Kali, also known as Parvati, or Shiva's consort, defeated the dreaded demon Raktabija. She is a mother goddess of the Hindu religion. (She predates the Aryan invasion of India). She is seen as a warrior goddess, and Kali is also associated with intense sexuality. Her followers find in her a strong protector. She is considered the great mother and as such is referred to as "Kali-Ma" (Kali Mother). She wears a necklace of skulls representing the "seed syllables" of the Sanskrit alphabet. These syllables are considered the sacred sounds from which the universe was created. She usually has four arms: One hand holds a sword, the second holds a severed human head, the third is believed by her devotees to be removing fear, and the fourth is often interpreted as granting bliss. Those who follow her are relieved of their suffering and negative Karma as well as receiving the gifts of bliss and liberation from fear. Kali Ma is the most widely recognized and worshiped Goddess in India.
Kanaloa
Kanaloa was a Hawaiian primordial god from antiquities, and was the deity for the ocean, it's animals, fresh water, salt water, and all the growth on earth and in the sea. The whale is the largest ocean form, and a majestic manifestation of Kanaloa. From the ivory of this creature, the highly prized niho palaoa was worn by the Ali`i (Chiefs) of high rank. The scarcity and beauty of the niho lei palaoa and its connection to Kanaloa brought mana (spiritual power) to the carver, to the pendant itself, and eventually to the wearer of the pendant. The ALI`I possessed this kinolau or body form of this great god, would themselves acquire the characteristics, intelligence and knowledge of the god. Therefore, it would be advantageous for any Ali`i to secure the ivory whale tooth of this Kanaloa body form.
Kernunnos
Kernunnos was the Celtic Father of Animals. With his companion Stag and Boar he was an archetype of mature masculine energy in balance with the natural world. Around his neck Kernunnos wears the torc, commemorating his sacred marriage as husbandman to Mother Earth; with his right hand he bestows upon viewers a torc of initiation. Held under control in his intuitive left hand is the ram-headed serpent connoting male sexual power and vitality. Kernunnos is ideal for modern males seeking to rebalance away from dominator conditioning. That the god had stag antlers rather than bull horns is important, reflecting his shy nature and beneficent role as bringer of prosperity.
Kerridwin
Kerridwin was the Welsh Triple Goddess. Her cauldron was the Celtic symbol for prosperity and rebirth, and she herself is the Mother Goddess, famous for nurturing her children. Her totem animal, the corpse-connected white sow, represents the moon as well as Kerridwin's crone aspect. The great bard Taliesin (often thought to be Merlin), born of the goddess according to a favorite Celtic regeneration myth, attributed his magic talents to her. She can be equated with Greek Demeter, Anatolian Diana of Ephesus, and Kali, all goddesses who both give and take away.
Kokopelli
Kokopelli is a southwestern Native American spirit. He represents fertility and the untamed energy of nature. He is seen dipicted as a fluteplayer, and he is believed to be one of the oldest of the supernatural figures of Native Americians.
Kokopelli traveled from village to village carrying a bag of corn seed on his back, and he taught the people to plant corn. At night, while the people slept, Kokopelli roamed the corn fields, playing his flute to encourage growth. The next morning villagers would awaken to find the corn grown tall, but Kokopelli was already on his way to the next village. It is said the villagers would also find many of their young women pregnant.
Kono
Kono is a bird goddess, she is the ancestor deity of the Senufu people of the Ivory Coast and Mali. She is worshipped in the form of a large crested crane.
Krishna
Krishna is The Divine Ecstatic. He is the eighth incarnation of the beneficent, earth-preserving god Vishnu, and the major focus of bhakti, or devotional worship, in Hindu culture. Krishna represents the highest spiritual law: Godhead is Love, Love is Godhead. His devotees liken themselves to his flute, played upon by the breath of God. When he was a baby (Nadugopal) he mischievously stole the milk of divine wisdom. Krishna Gopala the divine cowherd is the protector and lover of all sentient life.
Kurukulla
Kurukulla is the Tibetan Red Tara. This is the Great Goddess of Tibetan Tantra, her red-bronze color connoting love both carnal as well as spiritual (the two are mystically the same in tantra). She dances upon the demon Rahu (ignorance) and destroys him. Her bow and arrow pierce through difficulties, her lower right hand offers the abayah mudra of reassurance. Her mala of skulls shows she is the Tibetan form of Kali, she who transforms death to life, wrath to auspiciousness. Buddha Amitabha is seated within her tiara, and she offers wealth and well-being to her devotees.
Kwa Ba
Kwa Ba The Primal Mother. To the Ashanti people of Ghana she is the symbol of welcome, and is always placed above the door. Maidens receive this carved wood or clay image at the age of first menstruation from an elder mentor; this ceremony means that she is welcomed into her motherhood role in the tribe. In Togo, a giant A Kwa Ba (Akua'ba) image always precedes the chief in tribal procession, signifying that the Mother, and reverence for Nature, are the foremost communal values.
Kwan Kung
The stern Chinese master of order and prosperity, his image is frequently found at the entrance to Chinese temples and businesses. He is invariably shown tugging at his luxuriant beard, wearing ornate dynastic Chinese military officer's clothing, looking as though he is contemplating some serious matter, and usually he carries a dragon halberd. Kwan Kung was originally a seller of tofu, a profession he is still patron of. He became later an accomplished scholar, memorizing an extensive array of Chinese classics. Thus he is also a patron of learning and knowledge. His life was to take yet another turn, however, when he chanced upon a government magistrate abusing a young girl. A fight ensued and the magistrate was killed. Fleeing for his life from an unjust regime, he found refuge at a peach orchard in a distant provence. He became fast friends with the orchardman and, with another hero, struck an alliance. In the Chinese epic adventure tale of the "Three Brothers of the Peach Orchard", (like the Three Musketeers or Robin Hood's band in Europe), the three go about the country righting wrongs and protecting the innocent. Kwan Kung became very popular with the Imperial military, and he was declared 'Warrior Prince' by one Chinese emperor, later by another to be 'Faithful and Loyal Great Deity, Supporter of Heaven, Protector of the Realm'. Kwan Kung has also developed quite a following among the common people, who see him as a protector and guardian. In old China thousands of temples large and small were dedicated to him. His name is variously seen in the various forms and tranliterations of Chinese as Kuan Ti, Guan Di, Kuan Yuh and Wu Ti.
