Unelanuhi, Cherokee Sun Goddess

In Cherokee lands, Unelanuhi is the sun. Her brother is the moon. Unelanuhi didn't pay much attention to humans until she noticed that they never looked directly at her and smiled, like they did for her brother. She was jealous so she decided to punish the humans with intense heat. The spirit people were worried about the humans, and advised killing Unelanuhi.

A human transformed into a rattlesnake and waited for Unelanuhi at her daughter's home, where she spends each night. Ready to kill Unelanuhi, the daughter was somehow killed instead. The daughter became a cardinal, but mom was not happy. She cried until almost the entire land was covered in her tears.

The Cherokee gathered on the highest mountains, their villages submerged below. They danced their best dances and they drummed their best songs. Unelanuhi finally noticed they weren't so terrible. Since then, she shines more moderately, so humanity will not be burnt. When she remembers her grief, it still sometimes rains.

Unelanuhi prints and merch are available from Fine Art America.

Sources:

https://maisappho.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/unelanuhi-cherokee-goddess-of-the-sun/

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherokee_mythology#:~:text=child%20every%20year.-,Venerated%20spirits,%2Dknowing%20and%20all%2Dpowerful.

https://www.papertrell.com/apps/preview/The-Handy-Mythology-Answer-Book/Handy%20Answer%20book/What-is-the-story-of-the-Cherokee-Grandmother-Sun/001137032/content/SC/52cb00a282fad14abfa5c2e0_default.html

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