We all have read or heard about different forms of mythology-
Greco-Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Celtic, Native American, Hindu...

Every culture has a form of it- form the Hydra and Midgard Serpent, to the Modern-Day Sicilian.

What is your favorite mythos?
Do you have a favorite story, fable, parable, or tale?

Share it here!

   Manifest Destiny

   The White Man's Burden

   Contemporary mythology submitted for your scrutiny, sir groove ;) on...

Not bad!

I'm not quite sure if I would qualify Kipling as mythology, but he's a superb storyteller, nonetheless.

In my own realms of study (which are MANY), I suggest the following:

Celtic- The Tales Of the Fianna, and Fionn macCumhaill.
Greco-Roman- The Aeneid, and the tale of Europa.
Babylonian- The Tale of Enkidu.
Norse- The Tale of Tyr, the One-Handed God
Finnish- Lemminkainen and the Snow Shoes
Welsh- any from "The Mabinogion"
Egyptian- How Osiris Became A God
German- The Tale Of the Ring Of Nibelung

These are good starters, with the sole exception of the Aeneid.
Before you read that, I suggest The Iliad & The Odyssey, as the Aeneid is a companion piece.

Hmm, off the top of my head I enjoy celtic mythology. I love a lot of the Irish legends to do with fairies and mythical creatures.I enjoyed Beowulf as well.
Greek mythology has some fantastic storiesbut my favourite stories by far would have to be Arthurian legend, with Gawain being my favourite knight.

I also enjoy the Arthurian legends, but I can't necessarily call them myths, because there is too much supporting evidence that proves he existed.

Gawain was an OK knight.
My preferences in knights were:

Bedivere
Galahad
Percivale
Dagonet

Celtic myths are cool, as well.
I love the stories about Fionn macCumhail, and the Fianna. My personal favorite is the one about the Gholla Dacker.

Not bad!

I'm not quite sure if I would qualify Kipling as mythology, but he's a superb storyteller, nonetheless.

In my own realms of study (which are MANY), I suggest the following:

Celtic- The Tales Of the Fianna, and Fionn macCumhaill.
Greco-Roman- The Aeneid, and the tale of Europa.
Babylonian- The Tale of Enkidu.
Norse- The Tale of Tyr, the One-Handed God
Finnish- Lemminkainen and the Snow Shoes
Welsh- any from "The Mabinogion"
Egyptian- How Osiris Became A God
German- The Tale Of the Ring Of Nibelung

These are good starters, with the sole exception of the Aeneid.
Before you read that, I suggest The Iliad & The Odyssey, as the Aeneid is a companion piece.


  Egads..!  From your list the only one I'm familiar with is The Aeneid  or the "poor man's Iliad".  I'm still in the dark, comes to mythology, my only focus being cults popular in the ancient Roman army; Mithra, Isis, &etc...

  I included White Man's Burden because I saw, within it, a parallel with The Aeneid:

  "Remember, Roman, that it is for thee to rule the nations. This shall be thy task, to impose the ways of peace, to spare the vanquished, and to tame the proud by war."

  Yeah, a long shot I know groove ;) on...

Hmm, off the top of my head I enjoy celtic mythology. I love a lot of the Irish legends to do with fairies and mythical creatures.I enjoyed Beowulf as well.
Greek mythology has some fantastic storiesbut my favourite stories by far would have to be Arthurian legend, with Gawain being my favourite knight.



I agree with you about the Arthurian legend. Can't say that I have a favorite knight or not. BTW, have you seen (or read) The Mists of Avalon? It is the Arthurian story told by the women's point of view. REALLY GOOD!! Excalibur is another good version of the story.


I do love myths of all sorts. I am building up my personal library of myths from around the world from all different cultures. I love all the deities. In fact, (I think many here already know this) that the "V" in my username really stands for Venus (my patron Goddess).




Cat

I agree with you about the Arthurian legend. Can't say that I have a favorite knight or not. BTW, have you seen (or read) The Mists of Avalon? It is the Arthurian story told by the women's point of view. REALLY GOOD!! Excalibur is another good version of the story.


I do love myths of all sorts. I am building up my personal library of myths from around the world from all different cultures. I love all the deities. In fact, (I think many here already know this) that the "V" in my username really stands for Venus (my patron Goddess).

Cat


I have the book, "Excalibur", and the film (it's my all-time favorite film)!
My wife has the entire Avalon series. In fact, MZB was a co-founder of the re-enactment society we were members of- the S.C.A. Her persona was "Mistress", until her death in 1999.

