Political myths are narratives that explain a political topic, often in the form of a dramatic story. They can be based on historical fact or philosophical validity. National origin stories and Manifest Destiny are examples of political myths. They can unite a community but also be used as tools of oppression. A political myth is […]
Flood myths are found in many cultures and often involve a global flood caused by deities. The stories may be based on memory of natural disasters or extinction events, explain ancient ruins, or encourage belief in a higher power. The story of Noah’s Ark is the most famous flood myth, while Indian and Tarahumara mythology […]
The Hesperides were nymphs who guarded a garden of golden apples in Greek mythology. Their number and names vary in different stories, and they were guarded by a dragon named Ladon. Hercules stole some of the apples as one of his tasks. The garden is a common theme in many cultures, and the apples grant […]
The Stymphalian birds were fierce creatures belonging to Ares, the Greek god of war. They had metal quills, brass claws, poisonous poop, and a taste for human flesh. Hercules defeated them as part of his 12 labors, using cymbals from Athena to scare them away. The birds migrated after the battle and did not return. […]
Archaeologists in England have found evidence of corpses dug up and mutilated in the Middle Ages in an effort to prevent the dead from being resurrected and to terrorize the living. The discovery was made in the medieval village of Wharram Percy in North Yorkshire. The theory is based on the discovery of human remains. […]
Creation myths are stories used to explain the origins of the world and people’s roles in it, found in almost every culture. They often involve nature, supernatural beings, and conflict, and are closely related to dominant religions. Despite their subjective nature, they have shaped cultural formation and social ordering. A creation myth is a story […]
Cassandra, a prophet of Apollo, was cursed to always speak the truth but never be believed. In Greek mythology, she prophesied the fall of Troy and was ignored. In Euripides’ Agamemnon, she is killed by Clytemnestra. The myth has influenced literature and cinema, and “Cassandra syndrome” refers to the mistaken belief of predicting the future […]
The Babylonian creation myth, Enuma Elish, is a poem engraved on seven stone tablets that tells the story of chaos and vengeance by gods and goddesses. The main character, Marduk, created the calendar, rain, and man. There are many versions of the myth, and scholars debate whether it influenced the Bible or vice versa. The […]
When writing a myth, characters and setting are equally important. Myths are stories with no factual basis, used to explain origins and give societies a sense of identity. To write a myth, first, determine its function and make it plausible. Develop characters and keep the story brief and consistent with the cultural setting. Edit and […]
The Inuit creation myth tells of a daughter who becomes a creature of the sea and air after her fingers are cut off. In one variation, she falls in love with a bird and her father cuts off her fingers, which turn into various creatures. In another variation, a giant daughter with an insatiable appetite […]
The Hydra was a many-headed monster in Greek mythology, defeated by Hercules by cauterizing the necks. It guarded the entrance to the underworld and had poisonous breath and blood. Hercules completed this task as part of his 12 Labors, with the help of Iolaus. The Hydra has become a symbol of a challenge that keeps […]
Cultural myths are traditional stories with special meaning for a culture, often featuring gods or heroes and offering moral or fanciful explanations. They reveal insights into ancient civilizations and share commonalities, forming the monomyth. Modern storytellers borrow elements to give wider appeal. A cultural myth is a traditional story that has special meaning for people […]
The Chinese creation myth tells of Pangu, a giant who formed the earth from an egg, and Nu Wa, who created humans from clay. Pangu’s body parts became mountains, fields, and rivers. Nu Wa saved the world from ruin and created a class system. The Chinese creation myth is a narrative detailing a vision of […]
The Japanese creation myth explains the formation of Japan’s sky, earth, and islands. It was part of the Kojiki, compiled in 712 by O no Yasumaro and assigned by Empress Gemmei. The story involves three creator deities, Izanagi and Izanami, who mate and produce weak children until they speak to each other in the correct […]
Myths are fictional stories used to explain natural phenomena and human experience. They often include religious and supernatural elements, high adventure and drama, and are passed down orally. Myths lack a single identifiable author and are shared by a culture as a whole. A myth is a fictional story told to explain some aspect of […]
Mythology has various character types including heroes, gods, and villains. Heroes are usually human or divine figures who embark on a heroic journey, while gods can act as catalysts or antagonists in stories. Villains such as Medusa often challenge the heroes, making their deeds legendary. There are many types of characters in mythology, just as […]
Mythological allusions are brief references to mythology in art, literature, or music. Mythology explains phenomena, teaches morals, and explains the origin of people. Allusions are used to augment a story and pay homage to something. Examples include Shakespeare’s plays, Harry Potter, and Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment.” A mythological allusion is when a work of art, literature […]
Geryon was a giant in Greek mythology who guarded a herd of red cattle on the island of Erytheia. He had three heads or three bodies and was slain by Hercules in the Labors of Hercules. Geryon was associated with a mythical land near the Hesperides, and Hercules had to overcome obstacles to deliver the […]
Constellation mythology tells stories about the arrangement of stars in the sky, often based on existing myths. These stories involve gods and heroes and can vary across cultures. Some constellations are named after characters in myths, such as Orion and Ursa Major. Stories can also be created to explain the shapes of constellations seen in […]
The Ceryneian hind was a sacred deer to Artemis with golden antlers and metal hooves that could travel faster than an arrow. Hercules captured it as part of his 12 labors, but returned it to Artemis. All deer are sacred to Artemis due to their connection to the Ceryneian hind. In Greek mythology, the Ceryneian […]
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