Portal:Myths
Wikipedia portal for content related to Myths / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Portal maintenance status: (June 2018)
|
List of selected creatures |
---|
The Myths Portal
Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that simply refers to a belief that is not true. Instead, the truth value of a myth is not a defining criterion.
Myths are often endorsed by secular and religious authorities and are closely linked to religion or spirituality. Many societies group their myths, legends, and history together, considering myths and legends to be true accounts of their remote past. In particular, creation myths take place in a primordial age when the world had not achieved its later form. Other myths explain how a society's customs, institutions, and taboos were established and sanctified. There is a complex relationship between recital of myths and the enactment of rituals. (Full article...)
Selected article - show another
Gilgamesh (/ˈɡɪlɡəmɛʃ/, /ɡɪlˈɡɑːmɛʃ/; Akkadian: 𒀭𒄑𒂆𒈦, romanized: Gilgameš; originally Sumerian: 𒀭𒄑𒉋𒂵𒎌, romanized: Bilgames) was a hero in ancient Mesopotamian mythology and the protagonist of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem written in Akkadian during the late 2nd millennium BC. He was possibly a historical king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk, who was posthumously deified. His rule probably would have taken place sometime in the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period, c. 2900 – 2350 BC, though he became a major figure in Sumerian legend during the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2112 – c. 2004 BC).
Tales of Gilgamesh's legendary exploits are narrated in five surviving Sumerian poems. The earliest of these is likely "Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Netherworld", in which Gilgamesh comes to the aid of the goddess Inanna and drives away the creatures infesting her huluppu tree. She gives him two unknown objects, a mikku and a pikku, which he loses. After Enkidu's death, his shade tells Gilgamesh about the bleak conditions in the Underworld. The poem Gilgamesh and Aga describes Gilgamesh's revolt against his overlord Aga of Kish. Other Sumerian poems relate Gilgamesh's defeat of the giant Huwawa and the Bull of Heaven, while a fifth, poorly preserved poem relates the account of his death and funeral. (Full article...)Did you know? - show different entries
- ...that Chamunda (pictured), a fearsome aspect of the Hindu Divine Mother, was worshipped by ritual human and animal sacrifices along with offerings of wine?
- ...that Ugaritic culture hero Danel may have been a model for the Biblical Daniel of Ezekiel?
- ...that according to Inca mythology, lunar eclipses are caused by animals attacking Mama Quilla, the goddess of the moon?
- ...that Apaliunas, a Luwian deity of Wilusa (Troy) attested among gods in a treaty inscription, ca. 1280 BCE, is a likely precursor of Apollo of Greek mythology?
Recognised content
Featured Articles: Ahalya, Ancient Egyptian literature, King Arthur, Ganesha, Iravan, Orion (mythology), Vampire, Vithoba
Featured Lists: List of valkyrie names in Norse mythology
Good Articles: 2012 phenomenon, Æsir–Vanir War, Ala (demon), Anu, Aphrodite, Athena, Ardhanarishvara, Battle of Barry, Bhikshatana, Catalogue of Women, Chamunda, Chhinnamasta, Consorts of Ganesha, Cú Chulainn, Dhumavati, Dumuzid, Einherjar, Eir, Enlil, Fairy Flag, Fenrir, Gerðr, Hel (being), Huginn and Muninn, Iðunn, Ila (Hinduism), Inanna, Kabandha, Kali, Kamadhenu, Kangiten, Keshi (demon), Khandoba, Kratos (mythology) Krishna, Kubera, LGBT themes in Hindu mythology, Manasa, Mandodari, Matangi, Matrikas, Maya Sita, Mohini, Myrrha, Mythology of Carnivàle, Naraka (Hinduism), Ninurta, Prester John, Prithu, Putana, Rati, Ratatoskr, Revanta, Satyavati, Satyr, Sharabha, Shashthi, Shiva, Sif, Tara (Ramayana), Troilus, Tuisto, Valhalla, Valkyrie, Vampire folklore by region, Varaha, Varahi, Veðrfölnir and eagle Zduhać
Wikiversity
Selected creature - show another
The phoenix is an immortal bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. While it is part of Greek mythology, it has analogs in many cultures, such as Egyptian and Persian. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, while others that it simply dies and decomposes before being born again. In the Motif-Index of Folk-Literature, a tool used by folklorists, the phoenix is classified as motif B32.