My wife & I are also big mythology buffs.
Concerning the Arthurian legends- I am more into Arthur himself, while my wife is more into Merlin (or Myrrdin, for you accuracy fanatics).

I hope to get the major tomes of mythology (The Mabinogion, The Kalevala, etc.) into my library, before I pass on.

I was very interested in mythology for a short period when I had ambitions to become a fantasy/sci-fi writer (look where I've got with that, lol). I quite like the Arabic Medieval myths - like Al Babar, Arabian Nights.etc, some of the Babylonian, Hitite myths...also eastern myths like the Japanese creation story of Izanagi and Izanami - you can see where those Anime writers get their weird ideas from (which isn't a bad thing, for the most part). Norse and Celtic mythology - Ymir the Ice giant, the Irish myths are also fascinating.

I was very interested in mythology for a short period when I had ambitions to become a fantasy/sci-fi writer (look where I've got with that, lol). I quite like the Arabic Medieval myths - like Al Babar, Arabian Nights.etc, some of the Babylonian, Hitite myths...also eastern myths like the Japanese creation story of Izanagi and Izanami - you can see where those Anime writers get their weird ideas from (which isn't a bad thing, for the most part). Norse and Celtic mythology - Ymir the Ice giant, the Irish myths are also fascinating.


There are quite a few sci/fi writers that delve into these subjects, aren't there?

For example, the late Roger Zelazny wrote quite a few books, concerning Egyptian and hindu mythoi.
For examples, I recommend the following:
"Creatures Of Light & Drakness", and "Lord Of Light".
Another, less serious, collection of stories is "Unicorn Variations".

I find mythology SUCH a fascinating subject!
That's why I would like to study more about it!

I agree with you about the Arthurian legend. Can't say that I have a favorite knight or not. BTW, have you seen (or read) The Mists of Avalon? It is the Arthurian story told by the women's point of view. REALLY GOOD!! Excalibur is another good version of the story.


Cat


I loved "Mists of Avalon" so  much I carried around with me for a week after I had finished with it, just to have it with me.  Although there are some who may be offended, the Bible/Torah, to me, is mythology.  It has some  great stories, I always loved the one about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

Not bad!

I'm not quite sure if I would qualify Kipling as mythology, but he's a superb storyteller, nonetheless.

In my own realms of study (which are MANY), I suggest the following:

Celtic- The Tales Of the Fianna, and Fionn macCumhaill.
Greco-Roman- The Aeneid, and the tale of Europa.
Babylonian- The Tale of Enkidu.
Norse- The Tale of Tyr, the One-Handed God
Finnish- Lemminkainen and the Snow Shoes
Welsh- any from "The Mabinogion"
Egyptian- How Osiris Became A God
German- The Tale Of the Ring Of Nibelung

These are good starters, with the sole exception of the Aeneid.
Before you read that, I suggest The Iliad & The Odyssey, as the Aeneid is a companion piece.

My favorite would be  CuChulainn; the Hound of Ulster, then Fionn mac Cumhail I love the part where he stuck his thump in the fish... Others would be the stories involving the Tuatha Dé Danann.

There are quite a few sci/fi writers that delve into these subjects, aren't there?

For example, the late Roger Zelazny wrote quite a few books, concerning Egyptian and hindu mythoi.
For examples, I recommend the following:
"Creatures Of Light & Drakness", and "Lord Of Light".
Another, less serious, collection of stories is "Unicorn Variations".

I find mythology SUCH a fascinating subject!
That's why I would like to study more about it!


There are...there is even a specialist genre based on re-telling/re-interpretating those ancient myths, and many modern sci-fi classics are either re-hashes of myths, or pervasively influenced by them. I too am still interested in myths, and it's interesting to find parallels between them. To me, they're not only arcane stories you like to tell to your children or study as artifacts - relics of a past, but living stories which are still as applicable today as when they were told (orally) or written on papyrus/stone.

I loved "Mists of Avalon" so  much I carried around with me for a week after I had finished with it, just to have it with me.  Although there are some who may be offended, the Bible/Torah, to me, is mythology.  It has some  great stories, I always loved the one about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego



I, too think of the Bible/Torah and even the Quran as mythology. I must admit that my favorite Bible story is the story of Joseph the dreamer.



Cat

I really am not up on any of this so I'm learning from you guys.....so be accurate in your reporting! :)

You'd think that someone that spend time studying culture and language and then on top of it is of norwegian descent would have some good stories to share.  But I don't.

I DO remember Eurydice....how she was brought to Hades and it was to be eternal winter till she was returned to earth...but that's cuz I was in the play in 7th grade.

so educate me!

