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

Dinka mythology refers to the traditional religion and folk tales of the Dinka, or Muonyjang, ethnic group of South Sudan.

The supreme, creator god, Nhialic, is the god of the sky and rain, and the ruler of all the other gods and spirits. He is generally seen as distant from humans. Nhialic is also known as Jaak, Juong or Dyokin by other Nilotic groups such as the Nuer and Shilluk. Nhialac created ex-nihilo and rarely involves itself with the affairs of humans.

There are several versions of the Dinka creation myth which mainly concerns itself with the creation of humans. The first humans are Garang and Abuk. In some cases Nhialac created humans by blowing them out of its nose, other accounts say humans originated from the sky and were placed in the river where they came as fully formed adults. Other accounts say that humans were molded as clay figures and placed to mature in pots. Garang and Abuk were made out of the clay of Sudan.

Nhialac told them to multiply and that their children would die but would come back to life within 15 days. Garang protested that if nobody dies permanently then there would not be enough food. Nhialac then introduced permanent death. Nhialac commanded them to only plant one seed of grain a day or gave them one grain to eat a day. Being hungry everyday Abuk made a paste with the grain to make the food last longer. However, when Abuk disobeyed and planted more Nhialac cut the rope that connected Heaven and Earth.

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.

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.

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.

The Lugbara people are an ethnic group living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. They have a rich mythology that has been passed down through generations, and their stories are a source of pride and identity for the Lugbara people.

The Lugbara people believe in a single creator, called Woot, who is responsible for the creation of the world and all its inhabitants. They also believe in a pantheon of lesser gods, each with their own sphere of influence. For example, Nyambe is the god of rain, and there is also a god of war, a god of the hunt, and a god of love.

The Lugbara people also believe in a number of supernatural beings, such as spirits and ghosts. These beings can be benevolent or malevolent, and they often take the form of animals or other creatures. It is believed that these beings can influence the lives of humans, either for good or for ill.

The Lugbara people have a number of stories and legends about their gods and supernatural creatures. One of the most famous is the story of Nyambe and the Great Snake. According to the story, Nyambe was out hunting one day when he encountered a giant snake. Nyambe managed to defeat the snake, and as a reward, the gods gave him the power to control the weather and the seasons.

The stories and legends of the Lugbara people are an important part of their culture, and they are still told and retold to this day. They provide a fascinating insight into the beliefs and values of the Lugbara people, and offer a unique window into their history and mythology.

Diomedes was the commander of 80 Argive ships and one of the most respected leaders in the Trojan War. His famous exploits include the wounding of Aphrodite, the slaughter of Rhesus and his Thracians, and seizure of the Trojan Palladium, the sacred image of the goddess Pallas Athena that protected Troy.

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.

God of the sun, justice, morality, and truth. Associated with law, order, and divine justice in Mesopotamian religion.

Halga, Helgi, Helghe or Helgo was a legendary Danish king living in the early 6th century.[1] His name would in his own language (Proto-Norse) have been *Hailaga[2] (dedicated to the gods). Scholars generally agree that he appears in both Anglo-Saxon (Beowulf) and Scandinavian tradition (Norse sagas and Danish chronicles).[3] In both traditions, he was a Scylding, the son of Healfdene and the brother of Hroðgar. In Beowulf, his relationship to Hroðulf is not explained, but if he was not his father, as in the Scandinavian tradition, he was at least his uncle. Both traditions also mention his family's feud with Froda and Ingeld. Whereas, not much is said about Halga in Anglo-Saxon sources, much more is said in Scandinavian ones, all of them containing a version of the story of his incestuous relationship with his own daughter Yrsa. This liaison resulted in Halga's son Hroðulf.

The supreme creator deity in Bantu mythology, responsible for the creation of the universe and all living beings.

Goddess of love, beauty, sex, desire, fertility, war, and justice. Associated with the planet Venus and known for her descent into the underworld.

The son of the Dagda and river goddess Bionn, Aengus (or Aonghus) – meaning ‘true vigor’, was the Celtic deity of love, youth, and even poetic inspiration. In the mythical narrative, to cover up his illicit affair and consequent pregnancy of Bionn, the Dagda (who was the leader of the Celtic gods and could magically control the weather) made the sun stand still for nine months, which resulted in Aengus being birthed in just a single day. In any case, Aengus turned out to be a lively man with a charming (if somewhat whimsical) character who always had four birds hovering and chirping around his head.

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

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

The son of Pandrosos and Hermes, and the ancestor of the Keryces of Eleusis (see CERYX, 2). Herse (or Erse) was mother, by Hermes, of the beautiful Cephalus (See CEPHALUS). She had a special festival in her honour, the Arrhephoria (see ARREPHORIA). Agraulos, mother of Alcippe, by Ares, was said in one story to have thrown herself down from the citadel during a war to save her country. It was, accordingly, in her precincts on the Acropolis that the young men of Athens, when they received their spears and shields, took their oath to defend their country to the death, invoking her name with those of the Charities Auxo and Hegemone. According to another story, Athene entrusted Erichthonius to the keeping of the three sisters in a closed chest, with the command that they were not to open it. Agraulos and Herse disobeyed, went mad, and threw themselves down from the rocks of the citadel.

