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1500 questions
10
votes
5 answers
Is there any librarian god?
I'm looking for any god related with books or maybe knowledge. Preferable if it is keeping or guarding that knowledge, like as a librarian. Are there any such gods?
Xhark
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10
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1 answer
How does the Devil come to be horned?
One of the most popular depictions of the Christian Devil is having horns. From whence does this derive?
altarpiece by Michael Pacher depicting the Devil with Saint Wolfgang, Bishop of Regensburg
For instance, this answer suggests a connection…
DukeZhou
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10
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1 answer
What does Nausicaa symbolize in the Odyssey?
There was an interesting question in Lit regarding the meaning of her name, and in my research, I came across some interesting speculation on Nausikaa's distinctness. For instance, she is the one woman Odysseus does not mention to Penelope. …
DukeZhou
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10
votes
1 answer
Does the phrase "Zeus Pater" appear in ancient Greek sources?
The Wikipedia article "Sky Father" includes the following passage:
"Sky Father" is a direct translation of the Vedic Dyaus Pita, etymologically descended from the same Proto-Indo-European deity name as the Greek Zeus Pater and Roman Jupiter, all of…
Jack M
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10
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1 answer
Why does Dante spend so much time in Malebolge?
Dante spends thirteen cantos in Malebolge, the eighth circle of Hell. This is a lot longer than he spends with any other circle.
Why do the sinners in this circle get so much of his attention?
Girsan Virlee
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10
votes
3 answers
Why are cows sacred in India?
Does it purely have to do with ahimsa or is it also partly based on the status of Nandi?
(If Nandi is a factor, does this also bear on the protected status of monkeys per Hanuman's assistance to Rama?)
I've also heard it related to Kamadhenu the…
DukeZhou
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10
votes
3 answers
Why there are graphic depictions of sexual acts in some Hindu temples?
Google Khajuraho and you will come upon one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The Khajuraho temples feature a variety of art work, of which 10% is sexual or erotic art outside and inside the temples. People describe it as "the apogee of…
Lady F
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10
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1 answer
What are the punishments for the seven deadly sins?
In the first season of the TV show Slasher the antagonist is killing people he judges are guilty of the seven deadly sins. Each murder is different, supposedly reflecting the specific punishment the sinner would receive in hell for their sin.
I…
Girsan Virlee
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10
votes
1 answer
What is the origin of horse brasses depicting sun, moon, star, and wheel?
In England and other countries, many shire, cart and parade horses carry brasses, which often depict the sun, the crescent moon, a star, or a wheel. When did these designs first appear on horse brasses, and what were their lines of transmission to…
user1618
10
votes
1 answer
Are there any Greek myths of a god permanently turning into a mortal as punishment?
I'm looking for a Greek myth in which an immortal god, no matter how minor, turns into a mortal immediately because of a punishment.
Things I am not looking for:
A temporary punishment- Apollo serving Admetus
A god who is forced into…
bleh
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votes
2 answers
Friday: the day of Frigg, or Freyja?
The Wiki page says Friday is named after the goddess Frigg.
Other articles say its both or Freyja, and there are some that say Frigg and Freyja are the same goddess.
Is there a consesus that I don't know about?
user3198
10
votes
1 answer
Are there any children of Hades?
Are there any known children of Hades (god or mortal)?
If there are any mortal children of Hades, would they have abilities related to spirits and souls?
Lynk
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10
votes
2 answers
Odin's Counterpart
I have always wondered are:
Odin,
Mercury,
Hermes,
Thoth
the same person?
If so, why they are celebrated by different cultures and praised by different myths?
I am in love with these deities...
Lady F
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10
votes
4 answers
Why do snake (serpent) and bull often come together as symbols of deities?
The Celtic Cernunnos, the Greek Dionysus, the Slavic Veles and Vedic Shiva have snake and bull among their symbols.
Why do these two symbols tend to come together?
It looks to me as though these deities also share some other similarities. They tend…
Roman
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10
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4 answers
How do people become immortal as per Taoism?
While reading on Taoism, I came across some people who became immortal through a variety of ways. Right now, some I remember are:
White Peony successfully made Lü Dongbin ejaculate and absorbed his Yang essence. Later she cultivated herself and…
user1385