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.
200
questions
7
votes
3
answers
357
views
When and why did necromancy became a bad thing?
Talking about Europe and cultures that influenced it...
Why and since when was the revival of the dead considered evil?
In Greek mythology bringing back a loved one is hard or comes at a price, but ...
- 1,118
5
votes
1
answer
165
views
What is the earliest story of summoning the dead we know of?
This is a followup to: What is the earliest ghost story we know of?
In this question, I am looking for stories involving mortals summoning the spirits of the dead from the underworld. The spirits ...
- 143
9
votes
1
answer
184
views
What is the earliest ghost story we know of?
I am looking for early stories that follow the popular theme of the ghost story: A spirit of the dead appearing amongst the living. Bonus points if there's a haunting involved.
I'm only interested in ...
- 143
7
votes
1
answer
765
views
What are the 365 virtues?
I was researching and I came across Abraxas, a daemon(inferior god), an archon, an aeon, the "Supreme" god, an angel...
He has a place in many mythologies, and the number 365 keeps coming up. 365 ...
- 6,685
7
votes
1
answer
152
views
What are some iconic legends of human depravity and spiritual pollution?
My purposes are non-salacious, I promise. There's an undercurrent in mythology and folklore that I didn't get a lot of in school, but which I've noticed more and more of as I've read on my own.
...
- 448
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is there a myth that dolphins were humans who chose to return to the sea?
In the Fantasy Island (1998) episode "Dreams", Michael Allen is a stockbroker who finds a mysterious woman (played by Jennifer Garner) who says this to him when they first meet.
Sally: You ...
- 273
5
votes
1
answer
144
views
Benevolent king gives greatest gift: yourself/himself
Story of a benevolent king (or queen?) who disguises himself among peasants and then reveals himself or is revealed as king and then one of the peasants with whom he interacts thanks the king for the ...
- 169
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Japanese Trickster Demons
Are there any trickster demons in Japanese mythology, I am aware of the somewhat tricksy Japanese god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, but are there any demons known for tricking people in Japanese mythology?
- 105
10
votes
2
answers
7k
views
What is the Norse equivalent to the Great Flood?
I have constantly heard that every mythology has its own version to explain why the ocean rose after the last ice age ended(roughly 10,000 years ago). But, I have only heard the christian version with ...
- 6,685
8
votes
1
answer
388
views
Are there any ancient myths about human body parts said to be benefical or detrimental when eaten?
Additionally, do we know why they were said to be beneficial/detrimental? I think I remember a myth in some culture believing that eating your enemy's heart would give you their strength, but I'm not ...
- 81
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Are there any monkey gods in Africa?
The Mayans had Hun Batz, the Chinese have the Monkey King, and the Hindus have Hanuman. Monkeys are also indigenous to Africa, so I'm assuming there are also simian gods from that region.
- 281
5
votes
1
answer
559
views
Why is Aether shown battling a lion-headed giant?
In this picture, the primordial god of the upper air, Aether, is depicted wrestling a lion-headed giant.
Is there a myth/story for this anywhere?
- 6,685
5
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Who did Zeus punish by having poison/acid dripped on them?
I am not sure if this is a real myth, as I learned about it from a Tumblr post:
charlesoberonn:
Hades was the least evil entity in the entire Greek pantheon. Just look at the ...
- 6,685
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 ...
- 2,960
9
votes
1
answer
508
views
Is there a Maori legend about a demon's heart at the bottom of a lake?
In the second episode of the first season of the television series Top of the Lake, a beautiful Maori legend is mentioned:
You know there's a,
Maori legend about this lake
That says there's a ...
- 17k
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is there a tale of Zeus having sex with a deer?
I heard about a myth saying Zeus had sex with a deer, but after hours of research, I hold nothing. Can anyone tell me of this myth?
I am especially interested in acquiring any information about a ...
- 6,685
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Are there any deities or mythological beasts inspired by snow leopards?
