Many mythologies and cosmologies have a being that personifies the concept of speed. Sometimes, these figures are linked to the weather: from the mythical Japanese thunder beast Raiju, to the swift Gods of the wind in Greek mythology known as the Anemoi. In these cases, speed is associated with the strange and unpredictable nature of the elements, which are subject to sudden changes. Raiju, for instance, is said to sleep peacefully curled up in people’s belly buttons before leaping into action and crashing around the Earth during storms. You can learn more about Raiju in this article and this book.

In other cases, speed is linked to swift supernatural communication. Speedy messenger deities include the Greek God Hermes (who also functions as the more boisterous commentator in this lesson) who zips between people and places in his winged sandals. In Norse mythology, Hermod is an astoundingly fast figure who carries a magical staff. In both these examples, speed facilitates communication between supernatural forces and is a testament to divine power.

Of course, Hermod is not the only Norse mythical figure with a need for speed. Odin’s horse Sleipnir is said to be the fastest of them all: a mighty horse whose eight legs move so fast that he appears to slide on the wind. You can learn more about Sleipnir here. Next, read the tale of Sleipnir’s decisive race against another mythical horse named Gullfaxi here. Sleipnir is also said to have shamanic powers that enable him to travel to the realms of the dead and back. In this case, speed is part of his supernatural ability to rapidly move between worlds. Because supernaturally fast figures often can’t be observed with the naked eye, they are also powerful figures for exploring the liminal space between the earthly and divine.

Speed is also a heroic attribute that allows divine figures to fight evil forces – as in the case of Idaten. According to different versions of the tale, this guardian of Buddhist monasteries outran speed demons who stole the teeth of the Buddha’s corpse, or the Buddha’s ashes. You can learn more about Idaten here and here.

Other deities encapsulate not only the power of speed, but the mysteries of motion itself. The Hindu God Savitar is a supreme deity who sets all living things in motion – from the Sun and wind to the waters of the Earth. You can read testaments to his power here and here. In this lesson, Savitar’s powers over all moving things – even the fastest representatives from other mythologies – are what set him apart on this particular day.

The overseer of this particular competition, Shamash, makes a suitable judge given his role as the Mesopotamian god of justice and the sun. You can learn more about this ancient God here.

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