Father".
St. Eustace. Christian. Patron of hunters, (protector of) dogs, .
St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938). Christian: Roman Catholic. Canonized 30 April 2000 in Rome by Pope John Paul II. A perpetually professed member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.
St. Fiacre. Christian. Patron of nurserymen, mushroom-hunters, ironmongers, taxi drivers, .
St. Firmilian. Christian. ca. 250. Bihop of Caesarea.
St. Francis de Sales. Christian. France, ca. 1600. A founder of the Order of the Visitation of Mary in 1610. Author of Introduction to a Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God.
St. Francis of Assisi (=St. Francois d' Assise) (Italy, ca. 1181 - 1226): Depicted with small animals and birds. Patron of the protection of animals and birds. Feast Day: October 4. Founder of Franciscan Order. See also website.
St. Frideswide. (=Frevisse) Christian. England, ca. 400.
Frigga (=Freya). Norse. Supreme Goddess; source of "Friday". Mother of Baldur.
St. Fursey (=Fursey of Peronne; Fursa of Peronne; Fursey of Lagny) Christian. Irish. 567-648. Missionary, priest, abbot. Patron of Peronne, France. Related to Saint Foillan and Saint Ultan. Feast day: 16 January. Representation: abbot raising a young nobleman from the dead; abbot in an ecstastic trance; priest in a trance with spectral images hovering nearby. Catholic Forum listing
G
St. Gabriel. Christian. Patron of ambassadors. NOTE to add: St. Gabriel/Qu'ran/Muhammad
St. Genevieve. Christian. (b.411, Nanterre, France; d. 512) Patron of Paris, also shepherdesses, waxes and candles. Feast day Jan. 3. Depicted dressed in a long flowing gown with a mantle covering her shoulders, often with a loaf of bread. See also Catholic.org.
St. George. Christian. Patron of cavaliers, knights. Depicted on horseback, slaying a dragon.
St. Gertrude. Christian. Patron of (protector of) cats.
St. Hilary of Poitiers. Christian. Born in Poitiers, ca. 310 CE. "Church Father".
St. Hippolytus. Christian. Rome, ca. 200. Patron saint of horses. Portrayed in armor, holding a lance or a palm; or dragged and torn by horses; or holding a jailer's keys; or holding a horse's curry comb. Feast day: 13 August.
Hodur. Norse. Blind God of winter. Brother of Baldur.
St. Honore. Christian. French(?). Patron saint of bakers (biscottiers, boulangers). Feast Day: 16 May.
St. Honorine. Christian. Patron of sailors.
Hua To. Taoist. Patron of healing and Chinese medicine.
St. Hubert. Christian. Patron of hunters, (protector of) dogs, . Depicted with a stag.
Husayn (=Husain). Muslim (Shi'ite). Grandson of Muhammad; martyred at the Battle of Karbala. One of the Five Holy Ones of Shi'a Islam. [incomplete].
I
St. Iago (Santiago). = St. James Christian. (Spanish).
St. Ignatius of Antioch. Christian. Ca. 100 CE. Third Bishop of Antioch.
St. Ignatius Loyola. Christian. Founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) on 15 August 1534 in Montmartre, Paris, France. (1491-1556) Feast Day 31 July. Part of legendary Basque family known for its warriors, esp. the seven brothers who fought in the Battle of Beotibar in September 1321. Canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XIV.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons. Christian. Born in Smyrna, ca 135 CE.
Ishtar. Babylonian. Mother Goddess.
St. Isidore. Christian. Patron of farmers.
J
St. James (=St. Jacques, =St. Jacobi). One of Jesus' first disciples. Went to Iberia, returned to Jerusalem, was beheaded by Herod; remains gathered by Christians and sent (guided by an angel) to Compostela (in Kingdom of the Asturians on Iberian peninsula). Object of pilgrimage to Compostela, which became the primary Christian pilgrimage site after the Muslim capture of Jerusalem. Symbol: scallop shell (coquilles St. Jacques). Patron of hatmakers.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Christian. (France, ca. 1600): A founder of the Order of the Visitation of Mary in 1610.
