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Myth and mythologies - Relish Folkore
Myth and Mythologies

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

Famous Myths
The Great Flood

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.

Creation Myths

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.

Epic cosmic battles

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.

The Atlantis Myth

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.

Resurrection

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.

Mythical Creatures

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.

The Hero’s Quest

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.

Underworld

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.

Apocalypse

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.

Mythology Facts

Learn a few fun facts

Mythology facts.

"Interesting facts on mythology"
Scarlet Woman

The red clothes worn by Hindu brides are associated with "scarlet women" in Christianity

Symbol of Purity

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.

Symbol of Virility

The goat, the symbol of virility that is sacrificed to the Hindu Goddess, is the symbol of the devil in the biblical worldview.

Yoginis

The yoginis of Hinduism, who are handmaidens of the Goddess and are wild erotic creatures, recall the witches coven of the Christian mythosphere.

Pentagram

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.

Dark drinker of the blood

'described in Western literature as the "dark drinker of blood" and is associated with witchcraft.

The Serpent

The serpent, which is associated with earth's fertility and occult wisdom in Hinduism, is considered a manifestation of the devil in biblical traditions.

Swastika

To the Western eye the swastika is the symbol of Hitler and the Holocaust. To Hindus it is associated with auspiciousness and fertility.

Demon

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

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

Sami Mythology

The Sami people are an indigenous people of the Arctic regions

"The Sami people are an indigenous people of the Arctic regions"

According to the Sámi world view, man and nature were one. To the Sámi people, nature was home, a way of life, the past and the future. In the Sámi world view, as in that of other arctic peoples, the well-being of man and nature alike was directly dependent upon the balance between the two.

The Sami people are an indigenous people of the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Their traditional belief system is known as Sami mythology, which includes a rich collection of myths, legends, and religious beliefs. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Sami mythology:

The story of the creation of the world: According to Sami mythology, the world was created by the god, Radien-attje, who is the supreme god and creator of the universe.

The story of the Sami ancestor: The Sami ancestor is the first human being created by the god, Radien-attje. This figure is considered as the first ancestor of the Sami people and his children are considered as the founders of different Sami tribes and clans.

The story of the spirits: Sami mythology is rich with different kind of spirits, such as animal spirits, ancestor spirits, and nature spirits, who are believed to have great power and influence over the natural world.

The story of the shamans: In Sami mythology, shamans are considered as powerful intermediaries between the human and the spiritual world. They are known for their ability to communicate with spirits and to heal the sick through their spiritual powers.

The story of the Nattravnen: Nattravnen is a spirit of the night, known for its ability to shape-shift and for its mischievous nature. It is often depicted as a bird or an owl.

These myths, along with others, are used by the Sami people to explain the origins of their people and their customs and to reinforce their traditional beliefs and values. The Sami traditional religion was based on animism, ancestor worship, and shamanism.

Masai Mythology

The Maasai mythology involves several beliefs of the Maasai people

"The Maasai mythology involves several beliefs of the Maasai people"

The Maasai mythology involves several beliefs of the Maasai people, an ethnic group living in Kenya and Tanzania.

The Maasai people are a semi-nomadic ethnic group that lives in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They have a rich oral tradition that includes myths, legends, and stories that are passed down from generation to generation. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Maasai mythology:

The creation myth:

The Maasai believe that the world was created by Enkai, the god of the sky and rain. He created the first Maasai people and the animals, and he gave them all the land to live on.

The story of the rainbow:

The Maasai believe that the rainbow is a bridge between the world of the living and the world of the dead. The rainbow is said to be created by Enkai, and it is a sign that he is watching over the Maasai people.

The story of the baobab tree:

The Maasai believe that the baobab tree is sacred and that it was created by Enkai to provide food and shelter for the animals. They also believe that the tree is a source of wisdom and that it holds the secrets of the universe.

The story of the lion:

The Maasai believe that the lion is a sacred animal and that it is a symbol of strength and courage. They also believe that the lion is a messenger of Enkai and that it brings important messages to the Maasai people.

