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.

Mythology 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

Inuit Mythology

Inuit mythology is the traditional belief system of the Inuit people, who live in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Inuit mythology:

The story of Sedna

Sedna is the goddess of the sea and marine animals in Inuit mythology. She is known for her role as the provider of food and is often invoked to ensure a good hunt.

The story of the Raven

The Raven is a powerful trickster figure in Inuit mythology and is known for his intelligence and cunning. He is often depicted as the creator of the world and is considered a bringer of culture and wisdom to the Inuit people.

The story of the Inuit ancestor

The Inuit ancestor is the first human being created by the god, Raven. This figure is considered as the first ancestor of the Inuit people, and his children are considered as the founders of different Inuit tribes and clans.

The story of the spirits

Inuit 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 Inuit 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.

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

Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices.

Famous Myths of Greek Mythology

• The myth of the Titans

  The Titans were the gods that preceded the Olympians, they were the children of the primordial deities Uranus and Gaia. The Titans were overthrown by Zeus and the Olympians in a ten-year war called the Titanomachy.

• The myth of the Olympians

  The Olympians were the principal gods of the Greek pantheon, who lived on Mount Olympus. The most famous Olympians were Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, Dionysus, and Hestia.

• The myth of the Minotaur

  The Minotaur was a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull, that was kept in the Labyrinth, a maze built by Daedalus for King Minos of Crete. The Minotaur was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus.

• The myth of the Labors of Hercules

  Hercules, also known as Heracles, was a demigod who performed twelve impossible tasks, known as the Labors of Hercules, as atonement for killing his family. These tasks included slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Erymanthian Boar, and cleaning the Augean Stables.

• The myth of the Argonauts

  The Argonauts were a band of heroes who sailed with Jason on the ship Argo to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which was guarded by a dragon. The Argonauts included heroes such as Heracles, Orpheus, and Castor and Pollux.

• The myth of the Trojan War

  The Trojan War was a legendary war fought between the city of Troy and the Greeks. It was said to have been sparked by the abduction of Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, by the Trojan prince Paris.

Greek Mythology Heritage Tree

This heritage tree represents some of the key figures in Greek mythology, particularly the Olympian gods and their ancestors.

• Titan Cronus
  • Zeus
    • Athena
    • Apollo
    • Artemis
    • Hermes
    • Persephone (with Demeter)
    • Dionysus
  • Hera
    • Hephaestus
    • Ares
    • Hebe
  • Poseidon
    • Triton
    • Polyphemus
  • Hades

Slavic paganism or Slavic religion define the religious beliefs, godlores and ritual practices of the Slavs before the formal Christianisation of their ruling elites.

Famous Myths of Slavic Mythology

• The myth of Perun

  Perun is the god of thunder and lightning in Slavic mythology, he is often seen as the chief deity and protector of the tribe.

• The myth of Veles

  Veles is the god of earth, waters, and the underworld in Slavic mythology, he is often associated with the power of magic and witchcraft.

• The myth of Svarog

  Svarog is the god of fire, metalworking and fate in Slavic mythology, he was considered as the father of the gods and the creator of the world.

• The myth of Dazhbog

  Dazhbog is the god of the sun, warmth and light in Slavic mythology, he was often associated with the power of fertility and agriculture.

• The myth of Baba Yaga

  Baba Yaga is a witch-like figure in Slavic mythology, known for her supernatural powers and her ability to fly. She is sometimes seen as a helpful figure, while other times she is seen as a malevolent force.

• The myth of Kostroma

  Kostroma is a goddess of fertility and love in Slavic mythology, she was often associated with the power of spring and renewal.

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.

The Bantu Mythology

The Bantu mythology is the system of myths and legends of the Bantu peoples of Africa. Although Bantu peoples account for several hundred different ethnic groups, there is a high degree of homogeneity in Bantu cultures and mythologies, just as in Bantu languages.

The Bantu people, who live in many parts of Africa, have a rich and diverse mythology that includes many different stories and legends. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Bantu mythology: The Creation Myth

The Bantu believe that the world was created by a god or gods, who formed the earth, sky, and all living things. Different Bantu 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 Bantu legend, the first human, named Likumbi, was created by the god or gods. Different Bantu 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 Bantu believe that fire was brought to earth by a god or goddess, who gave it to humans as a gift. Different Bantu 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 Bantu believe that the first rain was brought to the world by a god or goddess, who sent it to earth as a gift. Different Bantu groups have different stories about how rain was brought to earth, but they often involve a god or goddess opening up the sky to let the rain fall or sending a messenger to earth to bring the rain.