Janus. Roman God (Latin: Januarius). First month of the calendar year in common usage, January, is named for Janus.
St. Jean Porte Latine. Christian. Patron of baigneurs, etuvistes, cartonniers .
Jeremiah. Jewish/Christian. Prophet.
St. Jerome. Christian. Born in Stridon (Italy) ca. 347 CE. Patron of archaelogists, librarians, conservators. "Church Father".
St. Joan of Arc (=St. Jeanne d' Arc). Christian. Patron of shepherdesses.
Jogini. Hindu/Buddhist. Mystical Goddess.
St. John. Christian. One of the four Gospel writers. Symbol: eagle. Patron of (male) shepherds.
St. John de Brebeuf. Christian (Jesuit). Missionary in North America; known as the Apostle to the Hurons. Martyred 16 March 1649.
St. John the Baptist (=St. Jean Évangéliste). Christian. Patron of administrative agents, alchemists, chemists, couteliers, .
St. John Berchmans (b.Diest, Brabant (Belgium), 13 March, 1599; d. Rome, 13 August, 1621). Christian. Patron of altar boys. Canonized: 1888. Feast day: 26 November. His statues represent him with hands clasped, holding his crucifix, his book of rules (the Rule of Saint Ignatius), and his rosary. See also Catholic Encyclopedia.
St. John Chrysostom (Chrysostom="golden-mouthed"). Christian. Born in Antioch ca 349 CE; died 407 CE. Bishop of Constantinople; best known for his preaching ability. "Church Father".
St. Joseph. Christian. Patron of loggers, carpenters. Depicted with an axe or wood saw. For details on the use of statues of St. Joseph by those selling houses, click on Urban Legends.
St. Joseph the Worker. Christian.
St. Julien l'Hospitalier. Christian. Patron of landords.
Junipero Serra (=Miguel Jose Serra). Christian. Known as Apostle to California. 1713-1784. Catholic Forum listing.
Juno. Roman Goddess (Latin: Junius). Sixth month of the calendar year in common usage, June, is named for Juno.
St. Justin. Christian. Born in Samaria ca. 100 CE.
K
Kaali: Hindu. Goddess; the destroyer or liberator and is depicted in a fearful form. One of the principal deities of Bengal.
Kamakhya. Hindu: Goddess.
Kami. Shinto: A deity; spirit of nature.
St. Katherine. Christian.
St. Keverne. Christian. Cornwall. Friend, co-worker of St. Kieran. Feast day: 18 November. Catholic Forum listing.
St. Kieran. (=Ciaran; Kerrier; Kieran of Seirkeiran; Kiernan; Kyran; "First born of the Saints of Ireland") Christian. Ireland. D. c530. First Bishop of Ossory, Ireland. Feast day: 5 March. Friend, co-worker of St. Keverne. Catholic Forum listing.
Kino, Eusebio. Christian (Jesuit). Missionary in lower California and Arizona. D. 15 March 1711.
St. Lawrence. Christian. Patron of (male) cooks. Depicted with a grill, his method of martyrdom. Patron of policemen.
St. Leander. the feast of St. Leander has been celebrated on 27 February in non-leap years and on 28 February in leap years.
St. Leonard. Christian. Patron of butter makers and marketers, (release of) prisoners, .
St. Lezin. Christian. Patron of slate roofers.
Loki. Norse. God who is agent of evil; trickster God.
St. Louis. Christian. French king. Patron of barbers, embroiderers, (male) hairdressers, tailors. NOTE: St. Louis, Mo., and Louisville, Ky., are named in honor of this saint.
St. Lucy Fillippini (b. 13 January 1672 in Corneto-Tarquinia, Italy; d. 25 March 1732). Christian. Founded Institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini (with Cardinal Mark Anthony Barbarigo) in 1692. See also website.
St. Luke (=St. Luc). One of the four Gospel writers. Symbol: ox. Patron of artists, craftsmen, painters.
Luther, Martin [incomplete]
M
Machhendra. Hindu (Nepalese): The guardian God of the Kathmandu Valley, guarantor of rain and plenty. The deity is also a popular interpretation of Avalokiteshwara or Lokeshwar and is enshrined as the Rato (Red) Machhendra in Patan and the Seto (White) Machhendra in Kathmandu.
