Portal:Myths

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Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that refers to a belief that is not true. Instead, the veracity of a myth is not a defining criterion.

Myths are often endorsed by secular and religious authorities and are closely linked to religion or spirituality. Many societies group their myths, legends, and history together, considering myths and legends to be factual accounts of their remote past. In particular, creation myths take place in a primordial age when the world had not achieved its later form. Origin myths explain how a society's customs, institutions, and taboos were established and sanctified. National myths are narratives about a nation's past that symbolize the nation's values. There is a complex relationship between recital of myths and the enactment of rituals. (Full article...)

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In Norse mythology, a valkyrie (from Old Norse: valkyrja, lit. 'chooser of the slain') is one of a host of female figures who guide souls of the dead to the god Odin's hall Valhalla. There, the deceased warriors become einherjar (Old Norse "single (or once) fighters"). When the einherjar are not preparing for the cataclysmic events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens and sometimes connected to swans or horses.

Valkyries are attested in the Poetic Edda (a book of poems compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources), the Prose Edda, the Heimskringla (both by Snorri Sturluson) and the Njáls saga (one of the Sagas of Icelanders), all written—or compiled—in the 13th century. They appear throughout the poetry of skalds, in a 14th-century charm, and in various runic inscriptions. (Full article...)

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...that according to Hindu mythology, the deity Revanta (pictured) was born from the union of the sun-god Surya and his wife Saranya in the form of horse and mare?

... that some modern K'iche' Maya revere rival syncretised forms of the pre-Columbian Moon goddess Awilix that are said to be the lovers of St. James?

... that human sacrifices to the K'iche' Maya patron deity Tohil had their severed heads placed on a rack in front of the temple?

... that Xiuhcoatl was a mythological Aztec fire-serpent, viewed as the spirit form of Xiuhtecuhtli, the fire god, and was the lightning-like weapon of the god Huitzilopochtli?

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Fenrir (Old Norse 'fen-dweller') or Fenrisúlfr (Old Norse "Fenrir's wolf", often translated "Fenris-wolf"), also referred to as Hróðvitnir (Old Norse "fame-wolf") and Vánagandr (Old Norse 'monster of the [River] Ván'), is a monstrous wolf in Norse mythology. In Old Norse texts, Fenrir plays a key role during the events of Ragnarök, where he is foretold to assist in setting the world aflame, resulting in the collapse of humanity and society, and kill the god Odin.

Fenrir, along with Hel and the World Serpent, is a child of Loki and female jötunn Angrboða. He is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda and Heimskringla, composed in the 13th century. In both the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, Fenrir is the father of the wolves Sköll and Hati Hróðvitnisson, is a son of Loki and is foretold to kill the god Odin during the events of Ragnarök, but will in turn be killed by Odin's son Víðarr. (Full article...)

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Vampire Ala (demon) Sharabha Ratatoskr Huginn and Muninn Keshi (demon) Nuckelavee Sea Mither Boobrie Stoor worm Mermaid Dragon Siren (mythology) Hippocampus (mythology) Phoenix (mythology) Centaur Unicorn Serpent (symbolism) Anzû Cerberus