These myths, along with others, are used by the Maasai to explain the origins of their people and their customs and to reinforce their traditional beliefs and values.

KhoiKhoi Mythology

The traditional religion and mythology of the San people

"The traditional religion and mythology of the San people"

The Traditional Religion and Mythology of the San People

The Khoikhoi people, also known as the Khoisan, are a group of indigenous people who live in southern Africa. They have a rich and diverse mythology that reflects their culture and beliefs. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Khoikhoi mythology:

The Creation Myth

The Khoikhoi believe that the world was created by a god or gods, who formed the earth, sky, and all living things. Different Khoikhoi groups have different creation stories, but they often involve the god or gods creating the world out of chaos or darkness.

The Myth of the First Human

According to Khoikhoi legend, the first human, named /Kaggen, was created by the god or gods. Different Khoikhoi groups have different stories about how the first human was created, but they often involve the god or gods fashioning the first human out of clay or dust.

The Myth of the First Fire

The Khoikhoi believe that fire was brought to earth by a god or goddess, who gave it to humans as a gift. Different Khoikhoi groups have different stories about how fire was brought to earth, but they often involve a trickster figure stealing fire from the gods or a god or goddess giving fire to humans as a reward for good behavior.

The Myth of the First Rain

The Khoikhoi believe that the first rain was brought to the world by a god or goddess, who sent it to earth as a gift. Different Khoikhoi groups have different stories about how the first rain was brought to earth, but they often involve a god or goddess sending the rain to earth as a gift.

Arabian Mythology

Some say that Kaaba was built by the angels.

"Some say that Kaaba was built by the angels."

Religion in pre-Islamic Arabia was a mix of polytheism, Christianity, Judaism, and Iranian religions. Arab polytheism, the dominant form of religion in pre-Islamic Arabia, was based on veneration of deities and other rituals.

Famous Myths of Arabian Mythology

  • The myth of djinn

    The djinn are supernatural spirits in Arabian mythology that can be good or evil, they are often associated with fire and can take human form.

  • The myth of Al-Khidr

    Al-Khidr is a mysterious figure in Islamic mythology, also known as the "Green Man." He is believed to have knowledge of all things and is often associated with water and the afterlife.

  • The myth of Harut and Marut

    Harut and Marut were two angels in Islamic mythology who were sent to Earth to test the faith of the people. They were tempted by the devil and ultimately fell from grace.

  • The myth of Iblis

    Iblis is the Islamic equivalent of Satan. He was once an angel, but was cast out of heaven for his pride and refusal to bow to Adam.

  • The myth of the seven sleepers

    The seven sleepers is a story from Islamic tradition about seven young men who sought refuge in a cave to escape persecution. They fell asleep and awoke years later, to find that the world had changed.

  • The myth of Solomon

    Solomon is a prophet in Islamic and Jewish mythology, who is known for his wisdom and power. He is said to have had control over the djinn, birds, and the wind.

Hindu Mythology

Most Indian myths and legends have been derived from two of its epic poems, Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as from the ancient Hindu texts, Puranas.

"Most Indian myths and legends have been derived from two of its epic poems, Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as from the ancient Hindu texts, Puranas."

In India a different worldview evolved over four thousand years, with the concepts responding to various sociocultural phenomena and transforming with the words of wise men to satisfy the needs of the local population

There are many famous myths in Indian mythology, here are a few examples:

  • The Ramayana, which tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of his wife, Sita, from the demon king, Ravana.
  • The Mahabharata, which is one of the longest epic poems in the world and tells the story of a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura.
  • The story of Lord Vishnu taking the form of a fish to save the world from a great flood.
  • The story of Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati, and their son, Lord Ganesha.
  • The story of Lord Krishna, who is considered a supreme deity in Hinduism and is known for his wisdom and his role in the Mahabharata.
  • The story of the Trimurti, which tells of the three main gods in Hinduism- Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
  • The story of creation according to Hindu mythology is also an important one, which explains how the world and all living beings came into being.

