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Looking for themes that can be found throughout different mythologies so that I can compare and contrast the story of them. A few themes I have thought about were creation myths, flood myths, and apocalypse myths.

However, some of these might not exist, as I am having trouble finding Apocalypse or flood myths for Japanese mythology.

Any theme suggestions would be great! Thanks in advance!

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    I'm glad you want to participate, but this is a really, really broad topic. You can read up on how to ask a question at the help center, but you're going to have to do a lot of research. You could do worse than to start with the works of Joseph Campbell, who made your question his life's work. – Spencer Apr 22 '18 at 14:14
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Dragons show up thematically in many mythologies:

Norse: Jörmungandr is the "world serpent" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6rmungandr

According to the Prose Edda, Odin took Loki's three children by Angrboða — the wolf Fenrir, Hel, and Jörmungandr — and tossed Jörmungandr into the great ocean that encircles Midgard.[2] The serpent grew so large that it was able to surround the earth and grasp its own tail.[2] As a result, it received the name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent. When it releases its tail, Ragnarök will begin.

Christianity: Satan is depicted as the serpent Genesis 3:1 NIV

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.

And again in Revelation https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+12&version=NIV

Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.”[a] And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. 7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Chinese: Dragons are quite prevalent in Chinese mythology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon

Chinese dragons or East Asian dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and East Asian culture at large. East Asian dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods.

There are many additional listings found on the Wikipedia page below including the Hydra (Greek), Tiamat (Babylonian), and the Tarasque (French): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dragons_in_mythology_and_folklore

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The universal themes, which may be found in many mythologies of the peoples of the world

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  • I don't disagree, but you need to support your answer. – DukeZhou Apr 23 '18 at 19:19
  • How to support? – Drakonoved Apr 23 '18 at 19:22
  • I thought that is clear.. – Drakonoved Apr 23 '18 at 19:24
  • To support this, you must make a case by providing examples from multiple traditions for each theme. For instance, I've come across many stories involving food in Indian folktales, and food as a objective also shows up in Aesop. There is a native American story about a woman who marries the Buffalo king to provide food for the tribe. But I'd have to link to supporting documents if I was formally answering. (I didn't downvote, but am hesitant to upvote without support.) – DukeZhou Apr 23 '18 at 19:34
  • OK. I see.. Just a moment.. – Drakonoved Apr 23 '18 at 19:48

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