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Important 'watchers', 'watchdogs' or 'guardians of a process'

I'm looking for figures of important 'watchers'/'guardians'. Actually I don't know the right word, but it doesn't need to be like a 'security-guardian', who doesn't let someone get through (i.e. not like Kerberos or the like). I am thinking more of…
dingalapadum
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Way to measure the probability a story evolving in a given culture

I am wondering if there exists a way to get a numerical estimate of the probability of whether or not a given society will evolve a story with certain characteristics within a certain amount of time. For example: what is the probability that the…
Certusic
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What is the origin of a tale of hummingbird extinguishing a fire in Mesoamerica or South-America?

There's a so-called story about a hummingbird trying to extinguish a forest fire, supposed to originate from South-America, of which I've been trying to find the origin - in vain. Someone knows perhaps this story and where it comes from ?
Seb
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Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices?

Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices? The Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 2:3) mentions a concept called עורות לבובין which Maimonides and other commentators explain refers to the pagan practice of making…
Reb Chaim HaQoton
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Was the historical Hyksos account, the real story behind the biblical exodus narrative?

Hyksos The Hyksos (/ˈhɪksɒs/; Egyptian ḥqꜣ(w)-ḫꜣswt, Egyptological pronunciation: hekau khasut,[4] "ruler(s) of foreign lands"; Ancient Greek: Ὑκσώς, Ὑξώς) were people of probable Levantine origin,[1][5] who established the Fifteenth Dynasty of…
user7122
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Are there any gods or similar beings other than Nemesis that laid eggs?

Castor and Pollux, Helen and Clytemnestra are considered twins, and may or may not have hatched from eggs laid by Nemesis after being impregnated by her father Zeus as swans https://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Nemesis.html . I am having a hard time finding…
DWKraus
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Is there a myth about someone who constantly creates their own demise?

Since this is certainly a common theme, I'm wondering if there is a myth about someone who ignorantly walks themselves repeatedly into ill-fate or their own misery. It would be like Sisyphus, but instead of being cursed to move the boulder, he did…
Matt Weiler
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Ba'al-Pe'or outside of Jewish sources

In the Tanach, Ba'al-Pe'or was a Moabite deity used by the Moabites and Midianites to cause the People of Israel to sin with idolatry and immorality (Numbers 25). Ba'al Pe'or is further mentioned in some other Jewish sources, such as the Talmud and…
Harel13
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Tubal-cain (תּוּבַל קַיִן) and Vulcan

In Hebrew, "B" and "V" are the same letter (ב), so without the "Tu", Tubalcain (תּוּבַל קַיִן) and Vulcan are very similar names. The French spelling is "Vulcain", which is even closer than the English. Both are famous for being…
Ray Butterworth
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How were Nymphs born in Roman Mythology?

I am writing a poem set in ancient Rome and am seeking stories that regard the birth (or process of birthing) nymphs to allude to. I certainly well considered that nymphs are more represented as "metaphors" of "Earthly" lands and forms, but are…
Tom O' Bedlam
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Are there any mythological cures for vampirism?

Lots of cultures have varying myths about vampires. Do any of these myths mention a cure that could turn someone back into a (living) human after they were infected?
Abijah
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Which way blows Zephyrus?

This is more like a technical, geographical question. When we say Zephyrus is the west wind, do we mean coming from the west or going west? Which way would my boat go if Zephyrus blew into the sails? (I thought here would be a better place to ask…
rmdmc89
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Looking for stories on the Torngarsuk (Inuit mythology)

I'm doing research and am fascinated by Inuit mythology. I am looking for stories about the Torngarsuk, but am having a hard time finding anything that isn't general Wikipedia summaries. I'm trying to get a better standing of how it moves and…
Jori Richman
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What is the fable character of a tiger?

In beast fables, the animals are very fixed in character to convey the meaning -- foxes and ravens are crafty, bears are strong but stupid, wolves are fierce, and lions are commanding frequently to the point of being tyrannical. In regions where…
Mary
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Any person/myth Moses Might Have Been Based On?

I know that Moses from the Bible is generally agreed to be a mythical figure and not a real person, especially since no historical sources from places like Egypt or the people of Sinai at the time confirm Moses' existence, but is there any…
Tyler Mc
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