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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

Japanese Mythology

The myth of the eight-headed serpent, Yamata no Orochi

"The myth of the eight-headed serpent, Yamata no Orochi"

Japanese mythology encompasses the folk traditions of Japan and the Shinto religion. It is a collection of stories, beliefs, and customs that have been passed down through generations. The stories often revolve around the creation of the world, the deeds of the gods and goddesses, and the lives of heroes and monsters.

Famous Myths of Japanese Mythology

  • The myth of the creation of Japan

    According to Japanese mythology, the god Izanagi and goddess Izanami were responsible for the creation of the Japanese islands. They stood on the bridge between heaven and earth and dipped a spear into the water, creating the first island of Onogoro.

  • The myth of Amaterasu

    Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun and the ancestor of the Imperial Family of Japan. She is said to have been offended by her brother's behavior and retreated into a cave, causing the world to become dark. Her eventual return to the world brought light and warmth back to the land.

  • The myth of Susano-o

    Susano-o is the god of sea and storms, as well as brother of Amaterasu. He is known for his reckless and impulsive behavior, which often causes trouble for the other gods.

  • The myth of the eight-headed serpent, Yamata no Orochi

    Yamata no Orochi is a giant serpent with eight heads and eight tails, who terrorized an ancient province in Japan. He was eventually defeated by the god Susano-o, who saved a maiden and her brothers from the serpent's attacks.

  • The myth of the Tengu

    Tengu are supernatural creatures that are half-human

    Bantu Mythology

    The Bantu believe that fire was brought to earth by a god or goddess, who gave it to humans as a gift.

    "The Bantu believe that fire was brought to earth by a god or goddess, who gave it to humans as a gift."

    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.

    Finnish Mythology

    Finnish mythology is a commonly applied description of the folklore of Finnish paganism

    "Finnish mythology is a commonly applied description of the folklore of Finnish paganism"

    Finnish mythology is a commonly applied description of the folklore of Finnish paganism, of which a modern revival is practiced by a small percentage of the Finnish people. Finnish mythology is the traditional belief system of the Finnish people, and it is closely related to the mythology of other Finno-Ugric peoples such as the Estonians and the Hungarians. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Finnish mythology:

    The story of the creation of the world: According to Finnish mythology, the world was created by Ilmatar, a primal goddess of the air and the sky.

    The story of Väinämöinen: Väinämöinen is a powerful and wise sorcerer in Finnish mythology, who is considered as one of the main characters of the Kalevala, a traditional epic poem of Finland. He is known for his wisdom and his role as a culture hero.

    The story of Kullervo: Kullervo is a tragic hero of the Finnish mythology and is considered as one of the main characters of the Kalevala. He is known for his misfortune, his tragic fate and his power.

    The story of Joukahainen: Joukahainen is a rival of Väinämöinen in the Kalevala, who is known for his arrogance and his defeat by Väinämöinen

    The story of Lemminkäinen: Lemminkäinen is another character of the Kalevala, known for his romantic adventures and his quest to win the hand of the Maiden of the North.

    These myths, along with others, are used by the Finnish people to explain the origins of their people and their customs and to reinforce their traditional beliefs and values. The Finnish traditional religion was a mixture of animism, nature worship, and ancestor worship.

    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.

    Akamba Mythology

    The Akamba people, who live in Kenya, have a rich and diverse mythology

    "The Akamba people, who live in Kenya, have a rich and diverse mythology"

    The Kamba or Akamba people are a Bantu ethnic group - or tribe - who live in the semi-arid formerly Eastern Province of Kenya stretching east from Nairobi to Tsavo and north up to Embu, Kenya.

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

    The creation myth:

    The Akamba believe that the world was created by a god named Mulungu, who formed the earth and sky, the sun and moon, and all living things.

    The myth of the first woman:

    According to Akamba legend, the first woman, named Wambui, was created from a rib taken from the first man, named Kintu.

    The myth of the first fire:

    The Akamba believe that fire was brought to earth by a bird named Kibokolo, who stole it from the gods and gave it to humans.

    The myth of the first fruit trees:

    The Akamba believe that the first fruit trees were created by a goddess named Nzambi, who planted them in the garden of the first man and woman.

