Faww

Faww is a deity worshipped by the Sabaeans in ancient southern Arabia, specifically in the Kingdom of Saba. The god is associated with shooting lightning bolts and is depicted as a representation of the storm with wind and lightning. Faww's worship dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE, during the Sabaeans' earlier periods.

The mythology surrounding Faww highlights the god's association with the celestial phenomena of thunder and lightning. He is said to possess the power to control the winds, bringing stormy weather as well as calming the tempests. In this context, Faww's sacred animal is often depicted as the sparrow, considered an omen for lightning.

Archaeological evidence from the Marib Temple Complex supports the idea that Faww was a central deity in the Sabaean pantheon. A surviving Sabaean inscription at the Temple Complex confirms Faww's importance as a major deity alongside the primary moon deity.

It is worth noting that Faww's name and significance in Sabaean mythology are closely tied to the various city-state's pantheon of gods, particularly those in the Marib region. The patronage granted by the ray of Faww affords immunity from destruction for the family which he supports.

Faww remains a known entity in the study of Middle Eastern archaeology and ancient worship practices. Research into Sabaean polytheism and Faww's influence continues, but with limited availability of primary sources about him. And so we rely on the passages of earlier researchers for today's understanding of Faww.