General images

The following are images from various myth-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Shield of Achilles (illustration) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 2The Deluge, frontispiece to Gustave Doré's illustrated edition of the Bible. Based on the story of Noah's Ark, this engraving shows humans and a tiger doomed by the flood futilely attempting to save their children and cubs. (from Comparative mythology)
Image 3Sampo, a magical artifact of indeterminate type constructed by Ilmarinen that brought riches and good fortune to its holder, in the Finnish epic poetry Kalevala (The Forging of the Sampo, Joseph Alanen, 1911) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 4Joan of Arc with her famous sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 5Snake and world egg of the inhabitants of Tyre (from List of mythological objects)
Image 6Thor wearing the magic belt Megingjörð (from List of mythological objects)
Image 7Jason returns with Golden fleece (from List of mythological objects)
Image 8Voodoo doll with pins in it, Museum of Witchcraft (from List of mythological objects)
Image 9The Crown of Immortality, held by the allegorical figure Eterna (Eternity) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 10Greek God Kronos/Saturnus with sickle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 11Vishnu holding his legendary sword Nandaka (from List of mythological objects)
Image 12Yama with his famous Yama Pasha (from List of mythological objects)
Image 13Riding a Flying Carpet, an 1880 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov (from List of mythological objects)
Image 14Edith Hamilton's Mythology has been a major channel for English speakers to learn classical Greek and Roman mythology (from Myth)
Image 15Aura, a field of luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (from List of mythological objects)
Image 16"The Fall of Man" by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Tree of Knowledge is on the right (from List of mythological objects)
Image 17Lord Vishnu took the form of Beauty Mohini and distributed the Amrita (Ambrosia, Elixir) to Devas. When Rahu (snake dragon) tried to steal the Amrita, his head was cut off (from List of mythological objects)
Image 18seven angels with seven trumpets (from List of mythological objects)
Image 19Houyi, the God of Archery (from List of mythological objects)
Image 20Veronica holding her veil, Hans Memling, c. 1470 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 21Fig trees often represent talismans with the udumbara (from List of mythological objects)
Image 22The Celestial Chariot, Pushpaka Vimana from Ramayana (from List of mythological objects)
Image 23Several mythical creatures from Bilderbuch für Kinder (lit. 'picture book for children') between 1790 and 1822, by Friedrich Justin Bertuch (from Legendary creature)
Image 24Hand of God (from List of mythological objects)
Image 25A 19th-century drawing of Sun Wukong featuring his staff (from List of mythological objects)
Image 26Holy Robe in Trier (from List of mythological objects)
Image 27Golden cosmic egg Hiranyagarbha by Manaku (from List of mythological objects)
Image 28King Svafrlame Secures the Sword Tyrfing (from List of mythological objects)
Image 29The Argo (c. 1500 – 1530), painting by Lorenzo Costa (from List of mythological objects)
Image 30Dietrich von Bern and Hildebrand fight against dragons (from List of mythological objects)
Image 31Claíomh Solais on an Ireland stamp printed in 1922 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 32Adam's Bridge also called as Rama Setu (from List of mythological objects)
Image 33The Stone of Destiny (Lia Fáil) at the Hill of Tara, once used as a coronation stone for the High Kings of Ireland (from List of mythological objects)
Image 34Hop-o'-My-Thumb stealing the Seven-league boots from the Ogre, by Gustave Doré (from List of mythological objects)
Image 35Lichas bringing the garment of Nessus to Hercules (from List of mythological objects)
Image 36Ballads of bravery (1877) part of Arthurian mythology (from Myth)
Image 37The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral (from List of mythological objects)
Image 381929 Belgian banknote, depicting Ceres, Neptune and caduceus (from Myth)
Image 39Thor kicks Litr onto Baldr's Hringhorni, illustration by Emil Doepler (ca. 1905) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 40Jug from Lydian Treasure Usak (from List of mythological objects)
Image 41Achilles wearing his armor (from List of mythological objects)
Image 42Longinus with his famous Spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 43As is usual in bestiaries, the lynx in this late 13th-century English manuscript is shown urinating, the urine turning to the mythical stone Lyngurium (from List of mythological objects)
Image 44Prometheus (1868) by Gustave Moreau. In the mythos of Hesiodus and possibly Aeschylus (the Greek trilogy Prometheus Bound, Prometheus Unbound and Prometheus Pyrphoros), Prometheus is bound and tortured for giving fire to humanity. (from Myth)