The Myth of the Afterlife

The Bantu people have different beliefs about the afterlife, but some of the most common are a belief in a heaven and hell, a belief that the dead go to the land of the ancestors or a belief that the soul is reincarnated.

Hanuman is featured in the great Hindu epic the Ramayana. He earned his path to deification by performing feats of strength, devotion, and courage while helping Rama (an avatar of Vishnu) in countless exciting incidents.

Lycurgus was the quasi-legendary lawgiver of Sparta who established the military-oriented reformation of Spartan society in accordance with the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi.

Legendary hero in Persian mythology, known for his strength and bravery. Central figure in the Shahnameh epic.

Bellerophon was a famous Greek hero, mostly known for defeating Chimera, a fire-breathing mythical monster. He was also recognised by riding white Pegasus which was a sort of a gift from Athena for his devotion to the goddess. Bellerophon was, according to Homer's Iliad, a son of Glaucus and Eurymede of Corinth.

God of war, pestilence, and the sun in ancient Mesopotamian religion. Associated with fire and destruction.

Parrhasius of Ephesus

Parrhasius of Ephesus was a celebrated painter of ancient Greece, renowned for his skill and innovation in the art of painting. He lived during the 5th century BCE and was a contemporary of other famous artists like Zeuxis.

Life and Career

Parrhasius was born in Ephesus, a city known for its cultural and artistic achievements. He later moved to Athens, where he became an influential figure in the art world. Parrhasius was known for his precise and detailed painting style, and he played a significant role in the development of graphical perspective in art.

Contributions to Art

One of Parrhasius' most notable contributions was his exploration of the use of lines and contours in painting. He is often credited with refining the technique of drawing outlines, bringing a new level of realism to his depictions of the human form.

Famous Works and Rivalry with Zeuxis

While none of Parrhasius' works survive to the present day, his fame is well-documented through ancient texts. He is famously known for his artistic rivalry with Zeuxis. In one anecdote, Parrhasius painted a curtain so realistically that Zeuxis, thinking it was a real curtain, tried to pull it aside.

Parrhasius' legacy in the world of art is marked by his innovation and mastery of technique, making him one of the celebrated painters of ancient Greece and an influential figure in the history of art.

n contrast to the brooding aspects of Morrigan, Brigid, in pre-Christianity Ireland, was regarded as the Celtic goddess of healing, spring season, and even smithcraft. In the mythical narrative, she is the daughter of the Dagda and thus a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Curiously enough, in Lebor Gabála Ãrenn (The Book of the Taking of Ireland collection of poems compiled in the 11th century AD), she is mentioned to have a quite a few domesticated animals, ranging from oxen, the king of boars, to sheep – and these critters used to cry out as a warning to the goddess.

Oedipus, in Greek mythology, the king of Thebes who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother. Homer related that Oedipus's wife and mother hanged herself when the truth of their relationship became known, though Oedipus apparently continued to rule at Thebes until his death.

Beyond syncretism, there were also sole Celtic gods worshipped in the pantheon of the ancient Gallo-Roman religion and even Rome itself. Epona belonged to the rare second category. Regarded as the female deity and protector of horses, donkeys, and mules (etymologically, the word ‘Epona’ is derived from Proto-Celtic *ekwos – meaning horse), the Celtic goddess was also possibly associated with fertility – given the visual cues of patera, cornucopia, and foals in some of her extant sculptures. And talking of depictions, most of the dedicatory inscriptions to Epona (found by archaeologists) were made in Latin (as opposed to Celtic), thus suggesting her popularity in the Roman world.

Helgi Hundingsbane is a hero in Norse sagas. Helgi appears in Volsunga saga and in two lays in the Poetic Edda named Helgakviða Hundingsbana I and Helgakviða Hundingsbana II. The Poetic Edda relates that Helgi and his mistress Sigrún were Helgi Hjörvarðsson and Sváva of the Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar reborn. They were once again reborn as Helgi Haddingjaskati and Kára whose story survives as a part of the Hrómundar saga Gripssonar.

Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar

"Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar" is a poem from the Poetic Edda, an ancient collection of Old Norse poems. This particular poem is one of the legendary sagas, telling the story of Helgi Hjörvarðsson, a hero in Norse mythology.

