by ejceasar
Myth and Mythologies. Myths can be classified as origin myths, cultural myths and political myths and mythology is a collection of myths belong to a time period, region or religion
A flood myth also known as deluge myth is a narrative in which great flood, usually sent by a deity or deities to destroy civilizations as an act of divine retribution. Flood myths are common across a wide range of cultures, extending back to Bronze Age and Neolithic prehistory.
Every mythology has its own version of creation myths, or other wise commonly known as how the world came in to existence. In Egyptian Mythology, the creation myth starts with an egg in the ocean. There was a single egg floating in the ocean and the egg hatched and the son of Ra was born. According to the Indian Mythology, the universe was created by Lord Brahma out of himself.
The idea of an unimaginable war that threatens to tear apart the cosmos connects with us so deeply that it still powers our epic stories. The Lord of the Rings, Avengers, Hobbits, and countless others all feature this age-old trope. It can be found in the legends of almost every ancient culture.
We all know the myth of Atlantis: a utopian city wiped out in a single night thanks to an unearthly cataclysm. But Atlantis is only the most famous of mythical lost cities. Near-identical stories crop up with such regularity that it’s tempting to think they must be somehow related.Take Iram (also known as Ubar). A fabled city in the deserts of modern Saudi Arabia, Iram is said to have been wiped out in a single night when Allah buried it under a flood of sand. In other words, it’s the Atlantis myth translated to a world without water. Then you have Ys off the coast of France, which was supposedly flooded around the 5th century by a mythical warrior king. And that’s before we get onto the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and the Hindu myth of Tripura, which both involve gods wiping out immoral cities in a rain of fire.In short, the idea of a city obliterated overnight is so powerful it seems to show up everywhere. Are these half-remembered tragedies with some basis in fact (like Pompeii) or just stories that play to the apocalyptic fantasist in all of us? We’ll leave it to you to decide.
Jesus’s resurrection is the big selling point of Christianity, a unique moment that established Christ as the one true savior. At least that’s the idea. In reality, the idea of a dying deity or important human who is later resurrected has been around for millennia.Most famously, this includes the story of Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god whose birth was heralded by a star, who was betrayed by a friend, was murdered, and was later resurrected. But there are less explicit versions too. The Greek cult of Dionysus had their figurehead killed off every two years, only to rise again at a later date. Persephone also died regularly, and many pagan traditions from Scandinavia to Central America involved gods dying and returning to life or men dying and coming back as deities.Perhaps most interestingly of all, a historical tablet known as “Gabriel’s Revelation” allegedly tells the story of a Jewish rebel known as Simon who was killed by the Romans, only to be resurrected three days later. The catch? It was written in 4 BC, over 30 years before Jesus allegedly pulled off the same trick. Either it’s a mistranslation, or the Son of God was building on centuries of groundwork by other deities.
Dragons are likely the most traveled creature in all of mythology. Even more than vampires, they have a habit of turning up in societies and cultures so far apart in time and space you’d think it was impossible. There are ancient Sumerian tablets that record the act of dragon-slaying, Greek tales of dragons cavorting with other monsters, and an entire science built around the uses of their bones in China. In Central America, the Mayans worshipped the feathered snake Quetzalcóatl, while both Norse and Christian mythologies specifically mention dragons.As late as 1886, Victorian scientists still held that dragons had once existed but had gone extinct. Not until dinosaurs became firmly established in the public mind did people see the probable link between ancient fossils and dragon myths. Currently, our best guess is that various cultures all stumbled over dino bones at some point and translated them into gigantic mythological beasts.
