NextPrevious

The World Myth

Tricksters

Who are some examples of the trickster deity in the world myth?

Among the most important cultural versions of the trickster archetype are the Sumerian Enki, the Norse Loki, the African Legba and Ananse, and the Native Americans Iktome, Raven, and Coyote. Other gods or demigods generally associated with other aspects of life, sometimes display trickster characteristics. Hermes steals the cattle of Apollo, Krishna steals the clothes of the bathing Gopis. Several tricksters are best known for their negative role as underminers of creation. Satan plays a trickster role as a corrupter in the Garden of Eden; Susanowa is a trickster in his struggle against Amaterasu; the Iroquoian bad twin works against the creations of his good brother.