Editing Solar deity (section)

===Albanian paganism===
{{main|Dielli (Albanian paganism)}}
[[File:Albanian tattoo patterns – Sun and Fire symbols.png|thumb|Sun ([[Dielli (Albanian paganism)|Dielli]]) and Fire ([[Zjarri (Albanian paganism)|Zjarri]]) symbols in [[Albanian traditional tattoo]] patterns (19th century).{{sfn|Murray-Aynsley|1891|pp=29, 31}} The cross (also [[swastika]] in some tattoos) is the Albanian traditional way to represent the deified Fire – Zjarri, evidently also called with the theonym [[Enji (deity)|Enji]].<ref>{{harvnb|Treimer|1971|p=32}}; {{harvnb|Murray-Aynsley|1891|pp=29, 31}}.</ref>]]
[[File:Albanian traditional carving patterns.png|thumb|Albanian traditional carving patterns on chairs and graves, drawn by [[Edith Durham]] before 1928. They are representations of the Sun ([[Dielli (Albanian paganism)|Dielli]]) and the Moon ([[Hana (Albanian paganism)|Hana]]), sometimes also rayed, symbolizing their light, which is favored within the [[Albanian paganism#Dualistic struggle – cosmic renewal|dualistic struggle between light and darkness]].]]

The Sun ({{langx|sq|[[Dielli (Albanian paganism)|Diell-i]]}}) holds the primary role in [[Albanian paganism|Albanian pagan]] customs, beliefs, rituals, myths, and legends. Albanian major traditional festivities and calendar rites are based on the Sun, worshiped as the god of [[light]], [[sky]] and [[weather]], giver of life, health and energy, and all-seeing eye.<ref>{{harvnb|Tirta|2004|pp=68, 70–72, 249–254}}; {{harvnb|Sokoli|2013|p=181}}; {{harvnb|Hysi|2006|pp=349–361}}; {{harvnb|Gjoni|2012|pp=85–86}}.</ref> In Albanian tradition the [[fire]] – ''[[Zjarri (Albanian paganism)|zjarri]]'', evidently also called with the theonym [[Enji (deity)|Enji]] – worship and rituals are particularly related to the cult of the Sun. Ritual calendar fires or bonfires are traditionally kindled before sunrise in order to give strength to the Sun and to [[Apotropaic|ward off evil]].<ref>{{harvnb|Qafleshi|2011|p=49}}; {{harvnb|Tirta|2004|pp=68–69, 135, 176–181, 249–261, 274–282, 327}}.</ref> Many rituals are practiced before and during [[sunrise]], honoring this moment of the day as it is believed to give energy and health to the body.{{sfn|Gjoni|2012|pp=86–87}} As the wide set of cultic traditions dedicated to him indicates, the Albanian Sun-god appears to be an expression of the [[Proto-Indo-European mythology|Proto-Indo-European]] Sky-god ([[Zojz (deity)|Zot or Zojz]] in Albanian).{{sfn|Treimer|1971|p=31}}

