Portal:Myths

Portal topics: Activities; Culture; Geography; Health; History; Mathematics; Nature; People; Philosophy; Religion; Society; Technology; Random portal

The Myths Portal

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...)

Refresh with new selections below (purge)

Selected article - show another

In Japanese folklore, kitsune (狐, きつね, IPA: [kʲi̥t͡sɯne̞] ^ⓘ) are foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to folklore, the kitsune-foxes (or perhaps the "fox spirits") can bewitch people, just like the tanuki they have the ability to shapeshift into human or other forms, and to trick or fool human beings. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others—as foxes in folklore often do—other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, and lovers.

Foxes and humans lived close together in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit, and serve as its messengers. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. The more tails a kitsune has—they may have as many as nine—the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make sacrifices to them as to a deity. (Full article...)

List of selected articles

Did you know? - show different entries

...that the Tigmamanukan, a Philippine mythological bird, can be a good or bad omen depending on the direction of its flight?

...that Ewale a Mbedi may have been the first Duala leader to trade with Europeans in Cameroon?

...that in Colombian folklore the legendary Alligatorman (Hombre Caiman) is said to be a fisherman converted by the spirit of the Magdalena River into an alligator, that returns every year on St. Sebastian´s Day to hunt human victims?

... that the worshippers of Xipe Totec (pictured), the Aztec god of renewal, wore the flayed skins of their sacrificial victims?

More did you know facts

Recognised content

Featured Articles: Ahalya, Ancient Egyptian literature, King Arthur, Ganesha, Iravan, Orion (mythology), Vampire, Vithoba

Featured Lists: List of valkyrie names in Norse mythology

Good Articles: 2012 phenomenon, Æsir–Vanir War, Ala (demon), Anu, Aphrodite, Athena, Ardhanarishvara, Battle of Barry, Bhikshatana, Catalogue of Women, Chamunda, Chhinnamasta, Consorts of Ganesha, Cú Chulainn, Dhumavati, Dumuzid, Einherjar, Eir, Enlil, Fairy Flag, Fenrir, Gerðr, Hel (being), Huginn and Muninn, Iðunn, Ila (Hinduism), Inanna, Kabandha, Kali, Kamadhenu, Kangiten, Keshi (demon), Khandoba, Kratos (mythology) Krishna, Kubera, LGBT themes in Hindu mythology, Manasa, Mandodari, Matangi, Matrikas, Maya Sita, Mohini, Myrrha, Mythology of Carnivàle, Naraka (Hinduism), Ninurta, Prester John, Prithu, Putana, Rati, Ratatoskr, Revanta, Satyavati, Satyr, Sharabha, Shashthi, Shiva, Sif, Tara (Ramayana), Troilus, Tuisto, Valhalla, Valkyrie, Vampire folklore by region, Varaha, Varahi, Veðrfölnir and eagle Zduhać

...Recognised content on Wikipedia

Wikiversity

Mythology portal on Wikiversity

Selected creature - show another

The phoenix, "unica semper avis" (ever-singular bird), 1583

The phoenix is an immortal bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. While it is part of Greek mythology, it has analogs in many cultures, such as Egyptian and Persian. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, while others that it simply dies and decomposes before being born again. In the Motif-Index of Folk-Literature, a tool used by folklorists, the phoenix is classified as motif B32.

The origin of the phoenix has been attributed to Ancient Egypt by Herodotus and later 19th-century scholars, but other scholars think the Egyptian texts may have been influenced by classical folklore. Over time, the phoenix motif spread and gained a variety of new associations; Herodotus, Lucan, Pliny the Elder, Pope Clement I, Lactantius, Ovid, and Isidore of Seville are among those who have contributed to the retelling and transmission of the phoenix motif. Over time, extending beyond its origins, the phoenix could variously "symbolize renewal in general as well as the sun, time, the Empire, metempsychosis, consecration, resurrection, life in the heavenly Paradise, Christ, Mary, virginity, the exceptional man, and certain aspects of Christian life". Some scholars have claimed that the poem De ave phoenice may present the mythological phoenix motif as a symbol of Christ's resurrection. (Full article...)

