All Questions
2,053
questions
0
votes
0
answers
6
views
I need help to understand this symbol any one could help me out pls? [closed]
I need help to understand this symbol any one could help me out pls?
1
vote
0
answers
28
views
Who was the first to depict long-tailed fauns?
I have seen several pieces of artwork that depict fauns with long, tufted tails. I initially thought this was just something that C.S. Lewis had made up*, but now I'm curious.
Who was the first person ...
- 161
4
votes
0
answers
35
views
How big is a ziz?
I initially asked this question on Worldbuilding, and a few people said this site would be a better fit. How big is the ziz? Mythology states that it was large enough to block out the sun with its ...
- 161
3
votes
1
answer
63
views
Berecynthus son of Heracles?
Wikipedia states
Astydameia, daughter of King Mygdon, who was killed by Heracles who
sided with Lycus in a conflict opposing Lycus and Mygdon. After
killing her father, Heracles sired a son named ...
- 332
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
The elephent whose head attached to Lord Ganesha; Who was he? Had he got any curse in his previous life?
As we all know how Lord Ganesha's having an elephent head. But My question is that the elephent whose head was beheaded for attaching dead Ganesha's body;
Who was he?
What was his previous life?
Was ...
- 133
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
Hindu mythology. We already know that Kalki Avatar will appear in Kaliyuga. So was it already known in Tretayuga that Krishna will come in Dwaparyuga
We already know that Kalki Avatar will appear in Kaliyuga before his appearance. So was it already known in Tretayuga that Lord Krishna will come in Dwaparyuga, like is it written in the sacred texts ...
2
votes
0
answers
54
views
Identify Tale: King kills Wife Out of Distrust Goes Blind then Regains Sight
Read a this tale long back need help identifying King.
It goes like one day King kills wife out of jealousy & distrust. Loses sight due to this event. Goes on penance realises his mistakes after ...
- 31
2
votes
1
answer
73
views
Seed symbol in Slavic folklore
I came upon this symbol and was curious if it has a specific name (like "kolovrat") and what its symbolism is in Slavic folklore.
- 597
1
vote
1
answer
93
views
Help! Looking for a list of bird-human hybrids in mythology
I'm looking either for a list (linked or in your answer) of half human creatures from any and all mythology that can fly. Specifically, half human half bird. I am aware of harpies and sirens, although ...
- 161
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
Did Chang'e (嫦娥) and Ne Zha (哪吒) ever interact?
In all Chinese mythology I would like to know if Chang'e and Nezha ever interacted at all.
If they ever did, were their feelings mutual? Did they know each other at all? I know both of their myths, ...
3
votes
0
answers
105
views
What cultural significance and symbolism lie behind the ancestor figures in Osage Native American afterlife beliefs?
In the 2023 film Killers of the Flower Moon, based on the non-fiction book of the same name, there's a poignant scene that depicts the final moments of Lizzie Q, an Osage Native American, as she lies ...
- 131
4
votes
1
answer
86
views
Which Mesopotamian gods had sacred numbers?
In ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform, there were a few different ways of writing a deity's name. You could spell it out, you could write one of their divine purviews, or you could use a "sacred ...
- 1,368
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
So does Lucifer actually have three heads or is this metaphorically speaking? [duplicate]
So does lucifer just have one head but metaphorically has three because of the mockery of the holly spirit...
4
votes
1
answer
228
views
Miniature with man falling into a chasm and a camel—what is the myth being depicted here?
As far as I understand, it's from the "Ahmed I Falnama" from the 16th century. I haven't been able to find any commentary on this particular miniature, however.
Some things to note: The ...
2
votes
1
answer
114
views
How did the Trojans get Aphrodite's Veil in the first place?
Long before Paris stole Helen from Menelaus and took her back to Troy with him, a move that launched the legendary Trojan War, there was another kidnapping of note. My question is related to that ...
2
votes
1
answer
84
views
Was Zagreus more well known in ancient Greece?
Today, Zagreus is considered a very obscure god, only appearing in a few lines, and only in lost works. But was this different in ancient Greece? Or it was really very obscure? Some searches on the ...
- 23
3
votes
1
answer
61
views
How did ancient cultures like Ancient Egypt justify having "non-month" days to adjust for their inaccurate calendar day count?
From asking How did the ancient cultures determine that the year was actually a fraction of an extra day beyond 365 days? I'm now wondering how cultures like Ancient Egypt, with their 12-month, 30 ...