Gods and Goddesses

Mythological legends and deities

Telepinu

Hittite-Mythology

"telepinu"

In Hittite mythology, Telepinu is the god of agriculture and fertility. He was once lost but found again, bringing about the revival of the land.

Bogatyr

Slavic-mythology

"bogatyr"

Legendary heroes in Slavic tales, known for their bravery and strength in defending the people against supernatural threats.

Lars Porsena

Etruscan-mythology, Roman-mythology

"lars_porsena"

A legendary Etruscan king known for his wars with Rome, featured in Roman and Etruscan folklore.

Jupiter (Zeus)

Roman-Mythology

"jupiter"

King of the gods, ruler of Mount Olympus, and god of the sky and thunder. Known for his power, authority, and many love affairs.

balder

Norse-mythology

"balder"

The son of Odin and Frigg is Balder, the god of innocence and piety. He is so bright and fair that light shines from his features; he is also wise, eloquent, gentle, and lenient, and righteous to such a degree that his judgments stand always unshaken. His home and stronghold is called Breidablik; 4 there nothing impure may find lodgment. His wife is the faithful Nanna, daughter of Nep. His son is the righteous Forseti. Balder was killed by his brother Hod, but after the destruction of the universe he will return again. 1 The cult of Balder is mentioned only in the late, unhistorical Fridthjof’s Saga; from this source we learn that he had a great sanctuary, Baldershagi, somewhere in Sogn. 2

Kaveh the Blacksmith

persian-mythology

"kaveh_the_blacksmith"

Heroic figure in Persian folklore, who led a revolt against the tyrant Zahhak and helped liberate the people.

Indra, the King of Heaven and lord of the gods

hindu-mythology

"indra_the_king_of_heaven_and_lord_of_the_gods"

Indra wields a thunderbolt and is a protector and provider of rain.

Hervor

Norse-mythology

"hervor"

Hervor is the name of two female characters in the cycle of the magic sword Tyrfing, presented in Hervarar saga with parts found in the Poetic Edda. One, the viking Hervör, challenged her father Angantýr's ghost in his gravemound for his cursed sword Tyrfing, and bore Heithrek, father of the other Hervör, a commander killed in battle with her brother. The two are thought by some academics to be the same character, duplicated.[1] Additionally, Hervor is the name of a valkyrie married by Völund in the Poetic Edda poem Völundarkviða, see Hervör alvitr.

Koshchei the Deathless

Slavic-mythology

"koshchei"

An immortal villain in Slavic tales, often depicted as a skeletal figure who cannot be killed because his soul is hidden away.

Pandion

Greek-mythology

"pandion"

Pandion in Greek Mythology

Pandion is a name attributed to two legendary kings of Athens in Greek mythology. Both are relatively less prominent figures compared to other mythological characters but play a role in the mythological lineage of Athenian rulers.

Pandion I

Pandion I was said to be a king of Athens, the son of Erichthonius, and a descendant of Hephaestus. His reign was marked by relative peace and he was known for his contributions to the expansion and prosperity of the city.

  • Family: Pandion I married Zeuxippe, and they had four children: Procne, Philomela, Erechtheus, and Butes.
  • Mythological Tales: He is often associated with the tragic story of his daughters, Procne and Philomela, which involves transformation and revenge.

Pandion II

Pandion II, sometimes confused with Pandion I, was also a mythological king of Athens. His reign is less defined but he is noted in various genealogies of Greek mythology.

  • Family: He was the son of Cecrops II and fathered four sons: Aegeus, Pallas, Nisos, and Lycus.
  • Significance: He is notable mainly for his descendants, who include Aegeus, the father of the hero Theseus.

While not central figures in Greek mythology, the Pandions contribute to the complex and rich tapestry of Athenian mythological history and lineage.

Romulus and Remus

Roman-Mythology

"romulus_and_remus"

Twin brothers raised by a she-wolf who later founded the city of Rome. Romulus killed Remus and became the first king of Rome.