Story of Helgi Hjörvarðsson

The poem narrates the tale of Helgi, who is a prince and a great warrior. It chronicles his adventures, battles, and his love for the valkyrie Sváva. The saga combines elements of romance and heroism, typical of the Norse legendary sagas.

Themes and Significance

"Helgakviða Hjörvarðssonar" is significant for its portrayal of Norse heroism, the interaction between the mortal and the divine, and its exploration of fate and destiny. It is a quintessential example of the richness of Norse mythology and its storytelling tradition.

Legacy in Norse Literature

The poem is an important part of Norse literature and has been studied for its historical, cultural, and literary value. It offers insights into the beliefs, values, and imagination of the Norse people.

The saga of Helgi Hjörvarðsson, like other tales from the Poetic Edda, continues to be a subject of interest and inspiration in modern literature, art, and culture, reflecting the enduring legacy of Norse mythology.

A giant fish or whale that supports the earth in Arabian mythology, sometimes depicted as a giant serpent.

A prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) set in 1935, the year before, the professor, archaeologist and adventurer by the name of Indiana Jones is back in action in his latest adventure. This time he teams up with a nightclub singer named Wilhelmina "Willie" Scott and a twelve-year-old Chinese boy named Short Round. They end up in a small distressed village in India, where the people believe that evil spirits have taken all their children away after a sacred precious stone was stolen. They also discover the great mysterious terror surrounding a booby-trapped temple known as the Temple of Doom. Thuggee is beginning to attempt to rise once more, believing that with the power of all five Sankara stones they can rule the world. It's all up to Indiana to put an end to the Thuggee campaign, rescue the lost children, win the girl and conquer the Temple of Doom. Written by Anthony Pereyra In 1935, Indiana Jones arrives in India, still part of the British Empire, and is asked to find a mystical stone. He then stumbles upon a secret cult committing enslavement and human...

Master explorer and former US Navy Seal Dirk Pitt and his wisecracking buddy Al Giordino goes on the adventure of a lifetime of seeking out a lost Civil War ironclad battleship known as the "Ship of Death" that protects a secret cargo is lost somewhere in the deserts of West Africa. But while the two cross paths with a beautiful and brilliant U.N. scientist Dr. Eva Rojas who is being hounded by a ruthless dictator. She believes that the hidden treasure may be connected to a larger problem that threatens the world around them. Hunting for a ship that no one else thinks exists, Dirk, Al, and Eva must rely on their wits and their daring heroics to outsmart dangerous warlords, survive the threatening terrain, and get to the bottom of both mysteries. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com} Master explorer Dirk Pitt goes on the adventure of a lifetime of seeking out a lost Civil War battleship known as the "Ship of Death" in the deserts of West Africa while helping a WHO doctor...

A Persian sailor named Sinbad is on a quest to find the magical legendary Book of Peace, a mysterious artifact that Eris, the Greek wicked goddess of chaos, has ultimately framed him for stealing! If he fails on this quest, his childhood friend Prince Proteus of Syracuse will take Sindbad's death penalty, while Eris gains a desired foothold of power in the world of mortals. Written by Anthony Pereyra (hypersonic91yahoo.com) The sailor of legend is framed by the goddess Eris for the theft of the Book of Peace, and must travel to her realm at the end of the world to retrieve it and save the life of his childhood...

This classic (Greek) tale tells how a noble youth accidentally marries his own mother, kills his own father (deliberately) and ends up paying a terrible price for invoking the wrath of the Gods. Written by Steve Crook This classic (Greek) tale tells how a noble youth accidentally marries his own mother, kills his own father (deliberately) and ends up paying a terrible price for invoking the wrath of the...

Hercules, son of the Greek God, Zeus, is turned into a half-god, half-mortal by evil Hades, God of the Underworld, who plans to overthrow Zeus. Hercules is raised on Earth and retains his god-like strength, but when he discovers his immortal heritage Zeus tells him that to return to Mount Olympus he must become a true hero. Hercules becomes a famous hero with the help of his friend Pegasus and his personal trainer, Phil the satyr. Hercules battles monsters, Hades and the Titans, but it is his self-sacrifice to rescue his love Meg which makes him a true hero. Written by Kristi Connolly The son of Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero in order to reclaim it.