Questions tagged [myth-identification]
For questions about identifying a particular myth based on certain known facts or a basic description of its context, characters and events.
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What is the origin of the idea that Man is “half god and half beast”?
I'm looking specifically for the idea that it is the human condition to be a combination of beast and God, not just a reference to an individual who unlike most people had aspects of both, or a ...
2
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1answer
44 views
Is there an ancient basis for the Cretan bull-headed sea serpent god in Mika Waltari's The Egyptian?
Mika Waltari's excellent historical novel The Egyptian, set in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten1, features a bull-headed sea serpent Cretan god.
Here's a quick summary of the time ...
3
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2answers
63 views
The Great Bear and Dragon encircling the Tree of Life
In "Yeats Poems" by W. B. Yeats, pg. 522, (in notes to his poem 'The Poet pleads with the Elemental Powers') it is written,
Yeats commented that the Great Bear and the constellation of the Dragon '...
3
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1answer
38 views
Is there a folklore belief that the spirit of a wolf comes back to avenge its death?
Isidoros Zourgos in his novel "Στην σκιά της πεταλούδας" mentions that if you kill a wolf, the animal's spirit will come back and kill you after forty days.
The origin of the belief is assumed to be ...
6
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1answer
81 views
In What Myth the Octopus Hails from a Previous World?
I have at some point in my life encountered a claim that according to some islanders' myths, octopodes are the only survivors from a previous world, and managed to squeeze through a rift between ...
2
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0answers
55 views
Legend about inconsistent person
Is there a myth or a legend about some inconsistent person? Some young and ambitious man, who want a lot of fame and fortune, but don't know exactly how to reach that. Who demonstrates in his actions ...
5
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1answer
99 views
Is there a myth involving a female warrior and a cloak that renders people invisible?
I fail to remember the name of a myth I heard several years ago, in which a man marries a beautiful female warrior deceitfully. The woman isn't attracted to him and refuses to sleep with him. She ...
7
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2answers
138 views
Stories of children raised out of human society?
I am interested in the theme of human children nursed and/or raised out of human society (e.g. Mowgli or Romulus and Remus), whether by animals, gods, flowers, aliens, etc.
Are there any myths in ...
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37 views
Hondurean folklore name like “Sumadi” or “Sumati”?
A team of friends/colleagues from Honduras mentioned that they will name their project after a local legend, myth, or hero in Honduras / Central America.
They told me the name several times, but ...
2
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1answer
147 views
Are there any myths that prove Athena was the favorite daughter of Zeus?
In Greek mythology, Athena is often said to be favourite child of Zeus.
The only proof that I know of is him gifting her his shield (Aegis).
But are there any other myths that provide proof for this ...
2
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1answer
66 views
Are there any Norse stories that feature trials to claim the throne?
I’m writing a story where the main character is the heir to a throne but has to pass 3 trials to actually claim the throne as hers.
Are there any trials that the Norse used in similar cases?
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Which tale has choice between two bowls, one of which contains a death sentence and the other a reward?
I have a vague recollection of a story involving an emperor asking the hero to choose between two bowls. If the hero picks the one covering a coin he will be rewarded, but if he picks the empty one he ...
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1answer
146 views
What is the source of the belief that the seventh son of a seventh son is a clairvoyant?
The Iron Maiden song Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was inspired - according to Steve Harris - by the folklore belief that the seventh son of a seventh son has clairvoyant powers:
“I just had a ...
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0answers
46 views
Creatures known for excessive planning - demonic or evil favored
I'm looking for creatures that are mostly known for either acting very carefully planned or for providing well thought out plans to others. Specifically creatures that are demonic or otherwise of a ...
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60 views
Where did the idea of the 'City in Bottle' Originate?
Where did the well known trope of a 'City in a Bottle', as associated with middle eastern mythology, originate?
It is referenced in modern culture (see the City in a Bottle Magic the Gathering Card, ...