The origin of the phoenix has been attributed to Ancient Egypt by Herodotus and later 19th-century scholars, but other scholars think the Egyptian texts may have been influenced by classical folklore. Over time, the phoenix motif spread and gained a variety of new associations; Herodotus, Lucan, Pliny the Elder, Pope Clement I, Lactantius, Ovid, and Isidore of Seville are among those who have contributed to the retelling and transmission of the phoenix motif. Over time, extending beyond its origins, the phoenix could variously "symbolize renewal in general as well as the sun, time, the Empire, metempsychosis, consecration, resurrection, life in the heavenly Paradise, Christ, Mary, virginity, the exceptional man, and certain aspects of Christian life". Some scholars have claimed that the poem De ave phoenice may present the mythological phoenix motif as a symbol of Christ's resurrection. (Full article...)General images
- Image 1Amenonuhoko (天沼矛 or 天之瓊矛 or 天瓊戈, "heavenly jeweled spear") is the name given to the spear in Shinto used to raise the primordial land-mass, Onogoro-shima, from the sea (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 2Golem and Loew (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 4Tissot Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 6Erlang Shen (二郎神), or Erlang is a Chinese God with his spear (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 7The third gift — an enormous hammer (1902) by Elmer Boyd Smith and the ring Draupnir is visible among other creations by the Sons of Ivaldi (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 8Sampo, a magical artifact of indeterminate type constructed by Ilmarinen that brought riches and good fortune to its holder, in the Finnish epic poetry Kalevala (The Forging of the Sampo, Joseph Alanen, 1911) (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 9Hand of God (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 10Image showing the sacred tree to the right of the temple, from Olaus Magnus' Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus (1555). To the right of the tree is a depiction of a man being sacrificed in the spring (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 11 Odysseus Overcome by Demodocus' Song, by Francesco Hayez, 1813–1815 (from Myth)
- Image 12Goetia seal of solomon (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 14Vishnu with his Panchajanya (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 15Väinämöinen, the wise demigod and one of the significant characters of Finnish mythological 19th-century epic poetry, The Kalevala (Väinämöinen's Play, Robert Wilhelm Ekman, 1866) (from Myth)
- Image 16Adam's Bridge also called as Rama Setu (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 18Opening lines of one of the Mabinogi myths from the Red Book of Hergest (written pre-13c, incorporating pre-Roman myths of Celtic gods):
Gereint vab Erbin. Arthur a deuodes dala llys yg Caerllion ar Wysc...
(Geraint the son of Erbin. Arthur was accustomed to hold his Court at Caerlleon upon Usk...) (from Myth) - Image 19The Giving of the Seven Bowls of Wrath / The First Six Plagues, Revelation 16:1–16. Matthias Gerung, c. 1531 (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 20Heracles would use arrows dipped in the Hydra's poisonous blood to kill other foes during his Labours, such as Stymphalian birds and the giant (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 21Aura, a field of luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 22Houyi, the God of Archery (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 23Fig trees often represent talismans with the udumbara (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 24Yama with his famous Yama Pasha (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 25Ancient Sumerian cylinder seal impression showing the god Dumuzid being tortured in the Underworld by galla demons (from Comparative mythology)
- Image 26Azoth, a universal medicine or universal solvent sought in alchemy. (Medieval legend) (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 27Ahimelech giving the sword of Goliath to David, by Aert de Gelder. (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 28Artist's impressions of the (unseen) Imperial Regalia of Japan (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 29Thor kicks Litr onto Baldr's Hringhorni, illustration by Emil Doepler (ca. 1905) (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 30The Ash Yggdrasil by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 31Perillos being forced into the brazen bull that he built for Phalaris (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 32Lichas bringing the garment of Nessus to Hercules (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 33"The Fall of Man" by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Tree of Knowledge is on the right (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 34Lord Vishnu took the form of Beauty Mohini and distributed the Amrita (Ambrosia, Elixir) to Devas. When Rahu (snake dragon) tried to steal the Amrita, his head was cut off (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 35Prometheus (1868) by Gustave Moreau. In the mythos of Hesiodus and possibly Aeschylus (the Greek trilogy Prometheus Bound, Prometheus Unbound and Prometheus Pyrphoros), Prometheus is bound and tortured for giving fire to humanity. (from Myth)
- Image 36Jason returns with Golden fleece (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 37Dietrich von Bern and Hildebrand fight against dragons (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 38An angel (Camael) expelling Adam and Eve with a flaming sword (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 39The Stone of Destiny (Lia Fáil) at the Hill of Tara, once used as a coronation stone for the High Kings of Ireland (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 41The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune (c. 1689 or 1706) by René-Antoine Houasse, depicting the founding myth of Athens (from National myth)
