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Sami tale where the fox is left as sole speaker of human language
Does anyone know the Sami tale where all the animals gather inside a mountain and decide they won't be speaking the same language as humans from now on? If I remember correctly, they agree that one animal will remain able to communicate with humans,…
Ella
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What scripture describes humans as being morally superior to angels?
At the climax of Fate/stay night's Heaven's Feel route, the main antagonist, Kirei Kotomine refers to a religious scripture that says humans are morally superior to angels because humans can choose between committing good or evil acts. Is there such…
user5268
7
votes
3 answers
Why did druidesses vow perpetual virginity?
Dufieux's Nature et virginité p. 415 notes one pre-Christian culture that respected perpetual virginity:
Dans la Germanie et dans les Gaules, il y avait des druidesses vouées à une virginité perpétuelle.[In Germany and in the Gauls, there were…
Geremia
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Why does Perseus carry a sickle instead of a sword?
Perseus armed with a sickle has a well established iconography in Greek mythology:
From Theoi.com:
But why does Perseus carry this "weapon" instead of a proper sword, like it is shown in later depictions?
The obvious answer is because the Gods gave…
Rodia
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Cultural association between directions and colors
Inspired by this question on history.stackexchange about the etymology of "Belarus" = "White Russia"...
@SigueSigueBen writes in a comment:
There is a tradition of giving naming compass directions after colours in Turkic cultures. The best example…
Quuxplusone
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7
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When was the first known account of the Tooth Fairy?
In some cultures, when a child loses a baby tooth they put it under their pillow for the Tooth Fairy to replace it during the night with a coin. In my experience, she is never seen or heard and she is known only by the fact that in the morning the…
user1618
7
votes
2 answers
Does Scotland have any discrete mythology not shared by other nations?
As part of the Insular Celts, I know that Scotland shares some Pantheon of Gods with Ireland, Wales and England.
However, does Scotland have any discrete mythology unique to the Scottish people/land?
Venture2099
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7
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What is the origin of the legend that Jesus visited what are now Cornwall and Somerset in England?
A legend holds that Jesus visited several places in what are now Cornwall and Somerset in England. What is the origin of this legend?
user1618
7
votes
2 answers
Link between mythological Czernobog and his hammer
In the novel American Gods by Neil Gaiman Shadow and Mr. Wednesday meet Czernobog. He tells the story of his use of a hammer as a "knocker", a job he has taken in
America
"So, I got job on killing floor as a knocker. It was a good job. Yeah,…
VerasVitas
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What was the origin of the nursery rhyme "Don't care was made to care"?
Many a child who has expressed indifference has had the following verse spoken to them:
Don’t care was made to care,
Don’t care was hung:
Don’t care was put in a pot
And boiled till he was done.
What is its origin?
user1618
7
votes
4 answers
Are there any other Greek gods/goddesses that actually remained loyal to their counterpart?
Cheating on one's significant other is common in Greek Myth. I have only found four gods that remain faithful: Hera, Amphitrite, Eros and Psyche (while gods that didn't marry can't exactly cheat). Examples of infidelity are:
Zeus and Io
Poseidon…
Andrew Johnson
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7
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Which version of the Ariadne Myth was written/told first?
Ariadne was a daughter of Minos. She helped Theseus traverse the labyrinth in exchange to be taken with him away.
In one version, Dionysus tells Theseus that he wants Ariadne and to leave her on an island.
In another, Theseus plain out abandons her…
Andrew Johnson
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What was Athena's punishment for her involvement in a plot against Zeus?
When Hera, Apollo, Poseidon and Athena lead a revolt/rebellion against Zeus, they failed and were punished. Apollo and Poseidon were sent to build Troy's wall. Hera was tied upside down from the heavens. But, no punishment for Athena, Greek goddess…
Andrew Johnson
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Why wouldn't Zeus give Aphrodite to Ares when he was the obvious choice?
Why did Aphrodite have to marry Hephaistos, when Ares was the obvious choice?
As I understand it, the reason for the marriage to Hephaistos, was because Aphrodites' beauty caused conflict. Wouldn't it make more sense to give her to the powerful…
Nuloen The Seeker
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What are the origins of April Fools' Day?
On April Fools' Day, 1 April, it's the custom in several cultures to play practical jokes and to spread hoax stories.
Where and when did this custom originate?
user1618