I really am not up on any of this so I'm learning from you guys.....so be accurate in your reporting! :)

You'd think that someone that spend time studying culture and language and then on top of it is of norwegian descent would have some good stories to share.  But I don't.

I DO remember Eurydice....how she was brought to Hades and it was to be eternal winter till she was returned to earth...but that's cuz I was in the play in 7th grade.

so educate me!



I think you are thinking of Persephone who was the daughter of Demeter (Goddess of the Earth). Persephone was the wife of Hades and had to live in the "underworld" (because she ate a pomagranat seed-but that is another story). Demeter had missed her so much that she made everything die. The "compromise" was that Persephone would live 6 months in the underworld and 6 months on Earth. Thus, we have 6 months of winter and 6 months of summer.

Eurydice, on the other hand was biten by a serpent and died. Her lover Orpheus (who was a musican) wanted her back and convinced Hades (with his music) to allow her to return. The condition was that on the way back, he could not look back to see if she was behind him (very similar to the story of Lot in the Bible). Just when he was about to leave the underworld, he HAD to make sure she was behind him and he turned around-thus she was sent back to the underworld.  :\'(


Cat

I have observed the posts on here, and I have a few ideas for you folks:

KKay- I am of Swedish descent (I'm 1/4 Swede), and if you want to learn more on Scandinavian mythology, I recommend you find a book on Norse mythology, and the Finnish "Kalevala".
These are excellent references to help you get started.

For those who like "Mists Of Avalon"- check out the entire Avalon series, by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
My wife also recommends "The Crystal Cave", by Mary Stewart.
More to come on that.

Freeridemt- I love the stories about Fionn macCumhail, and the Fianna. My personal favorite is the one about the Gholla Dacker.

Trimac- You might find the "Siddharta" interesting, also. Try it, and tell me what you think.

I have observed the posts on here, and I have a few ideas for you folks:

KKay- I am of Swedish descent (I'm 1/4 Swede), and if you want to learn more on Scandinavian mythology, I recommend you find a book on Norse mythology, and the Finnish "Kalevala".
These are excellent references to help you get started.

For those who like "Mists Of Avalon"- check out the entire Avalon series, by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
My wife also recommends "The Crystal Cave", by Mary Stewart.
More to come on that.

Freeridemt- I love the stories about Fionn macCumhail, and the Fianna. My personal favorite is the one about the Gholla Dacker.

Trimac- You might find the "Siddharta" interesting, also. Try it, and tell me what you think.



I have The Crystal Cave but just haven't read it-YET.  :-[




Cat

There are either 4 or 5 books in that series.
My wife recommends these for those who like the Avalon series.

(Believe me, my wife is a bit of an aurthority when it comes to this!)

thanks for the tips; but i think your stories are more interesting. i like reading member writing.

thanks for the tips; but i think your stories are more interesting. i like reading member writing.


To whom is that addressed?

I have just re-discovered the Babylonian mythoi, and I am absolutely appalled with myself for not having re-discovered it sooner!

Stories of Anu, Enkidu, and Nergal, the nine-legged Prince Demon of the Nine Hells!

Utu, the Sun God!

I really must get out more often, once my vehicle troubles are over!

even everyday stories like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny had their starts in Mythology. I've heard the Santa stories, but I'm not familiar with how the Easter Bunny got started.. Does anyone know?

even everyday stories like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny had their starts in Mythology. I've heard the Santa stories, but I'm not familiar with how the Easter Bunny got started.. Does anyone know?



It came from Germany-only it was a hare-not a rabbit/bunny. The egg has always been a symbol for fertility. Of course Easter, which takes place in spring is a time of rebirth-not just plant-life but also animal life.




Cat

It came from Germany-only it was a hare-not a rabbit/bunny. The egg has always been a symbol for fertility. Of course Easter, which takes place in spring is a time of rebirth-not just plant-life but also animal life.




Cat

You are just a walking, talking encyclopedia! :)  thanks, Cat !

You are just a walking, talking encyclopedia! :)  thanks, Cat !



Well, I kind of cheated. I looked it up.  :-[




Cat

Well, I kind of cheated. I looked it up.  :-[




Cat

heh heh.. we all do that!  ;)

I loved "Mists of Avalon" so  much I carried around with me for a week after I had finished with it, just to have it with me.  Although there are some who may be offended, the Bible/Torah, to me, is mythology.  It has some  great stories, I always loved the one about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego


I think that's a great book, though sadly I never finished it. It was one of those can't-put-downers for a while for me, but I got sidetracked by some other book as often happens. I did see the movie with Angelica Huston, and thought it was good.

