Diyan Masalanta

The goddess of love, childbirth, peace and protector of lovers | Group: Tagalog

Diyan or Dian Masalanta is a goddess revered by the ancient Tagalogs as the embodiment of love, childbirth, peace, and the protector of lovers. According to Tagalog mythology, she is the daughter of Dumakulem, the guardian of mountains, and Anagolay, the goddess of lost things. She is also the younger sister of Apolaki, the god of war. Some believe that Diyan is an earlier incarnation of another Tagalog diwata, Maria Makiling, who is revered as a deity or goddess of Mount Makiling.

Artist statement by Kat Wadel:

Mountains are the main motif in this illustration of Diyan Masalanta. Soft pastel peach, periwinkle and pink hues fill the sky with the glow of the rising sun cresting the mountain summit. The surrounding cliffs rest in shadows as dawn breaks, lighting the mountain and goddess figure; her face veiled by soft clouds draped below the mountain peaks. As part of the mountain, the deity of love/ childbirth/ protector of lovers is depicted with her arms wrapped around herself, like the strength and support felt in the arms of a loved one. I incorporated the deity into the mountain range to symbolize the unwavering connection between Filipino mythology and the natural world. 

I drew this piece with inspiration from Diyan Masalanta, daughter of the guardian of the mountains, Dumakulem; and her connection to Maria Makiling, the deity of Mount Makiling, a stratovolcano on the island of Luzon (just south of where some of my family lives). Volcanoes rule the mountain ranges along this part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Unlike surrounding volcanoes, Mount Makiling is inactive and provides geothermal heat and minerals to the surrounding hot springs. Its waters are as healing as a hug.