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1500 questions
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Do humans become angels when they die?
Where does the belief that humans become angels after death come from?
Who (which groups) have this belief? Is it an idea from other religions that has been incorporated into Christian beliefs? Has it happened to other religions as well?
peterorme
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What is the source of the story of Hades trapping Pirithous and Theseus in the Chairs of Forgetfulness?
Apparently, there is a version of the Pirithous and Theseus story that has Hades trapping the pair in the Underworld by having them sit on the Chairs of Forgetfulness:
This happened, some think, because Theseus was not in Athens but in the…
yannis
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Books analysing Norse mythology (specifically Odin)?
What I am looking for is not a collection of stories and myths per se, but something more general like an analysis/dissection or meta discussion of the myth of Odin and Norse mythology in general. Something like Campbell's "Hero with a thousand…
Hilbert Jr.
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Why is Heracles in the Underworld?
Odysseys during his travel to the Underworld in Book XI of the Odyssey meets the "phantom" of the deified Heracles:
And after him I marked the mighty Heracles—his phantom; for he himself among the immortal gods takes his joy in the feast, and has…
Ouroboros
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6
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What do we know about the ram-headed deities helping Shu support Nut in the Greenfield Papyrus?
The "Greenfield Papyrus" is a funerary illustrated manuscript from the "Book of the Dead" of Nestanebetisheru:
According to the British Museum curator's comments:
This scene is a symbolic representation of the creation of the world. According to…
yannis
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6
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1 answer
Are there any close analogues to the Fairy King & Queen Titania and Oberon, in Indian/Hindu mythology?
I am looking to create a version of Titania & Oberon, the Queen & King of the Fairies in Midsummer Night's Dream, that would have context in India. Probably deities or mythological beings associated with nature/forests, but maybe with a tradition of…
Maxine
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Dionysus sacrifice for humanity
I have read that there are parallels between Greek mythology of Dionysus' sacrifice to humanity and Christian belief surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus.
What mythology is there concerning Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, and any sacrifice he may…
Sylva
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Have any "New Age movements" worshiped solar eclipses?
So I recently saw the August 21 solar eclipse. I was told I was being "new age" by viewing it. Is there any evidence of "new age" views worshiping it? I have asked a similar question here. There is no site that I thought this question had a…
William
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Are there any monkey gods in Africa?
The Mayans had Hun Batz, the Chinese have the Monkey King, and the Hindus have Hanuman. Monkeys are also indigenous to Africa, so I'm assuming there are also simian gods from that region.
user35971
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6
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Why do we "trick or treat" on Halloween?
On Halloween, children in masks and costumes visit houses and ask for treats, using the phrase "trick or treat".
How did the tradition get started, and does it stem from the pagan festivals that inspired Halloween?
Girsan Virlee
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6
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Why did Ishullanu refuse to make love to Ishtar?
When Ishtar proposes to Gilgamesh, he articulates the stories of her previous lovers who suffered badly as a consequence of being with her. However, there is one of them who is named Ishullanu that when Ishtar asks to be with her he strongly…
Elruz Rahimli
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6
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What were the origins of the Santa Lucia processions in Sweden featuring candle-wearing Lucia and the cone-capped star boys?
Were there street processions before local newspapers started encouraging them in the 1920s? And how did the "star boy" element - perhaps related to the practice of Epiphany singers, although Epiphany and Santa Lucia's day are quite a way apart -…
user1618
6
votes
1 answer
How does one become a skin-walker?
Are there any Navajo tales that explain how one becomes a skin-walker? Is it an innate or an acquired ability? Can anyone become a skin-walker, or is there a hereditary element or other constraints?
yannis
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6
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2 answers
Who is the woman "clothed with the sun" in Revelation?
From Revelation 12 (KJ21):
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
2 And she, being with child, cried, travailing in birth and in pain to…
Girsan Virlee
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6
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2 answers
Who are the seven kings mentioned in the book of Revelation?
From Revelation 17 (KJ21):
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other has not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, yet is one of…
Girsan Virlee
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