My favourite mythologies are Northern European, like Celtic and Germanic/Norse. I prefer the Goidelic cycle of Celtic mythology, coming from Irish and Scottish descent myself. And as a native speaker of a Germanic language, I think it's just great to learn the old stories of Norse/Germanic mythology. They do affect us today more than people realise. For instance, law in the Commonwealth and the US is based on Anglo-Saxon Common Law, and the days of the week are each named for a Saxon god (which are the same as the norse gods). Today, for instance is Woden's day (Wednesday). Woden is Anglo-Saxon for Odin. Thur=Thor etc... That explains why we capitalise the days of the week.

One of my favorite Greek myths is Daphnis and Chloe (by Longus).  It's basically how the story of cupid got started :) http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/01/arrow-thru-heart.gif

Favorite myths of mine include:

Greco/Roman- The tales of Prometheus, Epimetheus (his brother), Theseus & the Minotaur, the tragic hero Bellerophon and the tale of Baucis & Philemon.

Norse- Tyr & the Fenris Wolf, Thor's hammer, the death of Baldur, and Odin's missing eye.

Hindu- The splitting of the 3 Main Gods, and The Balck Water Ox.

Finnish- The tales of Vainamoinen, and the tales of the Son of Louhi.

Celtic- The tales of Fionn macCumhaill & the Fianna, Cuchulainn, Lugh Silverhand, and the legend of Ferghus macLaiter, Ancient High King of Eire.

Babylonian- The tales of Utu, the Sun God.

I have just re-discovered the Babylonian mythoi, and I am absolutely appalled with myself for not having re-discovered it sooner!

Stories of Anu, Enkidu, and Nergal, the nine-legged Prince Demon of the Nine Hells!

Utu, the Sun God!

I really must get out more often, once my vehicle troubles are over!

In the Babylonian myths  Marduk and his battles against Tiamat(One of the earliest remarks about the Chromatic dragon that D&D made famous) are quite out of this world.
I myself like the stories of the three headed dragon Dahak.
In the Celtic myths there are so many that some should read about just for the learning curve.  A point of fact when Patrick came back to Erie and did his thing over a half a dozen of Celtic legands or gods became saints in the church from Rome.
Another group of good ones from  Celtic myths are the Morrigan, Manannan Mac Lir and Diancecht(The healer or in some a very powerful druid) Just remember the ole wise tale me grandmother used to tell me if upon a path you are unsure of, turn your coat inside out and wear it, so you can not be led astray. ;)
The vikings had some good ones.
My wife who has spent more years learning  about many cultures.  With several of her Professor friends was working on a old but new project on the archaic nature.  Trust me on this one the church was against it.  But a friend sent her some drawings and writtings they found in SA on a dig in a Mayan temple.  7 of the markings where an exact match to ones she had from China, Egypt and 5 other places from around the globe. They had a couple of theories they wanted to work on. But she passed last year. But her friends are still working on it. Every once in a while I get a email from one or two.  her interest started way back when she got a letter from Gustav Davidson in 1968 just three years before he died. She was 9 when she got that letter.(G)
Myths from all over the globe can be a good learning lesson, if not that they can have some very good stories about their heroes and heroines
I have just started the past few years to learn more about my moms people the Mic-Macs.  For some of their beliefs are almost the same as the Kelt's.  :D :D

You are quite the fountain of knowledge, Freeride!

Karma to you & your wife, for the contribution.
I have read the Tiamat tale, many yrs. ago.

Thank you for reminding me about the Morrigan.
I'd all but forgotten!

Have you ever read any of the Scythian myths?
They are a race of people who must've had a rich mythology!

Everything I have learned was due to my Wife's desire to learn more. I do so miss that desire from her. :-\\

About the Scythian  a littler bit I know not a lot would have to go through her notes.
What do you know about the Finnish myths? I know a little about them but would love to learn more.
Ilmatar,Loviatar and Mielikki most of what I see is almost the same as the Norse but with different names.
Ok I think we could keep talking about myths for forever. It is a good subject.
Much better then politics. :)

The Finnish mythoi is a bit different from the Norse mythoi, in the sense that the Norns tried to stay out of Man's affairs unless it was a favored champion; The Finn gods got involved pretty much any chance they got.

It's been ages since I read the "Kalevala". I'm not sure what all I remember.

The main myths I seem to recall concern the hero Vainamoinen, the god Ahto and his servant, the Water Dwarf.