Hippothoon

Greek-mythology

"hippothoon"

Hippothoon in Greek Mythology

Hippothoon was an Attic hero in Greek mythology, known for his distinguished lineage as the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Alope, daughter of King Cercyon.

Lineage and Background

As a son of Poseidon, Hippothoon had a divine heritage. His mother, Alope, was a mortal princess, making Hippothoon a demigod. The story of Alope, his mother, is one marked by tragedy and divine intervention, which ultimately led to the birth of Hippothoon.

The Tale of Hippothoon

The tale of Hippothoon's birth is interwoven with the story of his mother, Alope, who was seduced by Poseidon. Alope's father, King Cercyon, was enraged upon discovering her pregnancy and ordered the newborn baby to be exposed. The child was saved and nourished by a mare, which is sometimes said to have contributed to his name.

Significance in Attic Legend

Hippothoon's legacy is significant in Attic legend. He was considered an eponymous hero in the region of Attica, with the tribe Hippothoontis named after him. This reflects the ancient Greek practice of attributing tribal names to legendary heroes.

Hippothoon's story, while not as widely known as those of other demigods, is an example of the rich and diverse tapestry of characters that populate Greek mythology, each contributing to the cultural and legendary history of ancient Greece.

Mythology in pop culture

Movies inspired by Mythology

Troy

For Honor

"Troy"

It is the year 1250 B.C. during the late Bronze age. Two emerging nations begin to clash after Paris, the Trojan prince, convinces Helen, Queen of Sparta, to leave her husband, Menelaus, and sail with him back to Troy. After Menelaus finds out that his wife was taken by the Trojans, he asks his brother Agamemnon to help him get her back. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity for power. So they set off with 1,000 ships holding 50,000 Greeks to Troy. With the help of Achilles, the Greeks are able to fight the never before defeated Trojans. But they come to a stop by Hector, Prince of Troy. The whole movie shows their battle struggles and the foreshadowing of fate in this remake by Wolfgang Petersen of Homer's "The Iliad." Written by Mensur Gjonbalaj An adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.

The Librarian: Quest for the Spear

He didn't want to be a hero. He only wanted a job.

"The Librarian: Quest for the Spear"

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...

Sands of Oblivion

Uncovering the truth will unleash a nightmare

"Sands of Oblivion"

In 1923, legendary film Director Cecil B. DeMille finished the epic film, The Ten Commandments (1923). After filming was completed, he bulldozed the sets into the Guadalupe Sand Dunes of the central California coast. His reasons for doing so were very mysterious. This story gives a fictional explanation as to why he did it. There was a legitimate Egyptian artifact amongst the props, but they didn't know which one was trapping the spirit of an Egyptian avenging god. Mysterious murders and accidents while making the film brings things back to the surface today, and it starts all over again. Written by anonymous In 1923, legendary film Director Cecil B. DeMille finished the epic film, The Ten Commandments (1923). After filming was completed, he bulldozed the sets into the Guadalupe Sand Dunes of the...

Clash of the Titans

An Epic Entertainment Spectacular!

"Clash of the Titans"

Perseus is the favored son of the god Zeus, but he has unwittingly ticked off the sea goddess Thetis. Just to make things worse, Perseus falls in love with the lovely Princess Andromeda, who used to be engaged to Thetis' son. Soon Perseus is off on one quest after another, with Zeus helping, Thetis hindering, and lots of innocent bystanders getting stabbed, drowned, and squished. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com} Perseus must battle Medusa and the Kraken to save the Princess Andromeda.

Aladdin

A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.

"Aladdin"

A kind-hearted street urchin Aladdin vies for the love of the beautiful princess Jasmine, the princess of Agrabah. When he finds a magic lamp, he uses the genie's magic power to make himself a prince in order to marry her. He's also on a mission to stop the powerful Jafar who plots to steal the magic lamp that could make his deepest wishes come true