[[Albanians]] were firstly described in written sources as worshippers of the Sun and the Moon by German humanist [[Sebastian Franck]] in 1534,<ref>{{cite web|editor-last=Elsie|editor-first=Robert|title=1534. Sebastian Franck: Albania: A Mighty Province of Europe|url=http://www.albanianhistory.net/1534_Franck/|website=Texts and Documents of Albanian History }}</ref> but the Sun and the Moon have been preserved as sacred elements of Albanian tradition since antiquity. [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] [[material culture]] shows that the Sun was the chief cult object of the [[Illyrian religion]].<ref>{{harvnb|Galaty|Lafe|Lee|Tafilica|2013|p=156}}; {{harvnb|Dobruna-Salihu|2005|pp=345–346}}; {{harvnb|Tirta|2004|pp=68–70}}; {{harvnb|Egro|2003|p=35}}; {{harvnb|Stipčević|1974|p=182}}.</ref> Finding correspondences with Albanian folk beliefs and practices, the Illyrian Sun-deity is figuratively represented on Iron Age plaques from [[Lake Shkodra]] as the god of the [[sky]] and [[lightning]], also associated with the [[fire]] altar where he throws lightning bolts.{{sfn|Brahaj|2007|pp=16–18}} The symbolization of the cult of the Sun, which is often combined with the [[Lunar phase|crescent]] [[Moon]], is commonly found in a variety of contexts of Albanian folk art, including [[Albanian traditional tattooing|traditional tattooing]], grave art, jewellery, embroidery, and house carvings.<ref>{{harvnb|Galaty|Lafe|Lee|Tafilica|2013|pp=155–157}}; {{harvnb|Tirta|2004|pp=68–82}}; {{harvnb|Elsie|2001|pp=181, 244}}; {{harvnb|Poghirc|1987|p=178}}; {{harvnb|Durham|1928a|p=51}}; {{harvnb|Durham|1928b|pp=120–125}}.</ref> Solemn oaths ([[Besa (Albanian culture)|Besa]]), good omens, and curse formulas, involve and are addressed to, or taken by, the Sun.<ref>{{harvnb|Tirta|2004|pp=71–72}}; {{harvnb|Elsie|2001|pp=193, 244}}; {{harvnb|Cook|1964|p=197}}.</ref> Prayers to the Sun, ritual [[bonfires]], and [[animal sacrifices]] have been common practices performed by Albanians during the ritual pilgrimages on mountain tops.<ref>{{harvnb|Tirta|2004|p=75}}; {{harvnb|Gjoni|2012|pp=81–87}}; {{harvnb|Xhemaj|1983|pp=104–121}}.</ref>

In Albanian pagan beliefs and mythology the Sun is a personified male deity, and the Moon ({{lang|sq|Hëna}}) is his female counterpart.{{sfn|Tirta|2004|pp=72, 128}}{{sfn|Dushi|2020|p=21}} In pagan beliefs the fire hearth ({{lang|sq|[[Vatër|vatra]] e zjarrit}}) is the symbol of [[fire]] as the offspring of the Sun.{{sfn|Gjoni|2012|p=90}} In some folk tales, myths and legends the Sun and the Moon are regarded as husband and wife, also appearing as the parents of [[E Bija e Hënës dhe e Diellit]] ("the Daughter of the Moon and the Sun"); in others the Sun and the Moon are regarded as brother and sister, but in this case they are never considered consorts.{{sfn|Tirta|2004|pp=72, 128}}{{sfn|Dushi|2020|p=21}} [[Nëna e Diellit]] ("the Mother of the Sun" or "the Sun's Mother") also appears as a personified deity in Albanian folk beliefs and tales.<ref>{{harvnb|Golan|1991|p=55}}; {{harvnb|Daum|1998|p=236}}; {{harvnb|Golan|2003|pp=93–94}}; {{harvnb|Tirta|2004|pp=259–260}}; {{harvnb|Neziri|2015|p=124}}.</ref>

Albanian beliefs, myths and legends are organized around the [[Albanian paganism#Dualistic struggle – cosmic renewal|dualistic struggle]] between [[good and evil]], [[light]] and [[darkness]], which cyclically produces the [[Cosmos|cosmic]] renewal.<ref>{{harvnb|Lelaj|2015|p=97}}; {{harvnb|Doja|2005|pp=449–462}}; {{harvnb|Elsie|1994|p=i}}; {{harvnb|Poghirc|1987|p=179}}</ref> The most famous representation of it is the constant battle between [[drangue]] and [[kulshedra]], which is seen as a mythological extension of the cult of the Sun and the Moon, widely observed in Albanian traditional art.<ref>{{harvnb|Galaty|Lafe|Lee|Tafilica|2013|pp=155–157}}; {{harvnb|Lelaj|2015|pp=91–118}}; {{harvnb|Tirta|2004|pp=68–82}}; {{harvnb|Elsie|2001|pp=181, 244}}; {{harvnb|Poghirc|1987|p=178}}; {{harvnb|Durham|1928a|p=51}}; {{harvnb|Durham|1928b|pp=120–125}}.</ref> In Albanian traditions, kulshedra is also fought by the Daughter of the Moon and the Sun, who uses her light power against pride and evil,{{sfn|Shuteriqi|1959|p=66}} or by other heroic characters marked in their bodies by the symbols of celestial objects,{{sfn|Tirta|2004|pp=72, 127–128}} such as [[The Twins (Albanian tale)|Zjermi]] ({{lit|the Fire}}), who notably is born with the Sun on his forehead.{{sfn|Schirò|1923|pp=411–439}}