Berber, Carthaginian/Tunisia

The goddess Tanit (Tini, Tinith, Tinnit) of Carthage was a moon and firmament goddess. She was worshiped as an armed divinity, symbolized by a broad arrowhead and a spear with a triangular blade. She was considered a giver of life and death, as a fertility deity, and was venerated as a great mother. The name is apparently Libyan, and the growth of her cult is associated with the acquisition of territory in Africa, with pronounced fertility aspects. Other deities in Carthage included Astarte, Eshmoun, identified with Aesculapius, the healer; and Melkart, the protector of the mother city, Tyre.

Tanit had given birth to the universe without having first conceived. The title, Tanit-Pene-Baal, Tanit, the face of Baal, expresses Tanit's bisexual aspect. Tanit represented the visible moon and firmament, which is matter, whereas Baal represented the power that vitalized the matter. Tanit gave birth to the universe without the help of a male partner. See also: Baal Hammon.