by ejceasar
Myth and Mythologies. Myths can be classified as origin myths, cultural myths and political myths and mythology is a collection of myths belong to a time period, region or religion
A flood myth also known as deluge myth is a narrative in which great flood, usually sent by a deity or deities to destroy civilizations as an act of divine retribution. Flood myths are common across a wide range of cultures, extending back to Bronze Age and Neolithic prehistory.
Every mythology has its own version of creation myths, or other wise commonly known as how the world came in to existence. In Egyptian Mythology, the creation myth starts with an egg in the ocean. There was a single egg floating in the ocean and the egg hatched and the son of Ra was born. According to the Indian Mythology, the universe was created by Lord Brahma out of himself.
The idea of an unimaginable war that threatens to tear apart the cosmos connects with us so deeply that it still powers our epic stories. The Lord of the Rings, Avengers, Hobbits, and countless others all feature this age-old trope. It can be found in the legends of almost every ancient culture.
We all know the myth of Atlantis: a utopian city wiped out in a single night thanks to an unearthly cataclysm. But Atlantis is only the most famous of mythical lost cities. Near-identical stories crop up with such regularity that it’s tempting to think they must be somehow related.Take Iram (also known as Ubar). A fabled city in the deserts of modern Saudi Arabia, Iram is said to have been wiped out in a single night when Allah buried it under a flood of sand. In other words, it’s the Atlantis myth translated to a world without water. Then you have Ys off the coast of France, which was supposedly flooded around the 5th century by a mythical warrior king. And that’s before we get onto the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and the Hindu myth of Tripura, which both involve gods wiping out immoral cities in a rain of fire.In short, the idea of a city obliterated overnight is so powerful it seems to show up everywhere. Are these half-remembered tragedies with some basis in fact (like Pompeii) or just stories that play to the apocalyptic fantasist in all of us? We’ll leave it to you to decide.
Jesus’s resurrection is the big selling point of Christianity, a unique moment that established Christ as the one true savior. At least that’s the idea. In reality, the idea of a dying deity or important human who is later resurrected has been around for millennia.Most famously, this includes the story of Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god whose birth was heralded by a star, who was betrayed by a friend, was murdered, and was later resurrected. But there are less explicit versions too. The Greek cult of Dionysus had their figurehead killed off every two years, only to rise again at a later date. Persephone also died regularly, and many pagan traditions from Scandinavia to Central America involved gods dying and returning to life or men dying and coming back as deities.Perhaps most interestingly of all, a historical tablet known as “Gabriel’s Revelation” allegedly tells the story of a Jewish rebel known as Simon who was killed by the Romans, only to be resurrected three days later. The catch? It was written in 4 BC, over 30 years before Jesus allegedly pulled off the same trick. Either it’s a mistranslation, or the Son of God was building on centuries of groundwork by other deities.
Dragons are likely the most traveled creature in all of mythology. Even more than vampires, they have a habit of turning up in societies and cultures so far apart in time and space you’d think it was impossible. There are ancient Sumerian tablets that record the act of dragon-slaying, Greek tales of dragons cavorting with other monsters, and an entire science built around the uses of their bones in China. In Central America, the Mayans worshipped the feathered snake Quetzalcóatl, while both Norse and Christian mythologies specifically mention dragons.As late as 1886, Victorian scientists still held that dragons had once existed but had gone extinct. Not until dinosaurs became firmly established in the public mind did people see the probable link between ancient fossils and dragon myths. Currently, our best guess is that various cultures all stumbled over dino bones at some point and translated them into gigantic mythological beasts.
Thanks to the occasional self-indulgent movie adaptation, most of us probably have a vague knowledge of the poems of Homer. Considered the earliest examples of Western literature, his Iliad and Odyssey are epic myths of tortured heroes fighting their way across oceans and continents in search of metaphorical salvation—and they appear in near-identical form in almost every culture.It’s called the “hero’s journey,” and just about all epic stories throughout history have followed the specific model. Famously, George Lucas deliberately based the first Star Wars on it, and you can find its influence in The Lord of the Rings, the Oz books, and even Harry Potter. But this archetypal myth was around even before fancy-pants anthropologists handed it over to lazy scriptwriters.The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, the story of Sinbad the Sailor in the 1,001 Nights, the legend of King Arthur, the tale of the Argonauts . . . all of these and plenty more fit the structure of the hero’s journey just like Homer’s awesome poems above. In fact, nearly every single culture in recorded history has myths that fall into this category. Even Moses’s epic wanderings in the Bible fit this model. We as a species truly are lazy storytellers.
Cultural myths don’t just entertain us and record historical events. They also serve to explain why the world is the way it is. Hence the prevalence of stories designed to give a reason for some mystery of existence.In the Bible, we have the Tower of Babel, which explains why we have different languages. God’s speech prior to expelling Adam and Eve from Eden is another example, giving a reason for both the agony of childbirth and why ancient man had to toil all day in the fields. Wander across traditions into the stories of the Ancient Greeks and the legend of Prometheus demonstrates why fire is so valuable, while the story of Pandora gives a reason for the existence of disease and suffering.Start looking for them and you’ll find these explanatory myths scattered across every culture in history. There are myths that explain why rhinoceroses have no hairs, why incest is forbidden, and how medicine came into existence. Anything you can think of has some poetic explanation somewhere. In an unscientific age, poetry was often all we had.