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1answer
98 views
How did the belief of “marrying” a deity emerge?
According to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Canaanite_religion#Cosmology and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_prostitution#Sacred_marriage, a deity would marry a city or a goddess would ...
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Is there a concept of a ‘realm of secrets’ in any mythology?
Especially concerned with things such as fate, death, tie, love, is there a metaphysical place that deals specifically with things that humans do not comprehend?
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Are there any myths about sentient beings (except gods/immaterial beings) that walked the earth before humans?
Are there myths that feature such beings?
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1answer
173 views
What is that on Athena's chest?
In this statue there is something what looks like a face on Athena's chest. I have seen it on some other statues of Athena.
What is it? Is there a myth behind it?
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votes
1answer
85 views
Creature that feeds off personal attachment?
New here. I did search for this in several different forms and places. Not sure if this is the right place, but I saw similar questions here, so I'll give it a shot.
I'm looking for the word for a ...
3
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2answers
135 views
Please help identify creature/character on necklace!
I have this necklace that I bought at antique shop long ago and I’ve had no luck with identifying what the creature may be. Does this happen to look familiar to anyone?
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2answers
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Are there any instances of defying a prophecy?
In Greek mythology, there are many prophecies. Usually, in spite of someone's effort to prevent it, what is prophesized still happens.
As far as I'm aware, the only one to successfully avoid a ...
6
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1answer
348 views
God/Goddess of clones or duplicates
Is there any god/goddess who had the power of clones or represented them?
Like Dionysus is a god of wine and many other related things, is there a god of clones/duplicates/mirror images across any ...
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0answers
149 views
Are there any ancient myths about humans travelling back in time?
Does such a way of human time travel occur in ancient myths?
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2answers
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What is the origin of these creatures in Appalachian folklore?
My family (for these intents and purposes) comes from the mountains of Appalachian southern Virginia.
The older folks told tales of three specific monsters as warning against wayward children ...
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0answers
56 views
Library re-ordered instead of being destroyed?
I have a memory of a story in which the custodians of a large library pleaded with a conqueror to not destroy the books within, which he promised. He kept his promise, but still rendered the library ...
2
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1answer
36 views
What was the parentage of the Korean King Suro?
According to Korean myth, King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya was one of six eggs that descended from heaven.
Does he have any parentage other then that? Any details about who laid the eggs? Or any other ...
2
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0answers
43 views
Why was Marduk made ruler before his victory?
Babylonian
In the begining of Babylonian mythology, their is a war between the older generation of gods and the newer generation.
Apsu and Tiamat's descendents became an unruly crowd. Eventually ...
2
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1answer
61 views
Why was Tenes made king?
Tenes was a son of Apollo or King Cycnus and was falsely accused of forced intercourse. He was found guilty. As punishment, he and his sister were put in a box (much like the legend of Perseus and his ...
2
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1answer
73 views
According to Hindu Mythology, why do people produce smoke, light and ring the bell?
Could you please explain, while doing worshiping, according to Hindu Mythology, why do people produce smoke through burning joss sticks; light a candle-like light called "Dip jyoti" prepared from ...
5
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1answer
87 views
How did you survive my 100-step punch?
I remember from long ago a story about a martial artist, The Bully, who was renowned for his "100-step punch": if he lands the blow, you will die after taking 100 steps. One day another martial ...
4
votes
1answer
369 views
Did Zeus give Pandora the box?
Did Zeus give Pandora the box?
So the version I'm most familiar with is that Epimetheus had a box containing the evils of the world, but in some other versions e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
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Planctae vs. Symplegades
In the Argonautica, both the Planctea and the Symplegades are mentioned. One on the way in search of the Golden Fleece and the other on the way back. The Planctea was also known as, "the Wondering ...
6
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1answer
184 views
What were medieval European myths about redheads?
I have heard that redheads were thought to be vampires, or Judas's descendants, good for spell ingredients, etc...