- 445
4
votes
1
answer
58
views
Is there a Donkeyskin variant that involves a tunneling magic bed?
Wikipedia reports that Griechische und Albanesische Märchen contains a Greek Donkeyskin variant that involves a burrowing bed.
In a Greek variant from Epeirus collected by Austrian consul Johann ...
- 933
3
votes
1
answer
91
views
Origin of Folk-Belief that the Faithful Dead become Angels
There is a common folk-belief among Christians that the faithful dead become angels.
As noted in this related question, this belief is not only unsubstantiated by scripture, but seemingly contradicted ...
- 133
2
votes
3
answers
151
views
Are there official terms in any cultures for vampire hideouts?
I've been thinking about what sorts of monsters would realistically be in a haunted house and I wound up wondering if there was an official word for the sorts of places where vampires lived. Is there?
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
87
views
Where did OSP Red's idea of the leader of the Wild Hunt being a "dead nobleman named Hackleburg or Hacklebaran" come from?
In 2021, OSP Red from the Overly Sarcastic Productions youtube channel (a mythology/history focused channel for those not aware) made a video on the Wild Hunt.
In that video she mentioned that "...
4
votes
2
answers
163
views
What is "cemuc barley" referred to in a Sumerian proverb, and how is it related to necromancy?
I found this cryptic Sumerian proverb looking for ancient barley references:
"The cemuc barley is reserved for the necromancer."
There is an unrelated note that follows explaining how ...
1
vote
1
answer
4k
views
One day blinding stew - fact or fiction
I’ve been hearing a little chat about a ‘one-day blinding stew’ which purportedly causes temporary blindness. Details seem predictably hard to come by although I’ve heard rumours (verbally, can’t ...
- 111
-2
votes
1
answer
123
views
Why did Vishnu violate Vrinda, to defeat Jalandhar?
I personaly don't think he violated Vrinda as per current violation defination. I believe he violated her per ancient defination by siting with her.
-2
votes
1
answer
137
views
Why is the use of Greek or Roman names inconsistent today?
Today almost all of of the gods are mostly referred by their Greek names, with Hercules and Cupid being two notable exceptions.
Is there any reason why we mostly use Hercules and Cupid, instead of ...
anon
2
votes
1
answer
93
views
Did Admete go to Themiscyra?
Wikipedia (seemingly quoted directly from older encyclopedias) claims that according to John Tzetzes' commentary on Lycophron, Eurystheus' daughter Admete not only asked for the belt of Hippolyta, but ...
- 332
2
votes
0
answers
98
views
Need help identifying a specific prophetic or cursed book of unknown origin
My mum recently told me about a book that her own mother (my grandmother) mentioned to her when she was a child. Neither of them actually had a physical copy of the book, but I'd like to know if ...
2
votes
2
answers
112
views
Where did the ancient (the ones who fought the Trojans) Greeks believe the world to be?
Atlas holds up the world on his shoulders. On what does he stand?
I've heard the ancients depicted the world being supported by 4 elephants which were standing on the back of a turtle. I'm not sure ...
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
According to Pastafarian myth, which day of the week is for pasta?
I always eat noodles on Friday, as do adherents of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster; see this excerpt from The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Henderson 2006) for explanation of the ...
- 101
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
Are there any myths of rulers who have built and destroyed their own domains?
I have looked into many historical leaders who have, as a defensive tactic, or by the repercussions of their indulgent or careless actions, factored into some downfall of their nation or empire, such ...
- 598
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
What is the relationship between Celtic harmonics and Celtic symbols?
I've noticed that Celtic-sounding words are very sing-song. Is there a connection between this rhythm and their symbols, like the Celtic knot?
- 41
1
vote
1
answer
73
views
Washoe people: Legends and myths of the underground
I am building a 6500:1 cardboard model of the Mount Rose ski resort. The whole model has a thickness of 4.5 inches at its highest point, located on one of the sides of the model. While the rest of the ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
154
views
On the mechanics of updating mythology?
So I have the impression that in India a lot of real life events were glorified in Indian history and entered mythology (like the Mahabharata, etc? It recounts the Kurukshetra war, which is believed ...
- 121
1
vote
1
answer
230
views
Was there a god called Tyrimnas or Tyrimnos worshipped at Thyatira?
I've seen a few Christian sources (such as this one) mentioning a god called Tyrimnos (I've also seen it spelled Tyrimnas) that was worshiped at Thyatira, but I have not been able to find any ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
121
views
Vishwamitra common link Ramayan and Mahabharata
As per Ramayan, Ram and Laxman helped Vishwamitra to kill Tataka yakshi. Viswamitra was a sage by then, that means he had already met Menaka, and Shakuntala was born.