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

General images

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

Image 1The famous sword of Excalibur painted by Howard Pyle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 2Joan of Arc with her famous sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 3Amenonuhoko (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 4Lord 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 5The 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 6Hop-o'-My-Thumb stealing the Seven-league boots from the Ogre, by Gustave Doré (from List of mythological objects)
Image 7The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune (c. 1689 or 1706) by René-Antoine Houasse, depicting the founding myth of Athens (from National myth)
Image 8Sampo, 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 9The fall of Icarus (from List of mythological objects)
Image 10Thor wearing the magic belt Megingjörð (from List of mythological objects)
Image 11Artist's impressions of the (unseen) Imperial Regalia of Japan (from List of mythological objects)
Image 12The 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 13As 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 14Heracles 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 15Image 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 16Achilles wearing his armor (from List of mythological objects)
Image 17Veronica holding her veil, Hans Memling, c. 1470 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 18The Flying Dutchman (from List of mythological objects)
Image 19Longinus with his famous Spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 20Greek God Kronos/Saturnus with sickle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 21Holy Robe in Trier (from List of mythological objects)
Image 22Golden cosmic egg Hiranyagarbha by Manaku (from List of mythological objects)
Image 23An angel (Camael) expelling Adam and Eve with a flaming sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 24Edith Hamilton's Mythology has been a major channel for English speakers to learn classical Greek and Roman mythology (from Myth)
Image 25Ballads of bravery (1877) part of Arthurian mythology (from Myth)
Image 26Ancient 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 2714th century Goryeo painting of Ksitigarbha holding a cintamani (from List of mythological objects)
Image 28The Fall of the Titans (1596–98) by Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (from Comparative mythology)
Image 29A 19th-century drawing of Sun Wukong featuring his staff (from List of mythological objects)
Image 30Fortune Wheel (from List of mythological objects)
Image 31The Honest Woodcutter, also known as Mercury and the Woodman and his famous Golden Axe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 32Vishnu with his Panchajanya (from List of mythological objects)
Image 33Erlang Shen (二郎神), or Erlang is a Chinese God with his spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 34Väinämöinen, 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 35Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's (from List of mythological objects)
Image 36The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral (from List of mythological objects)
Image 37Early Hebrew Conception of the Universe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 38Claíomh Solais on an Ireland stamp printed in 1922 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 39Thor kicks Litr onto Baldr's Hringhorni, illustration by Emil Doepler (ca. 1905) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 40 Odysseus Overcome by Demodocus' Song, by Francesco Hayez, 1813–1815 (from Myth)
Image 41Several mythical creatures from Bilderbuch für Kinder (lit. 'picture book for children') between 1790 and 1822, by Friedrich Justin Bertuch (from Legendary creature)
Image 42Surya on His Celestial Chariot (from List of mythological objects)
Image 43Yama with his famous Yama Pasha (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 45The 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 46Jason returns with Golden fleece (from List of mythological objects)
Image 47Lichas bringing the garment of Nessus to Hercules (from List of mythological objects)
Image 48The 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 49Snake and world egg of the inhabitants of Tyre (from List of mythological objects)
Image 50Ahimelech giving the sword of Goliath to David, by Aert de Gelder. (from List of mythological objects)
Image 51Rectangular tablets passed down by the Hand of God in the 10th century Byzantine Leo Bible (from List of mythological objects)
Image 52seven angels with seven trumpets (from List of mythological objects)
Image 53King Svafrlame Secures the Sword Tyrfing (from List of mythological objects)
Image 54Vishnu holding his legendary sword Nandaka (from List of mythological objects)
Image 55Adam's Bridge also called as Rama Setu (from List of mythological objects)
Image 56The Crown of Immortality, held by the allegorical figure Eterna (Eternity) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 57Golem and Loew (from List of mythological objects)
Image 58Ancient Sumerian cylinder seal impression showing the god Dumuzid being tortured in the Underworld by galla demons (from Comparative mythology)
Image 59"The Fall of Man" by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Tree of Knowledge is on the right (from List of mythological objects)
Image 60Goetia seal of solomon (from List of mythological objects)
Image 61Myths and legends of Babylonia and Assyria (1916) (from Myth)
Image 62Voodoo doll with pins in it, Museum of Witchcraft (from List of mythological objects)
Image 63Opening 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 64Jacob blesses Joseph and gives him the coat of many colors (from List of mythological objects)
Image 65Aura, a field of luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (from List of mythological objects)
Image 66Shield of Achilles (illustration) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 67The Ash Yggdrasil by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine (from List of mythological objects)
Image 68Killing of Ravana Painting by Brahmstra of Arrow of Brahma (from List of mythological objects)
Image 69Perillos being forced into the brazen bull that he built for Phalaris (from List of mythological objects)
Image 70Giza pyramids (from List of mythological objects)
Image 71Symbolic power: a dragon in the Imperial City, Huế, Vietnam (from Legendary creature)
Image 721929 Belgian banknote, depicting Ceres, Neptune and caduceus (from Myth)
Image 73Pied piper (from List of mythological objects)
Image 74The Argo (c. 1500 – 1530), painting by Lorenzo Costa (from List of mythological objects)
Image 75Tissot Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 76This 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 77Jug from Lydian Treasure Usak (from List of mythological objects)
Image 78Fountain of Youth (from List of mythological objects)
Image 79Houyi, the God of Archery (from List of mythological objects)
Image 80Fig trees often represent talismans with the udumbara (from List of mythological objects)
Image 81Shiva with his Trishula (from List of mythological objects)
Image 82The Celestial Chariot, Pushpaka Vimana from Ramayana (from List of mythological objects)
Image 83Dietrich von Bern and Hildebrand fight against dragons (from List of mythological objects)
Image 84Hand of God (from List of mythological objects)
Image 85Azoth, a universal medicine or universal solvent sought in alchemy. (Medieval legend) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 86"Tizona", the sword attributed to El Cid, on exhibit in the Army Museum of Madrid (from List of mythological objects)
Image 87Riding a Flying Carpet, an 1880 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov (from List of mythological objects)