- Image 42King Svafrlame Secures the Sword Tyrfing (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 43seven angels with seven trumpets (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 44The fall of Icarus (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 45Pied piper (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 46Early Hebrew Conception of the Universe (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 47Hop-o'-My-Thumb stealing the Seven-league boots from the Ogre, by Gustave Doré (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 48Golden cosmic egg Hiranyagarbha by Manaku (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 49Rectangular tablets passed down by the Hand of God in the 10th century Byzantine Leo Bible (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 50Longinus with his famous Spear (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 51Fortune Wheel (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 52The Crown of Immortality, held by the allegorical figure Eterna (Eternity) (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 53Joan of Arc with her famous sword (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 54Riding a Flying Carpet, an 1880 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 56Killing of Ravana Painting by Brahmstra of Arrow of Brahma (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 57Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 5814th century Goryeo painting of Ksitigarbha holding a cintamani (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 59Claíomh Solais on an Ireland stamp printed in 1922 (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 60A 19th-century drawing of Sun Wukong featuring his staff (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 61Surya on His Celestial Chariot (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 62Jacob blesses Joseph and gives him the coat of many colors (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 63Snake and world egg of the inhabitants of Tyre (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 64Greek God Kronos/Saturnus with sickle (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 66Holy Robe in Trier (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 67Achilles wearing his armor (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 68Vishnu holding his legendary sword Nandaka (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 69Thor wearing the magic belt Megingjörð (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 70Several mythical creatures from Bilderbuch für Kinder (lit. 'picture book for children') between 1790 and 1822, by Friedrich Justin Bertuch (from Legendary creature)
- Image 71Giza pyramids (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 72The Honest Woodcutter, also known as Mercury and the Woodman and his famous Golden Axe (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 73Voodoo doll with pins in it, Museum of Witchcraft (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 74Jug from Lydian Treasure Usak (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 75Shiva with his Trishula (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 76The Fall of the Titans (1596–98) by Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (from Comparative mythology)
- Image 77The Flying Dutchman (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 78Edith Hamilton's Mythology has been a major channel for English speakers to learn classical Greek and Roman mythology (from Myth)
- Image 79As is usual in bestiaries, the lynx in this late 13th-century English manuscript is shown urinating, the urine turning to the mythical stone Lyngurium (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 80Ancient Roman relief from the Cathedral of Maria Saal showing the infant twins Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf (from Comparative mythology)
- Image 81Shield of Achilles (illustration) (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 82This panel by Bartolomeo di Giovanni relates the second half of the Metamorphoses. In the upper left, Jupiter emerges from clouds to order Mercury to rescue Io. (from Myth)
- Image 84The Deluge, frontispiece to Gustave Doré's illustrated edition of the Bible. Based on the story of Noah's Ark, this engraving shows humans and a tiger doomed by the flood futilely attempting to save their children and cubs. (from Comparative mythology)
- Image 85"Tizona", the sword attributed to El Cid, on exhibit in the Army Museum of Madrid (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 86The Celestial Chariot, Pushpaka Vimana from Ramayana (from List of mythological objects)
- Image 87Fountain of Youth (from List of mythological objects)
Subcategories
WikiProjects
Things you can do
- Help with the myth and folklore missing articles project.
- Help create requested articles.
- Help assessment at Wikipedia:WikiProject Mythology/Assessment.
- Place the project banner {{WikiProject Mythology}} on the talk pages of all relevant articles.
- Check the recent changes for recent improvements, vandalism, and other changes.
- Answer requests for mythology articles needing attention: Category:Mythology articles needing attention
- Answer requests for mythology articles needing expert attention: Category:Mythology articles needing expert attention
- Expand articles tagged as mythology stubs: Category:Mythology stubs
- Assist mythology subprojects.
- Add requested photographs of mythology subjects: Category:Wikipedia requested photographs of mythology subjects
Associated Wikimedia
The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:
-
Commons
Free media repository -
Wikibooks
Free textbooks and manuals -
Wikidata
Free knowledge base -
Wikinews
Free-content news -
Wikiquote
Collection of quotations -
Wikisource
Free-content library -
Wikiversity
Free learning tools -
Wiktionary
Dictionary and thesaurus