LLao and Skell Volcano Gods of Crater Lake

Llao and Skell volcano gods of Crater Lake

Llao and Skell were both volcano gods who were said to live at Crater Lake (or Mount Mazama as it was before it became a lake) in Oregan in the USA and were worshipped by Native Americans. They said that Llao was an evil spirit and Skell was a good spirit. They both had followers; Llao had crawfish that could shape shift, and Skell had forest animals like weasels, deer, eagles, martins, and wolves.

Legend has it Llao was the god of the underworld (inside the volcano) and Skell was the god of the above world (in the sky) and they fought a battle between two mountains, Mount Mazama and Mount Shasta. Llao was said to be an evil spirit and Skell a good spirit so this battle represents the struggled between good and evil.

Skell descended from the sky to the top of Mount Shasta. Skell and Llao were thundering and trembling the Earth, hurling red hot rocks back and forth to each other (from Mount Shasta to Mount Mazama), causing great landslides. A terrible darkness spread over the area for days. All spirits of Earth and sky took part in this battle, creating intense fear among the people. Attempting to calm the ferocious volcano gods and to make up for the sins of the tribe, two medicine men offered to sacrifice themselves and jumped into the pit of Below-World. Impressed by their heroic sacrifice, Skell fought even harder. He finally defeated Llao, driving Llao deep down into the Below-World. He collapsed the top of Mount Mazama to imprison Llao forever beneath the world. Skell wanted peace and tranquility to cover up this dark pit, so he filled it with the beautiful blue water. Source.