Most Popular
1500 questions
10
votes
3 answers
What is the earliest story of a mortal killing a god?
Various myths involve deities dying (such as Baldr and Osiris). However, in most of the myths that come to mind, another deity is responsible for the death. In Christian belief, Roman soldiers executed Jesus, but this is a relatively late…
Draconis
- 1,288
- 9
- 23
10
votes
1 answer
What were the original names of Mochdref, Mochtref, Mochnant and Mochtref?
In the fourth branch of the Mabinogion, Gwydion and company move through the areas surrounding the court of Dryfed after receiving pigs from Pryderi:
That night they made it as far as the uplands of Ceredigion - and the place [where they stopped]…
HDE 226868
- 7,095
- 4
- 33
- 79
10
votes
3 answers
Is there any link between Achilles and Sigurd/Siegfried?
The two heroes are invulnerable, Achilles because he was dipped in the river Styx by his mother Thetis, and Siegfried because he took a bath in the dragon's blood.
Both have a weak spot though, Achilles in the heel, where his mother held him, and…
Rodia
- 2,287
- 3
- 12
- 40
10
votes
2 answers
Who was Zeus' first child conceived with a mortal?
Zeus was well known for his sexual escapades (both willing or unwilling).
These resulted in many divine (Gods,Olympians) and heroic offspring (demi-gods)
My question is : Who was Zeus' first child conceived with a mortal?
Tom Sol
- 4,061
- 3
- 30
- 65
10
votes
1 answer
What more uses are there for dragon parts?
I read this article that tries to describe all things one could do with the body parts and blood of the dragon:
The Uses of Dragon Parts in Mythology and Folklore
Does anyone here know of other uses of dragon parts that are not mentioned in this…
Netsrym
- 159
- 1
- 2
- 3
10
votes
1 answer
What is the source of the belief that the seventh son of a seventh son is a clairvoyant?
The Iron Maiden song Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was inspired - according to Steve Harris - by the folklore belief that the seventh son of a seventh son has clairvoyant powers:
“I just had a thought: ‘I wonder if she could foresee her own death?’”…
yannis
- 16,990
- 7
- 69
- 203
10
votes
2 answers
Did Korean Queen Heo Hwang-ok Exist and was she Indo-Aryan or Tamil?
This question has two parts.
1. Did Queen Heo exist?
Is there any evidence that Queen Heo was a historical figure and not just a legend?
Is there any proof that her tomb in Korea really houses her body?
Does she appear in the Samguk Sagi or any…
Johan88
- 525
- 1
- 4
- 15
10
votes
5 answers
How are Norse and Celtic mythology related?
I was in a charms shop a while back and they had a section laid out for Celtic Mythology charms and their meanings. I had a look and found Thor's hammer. I ask my mom and she said the Mythologies are connected. I ignore this with my small mind,…
Andrew Johnson
- 6,695
- 4
- 37
- 94
10
votes
2 answers
How did Hades get Kerberos?
Kerberos (Latin: Cerberus) is the three headed dog that guards the entrance of the Underworld. He is most known for being captured by Heracles for his 12th labor. But it is never mentioned how Kerberos ended up guarding the Underworld.
Andrew Johnson
- 6,695
- 4
- 37
- 94
10
votes
2 answers
Who makes ambrosia?
I recently read that ambrosia, the food of the gods, is brought to Olympus by doves. But, who makes it? Is it natural to the earth (i.e. a plant)? Is there a deity that makes it and sends the doves to Olympus? What about nectar, the drink of the…
Andrew Johnson
- 6,695
- 4
- 37
- 94
10
votes
2 answers
Where does the idea that dragons hoard gold come from?
Where does the idea that dragons hoard gold come from?
I can't think of many myths of dragons hoarding gold. The closest I come up with is the dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece. And even that's a stretch as it wasn't gold specifically.
Andrew Johnson
- 6,695
- 4
- 37
- 94
10
votes
2 answers
How is folklore different from mythology?
What is the difference between folklore and mythology?
Baldr
- 201
- 2
- 5
10
votes
2 answers
When does a religion become mythology?
What is the definition of mythology?
When does a religion become mythology?
Baldr
- 201
- 2
- 5
10
votes
1 answer
When did the Cross of Saint Peter start being used as a Satanic symbol?
Reading the Wikipedia article it seems unclear to me when the Cross of Saint Peter first became associated with Satanism. What is the earliest occurrence of the upside down cross being used as a Satanic or anti-Christian symbol?
In fact, Wikipedia…
William
- 763
- 4
- 19
10
votes
1 answer
Origin of "horses that instinctively open a vein with their teeth in order to breathe more freely"
In Goethe's Sorrows of Young Werther (1774), we find this sentence:
Man erzählt von einer edlen Art Pferde, die, wenn sie schrecklich erhitzt und aufgejagt sind, sich selbst aus Instinkt eine Ader aufbeißen, um sich zum Atem zu helfen.
Translation…
Quuxplusone
- 297
- 1
- 9