What were common myths these about redheads in the medieval period of Europe (300 AD ...
5
votes
1answer
93 views
A rock on a beach
I've heard of a story in greek mythology, but I am missing a lot of details. Can you help me recover the place where, supposedly, everything happened ?
A guy goes alone to a village to steal wine and ...
3
votes
1answer
107 views
What do you call a human who can take energy from other living objects?
I'm not exactly sure what to think but after doing it so often I was just curious if there is a name? I've noticed that when I'm tired while say I'm at work I can place my palm to a tree and it begins ...
7
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1answer
254 views
What scripture describes humans as being morally superior to angels?
At the climax of Fate/stay night's Heaven's Feel route, the main antagonist, Kirei Kotomine refers to a religious scripture that says humans are morally superior to angels because humans can choose ...
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84 views
Looking for a character's name
I recently heard a reference to a character the gods sentenced to live long enough to see the results of his bad advice. I am looking for a reference for this story, specifically the name of the ...
4
votes
1answer
104 views
Which ancient hero is most associated with confronting the unknown?
I came across this quote from Jordan Peterson:
Well what would you want to be king? You could say king of the world or king of your own soul: What do you wanna subordinate yourself to. How 'bout ...
4
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1answer
99 views
Why is Atabey specifically the goddess/spirit of horizontal water?
Atabey, goddess, is one of two supreme (major) gods in Taino Mythology (Caribbean islands). She was worshiped as the goddess of fresh water, though her representation as an Earth Spirit connects her ...
5
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1answer
69 views
Is there a myth were Heracles chooses duty over pleasure?
Last year, I was handed a worksheet. It was an excerpt of an autobiography if I recall correctly.
One part I remember in particular involved Heracles, that he was given a choice between duty and ...
2
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1answer
134 views
Who wrote about gorgon's blood?
I came across a portion of Myth a while back. It said something like gorgon's blood taken from one side of the body can heal any malady but the other side can kill instantly. Who is this writing (for ...
3
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1answer
316 views
What is the Myth that had Shakespeare inspired to write Romeo and Juliet?
In my last question, I mentioned a love story that Shakespeare based his Romeo and Juliet story on. I said I tried and failed to find their names. The following is what I know of this story.
They ...
5
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1answer
91 views
Why is Chhinnamasta called The self-decapitated Goddess?
She is a Mahavidya, a list of Sakta and Buddhist goddesses, and the sixth listed on the Wikipedia page. (I don't know if that's important.) Here, she is described as the 'self-decapitated Goddess.' ...
3
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1answer
135 views
Who said Hermes helped Hades?
Retrieved from here.
This is a mosaic depicting Hades abducting Persephone. Helping him, is Hermes. I do not recall a version of the myth in which Hermes helps Hades. Is there a version, or is this ...
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3answers
111 views
Are dragons intelligent?
Intelligent can mean a number of things, so to simplify, lets limit it to capable of human speech. It is a common quality in movies and books to give dragons the power of human speech, but are such ...
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1answer
127 views
A battle between Maximo and Digenis in Greek Folklore
While working on an essay, I came across a book called the "The study of Russian folklore" which mentions encounters between an Amazon Maximo and Digenis Akritas and also between Siegfried and a ...
5
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1answer
230 views
How did Homer describe Mycenae?
Did he link his description with myth of Perseus? Could we imagine how it looks like ?
4
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1answer
248 views
Poseidon has two wives when/why/how?
Poseidon's wife is Amphitrite. Some say she is a Nereid, others say an Oceanid. When Poseidon first pursued her for marriage, she fled. Later the dolphin god, Delphin, persuaded her to marry the sea ...
5
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1answer
135 views
What is the mythological status of the 'goethia' demons?
The 'goethia' is a list of numbered (Christian, as in rulers of hell) demons of which their benefits are documented (this one only speaks the truth in a magical circle, this one provides great riches, ...