I don't know a lot about the mythology of central Asian cultures (where the snow leopard comes from). I'm trying to find more information on the cultural impact the animal could have.
- 91
8
votes
3
answers
376
views
How common is a vertical many-layered cosmos in world mythology? Do any mythologies particularly emphasize this structure?
Background: A very common motif in mythology and folklore is for worlds to be layered one on top of each other. The most obvious example is of the three world system of hell, earth, and heaven. The ...
- 448
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Stories of living people that journeyed into the underworld and back?
This is inspired from: What items are necessary for a mortal to travel safely in the underworld?
Which living people made it into the underworld and back? What are their stories, and what ...
- 2,960
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
13
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Cows adapted to life on a steep hillside
I'm trying to remember the details of a legend I read years ago - and I don't even remember which body of folklore it came from - about a hero with a herd of cows, all of whom had legs on one side ...
- 233
10
votes
1
answer
606
views
Hittite story similar to the story of Jason and Medea?
The BBC History article Ancient History in depth: Jason and the Golden Fleece. BBC - History mentions a Hittite story similar to the story of Jason and Medea:
Thus the classic triangle of hero, dark ...
- 17k
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
8
votes
1
answer
448
views
Is there a real myth behind Michael Moorcock story about these Kwll and Rhynn?
The story describes the two gods, brothers, with highly different abilities (one able to see anything, another to do anything). Most of the time they live friendly life, co-operating with each other, ...
- 343
7
votes
3
answers
673
views
Are there any other mythology with female warriors like Durga from the Hindu Mythology?
In Hindu Mythology, Durga takes on an entire army of Demons, and slays them all singlehandedly at the last moment. She also takes on Mahishashur (Buffalo Demon) and slays him as well, earning her ...
- 171
4
votes
1
answer
488
views
Objects, substances or entities that compel or discern truth in traditional mythological canons?
In modern mythologies I'm noticing increasing reference to objects/substances that can tell or discern truth. Most famously, the use of truth serum as a trope in the spy genre in particular, and ...
- 14.1k
3
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What mythology is the story of Alduin The World Eater and The Dragonborn (as seen in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) based on?
I'm a big fan of both the Elder Scrolls and Mythology, Skyrim has its own in-game mythology. But I have no clue what myths the story of the Dragonborn and the World Eater is based on.
Key Points:
...
- 53
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Have any dragons in mythology been able to breathe fire underwater?
Are there any dragons in any mythological canons that have been able to breathe fire while underwater?
- 73
3
votes
2
answers
188
views
Are there any saints or heroes in mythology who ally with death?
I am looking for any information about mythical heroes or holy figures who ally with death.
I found list of Death Deities on Wikipedia.
But I do not know, where to start searching information about '...
- 197
5
votes
2
answers
5k
views
A mythical/legendary/demonic creature that steals talents or abilities
I swear I heard about this a long time ago but I can't remember it for the life of me (to the point that I am beginning to doubt if it exists). I faintly remember some type of monster that was able to ...
- 169
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
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
First appearance of the Delphi Oracle in Greek myths
The history of Perseus begins with the oracle of Delphi, when the King of Argos is told that one day a son of his own daughter will kill him.
Being Perseus one of the most ancient Greek mythological ...
- 2,277
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Are there stories of a hero or god fighting off old age?
I recently learned of Geras, the personification of old age. The deity is primarily known from vase depictions that show him with Heracles. One example is this Attic red-figured neck-amphora1:
...
- 17k
21
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Did any Greek mythological hero father a son who surpassed him in fame?
I can't think of any case of a Greek mythological hero having a son who achieved more fame, glory and "heroic status" than him.
Looking the descendency of Perseus, Heracles, Theseus, Jason, Achilles, ...
- 2,277
0
votes
2
answers
195
views
Are there any deities that personify realms other than the earth or sky?