Image 45Image showing the sacred tree to the right of the temple, from Olaus Magnus' Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus (1555). To the right of the tree is a depiction of a man being sacrificed in the spring (from List of mythological objects)
Image 46Ancient Sumerian cylinder seal impression showing the god Dumuzid being tortured in the Underworld by galla demons (from Comparative mythology)
Image 47Surya on His Celestial Chariot (from List of mythological objects)
Image 48Artist's impressions of the (unseen) Imperial Regalia of Japan (from List of mythological objects)
Image 49The Fall of the Titans (1596–98) by Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (from Comparative mythology)
Image 50The Giving of the Seven Bowls of Wrath / The First Six Plagues, Revelation 16:1–16. Matthias Gerung, c. 1531 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 51An angel (Camael) expelling Adam and Eve with a flaming sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 52Myths and legends of Babylonia and Assyria (1916) (from Myth)
Image 53Killing of Ravana Painting by Brahmstra of Arrow of Brahma (from List of mythological objects)
Image 5414th century Goryeo painting of Ksitigarbha holding a cintamani (from List of mythological objects)
Image 55Ancient Roman relief from the Cathedral of Maria Saal showing the infant twins Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf (from Comparative mythology)
Image 56Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's (from List of mythological objects)
Image 57The fall of Icarus (from List of mythological objects)
Image 58Amenonuhoko (天沼矛 or 天之瓊矛 or 天瓊戈, "heavenly jeweled spear") is the name given to the spear in Shinto used to raise the primordial land-mass, Onogoro-shima, from the sea (from List of mythological objects)
Image 59Vishnu with his Panchajanya (from List of mythological objects)
Image 60Shiva with his Trishula (from List of mythological objects)
Image 61The Flying Dutchman (from List of mythological objects)
Image 62Goetia seal of solomon (from List of mythological objects)
Image 63Early Hebrew Conception of the Universe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 64Heracles would use arrows dipped in the Hydra's poisonous blood to kill other foes during his Labours, such as Stymphalian birds and the giant (from List of mythological objects)
Image 65Fountain of Youth (from List of mythological objects)
Image 66Opening lines of one of the Mabinogi myths from the Red Book of Hergest (written pre-13c, incorporating pre-Roman myths of Celtic gods):
Gereint vab Erbin. Arthur a deuodes dala llys yg Caerllion ar Wysc...
(Geraint the son of Erbin. Arthur was accustomed to hold his Court at Caerlleon upon Usk...) (from Myth)
Image 67Fortune Wheel (from List of mythological objects)
Image 68 Odysseus Overcome by Demodocus' Song, by Francesco Hayez, 1813–1815 (from Myth)
Image 69Symbolic power: a dragon in the Imperial City, Huế, Vietnam (from Legendary creature)
Image 70Erlang Shen (二郎神), or Erlang is a Chinese God with his spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 71Tissot Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 72Giza pyramids (from List of mythological objects)
Image 73Pied piper (from List of mythological objects)
Image 74Golem and Loew (from List of mythological objects)
Image 75This panel by Bartolomeo di Giovanni relates the second half of the Metamorphoses. In the upper left, Jupiter emerges from clouds to order Mercury to rescue Io. (from Myth)
Image 76The famous sword of Excalibur painted by Howard Pyle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 77Perillos being forced into the brazen bull that he built for Phalaris (from List of mythological objects)
Image 78"Tizona", the sword attributed to El Cid, on exhibit in the Army Museum of Madrid (from List of mythological objects)
Image 79The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune (c. 1689 or 1706) by René-Antoine Houasse, depicting the founding myth of Athens (from National myth)
Image 80The third gift — an enormous hammer (1902) by Elmer Boyd Smith and the ring Draupnir is visible among other creations by the Sons of Ivaldi (from List of mythological objects)
Image 81The Ash Yggdrasil by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine (from List of mythological objects)
Image 82Väinämöinen, the wise demigod and one of the significant characters of Finnish mythological 19th-century epic poetry, The Kalevala (Väinämöinen's Play, Robert Wilhelm Ekman, 1866) (from Myth)
Image 83Jacob blesses Joseph and gives him the coat of many colors (from List of mythological objects)
Image 84Rectangular tablets passed down by the Hand of God in the 10th century Byzantine Leo Bible (from List of mythological objects)
Image 85Ahimelech giving the sword of Goliath to David, by Aert de Gelder. (from List of mythological objects)
Image 86The Honest Woodcutter, also known as Mercury and the Woodman and his famous Golden Axe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 87Azoth, a universal medicine or universal solvent sought in alchemy. (Medieval legend) (from List of mythological objects)