Thanks to the occasional self-indulgent movie adaptation, most of us probably have a vague knowledge of the poems of Homer. Considered the earliest examples of Western literature, his Iliad and Odyssey are epic myths of tortured heroes fighting their way across oceans and continents in search of metaphorical salvation—and they appear in near-identical form in almost every culture.It’s called the “hero’s journey,” and just about all epic stories throughout history have followed the specific model. Famously, George Lucas deliberately based the first Star Wars on it, and you can find its influence in The Lord of the Rings, the Oz books, and even Harry Potter. But this archetypal myth was around even before fancy-pants anthropologists handed it over to lazy scriptwriters.The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, the story of Sinbad the Sailor in the 1,001 Nights, the legend of King Arthur, the tale of the Argonauts . . . all of these and plenty more fit the structure of the hero’s journey just like Homer’s awesome poems above. In fact, nearly every single culture in recorded history has myths that fall into this category. Even Moses’s epic wanderings in the Bible fit this model. We as a species truly are lazy storytellers.
Cultural myths don’t just entertain us and record historical events. They also serve to explain why the world is the way it is. Hence the prevalence of stories designed to give a reason for some mystery of existence.In the Bible, we have the Tower of Babel, which explains why we have different languages. God’s speech prior to expelling Adam and Eve from Eden is another example, giving a reason for both the agony of childbirth and why ancient man had to toil all day in the fields. Wander across traditions into the stories of the Ancient Greeks and the legend of Prometheus demonstrates why fire is so valuable, while the story of Pandora gives a reason for the existence of disease and suffering.Start looking for them and you’ll find these explanatory myths scattered across every culture in history. There are myths that explain why rhinoceroses have no hairs, why incest is forbidden, and how medicine came into existence. Anything you can think of has some poetic explanation somewhere. In an unscientific age, poetry was often all we had.
Everything that begins has an end, and our ancient ancestors knew that as simply as we do. No surprise then that most cultures carry an End of Times myth to counter their creation story—a sort of consolation prize for those who won’t live to see the actual end (i.e. everyone).For Christians, this apocalypse is a gigantic epic that plays out over many, many years and involves so many disasters, wars, and calamities that it’s hard to keep track. Same with the Norse Ragnarok, which is a collection of disasters and battles that results in the Earth being drowned and recreated afresh. In Hinduism, it’s another epic battle followed by a rebooted universe, while Buddhism annihilates the world in a pyrotechnic fireworks display so amazing it deserves its own Michael Bay film.In other words, most humans throughout history have lived with their own personal vision of the end of everything, one that makes sense in the context of their lives and cultures. And that’s all these myths really are: ways for us humans to make sense of the world we live in, no matter when or where we are. It’s just an added bonus that some of them make absolutely awesome stories, too.
Learn a few fun facts
The red clothes worn by Hindu brides are associated with "scarlet women" in Christianity
The white clothes that represent virginity and purity in the Christian mythosphere are associated with spirituality and otherworldliness in the Hindu mythosphere; are restricted to monks, priests, and widows; and do not form part of household rituals.
The goat, the symbol of virility that is sacrificed to the Hindu Goddess, is the symbol of the devil in the biblical worldview.
The yoginis of Hinduism, who are handmaidens of the Goddess and are wild erotic creatures, recall the witches coven of the Christian mythosphere.
The pentagram is the symbol of Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, and Shukra, guru of demons, and is associated with Venus, wealth, fertility, creativity, and erotic power in Hindu astrology, but is considered the mark of the devil in Christianity.
'described in Western literature as the "dark drinker of blood" and is associated with witchcraft.
The serpent, which is associated with earth's fertility and occult wisdom in Hinduism, is considered a manifestation of the devil in biblical traditions.
To the Western eye the swastika is the symbol of Hitler and the Holocaust. To Hindus it is associated with auspiciousness and fertility.
Demon in Judeo-Christian-Islamic Paradigm is Evil being who opposes God but in Hindu Paradigm Demon is a Being who lives under-ground in bejeweled cities, fights gods, and possess the secret of rejuvenation
Gods in Judeo-Christian-Islamic Paradigm False deities worshipped by nonbelievers and pagans whereas in Hindu Paradigm Celestial beings who live above ground or in the skies, fight demons, and have consumed the elixir of immortality
The people of the lightning / Sons of Bushongo
The Bushongo or Songora are an ethnic group from the Congo River and surrounding areas. The creation god(or chembe) in Bushongo mythology is called Bumba.
