The word mythology (from the Greek μυϑολογία mythología, "storytelling" [1]) literally means the (oral) retelling of myths – stories that a particular culture believes to be true and that use the supernatural to interpret natural events and to explain the nature of the universe and humanity. In modern usage, "mythology" is either the body of myths from a particular culture or religion (as in Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology or Norse mythology) or the ...

Including:

• Mythology - Definition
• Mythology - Religion and mythology
• Mythology - Classifications
• Mythology - Related concepts
• Mythology - Formation of myths
• Mythology - Myths as depictions of historical events
• Mythology - Other theories
• Mythology - Modern mythology
• Mythology - Myths by region
• Mythology - Africa
• Mythology - Asia non-Middle East
• Mythology - Australia and Oceania
• Mythology - Europe
• Mythology - Middle East
• Mythology - North America
• Mythology - South America and Mesoamerica
• Mythology - Mythological archetypes
• Mythology - Mythological creatures
• Mythology - Books on mythology

Read more here: » Mythology: Encyclopedia - Mythology

See also:

Mythology, Mythology - Definition, Mythology - Religion and mythology, Mythology - Classifications, Mythology - Related concepts, Mythology - Formation of myths, Mythology - Myths as depictions of historical events, Mythology - Other theories, Mythology - Modern mythology, Mythology - Myths by region, Mythology - Africa, Mythology - Asia non-Middle East, Mythology - Australia and Oceania, Mythology - Europe, Mythology - Middle East, Mythology - North America, Mythology - South America and Mesoamerica, Mythology - Mythological archetypes, Mythology - Mythological creatures, Mythology - Books on mythology

Read more here: » Mythology: Encyclopedia II - Mythology - Myths by region

In order to consider mythology, it is first necessary to consider what is meant by the term myth. Myths are generally narratives passed down traditionally intended to explain the universal and local beginnings ("creation myths" and "founding myths"), natural phenomena, inexplicable cultural conventions, and anything else for which no simple explanation presents itself. Not all myths need have this explicatory purpose, however. Myths are by definition sacred and usually involve a supernatural force or deity. Many legends and narratives passed down orally from gener ...

See also:

Mythology, Mythology - Definition, Mythology - Religion and mythology, Mythology - Classifications, Mythology - Related concepts, Mythology - Formation of myths, Mythology - Myths as depictions of historical events, Mythology - Other theories, Mythology - Modern mythology, Mythology - Myths by region, Mythology - Africa, Mythology - Asia non-Middle East, Mythology - Australia and Oceania, Mythology - Europe, Mythology - Middle East, Mythology - North America, Mythology - South America and Mesoamerica, Mythology - Mythological archetypes, Mythology - Mythological creatures, Mythology - Books on mythology

Read more here: » Mythology: Encyclopedia II - Mythology - Definition

Catalan myths and legends are the traditional myths and legends of the Catalan-speaking world, especially Catalonia itself, passed down for generations as part of that region's popular culture. Among the figures of Catalan mythology are: Aloja Catalan mythology about witches Dip Dona d'aigua Donyet Dragons Drac (generally male) Víbria (specifically female) Encantaria Follet Gambutzí Goja Home de ...

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Maya mythology refers to the pre-Columbian Maya civilization's extensive polytheistic religious beliefs. These beliefs had most likely been long-established by the time the earliest-known distinctively Maya monuments had been built and inscriptions depicting their deities recorded, considerably pre-dating the 1st millennium BC. Over the succeeding millennia this intricate and multi-faceted system of beliefs was extended, varying to a degree between regions and time periods, but maintaining also an inherited tradition and customary obs ...

Including:

• Maya mythology - Overview
• Maya mythology - The Creation Myth
• Maya mythology - Notable Gods
• Maya mythology - Bacabs
• Maya mythology - The First Humans
• Maya mythology - The Men
• Maya mythology - Their Wives
• Maya mythology - Gods and Supernatural Beings
• Maya mythology - Locations
• Maya mythology - Reference

Read more here: » Maya mythology: Encyclopedia - Maya mythology

An Aswang (or Asuwang) is a ghoul in Filipino folklore. The myth of the aswang is popular in the Western Visayan regions such as Capiz, Iloilo and Antique. The trademark or major feature of Aswangs which distinguish them from other Filipino mythological creatures is their propensity to replace stolen cadavers with the trunk of a banana tree carved in the cadaver's likeness. They are also said to like to eat small children. Their favorite body parts are the liver and heart. Other local names, especially in Capiz are tik-tik and ...

Including:

• Aswang - Genre
• Aswang - Capiz
• Aswang - Superstitions
• Aswang - Appearance and activities
• Aswang - Dealing with Aswangs
• Aswang - Incidents and tabloids
• Aswang - Other Filipino mythological creatures

Read more here: » Aswang: Encyclopedia - Aswang

In Greek mythology, Amymone (the "blameless" one) was a daughter of Danaus. As the "blameless" Danaid, her name identifies her, perhaps, as identical to Hypermnestra ("great wooing" or "high marriage"), also the one Danaid who did not assassinate her Egyptian husband on their wedding night, as her 49 sisters did. (See the myth at the entry for Danaus.) Apollodorus, in his list of names for the Danaids, does mention both Hypermnes ...

