Posted: February 8th, 2024

Alien Iconography in Religions

Alien Iconography in Religions: A Historical and Comparative Analysis

Alien iconography, or the use of symbols and images that represent or evoke extraterrestrial beings, can be seen in a variety of religions, both ancient and modern. In this blog post, I will explore some of the origins, meanings, and implications of alien iconography in different religious traditions, and how they relate to the phenomenon of UFO sightings and beliefs.

Ancient Alien Iconography

One of the earliest examples of alien iconography can be found in the ancient Sumerian civilization, which flourished in Mesopotamia between the 4th and 2nd millennium BCE. The Sumerians depicted their gods as humanoid beings who came from the sky in flying vehicles, and who taught them various aspects of civilization, such as writing, mathematics, astronomy, and law. Some of these gods, such as Anu, Enki, and Inanna, were associated with specific planets or stars, and were believed to reside in celestial abodes. The Sumerians also recorded stories of wars and alliances among these gods, as well as their interactions with humans, sometimes involving genetic manipulation or hybridization. Some scholars have interpreted these myths as evidence of ancient contact with extraterrestrial visitors, who were revered as divine beings by the Sumerians (Sitchin 1976).

Another ancient culture that exhibited alien iconography was Egypt, which emerged around the 3rd millennium BCE along the Nile River. The Egyptians also believed in a pantheon of gods who came from the sky and who were associated with celestial bodies, such as Ra, the sun god; Osiris, the god of the underworld and the constellation Orion; and Isis, the goddess of magic and the star Sirius. The Egyptians also depicted some of their gods as having animal or hybrid features, such as Horus, the falcon-headed god; Anubis, the jackal-headed god; and Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. Some of these gods were also linked to specific regions or cities in Egypt, where they had temples and cults dedicated to them. The Egyptians also built monumental structures, such as pyramids and obelisks, that aligned with certain stars or planets at specific times of the year. Some researchers have suggested that these structures were designed to communicate with or honor the extraterrestrial gods who visited or influenced Egypt (Bauval and Gilbert 1994).

A third ancient culture that displayed alien iconography was Mesoamerica, which encompassed various civilizations that developed in Central America between the 2nd millennium BCE and the 16th century CE. Among these civilizations were the Olmecs, the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Toltecs. These cultures shared a common cosmology that involved a complex calendar system based on cycles of time and astronomical events. They also believed in a hierarchy of gods who came from different levels of the sky and who had different roles and attributes. Some of these gods were depicted as having reptilian or avian features, such as Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god; Kukulkan, the plumed serpent god; and Tezcatlipoca, the jaguar god. Some of these gods were also associated with planets or constellations, such as Venus or the Pleiades. The Mesoamerican cultures also recorded stories of wars and migrations among their gods and ancestors, as well as their encounters with supernatural beings or phenomena. Some scholars have proposed that these stories reflect ancient contact with extraterrestrial visitors or influences (Foster 2005).

Modern Alien Iconography

In contrast to ancient alien iconography, which was mostly integrated into existing religious systems and worldviews, modern alien iconography emerged in response to new scientific discoveries and cultural changes that challenged traditional religious beliefs and authorities. The advent of modern astronomy,