The Bushongo people, who live in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, have a rich and diverse mythology that includes many different stories and legends. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Bushongo mythology:
The creation myth:
The Bushongo believe that the world was created by a god named Mbidi Kiluwe, who formed the earth, sky, and all living things.
The myth of the first man:
According to Bushongo legend, the first man, named Kondi, was created by Mbidi Kiluwe and was given the task of populating the world.
The myth of the first woman:
The Bushongo believe that the first woman, named Luba, was created by Mbidi Kiluwe and was given the task of helping Kondi to populate the world.
The myth of the first fire:
The Bushongo believe that fire was brought to earth by a god named Lumona, who gave it to humans as a gift.
The myth of the first death:
The Bushongo believe that death was brought to the world by a god named Cagn, who punished humans for their disobedience.
The myth of the first rain:
The Bushongo believe that the first rain was brought to the world by a god named Cagn, who punished humans for their disobedience.
Please note that this is just a small sample of the Bushongo mythology stories, and there are many more myths and legends that are important to the Bushongo people.
Seven gods who decree: An, Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag, Nanna, Utu, and Inanna.
Mesopotamian Religion
Mesopotamian religion refers to the religious beliefs and practices of the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, particularly Sumer, Akkad, Assyria and Babylonia between circa 3500 BC and 400 AD, after which they largely gave way to Syriac Christianity.
Some of the most famous myths of Mesopotamian mythology include the creation myth Enuma Elish, the epic of Gilgamesh, and the story of Inanna's descent to the underworld. Enuma Elish describes the creation of the world and the gods by the god Marduk, while the epic of Gilgamesh tells the story of a king's quest for immortality. The story of Inanna's descent to the underworld tells of the goddess's journey to the land of the dead and her eventual return to the world of the living. Other notable myths include the story of the god Enki and the goddess Ninhursag, the myth of Ishtar's descent to the underworld, and the story of the god Dumuzid and his sister Geshtinanna.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the most famous and important works of ancient Mesopotamian literature. It is an epic poem that tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and his quest for immortality. The poem is thought to have been written around 2100 BCE, in the Sumerian language, but it was later translated into Akkadian.
The epic tells the story of Gilgamesh's adventures, including his friendship with the wild man Enkidu and their journey to the Cedar Forest to fight the monster Humbaba. After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh becomes obsessed with the fear of his own mortality and sets out on a journey to find the secret of immortality. He eventually meets Utnapishtim, the only human who has been granted immortality by the gods, and learns the secret of eternal life but fails to achieve it.
The epic also explores themes of friendship, loss, and the human condition, and it is considered one of the earliest known works of literature in world history. The poem was widely read in ancient Mesopotamia and had a significant influence on later literature in the region. The epic of Gilgamesh is still widely read and studied today, both for its historical and literary significance.
Sun Wukong - the monkey king. The most famous chinese myth
Chinese mythology refers to those myths found in the historical geographic area of China: these include myths in Chinese and other languages, as transmitted by Han Chinese and other ethnic groups, which have their own languages and myths.
Chinese mythology is a collection of myths, legends, and traditional stories that have been passed down over the centuries in China. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Chinese mythology:
- The story of the Jade Emperor: The Jade Emperor is the highest god in Chinese mythology and is known as the ruler of all gods and spirits. He is often depicted as a wise and benevolent ruler who governs the universe with fairness and justice.
- The story of the Four Symbols: The Four Symbols are four powerful creatures in Chinese mythology, each representing a different season and cardinal direction. They are the Black Tortoise, the White Tiger, the Blue Dragon, and the Red Phoenix.
- The story of Nüwa: Nüwa is a goddess in Chinese mythology and is known as the mother of mankind. She is often depicted as the creator of the world and the one who mends the sky after natural disasters.
- The story of Sun Wukong: Sun Wukong is a monkey king and a powerful figure in Chinese mythology. He is known for his intelligence, strength, and his ability to shape-shift. He is one of the most important characters in the classic novel "Journey to the West"
- The story of the Eight Immortals: The story of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology is a popular legend that tells of a group of eight legendary figures who possess supernatural powers and are able to achieve immortality. Each of the eight immortals has their own unique abilities and stories, but they are all united by their quest for enlightenment and their desire to help the people.
