Brigid is a powerful goddess in Celtic mythology associated with light, wisdom, the hearth, home, childbirth, healing, and the arts. She was born at dawn and is credited with inventing the practice of wailing and whistling. Brigid was also associated with oxen, boars, and sacred flames. She was loved by many women, and some priestesses […]
Janus is the Roman god of doors, beginnings, change, and transition. He is depicted with two or four faces and was originally the guardian of gates. Janus was also associated with warfare, the end, and was often worshipped at important life events. In modern times, Janus is used as a metaphor for the complex nature […]
Proteus, a Greek god of the sea, is known for his shapeshifting abilities and oracular powers. He is the son of Poseidon and Thetis and has three children. Several Greek heroes sought his help, and he appears in works of poetry and fiction. Another character named Proteus is a king of Egypt. Proteus is a […]
Isis is an Egyptian goddess of fertility, the dead, and healing. She is associated with the moon and is Osiris’ sister and wife. She resurrected Osiris and gave birth to Horus. Isis was also worshiped in Greece and Rome, and her story may have influenced the story of Mary and Christ in Christianity. In Egyptian […]
Charon, son of Erebus and Nyx, is responsible for ferrying the dead across the River Styx in Greek mythology. He demands payment, and those who cannot pay are sentenced to roam the riverbanks. Charon is depicted differently in various myths and charges more for living visitors. The going rate in ancient Greece was an obol, […]
Osiris, the Egyptian god of death, resurrection, and fertility, was one of the oldest recorded gods in Egyptian history. He was married to his sister Isis and was drowned in a trunk by his brother Set. Isis brought him back to life, but he was sent to the underworld to watch over the dead and […]
The triple goddess is a common concept in many religions and mythologies, representing a goddess with three aspects or three separate individuals related to each other. It allows for appreciation of the complexity of women and individuals, and the number three has powerful symbolism in many cultures. In Neopaganism, the triple goddess represents the maiden, […]
Mythology courses provide an overview of mythological concepts and systems, with some courses focusing on a specific mythological system or modern mythological systems. They cover creation myths, gods, and common themes found across mythological systems, and may explore how ancient myths continue to influence modern storytelling. Different types of mythology courses usually provide general or […]
Hawaiian mythology includes animism and polytheism, with Lono and Pele as notable deities. The Hawaiian Islands were settled by Polynesians who brought their religions. Traditional religions were discouraged or outlawed during colonization, but some aspects survived. Mana is a primary concept, and the Kumulipo is a sacred text. Hula dancing was originally a prayer to […]
Earning a degree in mythology involves finding an accredited college or university offering a mythology-related program, completing coursework and graduation requirements, and potentially continuing to graduate school for a teaching certificate or master’s degree. Finding the right program can be challenging, as not all schools offer specializations in this field. Course structures vary, but most […]
Animals play various roles in mythology, depending on the culture. They can be characters, objects of worship, or symbols of negative concepts. They can also serve as narrative devices or have extraordinary intelligence, as seen in Egyptian and Native American mythology. Imaginary creatures are also used to test heroes or represent the dark side of […]
Cerberus is the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld in Greek mythology. He is the son of Echidna and Typhon and is portrayed as a ferocious individual. Hercules was ordered to abduct him from the underworld as the final task in the 12 Labors of Hercules. Despite being kidnapped, Cerberus remained fierce […]
Women have played important roles in mythology across cultures and time periods. They can possess magical powers, be heroic figures, or offer advice and predictions. Some are goddesses, while others are archetypes like the wise woman or the witch. Women in mythology can be passive, like Andromeda, or proactive, like Ariadne or Medea. Some creation […]
Norse mythology was the belief system of the Norse people before Christianity. It includes a creation legend, a pantheon of gods, heroic sagas, and a pessimistic worldview. The world was created by three gods, and the Aesir ruled Asgard. The Aesir had enemies, and Norse mythology includes sagas about heroes and creatures. Much of it […]
Penelope is the faithful wife of Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey, waiting for his return for 20 years while dealing with suitors. She uses a cunning ruse to delay choosing a suitor, but is eventually discovered. When Odysseus returns, he wins the challenge and is restored to his throne. Recent readings suggest Penelope may have considered […]
Mythology and folklore are often used interchangeably, but mythology refers to large-scale stories spanning a wide geographic range and involving titanic events and characters, while folklore involves smaller, more intimate settings and characters. The scale of the story determines the difference between the two, but the distinction can be blurred when smaller tales become larger […]
Modern mythology refers to popular characters and images in modern writing and entertainment that have acquired a mythological status. It includes comic book characters, folk heroes, and celebrities. Unlike ancient mythology, modern mythology is created within the last few hundred years and often reflects modern values. It is not used to refer to religious tales […]
Choosing the best mythology books depends on the reader’s interests and goals. It’s important to determine the subsection of mythology and what one wants to get out of the books. Reviews, writer reputation, and excerpts can help in making the best choice. Mythology books, or books that contain information or stories about collections of myths […]
Pan is the Greek god of fields, woods and flocks, associated with male virility and depicted in a highly sexualized way. He tended olive trees and vines, played a syrinx, and had violent mood swings. He pursued nymphs and caused irrational fear, and is depicted in Greek art at feasts and as a mentor to […]
Russian mythology is rooted in Slavic traditions and includes deities, folklore, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Baba Yaga and Firebird are popular supernatural creatures. Russian nationality includes many ethnicities with their own mythologies. Perun and Veles were major gods, and Russian mythology has a variety of supernatural creatures. Old Russian religion was deeply connected to […]