Maia. Roman Goddess (Latin: Maius). The fifth month of the calendar year in common usage, May, is named for Maia.
Mani. Religious innovator. Manichaeism.
Mara. Buddhist. God of death; demon-king; god of delusion. Often depicted riding an elephant. His companions, uncouth bandits, represent uncontrolled passions, the "demon hordes" within the human mind.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Christian. (Spanish?); member of the Order of the Visitation of Mary.
St. Mark. Christian. One of the four Gospel writers. Symbol: winged lion. Patron saint of Venice, Italy.
St. Martha. Christian. Patron of landlords, housewives, (female) cooks, .
St. Marie-Madeleine. Christian. Patron of (female) hairdressers, courtesans,
Mars. Roman God of War (Latin: Martius). Third month of calendar year in common usage, March, is named for Mars.
St. Martin of Tours. Christian. Roman soldier serving in Gaul (France). 316-398 CE. Patron of policemen, landlords, drinkers, wine-brokers, cavaliers. Feast day, 10 November. A Roman soldier in Gaul who converted to Christianity and became the patron saint of reformed drunkards. Traditionally the day in medieval Europe when animals were slaughtered and salted for the winter. See also St. Martin of Tours.
St. Mummolus (=Momble, Momleolus, Mumbolus). Christian. France. D. 690. Feast Day: 18 November. Friend of Saint Fursey. Abbot of Lagny, Meaux, France. Catholic Forum listing.
N
St. Neot (=the Pygmy Saint). Christian. English, d. 877. Feast day: 31 July. Patron of fish. Catholic site.
Nestor. Christian. Heretical teacher.
St. Nicholas (=Klaus, Mikulas, Nicholas of Bari, Nicolaas, Nicolas, Nikolas, Niklas). Christian. Asia Minor, ca. 260-343 CE). Bishop of Myra (in modern Turkey). Patron of children; sailors, fishermen, boatmen, longshoremen, mariners and watermen; butchers; cartwrights, coopers and barrel makers; pawnbrokers; apothecaries, druggists and pharmacists; bakers; boot blacks and shoe shiners; brewers; judges; lawsuits lost unjustly; merchants; newlyweds, brides and grooms; parish clerks; paupers and poor people; perfumeries and perfumers; pilgrims and travellers; scholars and students; repentant thieves, murderers and prisoners; captives; unmarried girls, maidens, and spinsters; also patron saint of Apulia, Italy; Bari, Italy; Duronia, Italy; Fossalto, Italy; Greece; Greek Catholic Church in America; Greek Catholic Union; Limerick, Ireland; Lorraine; Naples, Italy; Portsmouth, England; Russia; Sicily; Sassari, Italy; University of Paris. Associated with Christmas celebrations, especially in Europe (see website). Feast Day: 6 December (19 December on Julian Calendar). Often depicted with: crozier and wearing a miter; often shown with three gold balls or coins (representing gold thrown into houses for dowry money), three maidens (representing dowry recipients), three children in the salting tub of the butcher from his legend, anchor and/or ship, Bible, shoes (from legend about children placing treats for St. Nicholas' horses in their shoes). Catholic site.
St. Nicholas Owen. Christian (Jesuit). English. Martyred 2 March 1606.
St. Nivard. Christian. French. Archbishop of Rheims, France. D. c673. Feast day: 1 September. Catholic Forum listing.
North American Martyrs. Christian (Jesuit): Antoine Daniel, Charles Garnier, Gabriel Lalemant, Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf, John de la Lande, Noel Chabanel and Rene Goupil. All were canonized by Pope Pius XI on 29 June 1930. Feast day: 19 October.
St. Otmar. Christian. Patron of drinkers, cafe owners .
P
Pak: Muslim. The South Asian term for the Five Holy Ones of Shi'a Islam.
Panacea. (=Panacea de Muzzi; Panacea of Quarona; Panassia; Panexia) Christian. Italian. Feast day: 1 May. Martyred 1383. Patron of: Ghemme, Italy; shepherdesses, shepherds. Representation: young girl being beaten by an older woman. Catholic Forum listing.