The Tumbuka people are an ethnic group that live primarily in northern Malawi
Tumbuka has many myths that constitute part of the Tumbuka cultural heritage.
These myths, told around fires at night, often to the accompaniment of drumming and choral responses, aim to teach children moral behavior and to entertain. The Tumbuka people are an ethnic group that live primarily in northern Malawi and eastern Zambia. Tumbuka mythology is rich with stories, myths and legends which are passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition. Some of the famous myths from Tumbuka mythology include:
The story of Mbulu:
Mbulu is the supreme being and creator of the Tumbuka people. He is often depicted as a powerful and benevolent god who watches over the Tumbuka people.
The story of Mwali:
Mwali is the god of war and is known for his strength and bravery. He is often invoked in times of conflict and is considered a protector of the Tumbuka people.
The story of Mlengi:
Mlengi is the god of fertility and is responsible for the abundance of crops and the growth of the Tumbuka people.
The story of Chaminuka:
Chaminuka is a powerful and wise ancestor who is considered to be the founder of the Tumbuka people. He is often invoked for guidance and wisdom.
The story of Mpherere:
Mpherere is the god of thunder and lightning and is known for his power and fury. He is often invoked to bring rain and is considered a protector of the Tumbuka people.
These myths, along with others, are used by the Tumbuka people to explain the origins of their people and their customs and to reinforce their traditional beliefs and values. Tumbuka people have a strong belief in traditional religion, ancestor worship and animism.
Celtic mythology refers to the polytheistic religious beliefs of the Celts
Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, the religion of the Iron Age Celts.Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure.
Celts were one of the most feared and admired peoples of ancient Europe. Ireland was a rich and fertile land with ancient and sophisticated culture. The monks of Ireland became famous scribes who wrote down native Irish stories of gods and goddesses battling for the control of island in epic wars, heroes engaged in endless combat to win undying glory, to voyage across the sea to magical islands. Divine women with the gift of their sexuality could control the power of kings.
Famous Myths of Celtic Mythology
-
The myth of Cuchulainn
Cuchulainn is a legendary warrior of Irish mythology, known for his superhuman strength and courage.
-
The myth of The Children of Lir
A tragic tale of a king who turned his children into swans for 900 years, as punishment for his stepmother's cruelty towards them.
-
The myth of The Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann are a race of powerful and magical beings in Irish mythology, who were said to have inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Celts.
-
The myth of The Loch Ness Monster
The Loch Ness Monster is a mythical creature that is said to reside in Loch Ness in Scotland, it's a creature of legend, described as giant serpent or dragon-like beast.
-
The myth of King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary figure in British mythology, who is said to have led the defense of Britain against the Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
Mythological legends and deities
Greek-mythology
Messene in Greek Legendary History
Messene is a figure from Greek legendary history, recognized chiefly as the daughter of Triopas. She is not a central figure in the mainstream myths but plays a role in the legendary history and lineage of certain regions in ancient Greece.
Background
Messene was the daughter of Triopas, a king in Thessaly. In some accounts, Triopas is noted for his impiety and for having torn down a temple to Demeter to use its materials to build his palace. Messene's story is largely overshadowed by the deeds and reputation of her father.
Legacy
The most notable aspect of Messene's legacy is her association with the region of Messenia in the Peloponnese. According to some traditions, the region was named after her, highlighting the common practice in ancient times of eponymous naming - naming places after legendary or mythological figures.
Messene's role in Greek legendary history, while not as prominent as other mythological figures, reflects the rich tapestry of stories and characters that form the backdrop of ancient Greek culture and tradition.