Including:

• Amymone - External link

Read more here: » Amymone: Encyclopedia - Amymone

Greek mythology comprises the collected narratives of Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines, originally created and spread within an oral-poetic tradition. Our surviving sources of mythology are literary reworkings of this oral tradition, supplemented by interpretations of iconic imagery, sometimes modern ones, sometimes ancient ones, as myth was a means for later Greeks themselves to throw light on cult practices and traditions that were no longer explicable. The historian must sometimes deduce from hints in imagery, such as in ...

Including:

• Greek mythology - Nature and sources of Greek mythology
• Greek mythology - An overview
• Greek mythology - The age of gods
• Greek mythology - The age of gods and men
• Greek mythology - The age of heroes
• Greek mythology - Theories of origin
• Greek mythology - Did the Greeks believe their myths?
• Greek mythology - Hellenistic rationalism
• Greek mythology - Syncretizing trends
• Greek mythology - Belles and Beaus of Greek Mythology
• Greek mythology - Modern interpreters
• Greek mythology - Greek cosmology
• Greek mythology - Related subjects
• Greek mythology - Sources

Read more here: » Greek mythology: Encyclopedia - Greek mythology

The mythology of the Yoruba is sometimes claimed by its supporters to be one of the world's oldest widely practised religions. It is a major religion in Africa, chiefly in Nigeria, and it has given origin to several New World religions such as Santería in Cuba and Candomblé in Brazil. Yoruba mythology is only one part of itan — the complex of myths, songs, histories and other cultural concepts which make up the Yorùbá religion and society. Yoruba mythology - Deities. Yoruba deities are called O ...

Including:

• Yoruba mythology - Deities
• Yoruba mythology - The Orisha
• Yoruba mythology - Other concepts
• Yoruba mythology - Yoruba mythology in the New World
• Yoruba mythology - External link

Read more here: » Yoruba mythology: Encyclopedia - Yoruba mythology

In Greek mythology, Atlas was a member of a race of giant gods known as Titans. Atlas mythology - Mythology. Atlas mythology - Kinship. Atlas was the son of the Titan Iapetos and the Oceanid Klymene. Atlas had three brothers — Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoitios — and was the father of the Hesperides sisters, Maera, Hyas, the Hyades sisters, Kalypso and the Pleiades sisters. Atlas mythology - Punishment. Atlas led the Titans in one of the ...

Including:

• Atlas mythology - Mythology
• Atlas mythology - Kinship
• Atlas mythology - Punishment
• Atlas mythology - Variations
• Atlas mythology - Encounter with Herakles
• Atlas mythology - Etymology
• Atlas mythology - Cultural influence
• Atlas mythology - Sources

Read more here: » Atlas mythology: Encyclopedia - Atlas mythology

The Dahomey (or Fon) are a nation located in Benin, Africa. The mythology of the Dahomey includes an entire pantheon of thunder gods; for example, Xevioso (also Xewioso) is the god of thunder in the So region. The head of the thunder pantheon is named Sogbo, which is also used to describe devotees of the thunder gods. Liza (male) and Mawu (female), married twin siblings, sons of Nana Buluku, are the creator deities, occasionally combined as Mawu-Lisa, an androgynous deity. Lisa (or Mawu-Lisa) is the father of Dan. Mawu-Lisa (or either ...

Including:

• Dahomey mythology - Other gods

Read more here: » Dahomey mythology: Encyclopedia - Dahomey mythology

Ancient Basque mythology is centered around the figure of the goddess Mari, and her consort Sugaar (also called Maju). It is considered a chthonic religion as all its characters dwell on earth or below it. The sky is seen mostly as an empty corridor through which the divinities travel and herd clouds. Basque mythology - Mari and her court. Mari is considered the supreme goddess, and her consort Sugaar the supreme god. Mari is depicted in many different forms: sometimes as various women, as different ...

Including:

• Basque mythology - Mari and her court
• Basque mythology - Other creatures and characters
• Basque mythology - Urtzi
• Basque mythology - Christianity
• Basque mythology - Modern myths

Read more here: » Basque mythology: Encyclopedia - Basque mythology

In Greek mythology, the Cretan Bull was either the bull that carried away Europa or the bull Pasiphae fell in love with. Cretan Bull - Capture by Herakles. Herakles was compelled to capture the bull as his seventh task. He sailed to Crete, whereupon the King of Crete, Minos, gave Herakles permission to take the bull away, as it had been wreaking havoc on Crete. Herakles used a lasso and rode it back to his cousin, Eurystheus. Eurystheus wanted to sacrifice the bull to Hera, who hated Herakles. She refused t ...