Many mythologies have deities whom either personify the earth or sky (e.g. Gaia and Uranus). However, are there any deities that represent other realms, like how Tartarus is the personification of ...
user1385
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What deities/creatures personify the universe in the aspect that it manifests as varied duplexity (that serve the same symbolic function as Yin/Yang)?
I'm looking for deities or mythological creatures that symbolize the universe in the aspect that it manifests as a duality (which is for example symbolized by the Yin/Yang), but as a fictional ...
- 161
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Virgin goddesses outside of the Greek and Roman traditions?
The Greeks and Romans seem to have had something of an obsession with virgin goddesses, which seems somewhat counter to pagan traditions in general. Who are some virgin goddesses not from Greek or ...
- 14.1k
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
2
votes
1
answer
180
views
Are there any myths of little girls with the head of a wolf?
I keep seeing a girl with the head of a wolf, with red eyes, and long hair.
As I'm a very impressionable person I probably saw an image in a mythology book, or a movie, and I can't get this girl out ...
user3198
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Are there any Greek myths of a god permanently turning into a mortal as punishment?
I'm looking for a Greek myth in which an immortal god, no matter how minor, turns into a mortal immediately because of a punishment.
Things I am not looking for:
A temporary punishment- Apollo ...
- 6,719
11
votes
1
answer
821
views
What's the earliest recorded story of a human woman giving birth to a monster?
In Greek mythology, a human woman gave birth to the Minotaur, a "monster".
I know timelines get fuzzy with mythology, but are there any other instances of a human woman giving birth to a "monster" ...
- 279
8
votes
1
answer
238
views
What Phoenician story could be the inspiration of the cosmic story of five Titanes?
This is from Bleh's answer (quoting theoi.com):
The cosmic story of five Titanes--four holding the corners of heaven--may be Phoenician in origin.
What Phoenician story could be the basis for the ...
- 2,960
9
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is the source of the fable of Thor’s attempt to drink up a small spring?
Moncure D. Conway references the tale in passing in the introduction to his “Demonology and Devil-lore”:
The fable of Thor’s attempt to drink up a small spring, and his failure because it was fed ...
- 17k
15
votes
1
answer
972
views
Greek/Latin mythology with two brothers who die as reward for hard labor
I have heard this particular greek/latin myth in school but I can't quite recall what it was called. Can you perhaps help me find it.
So as far as I can recall the myth went as follows:
Two brothers ...
- 253
11
votes
1
answer
556
views
Myths of the Wind Impregnating Women
What examples do you know of from Greco-Roman myths in which the wind as such impregnates a woman (could be mortal or a goddess)? I'm aware of examples where the wind personalized as a god (e.g., ...
- 2,227
6
votes
2
answers
736
views
Are there any instances where non-Greco-Roman goddesses fall in love with mortals?
However, I will not be taking into account the Greco-Roman and Mesopotamian stories as they are the only stories that I know of in which a goddess loves a human.
user1385
8
votes
2
answers
260
views
Is there a god called Iob/Job/Yov?
R. Simon Ashenburg in Debek Tob reconciles a contradiction in the Bible regarding the name of Issachar's son which is given as Yov (יוב) in Genesis 46:13 and elsewhere as Yashuv (ישוב) in Numbers 26:...
- 1,327
6
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Mythological figures "with" REAL(?) amputation-like or paralysis features
Are amputees misrepresented in mythology? What about people with dysfunctional body parts, such as paralysed parts or the like?
Much, of the mythology, I have seen, has figures, with some regular ...
- 239
8
votes
2
answers
13k
views
What is the original story of Fox Spirit/Nine tails fox in India's myths?
I read in wikipedia and some mythology sites about the fox spirit that came from India but surprisingly they never mentioned any story in an Indian version.
I can only find stories from China - Daji, ...
- 309
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Mythologies with a warrior afterlife, similar to Valhalla?
So I am currently researching into ancient war gods and goddesses of various ancient religions and also learning about all the various afterlives the dead go to.
I'm trying to learning something ...
- 79