As per Mahabharata Shakuntala was ...
- 111
2
votes
0
answers
70
views
What source says the Pythia warned Aegeus he would die of grief?
Robert Graves phrases her oracle to Aegeus as follows:
The Oracle warned him not to untie the of mouth his bulging wine-skin
until he reached the highest point of Athens, lest he one day die of
grief
...
- 332
2
votes
1
answer
135
views
What is the original ancient Egyptian names for the "Book of Two Ways"?
After much research, I am asking for help with this matter. I can find no reverse translation for the "Book of Two Ways." Is it like the "Book of the Dead," a modern convenience ...
- 651
2
votes
0
answers
384
views
Why does Achilles sacrifice 12 Trojan men on Patroclus' funeral pyre? Will this benefit Patroclus in the afterlife? (Illiad Book 23)
In the Iliad, Achilles gives his friend Patroclus an elaborate funeral, involving the sacrifice of various animals, including 2 of Patroclus own dogs (presumably so they can be with him in the ...
- 648
0
votes
0
answers
62
views
Would Lilith's pact with God be obsolete?
God curses Lilith for her defiance in the Garden of Eden, and as such, Hebraic tradition depicts her as a temptress and slayer of children.
She eventually marries Asmodeus, himself a tempter and a ...
- 397
0
votes
1
answer
148
views
Was there a Mythological Being Who had His Eyes Removed and Separated?
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for Blue Exorcist and The 8th Night
So, I recently watched a recap of a Korean Mystery-Thriller film called "The 8th Night". The basic premise is that a young monk ...
1
vote
1
answer
85
views
How is 𐌂𐌀𐌕𐌌𐌉𐌕𐌄, a.k.a Catamite, the Etruscan form of Gadymedes?
It's obvious why 𐌂𐌀𐌕𐌌𐌉𐌕𐌄 is catamite, but not how the Etruscans got it from "Gadymedes".
Is it just "We know they're the same character / name, but we dunno how the Etruscans got ...
- 933
1
vote
1
answer
415
views
What does "ox-eyed" mean in the Iliad?
Hera is called "ox-eyed," and there is another question here which discusses that. The answer there is that Hera is associated with cows. But there is also a mention of another ox-eyed ...
2
votes
1
answer
115
views
What is the great gulf mentioned by Hesiod?
In Hesiod's Theogony he mentions a place where the sources and ends of the Earth, Tartarus, Sea and Heaven are located:
And there, all in their order, are the sources and ends of gloomy earth and ...
- 103
4
votes
1
answer
178
views
Is Emily Wilson's 2018 translation of Homer's Odyssey correct to say the sorceress Circe had nymphs as 'slaves' (Book 10 line 349)?
'10.349 Meanwhile, four slaves, her house girls, were at work around the palace. They were nymphs, the daughters of fountains and of groves and holy rivers'
Nymphs were semi-divine, usually immortal, ...
- 648
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
Are humans suppose to succeed gods in Far East mythologies?
Although this question is mostly inspired by video games, I'm searching for the cultural (mythological?) root of this "trope" (I lack a better term).
At this point, I encountered it multiple ...
- 101
3
votes
0
answers
67
views
Do we know of any pagan creation myths that also feature a creation week?
Is the creation week an introduction by Abrahamic religions, or are there other known religions that also have, as part of their creation myths, a creation week (not necessarily of 7 days)? I've ...
- 131
1
vote
0
answers
45
views
Would Izanami be considered a death or underworld goddess?
Her role as a creation goddess is obvious, but could she be considered as a death goddess because of her link to the underworld? Or have Shintos never really seen it that way?
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
146
views
What is the greek/roman myth with woman proud of her three sons but they die
I remember (and I may be mis-remembering some things) a myth where there was a mother and her three sons doted over her and ran for her every wish. The three sons carried her somewhere and got her ...
0
votes
1
answer
116
views
Oldest provable myth or legend
What is the oldest myth or legend which is known to mankind?
It's rather simple to determine the age of physical objects, be that pieces of everyday objects, but also written documents. These latter ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
176
views
Did the ancient Greeks establish a time when Prometheus gave fire to humans?
According to Wikipedia, the myth of Prometheus was first recorded around 800 B.C.:
The first recorded account of the Prometheus myth appeared in the late 8th-century BC Greek epic poet Hesiod's ...
- 111