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.
28
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
6
votes
0
answers
186
views
What does this ear stud show in Chinese Mythology?
Does someone know what this ear stud shows?
Because of the Yin/Yang symbol it should be chinese - so no Yōkai.
Could it be a Yaoguai? A Huli jing?
I have absolutely no idea but I just want to know ...
- 69
5
votes
0
answers
155
views
Who was the swift woman from from Irish Mythology described as having backward knees?
This question got me thinking about the Irish depiction of legs in mythology.
I remember one woman, in particular, from (I believe) the Ulster Cycle, described as having backward legs, similar to a ...
- 14.1k
4
votes
0
answers
45
views
Where can I find information about the legend of Ulug' Bek and dancers?
There is a legend that Ulug' Bek, the grandchild of Amir Timur (aka Tamerlane), invited dancers and asked them to dip their feet into a blue coloring and dance on a huge roll of paper. Later he laid ...
4
votes
1
answer
281
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 ...
- 17k
4
votes
0
answers
88
views
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 ...
- 41
4
votes
0
answers
106
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, ...
- 141
4
votes
0
answers
50
views
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?
- 193
4
votes
0
answers
259
views
Tales of bats as witches' familiars?
One of the superstitions in the article 13 Halloween Superstitions & Traditions Explained is about bats:
Medieval folklore also described bats as witches' familiars, and seeing a bat on ...
- 2,962
4
votes
0
answers
195
views
Is there a Sami legend of a Shaman using human body parts to ward off demons?
The second season of the television series Fortitude revolves around a presumably Sami1 legend of a murderous Shaman. The legend is described in episode 6:
There's a legend among the people here ...
- 17k
4
votes
0
answers
142
views
Humans' missing piece myth identification
Does anyone know a myth that refers/explains the feeling of incompleteness that humans have, and which drives us, makes us seekers of a missing something/fulfillment?
Ideally an ancient or primitive ...
- 51
4
votes
1
answer
94
views
Identifying Greco-Roman Mythology reference in Krazy Kat Kartoon
Some months ago I answered a question over on the Literature SE. The question was about a Krazy Kat strip from 1936.
In the cartoon, Offisa Pupp takes a nap; he dreams that he meets Krazy and then ...
- 149
4
votes
2
answers
477
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 ...
- 17k
3
votes
0
answers
171
views
Are there parallel universes in any mythology?
There are some sci-fi themes that can be sometimes scratched from some mythological tales like time travel in Mahabharata or Irish mythology.
Is there any mention of parallel universes (multiverse) in ...
3
votes
0
answers
65
views
A "Brigadoon" But in the Appalachian Mountains?
The other day I was speaking to a friend, about Brigadoon. I seem to faintly remember there is folklore, about a town in Appalachia that did the same thing. It would disappear and reappear. But I've ...
3
votes
0
answers
170
views
Help me identify this damsel-in-distress tale
I remember reading a long time ago about a knight and his wife. It was implied that this was the continuation of many adventures:
After marrying, and with the intention of keeping their love alive ...
- 2,277
2
votes
0
answers
96
views
Is there a Celtic folklore or mythology story associated with the Hill of Mael in Ireland?
Does anyone have any record of a story associated with the trivallate settlement complex on the Hill of Mael in Co. Westmeath, Ireland?
I am looking for earlier Celtic stories under Irish mythology.
2
votes
0
answers
52
views
Which legend has a warrior wash his sword in the source of the river?
When reading in Wikipedia about the Tigris, Euphrates, and other rivers in the general vicinit, I read about a transmitted story of one warrior who, after winnning in battle, washed his sword in the ...
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
63
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 ...
user4660
2
votes
0
answers
58
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 ...
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
80
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 ...
- 129
2
votes
0
answers
73
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 Apsu,...
- 6,685
1
vote
0
answers
58
views
Aegeus, king of Naxos?
... does anyone out there have any idea or original source for this 'Aegeus' myth quoted in the link below?
https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/heroes/aegeus/
The Origins of Aegeus
Titan of the sea, ...
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
109
views
Is there any creature or being with the role of keeping good and evil balanced?
Is there any creature or being in either mythology or folklore that serves as a form of "negotiator" between good and evil, with the role of keep order and balance between them
(whether it's ...
1
vote
0
answers
82
views
Why Mahabharata or Ramayana did not considered as earlier civilisation than IVC?
As we all know IVC is the first civilisation in India between 3300 to 1300 BCE. But Mahabharata and Ramayana should dated before this period based on Yuga cycle. Then we haven’t considered these are ...
- 41
1
vote
0
answers
143
views
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 ...
- 6,685
1
vote
0
answers
91
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 ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
When did the number of the Erinyes in Greek mythology turn into just 3?
I listened to this audio lesson and other online sources, https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-furies-in-greek-mythology-symbols-names-story.html, and they mentioned older myths had an undetermined ...
- 373
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
Myths about creatures/items/beings that talked with people or took away their problems?
Are there any myths about beings/items/creatures that talked with people in a friendly way? Almost as if the being was a therapist to the human or something? I can think of the caladrius that ...