Everything that begins has an end, and our ancient ancestors knew that as simply as we do. No surprise then that most cultures carry an End of Times myth to counter their creation story—a sort of consolation prize for those who won’t live to see the actual end (i.e. everyone).For Christians, this apocalypse is a gigantic epic that plays out over many, many years and involves so many disasters, wars, and calamities that it’s hard to keep track. Same with the Norse Ragnarok, which is a collection of disasters and battles that results in the Earth being drowned and recreated afresh. In Hinduism, it’s another epic battle followed by a rebooted universe, while Buddhism annihilates the world in a pyrotechnic fireworks display so amazing it deserves its own Michael Bay film.In other words, most humans throughout history have lived with their own personal vision of the end of everything, one that makes sense in the context of their lives and cultures. And that’s all these myths really are: ways for us humans to make sense of the world we live in, no matter when or where we are. It’s just an added bonus that some of them make absolutely awesome stories, too.
Learn a few fun facts
The red clothes worn by Hindu brides are associated with "scarlet women" in Christianity
The white clothes that represent virginity and purity in the Christian mythosphere are associated with spirituality and otherworldliness in the Hindu mythosphere; are restricted to monks, priests, and widows; and do not form part of household rituals.
The goat, the symbol of virility that is sacrificed to the Hindu Goddess, is the symbol of the devil in the biblical worldview.
The yoginis of Hinduism, who are handmaidens of the Goddess and are wild erotic creatures, recall the witches coven of the Christian mythosphere.
The pentagram is the symbol of Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, and Shukra, guru of demons, and is associated with Venus, wealth, fertility, creativity, and erotic power in Hindu astrology, but is considered the mark of the devil in Christianity.
'described in Western literature as the "dark drinker of blood" and is associated with witchcraft.
The serpent, which is associated with earth's fertility and occult wisdom in Hinduism, is considered a manifestation of the devil in biblical traditions.
To the Western eye the swastika is the symbol of Hitler and the Holocaust. To Hindus it is associated with auspiciousness and fertility.
Demon in Judeo-Christian-Islamic Paradigm is Evil being who opposes God but in Hindu Paradigm Demon is a Being who lives under-ground in bejeweled cities, fights gods, and possess the secret of rejuvenation
Gods in Judeo-Christian-Islamic Paradigm False deities worshipped by nonbelievers and pagans whereas in Hindu Paradigm Celestial beings who live above ground or in the skies, fight demons, and have consumed the elixir of immortality
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.
The Maasai mythology involves several beliefs of the Maasai people
The Kintu, Kaikuzi, Warumbe mythology involves several beliefs of the Maasai people, an ethnic group living in Kenya and Tanzania
Kintu is a figure in the traditional mythology of the Ganda people of Uganda. According to the Ganda's traditional story, Kintu was the first human being created by the god, Ggulu. The story of Kintu is an important part of Ganda mythology, and it is used to explain the origins of the Ganda people and their customs.
The Kintu Myth Explained
The Kintu Myth explains how the first human came to be, how the first human was given a wife by the creator god, Ggulu, and how they were given the ability to procreate. The myth goes on to describe how Kintu and his wife, Nambi, had children, and how those children went on to become the ancestors of the Ganda people.
Kintu as the First Ancestor
In this story, Kintu is considered as the first ancestor of the Ganda people, and his children are considered as the founders of different Ganda tribes and clans. The story of Kintu is also used to explain the customs and traditions of the Ganda people, such as the importance of ancestor worship and the role of the clan in Ganda society.
Kintu as the Ancestor of the Buganda Kingdom
It is also believed that Kintu is the ancestor of the Buganda kingdom which is the largest kingdom in present day Uganda.
Mbuti (Bambuti) mythology is the mythology of the African Mbuti (also known as Bambuti) Pygmies of Congo.
Mbuti (Bambuti) mythology is the mythology of the African Mbuti (also known as Bambuti) Pygmies of Congo. The Bambuti people, also known as the Pygmies, are a group of indigenous people who live in the Ituri rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have a rich and diverse mythology that reflects their culture and beliefs. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Bambuti mythology:
- The creation myth: The Bambuti believe that the world was created by a god named Nkuba, who formed the earth, sky, and all living things. They also believe that Nkuba created the first man and woman, and gave them the task of populating the world.
- The myth of the first fire: The Bambuti believe that fire was brought to earth by a trickster figure named Mokèlé-mbèmbé, who stole it from the gods and gave it to humans.
- The myth of the first hunting: The Bambuti believe that hunting was taught to humans by a god named Woot, who also taught them how to make arrows, spears, and traps.
- The myth of the first death: The Bambuti believe that death was brought to the world by a god named Nkondi, who punished humans for their disobedience.