    The myth of the first death:

    The Akamba believe that death was brought to the world by a god named Kibuka, who punished humans for their disobedience.

    The myth of the first rain:

    The Akamba believe that the first rain was brought to the world by a god named Kibuka, who punished humans for their disobedience.

    Please note that this is just a small sample of the Akamba mythology stories, and there are many more myths and legends that are important to the Akamba people.

Gods and Goddesses

Mythological legends and deities

Lars Porsena

Etruscan-mythology, Roman-mythology

"lars_porsena"

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

Morozko

Slavic-mythology

"morozko"

The personification of frost in Slavic folklore, often depicted as an old man who brings cold weather and frost.

Leshy

Slavic-mythology

"leshy"

A forest spirit in Slavic folklore who protects animals and forests, but can also lead travelers astray.

Isis

egyptian-mythology

"Isis"

Goddess of magic, motherhood and fertility who protected the dead

Veles

Slavic-mythology

"veles"

A Slavic god associated with earth, waters, and the underworld, often depicted as a serpent or dragon.

Rama

hindu-mythology

"rama"

Rama is a major deity of Hinduism, and a central character in the ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana. He is the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu and is known as the perfect human being, an ideal son, husband, and king. He is one of the most popular and widely worshipped Hindu gods, and is usually depicted with his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana, and devotee Hanuman. Rama's story tells of his exile from his kingdom, his journey to defeat the demon king Ravana, and his return to his kingdom with Sita. He is seen as an example of truth, courage, compassion, and self-control, and is a symbol of dharma, or righteous living.

Zorya

Slavic-mythology

"zorya"

A group of Slavic goddesses representing the Morning Star and Evening Star, guarding the gates to the celestial realm.

Allanzu

Hittite-Mythology

"allanzu"

Allanzu is the Hittite god of the underworld, ruling over the realm of the dead. He is often depicted as a fearsome figure presiding over the afterlife.

Nügua

chinese-mythology

"Nugua"

Goddess of flood control and rivers, also associated with the sun

Fufluns

Etruscan-mythology

"fufluns"

The god of plant life, happiness, and health, associated with wine and fertility.

Sostratus of Dyme

Greek-mythology

"sostratus_of_dyme"

Sostratus of Dyme was a Greek philosopher, who lived in the 4th century BC. He is best known for his work on the philosophy of the soul. He is believed to have been a student of Plato and possibly a teacher of Aristotle.

Sostratus is credited with being the first philosopher to introduce the idea of the soul being composed of three parts: the rational, the appetitive and the emotional. He argued that these three elements interacted in order to create a unified whole. He also suggested that the soul was capable of regulating itself, and that it could be trained to pursue virtue and wisdom. This idea was later adopted by Aristotle.

Sostratus of Dyme's work was highly influential in the development of later philosophical thought, particularly concerning the nature of the soul. His ideas are still studied and discussed today.

Durga Devi

hindu-mythology

"durga_devi"

Durga Devi is a powerful, even frightening goddess who fights fiercely in order to restore dharma (moral order). Yet, while Durga is terrifying to her adversaries, she is full of compassion and love for her devotees.

Mythology in pop culture

Movies inspired by Mythology

Medea

Maria Callas' first dramatic movie!

"Medea"

On a quest to retrieve the fabled Golden Fleece, Jason and the Argonauts arrive at a remote barbarian land where the natives worship the sacred artefact to protect the crops. But, unexpectedly, as Medea--a beautiful high priestess and the land's powerful sorceress--betrays her beliefs to follow Jason back to Greece, a cruel fate awaits her. As a result, deserted and banished by the king, it's only human that Medea plots her furious revenge. Can they escape her wrath? Written by Nick Riganas After his quest to retrieve the fabled Golden Fleece, Jason returns to Greece with the powerful sorceress, Medea. However, when the king banishes her, it's only human that Medea plots her...

Sahara

Dirk Pitt. Adventure has a new name.

"Sahara"

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...

Troy: Fall of a City

The Battle for a Legendary City

"Troy: Fall of a 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

The Odyssey

An Epic Journey of Adventure and Discovery

"The Odyssey"

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

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.