Questions tagged [reference-request]
For questions that ask for a canonical reference about a commonly known myth.
21
questions
2
votes
1answer
125 views
Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices?
Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices? The Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 2:3) mentions a concept called עורות לבובין which Maimonides and other commentators ...
8
votes
3answers
185 views
What is the earliest story of a mortal killing a god?
Various myths involve deities dying (such as Baldr and Osiris). However, in most of the myths that come to mind, another deity is responsible for the death. In Christian belief, Roman soldiers ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
Literature for mesopotamian seven-tiered cosmos?
Reading up on the (excellent) Gilgamesh epic, I found a note for the 11th tablet (where Uta-Napishti - the 'original' Noah) describes the seven-tiered layout of the Ark. The author appended a note ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Do there exist any spells or ritual things / chants in Old Norse, Old Irish, or Old English online in text format?
I have found the voluspa and other large Old Norse texts. Then there's Beowulf. I've seen several Old Irish poems as well.
But what about spells and magic? Do there exist any of those online in the ...
8
votes
1answer
66 views
What is the legend of the Knight Tondalo?
I was recently reading Martin Luther's commentary on the Sermon on the Mount (English translation by Charles A. Hay, 1892) and I was intrigued by a reference to "the legend of the Knight Tondalo".
...
3
votes
2answers
60 views
Definitive text on special stones
I'm wondering if there are any definitive texts, ancient or modern, that give some more depth to the origin of the meaning ascribed to them such as like here:
Lapis is an excellent stone for ...
6
votes
0answers
69 views
References on Tolkien's plots
Diana Wynne Jones's autobiography contains an interesting report on what Tolkien lectured about at university:
He started with the simplest possible story: a man (prince or woodcutter) going on a ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Are there any myths about rational beings (except gods/immaterial beings) that walked the earth before humans?
Are there myths that feature such beings?
My answer to a question by a commenter: The question says no gods. Supernatural beings that aren't gods and deities that aren't gods (if this possibility ...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
Naranath Bhranthan, earliest mentions and sources?
Naranath Bhranthan appears to be a figure from medieval Indian tradition, but except for some repeats of the wikipedia article I have not been able to find anything worth commenting. When and where ...
7
votes
1answer
147 views
What are some references to Mathonwy in Welsh legends?
Mathonwy is the father of Math fab Mathony and a mother godess Dôn in Welsh legend, who is believed to be analogous to Danu from Irish and Vedic legends.
Are there any surviving sources, either ...
2
votes
1answer
383 views
Where to find myths about the origin of civilization?
Is there a particular book (from a trustworthy source of course) I can see/buy or website(s) (preferably academic, that legally allow(s) non-academics access to this information)?
Edit: Initially, I ...
3
votes
0answers
40 views
Original Southeast Asian or Polynesian Literature (as Computer Readable Text) Online
Wondering if there are any original documents in text format (i.e. "etexts") for any of the Southeast Asian or Polynesian mythology, folklore, or just general documents written in their native ...
4
votes
1answer
134 views
What's the best way to go about researching obscure mythologies?
So basically, I want to learn more about Zulu (or possibly some other South African culture) polytheism, among other things. Trouble is, it's hard to find a lot information about it, even from ye olde ...
5
votes
1answer
224 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, ...
9
votes
1answer
107 views
The concept that scripture is made to adapt to changes of society, technology, and language
I once heard of an attitude to interpreting religious scripture that goes roughly as follows:
The scripture was made such that it will always produce the correct ethics, guidance, and similar when ...
4
votes
0answers
31 views
Narratives in Haitian (or other) Vodou?
While there are plenty of modern and literary references to the Loas, I can't seem to find any narratives of the Loas themselves. Are there any narratives available or are the Loas best defined by ...
4
votes
2answers
297 views
What is the source work for Cadmus visiting Delphi?
This has been driving me absolutely nuts, as it is universally referenced across the internet, but nowhere cited.
It looks like Theoi originally grabbed it from Encyclopedia Britannica, not ...
7
votes
2answers
211 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:...
3
votes
2answers
882 views
Who were the Anunnaki according to Sumerians' tales?
Who were the Anunnaki? Were they gods, demigods or different race? And what was their role?
How do we tell who they were?
I am looking for primary or canonical sources that explain about the ...
26
votes
5answers
3k views
Is there any textual evidence that confirms the color of Hindu gods?
Hindu gods, most notably, Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Kali, are depicted as blue colored beings. But they are also depicted with many different skin colors, some looking
more natural than others.
Is ...
21
votes
1answer
155 views
Where can I find the earliest literary compendium for the Greek Pantheon?
I know that much of Greek mythology was passed on by word of mouth but someone must have been the first to collect this in one source. What was that Compendium and is there a version available in ...