- The myth of the first rain: The Bambuti believe that the first rain was brought to the world by a god named Nkondi, who punished humans for their disobedience.
- The myth of the afterlife: The Bambuti believe that the souls of the dead go to the land of the ancestors, which is a place similar to the earth but more beautiful and peaceful. They also believe that the souls of the wicked go to a place of punishment.
Please note that this is just a small sample of the Bambuti mythology stories, and there are many more myths and legends that are important to the Bambuti people.
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.
Inuit mythology is the traditional belief system of the Inuit people
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.
Mythological legends and deities
egyptian-mythology
The sun god who created the world and sailed through the sky in a boat
Greek-mythology
In Greek mythology, the Amazons were a tribe of warrior women believed to live in Asia Minor. Apollonius Rhodius, in his Argonautica, mentions that the Amazons were the daughters of Ares and Harmonia, that they were brutal and aggressive, and their main concern in life was war.
persian-mythology
Legendary king in Persian mythology, credited with the invention of wine and the establishment of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
Celtic-mythology
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.
mesopotamian-mythology
God of war, pestilence, and the sun in ancient Mesopotamian religion. Associated with fire and destruction.
Roman-Mythology
Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Born from sea foam and associated with romantic love, desire, and beauty.
Greek-mythology
Alexanor was a son of Machaon, and grandson of the Greek god Asclepius, who built to his grandfather a temple on the summit of Titane in the territory of Sicyon. Around it there were dwellings for the use of those who came to solicit the aid of the god. Alexanor himself too was worshiped there, and sacrifices were offered to him, but only after sunset.
Greek-mythology
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.
Greek-mythology
In Greek mythology, Palamedes is a somewhat less prominent figure compared to heroes like Achilles or Odysseus, and as a result, there are fewer detailed descriptions of his appearance in the classical texts. However, he is often portrayed as a figure of significant intellect and cunning, much like Odysseus. In the context of Greek mythology and its artistic representations, characters' appearances were often idealized, reflecting the cultural ideals of beauty, heroism, and nobility. Therefore, Palamedes might typically be depicted as a handsome and noble-looking man, in keeping with the general style of portraying heroes in Greek art and literature. Key attributes that might be associated with Palamedes could include: Noble Bearing: As a prince and a hero, Palamedes would likely be depicted with an air of nobility and dignity. Intelligent Expression: Known for his wisdom and cleverness, his face might be portrayed with a thoughtful or intelligent expression. Warrior's Physique: Like many Greek heroes, Palamedes would probably be shown with a physically strong and well-proportioned body, indicative of his status as a warrior. Classical Greek Armor: When depicted in scenes of the Trojan War, he would likely be dressed in typical Greek armor of the period, such as a helmet, cuirass (breastplate), greaves (leg armor), and carrying a shield and spear. It's important to remember that artistic representations of mythological figures can vary widely, and the images we have from ancient Greek art are subject to interpretation and artistic license. The emphasis in Greek art was often on expressing character virtues and qualities through physical form, rather than creating accurate portraits.
Celtic-mythology
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.
Roman-Mythology
Son of Zeus and a mortal woman, renowned for his strength and celebrated in many adventures. Completed the Twelve Labors.
Norse-Mythology
Bragi, son of Odin, is the god of eloquence and the art of poetry. Our forefathers thought of him as a venerable man with a long beard. After him, according to Snorri, all manner of minstrelsy is given the title bragr. Idun is his wife; to her belong the marvelous apples which restore youth to the sods when old age comes upon them.
Movies inspired by Mythology
Where there are gods there are monsters.
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...
You only enter once.
A team of U.S. archaeologists unearths an ancient pyramid buried deep beneath the Egyptian desert. As they search the pyramid's depths, they become hopelessly lost in its dark and endless catacombs. Searching for a way out, they become desperate to seek daylight again. They come to realize they aren't just trapped, they are being hunted. Written by lemoviecritic An archaeological team attempts to unlock the secrets of a lost pyramid only to find themselves hunted by an insidious creature.
Seek The Truth
Dan Brown's controversial best-selling novel about a powerful secret that's been kept under wraps for thousands of years comes to the screen in this suspense thriller from Director Ron Howard. The stately silence of Paris' Louvre museum is broken when one of the gallery's leading curators is found dead on the grounds, with strange symbols carved into his body and left around the spot where he died. Hoping to learn the significance of the symbols, police bring in Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), a gifted cryptographer who is also the victim's granddaughter. Needing help, Sophie calls on Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), a leading symbolized from the United States. As Sophie and Robert dig deeper into the case, they discover the victim's involvement in the Priory of Sion, a secret society whose members have been privy to forbidden knowledge dating back to the birth of Christianity. In their search, Sophie and Robert happen upon evidence that could lead to the final resting place of the Holy Grail, while members of the priory and an underground Catholic society known as Opus Dei give chase, determined to prevent them from sharing their greatest secrets with the world. A murder inside the Louvre, and clues in Da Vinci paintings, lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years, which could shake the...
Maria Callas' first dramatic movie!
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...
The world's most unlikely hero is back for his biggest adventure.
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...