Including:

• Cretan Bull - Capture by Herakles
• Cretan Bull - Origin
• Cretan Bull - Capture by Theseus

Read more here: » Cretan Bull: Encyclopedia - Cretan Bull

In Greek mythology, Aeacus (Greek: Aiakos, "bewailing" or "earth borne") was king in the island of Aegina in the Saronic Gulf. He was far-famed for the righteous sense of piety and justice with which he ruled over his people and his judgment was sought all over Hellas, so much so that, after his death, he was appointed one of the judges of the shades in Erebus, with Cretan Minos and Rhadamanthus. Rhadamanthus judged the souls of easterners, Aeacus judged Hellenes and Minos had the deciding ...

Including:

• Aeacus - External link

Read more here: » Aeacus: Encyclopedia - Aeacus

Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, the apparent religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure. Among Celtic peoples in close contact with Rome, such as the Gauls and Celtiberians, their mythology did not survive the Roman empire, their subsequent conversion to Christianity, and the loss of their Celtic languages. Ironically it is through contemporary Roman and Christian sources that what we do know of their belie ...

Including:

• Celtic mythology - Historical sources
• Celtic mythology - Julius Caesar’s comments on Celtic Religion and their significance
• Celtic mythology - Branches of Celtic mythology
• Celtic mythology - Celtic deities
• Celtic mythology - The gods of the ancient Celts
• Celtic mythology - The gods of Ireland
• Celtic mythology - The gods of Wales
• Celtic mythology - The Dagda
• Celtic mythology - The Morrígan
• Celtic mythology - Belenus
• Celtic mythology - Lúgh/Lug
• Celtic mythology - Other gods
• Celtic mythology - Temples
• Celtic mythology - Celtic worship
• Celtic mythology - The druids
• Celtic mythology - Significance of Prophecy in Druidic Ritual
• Celtic mythology - Modern remnants
• Celtic mythology - Druidism?

Read more here: » Celtic mythology: Encyclopedia - Celtic mythology

Shapeshifting, transformation , transmogrification or morphing is a change in the form or shape of a person, especially: a change from human form to animal form and vice versa a change in appearance from one person to another Shapeshifting is not considered scientifically or medically possible, but it is a common theme in myth and legend and a popular theme in science fiction and fantasy stories. Some conspiracy theories clai ...

Including:

• Shapeshifting - Shapeshifting in myth
• Shapeshifting - Notable mythological shapeshifters
• Shapeshifting - Shapeshifting in fiction
• Shapeshifting - Notable shapeshifters in fiction
• Shapeshifting - Transformation enthusiasts

Read more here: » Shapeshifting: Encyclopedia - Shapeshifting

Child sacrifice is the ritualistic killing of children in order to please, propitiate or force supernatural beings in order to achieve a desired result. The practice has been believed to be central to some religions, made to a wide variety of gods, goddesses and spirits. These religions often depict the practice in myths as absolutely necessary to save the world from "chaos". In many cases, archaeologists have found evidence that suggests that the prevalence of child sacrifice in a culture (Carthaginian for instance) was probably far less than commonly belie ...

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Cumae (Cuma, in Italian) is an ancient Greek settlement lying to the northwest of Naples in the Italian region of Campania. The settlement is believed to have been founded in the 8th century BC by Greeks from the city of Cuma and Chalkis in Euboea upon the earlier dwellings of indigenous, Iron-Age peoples whom they supplanted. Eusebius placed Cumae's Greek foundation at 1050 BC. Its name comes from the Greek word Kymé, meaning wave - perhaps in reference to the big wav ...

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In Greek mythology, according to tradition, the Hyperboreans were a mythical people who lived to the far north of Greece, near the Ural Mountains. Their land, called Hyperborea, or Hyperboria ("beyond the Boreas (north wind)"), was perfect, with the sun shining twenty-four hours a day. The Greeks thought that Boreas, the god of the north wind, lived in Thrace, and therefore Hyperborei was an unspecified nation in the northern parts of Europe and Asia. Alone among the Olympians, Apollo was venerated among the Hyperboreans ...

Including:

• Hyperborea - Modern Meaning
• Hyperborea - Hyperborea in Recent Fiction
• Hyperborea - Hyperboreans in Nazi Mysticism

Read more here: » Hyperborea: Encyclopedia - Hyperborea

The "Hundredth Monkey" is the name for a supposed phenomenon in which a particular learned behaviour spread instantaneously from one group of animals, once a critical number was reached, to all related animals in the region or perhaps throughout the world. Largely due to popularisation of this story, the "Hundredth Monkey" phenomenon is now thought by many to occur in human populations with respect to ideas and beliefs in general even thoug ...

Including:

• Hundredth Monkey - Sources

Read more here: » Hundredth Monkey: Encyclopedia - Hundredth Monkey