Helgi the Sharp in Ragnarssona þáttr

In the saga "Ragnarssona þáttr," Helgi the Sharp emerges as a notable figure. This tale is part of the larger Norse mythology and sagas that detail the exploits of the legendary Viking Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons.

Background of Helgi the Sharp

Helgi the Sharp is portrayed as a prince, demonstrating qualities of bravery and prowess that are characteristic of heroes in Norse legends. His epithet 'the Sharp' likely refers to his keen intellect or skill in battle.

Role in the Saga

While "Ragnarssona þáttr" primarily focuses on the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok, characters like Helgi the Sharp add depth and complexity to the narrative. Helgi's adventures, battles, and exploits contribute to the rich tapestry of the saga.

Significance in Norse Literature

Helgi the Sharp, like many characters in Norse sagas, exemplifies the traits admired in Norse culture such as courage, strength, and honor. His story, though less central than that of Ragnar's more famous sons, provides insight into the values and themes prevalent in Norse mythology.

The character of Helgi the Sharp, while perhaps not as widely recognized as others in Norse mythology, represents the diverse and intricate world of Norse legendary heroes and their multifaceted stories.

In Greek mythology, Academus (also known as Hekademos or Akademos) is not a widely known figure, but he holds significance, particularly in relation to the history of Athens and the famous Academy of Plato. Academus is best known for his association with a sacred grove in ancient Athens. According to legend, he revealed to the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) the location where Theseus had hidden Helen of Troy. In gratitude, when the Spartans under their king, Castor and Pollux, attacked Athens to rescue Helen, they spared the land owned by Academus. The grove of Academus eventually became the site of Plato's Academy, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. The name "Academy" actually derives from Academus. Plato's Academy, established around 387 BC, was a gathering place for philosophical discussion and teaching, and it continued to function for about 900 years. It was here that Plato developed many of his ideas and taught his student Aristotle, among others. Because of this connection, the name Academus is often associated with learning and philosophical inquiry. However, beyond this association, there is little detailed information about him in the mythological tradition. He seems to be more of a legendary figure than a character featured in specific mythological stories or epics.

An Inca legend says the Inca Empire was destroyed by the gods when a gold and jeweled star burst was stolen from the Temple of the Sun centuries ago, and the ancient civilization will spring anew when the treasure is returned. The natives want it but so does Harry Steele, an American adventurer of slightly-shady ways who wants it for personal gain, as does his adversary, a grizzled old man even more into skulduggery than Steele. The latter teams up with Elena Antonescu, an Iron Curtain refugee fleeing from the MKVD. She can help him get a plane and he can help her escape Peru for the relative safety of Mexico.Is there a chance they will end up in a bickering love-hate relationship?... Is there a chance an American archaeologist, Dr. Stanley Moorehead, will come along as one corner of a romantic triangle?... Is there a chance that Yma Sumac (billed third on the posters and ads and special billed in the film), who can't act but can sing, will sing a few songs?... Is there a chance that these trite-sounding questions will develop into a film that is far from trite and vastly entertaining? Dang right, there is. Check it out. Written by Les Adams An adventurer searchers for hidden treasure in the Peruvian jungles.

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.

In this retelling of Rick Riordans book, "The Sea of Monsters", Percy Jackson, accompanied by his friends Annabeth Chase, Clarisse La Rue and Tyson, his half brother, goes on a journey to the Sea of Monsters to retrieve the Golden Fleece and save Camp Half-Blood. Written by Michelle Stone In order to restore their dying safe haven, the son of Poseidon and his friends embark on a quest to the Sea of Monsters, to find the mythical Golden Fleece, all the while trying to stop an...

An art collector appeals to Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. He learns that another archaeologist has disappeared while searching for the precious goblet, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones. The artifact is much harder to find than they expected, and its powers are too much for those impure of heart. Written by Jwelch5742 In 1938, after his father Professor Henry Jones, Sr. goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Professor Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr. finds himself up against Adolf Hitler's Nazis again to...

After retrieving the philosopher's stone at an auction but losing his girlfriend, The Librarian Flynn Carsen has a breakdown. Charlene and Judson ask him to spend some time on vacation. Flynn travels to New Orleans and he has a crush on a French singer (Simone Renoir). However he discloses that she is the guardian of a key to access the Judas Chalice that is capable to resurrect vampires. Meanwhile the former Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Kubichek is seeking the chalice to revive Vlad the vampire with the support of Professor Lazlo. Also to raise an army of undead to bring Russia back to the top of the world. When Simone reveals that she is a vampire, Flynn question whether she is not using him to reach the chalice and increase her power. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Losing his girlfriend because he was at an auction dramatically getting the magical philosopher's stone instead of a date, he needs a vacation - New Orleans but finds himself busy saving...