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Is "The Secret of Roan Inish" derived from a specific myth?
In the wonderful John Sayles film The Secret of Roan Inish (1994), the director presents a touching tale of a family with selkie connections.
The film was based on the the novel Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie K. Fry.
(Although the novel…
DukeZhou
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What is the origin of the Vanir?
There are two tribes of Norse gods, the Aesir and the Vanir. What is the origin of the Vanir? How are the Vanir distinct from the Aesir?
DukeZhou
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Why does Horagalles have a nail on his head?
According to Wikipedia, the Sami thunder god Horagalles was depicted with a nail or spike on the head:
Idols of Horagalles are made of wood and have a nail or spike and a piece of flint in the head. He has a hammer called Wetschera, Aijeke…
yannis
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Is there any Norse mythological figure associated with victory?
Is there an equivalent in Norse mythology to the goddesses Nike of the Greeks or Victoria of the Romans?
Any god or mythological being in Norse cult associated mainly with victory?
Rodia
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Goods reads about Herakles/Hercules twelve labors?
I would like to read more about Herakles twelve labors.
I would like to know if there are any remaining work about it ?
I am looking for work dating from the Greek or Roman era.
Kevin Amiranoff
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What deities/creatures personify the universe in the aspect that it manifests as varied duplexity (that serve the same symbolic function as Yin/Yang)?
I'm looking for deities or mythological creatures that symbolize the universe in the aspect that it manifests as a duality (which is for example symbolized by the Yin/Yang), but as a fictional organism/spirit rather than a plain symbol, an example…
01AutoMonkey
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What are the major branches of Mesopotamian mythology?
Mesopotamia refers to a group of civilizations inhabiting the regions of the Tigris and Euphrates. Most people know of the hero Gilgamesh, but many may be unclear as to the distinctions between the mythologies of the cultures included under the…
DukeZhou
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Is Ravana's true intent to be slain by Rama?
In the William Buck's English translation I recall a note left by Ravana indicating he was aware of his impending demise at the hands of Rama, and got the impression that being slain by Rama was something of an honor, possibly an enlightening…
DukeZhou
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Have runes ever been used to bring someone back to life?
In stanza 156 (or 157 depending on translation) of Hávamál, we learn that runes have the power to bring back the dead:
156.
A twelfth I know: if I see in a tree
a corpse from a halter hanging,
such spells I write, and paint in runes,
that…
yannis
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Why did Brynhild disobey Odin?
When Sigurd wakes up Brynhild, we learn that her imprisonment was the result of her defiance to Odin's command:
Then Brynhild speaks again and says, "Two kings fought, one hight Helm Gunnar, an old man, and the greatest of warriors, and Odin had…
yannis
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Why does Sigurd reveal himself to Fafnir?
Sigurd refuses to tell his name to the dying Fafnir:
So whenas Fafnir had his death-wound, he asked "Who art thou? And who is thy father? And what thy kin, that thou wert so hardy as to bear weapons against me?"
Sigurd answered, "Unknown to men is…
yannis
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How large were Norse dragons?
In chapter 10 of the Saga of the Völsungs, Regin is trying to convince Sigurd that Fafnir is an average size dragon:
"Young am I," says Sigurd, "yet know I the fashion of this worm, and how that none durst go against him, so huge and evil is…
yannis
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Suicide in the Sagas?
I was recently thinking about the suicides of Hedda Gabler and Miss Julie in relation to Sophocles' Ajax.
In all three plays, the main characters come from cultures based on honor/shame. (Gabler is the daughter of a General, and Julie, daughter of…
DukeZhou
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Virgin goddesses outside of the Greek and Roman traditions?
The Greeks and Romans seem to have had something of an obsession with virgin goddesses, which seems somewhat counter to pagan traditions in general. Who are some virgin goddesses not from Greek or Roman mythology?
DukeZhou
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Examples of female agency in the Norse tradition
When I first read Grettir's Saga. I was impressed by his indomitability and that his foes had to use magic to weaken him in order to overcome him. To this end they employed a crone. (She enchants a log which floats to Drang Isle and Grettir's axe…
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