Ildiko, goddess of love, hunting, fertility, and death, bestows life and takes it. Ildiko controls gateways between realms: she may be petitioned for fertility as well as for easy, painless death. The name Ildiko may be a Hungarian variant of the Germanic Hilda, meaning “battle” and a name associated with Valkyries. (It may also be related to a word for “moon”.) Ildiko was the name of Attila the Hun’s wife although whether she was named for the goddess is now unknown.
As a hunting goddess, Ildiko governs the balance between the needs of animals and hunters, simultaneously providing for hunters while protecting animals. Ildiko, like Artemis, is a deer hunter and the guardian of wild forest animals. A shamanic goddess, post-Christianity, Ildiko was identified with witchcraft.
ORIGIN:
Hungary
ICONOGRAPHY:
Hungarian art nouveau tapestry artist Sandor Nagy (1860–1950) portrayed Ildiko in the guise of a falconer.
ATTRIBUTE:
Bow and arrows
PLANET:
Moon
ANIMALS:
Bear, deer
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
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