Parvati: Hindu. Goddess: the consort of Shiva.
St. Paul of the Cross. Christian. Born in Italy, ca. 1750-1800. Founded Passionist Orders for men (1720?) and women in 1771.
St. Paulinus of Nola. Christian. Born in Aquitaine (France), ca. 400 CE? "Church Father".
Shakti. Hindu: Female aspect of divinity; the manifestation of energy. See also Ambaa, Devi.
Shekali Mai (=Rudrayana): Hindu (Nepal). A Kathmandu Valley nature Goddess.
Shiva: Hindu. One of the Supreme Trinity of multitude of manifestations of Divinity, along with Brahma and Vishnu. See About Shiva.
Shou Lao: Taoist. The God of longevity, easily recognized by his large cranium, medicinal gourd and “peach of immortality”.
Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhist. See Buddha. [incomplete]
Skanda (=Muruga, =Murugan): Hindu. God; the supreme commander of the Gods and the destroyer of evil forces. He is also regarded as the epitome of knowledge. One of the most revered deities in the Southern State of Tamilnadu. The three integral elements of Muruga's personality are spear (vel) in His hand, peacock as His mount and cock adorning His banner. See Murugan.org.
Spenta Armaiti (=Spandaramet). Zoroastrian. Minor diety to which the earth was sacred.
St. Stanislaus Kostka. Christian. Named chief patron saint of Poland by Pope Clement X on 8 January 1674.
T
Tara. Buddhist: Tibetan. Goddess of Compassion.
Teilhard de Chardin, Pierre. Christian (Jesuit). 1881-1955. Theologian and scientist.
St. Terentian. Christian. Italian. Bishop of Todi, Umbria, Italy. Feast day: 1 September. Martyred c118.Catholic Forum listing.
Terenzio of Luni. Christian. Italian. Martyred Bishop of Luni, Italy. Feast Day: 24 September. Patron of Pesaro, Italy.
Tertullian. Christian. Born (probably) in Carthage, ca. 200 CE. "Church Father".
St. Thaddeus.
St. Theodosius of the Kiev Caves. Christian: Russian Orthodox.
St. Thibault. Christian. Patron of loggers, coalmen.
St. Thomas. Christian. Patron of architects, land surveyors, researchers, .
Thor. Norse/New Age. Sky God, controlling winds and storms. and associated with the oak. Thursday is his day. He guarded the Aesir from attack. His hammer represented lightening; small hammers were worn as amulets in the late Viking age and have been adopted as an emblem by contemporary members of Asatruar clans.
Vikrantha (=Vamana): Hindu. Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as a dwarf.
St. Vincent. Christian. Patron of brickmakers, café owners, cavistes.
Vishnu (=Visnu). Hindu. Usually depicted holding four sacred objects: chakra, One of the three most important Gods, the preserver of the world and god of love (the others are Shiva and Brahma) He is typically depicted as descending to earth in various forms (avatars) to uphold order (for example, see Krishna, the eighth avatar). Gautama, the Buddha (the founder of Buddhism) is considered (by some) the ninth avatar of Vishnu).
Vixtociatl. Aztec. Goddess who discovered salt after being banished to the saltwaters by her brothers, the rain gods. Attributes: ears of gold, yellow clothes, iridescent green plumage, fishnet skirt; carries shield trimmed with eagle, parrot and quetzal feathers and a cane topped by incense-filled paper flowers.
Vohu Manha. Zoroastrian. (Minor diety) The Good Mind.
W
White, Andrew. Christian. Jesuit. Missionary to Maryland. d. 1656.
St. William (=Guillaume). Christian. Patron of arms manufacturers, (male) shepherds.
St. Wolf. Christian. Patron of (male) shepherds. Depicted with a wolf.
Y
Yama. Buddhist: Tibetan. God of death; usually depicted in black.
St. Yves. Christian. Patron of lawyers, solicitors.
Z
St. Zita. Christian.
Zurvan. Zoroastrian (heretical). Parent of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu.
