Marine mythology includes sea monsters, deities, ghost ships, and sunken cities. Polytheistic groups with access to the sea create their own mythology. Examples include Greek and Roman gods, Inuit goddess Sedna, and Aztec goddess Atlacamani. Sea monsters like Leviathan and mermaids appear in multiple mythologies. Ghost ships like the Flying Dutchman and sunken cities like […]
Slavic mythology featured gods, spirits, and magical beings, with Christianity replacing the belief in ancient Slavic gods. The pantheon included Perun, Svarog, Dazhbog, and Chernobog. Spirits like domovoi and vodyanoi inhabited homes and natural environments. Baba Yaga was a famous folklore figure, and Slavic literature often imbued animals with magical powers. Originally Slavic mythology appears […]
Anubis, an ancient Egyptian deity with the head of a jackal and body of a man, was the guardian of the dead and oversaw the weighing of the heart against the “feather of truth.” As Osiris became more popular, Anubis was relegated to a secondary role as guardian of the departed soul and master of […]
Classical mythology is the study of Greek and Roman gods, heroes, and folktales. It explains natural occurrences through supernatural means. The Homeric epics, Iliad and Odyssey, blend the stories of soldiers and heroes with gods and goddesses. Roman mythology appropriated Greek myths and gods. Classical mythology is the collective myths and religious structures of the […]
Inuit mythology includes animism, animal importance, multiple deities, and mythological creatures. Animism is consistent throughout, with many characters depicted as animals. Inuit deities hold power over specific parts of nature, and mythical beasts are often terrifying creatures responsible for unexplained deaths. Inuit mythology is a deeply complex set of beliefs, images and stories passed down […]
Owls have various roles in mythology worldwide. In Greek mythology, Athena had an owl as a companion, making owls symbols of wisdom in the Western world. However, in other cultures, owls are associated with death and the underworld. Native American nations had different roles for owls, including messengers and guardians. Owls play an important role […]
Egyptian mythology features a pantheon of powerful gods and goddesses, with the pharaoh as intermediary. Rituals were central to society, including burial practices for the afterlife. Conflicting myths existed, but did not cause conflict. Primary beings included Nut, Geb, Nu, Duat, and Ra. Egyptian mythology is beautiful and complex, with a pantheon of powerful gods […]
The sun is perceived as a divine being in many cultures, with some having solar mythology to answer questions about it. Ancient Egypt and Rome had important solar deities, while Norse religion focused on other gods. The Inca and Aztecs also had sun gods. Anthropologists once believed many religions were based on sun deities, but […]
Serpents have significant roles in mythological systems worldwide, representing fertility, deceit, life, and immortality. Judeo-Christian culture views snakes as evil, while other cultures see them as guardians or creators. Understanding cultural context is crucial when interpreting snakes in literature. Serpents play a very important role in the mythological systems of many different cultures and societies, […]
Tricksters in mythology are male figures who deceive and trick both gods and men, often shapeshifting and representing disorder. They can be benevolent or malevolent, serving as role models for rebels and nonconformists, and embodying both good and evil. Tricksters can also represent entropy and deterioration, acting as court jesters to hold up a mirror […]
To create mythology lesson plans, consider the objectives of each lesson and any requirements or standards. Start with an introductory lesson on myths and common ideas. Create plans for specific myths or cultures and incorporate vocabulary and other lessons. Reference previous activities and ensure students understand new vocabulary. If you want to create mythology lesson […]
Birds in mythology have diverse roles and attributes, varying by culture. They can be associated with deities, symbolize concepts, and serve as messengers. Some birds are seen as sacred or divine, while others are fictional creatures such as the phoenix and roc. The roles of birds in mythology are almost as diverse as the various […]
Egyptian mythology is the religion of ancient Egypt, featuring stories of mortals meeting gods and how they created the natural world. Kings were revered and gods were often part animals. The belief in the afterlife was important, as seen in mummification and the symbolism of the Nile and lotus flower. Legends of gods like Isis […]
Native American mythology includes trickster figures, death as a universal theme, twin myths, and oral tradition. These elements differentiate it from other mythologies and teach cultural truths and values. Trickster figures represent human nature and the potential for change. Death signifies cycles of life and rebirth, while twin myths teach balance and meaning in life. […]
Mayan mythology centers around corn and the belief that humans originated from a single grain brought from the underworld by the First Father. The civilization declined in the 10th century, but tales of Mayan mythology continued to be passed down as oral history. The creation myth, set in “Popul Vuh,” features the First Father, who […]
Japanese mythology is based on the Shinto religion, which includes thousands of gods, goddesses, and spirits. Major deities include Amaterasu, Hachiman, and Susano, with deities called “kami” representing the life force in every being and nature. Susano is linked to storms, while Amaterasu is the sun and fertility kami, and Hachiman is the kami of […]
The Aztecs were a violent civilization that ruled southern Mexico and Central America from the 14th to 16th centuries. Their mythology centered around human sacrifice, reincarnation, destiny, and duality, with the gods requiring sacrifices to be fed and the belief in predestination. Duality was represented in their gods and goddesses, with Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl being […]
Sisyphus, son of King Aeolus, was a deceitful and arrogant figure in Greek mythology who was punished by the gods to roll a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down for eternity. Some believe this story explains the rising and setting of the sun. Sisyphus has been depicted in artwork and […]
Angels are divine beings that act as intermediaries between God and humans. They are consistent across many cultures and often depicted with wings and halos. In Christianity, there is a complex hierarchy of angels, while in Islam, angels have no free will. Many religions have beliefs about benevolent spirits. There are different types of angels, […]
Mythology explains natural and supernatural phenomena through narratives created by ancient people. Creation stories, natural disasters, and human institutions are all topics of mythology. Holidays like Halloween have roots in mythology. Mythology refers to the study of myth or is used to refer to a collection of myths of a particular culture or society. The […]