Hittite-Mythology
Hebat is the Hittite earth goddess, associated with fertility and motherhood. She is depicted as a nurturing figure bringing abundance to the land.
mesopotamian-mythology
Goddess of love, beauty, sex, desire, fertility, war, and justice. Associated with the planet Venus and known for her descent into the underworld.
persian-mythology
Legendary king in Persian mythology, credited with the invention of wine and the establishment of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
Greek-mythology
In Greek mythology, Protesilaus was a hero in the Iliad who was venerated at cult sites in Thessaly and Thrace. Protesilaus was the son of Iphiclus, a "lord of many sheep"; as grandson of the eponymous Phylacos, he was the leader of the Phylaceans.
Arabian-mythology, Persian-mythology
A benevolent mythical bird in Persian and Arabian mythology, often depicted as a wise and nurturing creature.
Roman-Mythology
King of the gods, ruler of Mount Olympus, and god of the sky and thunder. Known for his power, authority, and many love affairs.
egyptian-mythology
Lioness-headed goddess of war and healing
Slavic-mythology
The personification of frost in Slavic folklore, often depicted as an old man who brings cold weather and frost.
Slavic-mythology
A Slavic god associated with earth, waters, and the underworld, often depicted as a serpent or dragon.
Greek-mythology
Trophonius was a figure in Greek mythology associated with the Oracle of Delphi. He was the son of the god Apollo and a mortal woman, and was believed to have been the founder of two shrines at the site of Delphi. Legend states that Trophonius was a skilled architect, and he was responsible for the construction of a temple to Apollo at Delphi. He was also said to have built a temple to the goddess Demeter at Lebadea. It was believed that Trophonius could foretell the future and provide advice to those seeking it from the Oracle of Delphi. He was also said to have been a great healer and an advisor to kings.
Celtic-mythology
In another fascinating example of Gallo-Roman syncretism, Grannus was perceived as one of the (originally) Celtic gods of healing, who was later associated with Apollo and often venerated as a composite deity of Apollo-Grannus in the Roman world. To that end, Grannus was typically linked to the hot springs and often worshipped in conjunction with Sirona – a Celtic goddess of healing
Movies inspired by Mythology
Storming to a New High in High Adventure !
Fred C. Dobbs and Bob Curtin, both down on their luck in Tampico, Mexico in 1925, meet up with a grizzled prospector named Howard and decide to join with him in search of gold in the wilds of central Mexico. Through enormous difficulties, they eventually succeed in finding gold, but bandits, the elements, and most especially greed threaten to turn their success into disaster. Written by Jim Beaver Two Americans searching for work in Mexico convince an old prospector to help them mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains.
An Epic Journey of Adventure and Discovery
The warrior King Odysseus leaves his idyllic life in the kingdom of Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War. After winning the war, he now must endure a lengthy, ten-year journey to return, and with all his wits, Odysseus must overcome deadly monsters, powerful forces of nature, seductive enchantresses, and even journey into the bowels of the Underworld. Season: 1 Year: 1997
The Battle for a Legendary City
Based loosely on Homers ancient Greek epic poem 'Iliad', Troy: Fall of a City tells the story of the 10 year siege of the ancient city of Troy by the Greeks, after Paris, the young prince of Troy falls in love with the wife of a Greek king and elopes with her. Written by ol-raptis Season: 1 Year: 2018
He didn't want to be a hero. He only wanted a job.
Flynn, an over 30 "professional student," is banned from more classes, since he already has 22 degrees. Unexpectedly hired by a mysterious library, he's soon pursuing a stolen artifact from the library, a pursuit taking him to far-off lands. Written by trivwhiz A bookworm becomes the librarian. Same night a magical spear gets stolen and he's off to get some real life experience around the globe on his quest for the spear - starting with being...
Indiana Jones - the new hero from the creators of JAWS and STAR WARS.
The year is 1936. An archeology professor named Indiana Jones is venturing in the jungles of South America searching for a golden statue. Unfortunately, he sets off a deadly trap but miraculously escapes. Then, Jones hears from a museum curator named Marcus Brody about a biblical artifact called The Ark of the Covenant, which can hold the key to humanly existence. Jones has to venture to vast places such as Nepal and Egypt to find this artifact. However, he will have to fight his enemy Rene Belloq and a band of Nazis in order to reach it. Written by John Wiggins In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before Adolf Hitler's Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
