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

Goddess Ishtar on an Akkadian Empire seal, 2350–2150 BCE. She is equipped with weapons on her back, has a horned helmet, places her foot in a dominant posture upon a lion secured by a leash and is accompanied by the star of Shamash.

Inanna is the ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war, and fertility. She is also associated with sensuality, procreation, divine law, and political power. Originally worshipped in Sumer, she was known by the Akkadian Empire, Babylonians, and Assyrians as Ishtar (and occasionally the logogram 𒌋𒁯). Her primary title was "the Queen of Heaven".

She was the patron goddess of the Eanna temple at the city of Uruk, her early main cult center. In archaic Uruk she was worshipped in three forms: morning Inanna (Inana-UD/hud), evening Inanna (Inanna sig) and princely Inanna (Inanna NUN), the former two reflecting the phases of her associated planet Venus. Her most prominent symbols included the lion and the eight-pointed star. Her husband was the god Dumuzid (later known as Tammuz), and her sukkal (attendant) was the goddess Ninshubur, later conflated with the male deities Ilabrat and Papsukkal. (Full article...)

List of selected articles

Did you know? - show different entries

...that the tiyanak is an infant-like creature from Philippine mythology that is said to attack tourists with its fangs and claws?

... that in Chinese mythology, Wu Gang had to chop down a tree on the moon that always healed itself, forcing him to keep trying forever?

... that in Mesoamerican folklore, it is believed that a dog (mythical dog pictured) carries the newly deceased across a body of water into the afterlife?

... that in Maya mythology, wayob were the powerful spirit forms of lords, priests and gods?

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 nuckelavee ( /nʌklɑːˈviː/) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. British folklorist Katharine Briggs called it "the nastiest" of all the demons of Scotland's Northern Isles. The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land despite being predominantly a sea-dweller.

A graphic description of the nuckelavee as it appears on land was given by an islander who claimed to have had a confrontation with it, but accounts describing the details of the creature's appearance are inconsistent. In common with many other sea-monsters, it is unable to tolerate fresh water, therefore, those it is pursuing have only to cross a river or stream to be rid of it. The nuckelavee is kept in confinement during the summer months by the Mither o' the Sea, an ancient Orcadian spirit, and the only one able to control it. (Full article...)

List of selected creatures
Vampire Fenrir Ala (demon) Sharabha Ratatoskr Huginn and Muninn Keshi (demon) 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 1Golem and Loew (from List of mythological objects)
Image 2The Celestial Chariot, Pushpaka Vimana from Ramayana (from List of mythological objects)
Image 3Aura, a field of luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (from List of mythological objects)
Image 4Achilles wearing his armor (from List of mythological objects)
Image 5As 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 6Vishnu holding his legendary sword Nandaka (from List of mythological objects)
Image 7Azoth, a universal medicine or universal solvent sought in alchemy. (Medieval legend) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 8Fortune Wheel (from List of mythological objects)
Image 9Lord 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 10The Ash Yggdrasil by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine (from List of mythological objects)
Image 11Amenonuhoko (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 12Shield of Achilles (illustration) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 13The fall of Icarus (from List of mythological objects)
Image 14Adam's Bridge also called as Rama Setu (from List of mythological objects)
Image 1514th century Goryeo painting of Ksitigarbha holding a cintamani (from List of mythological objects)
Image 16Väinämöinen, 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 17Tissot Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 18Dietrich von Bern and Hildebrand fight against dragons (from List of mythological objects)
Image 19The 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 20Artist's impressions of the (unseen) Imperial Regalia of Japan (from List of mythological objects)
Image 21Longinus with his famous Spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 22Vishnu with his Panchajanya (from List of mythological objects)
Image 23Fig trees often represent talismans with the udumbara (from List of mythological objects)
Image 24The 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 25Lichas bringing the garment of Nessus to Hercules (from List of mythological objects)
Image 26Houyi, the God of Archery (from List of mythological objects)
Image 27Killing of Ravana Painting by Brahmstra of Arrow of Brahma (from List of mythological objects)
Image 28The Crown of Immortality, held by the allegorical figure Eterna (Eternity) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 29Pied piper (from List of mythological objects)
Image 30Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's (from List of mythological objects)
Image 31Perillos being forced into the brazen bull that he built for Phalaris (from List of mythological objects)
Image 32Shiva with his Trishula (from List of mythological objects)
Image 33Fountain of Youth (from List of mythological objects)
Image 34 Odysseus Overcome by Demodocus' Song, by Francesco Hayez, 1813–1815 (from Myth)
Image 35Jug from Lydian Treasure Usak (from List of mythological objects)
Image 36This 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 37The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral (from List of mythological objects)
Image 38An angel (Camael) expelling Adam and Eve with a flaming sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 39Snake and world egg of the inhabitants of Tyre (from List of mythological objects)
Image 40Heracles 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 41The 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 42The Fall of the Titans (1596–98) by Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (from Comparative mythology)
Image 43Ahimelech giving the sword of Goliath to David, by Aert de Gelder. (from List of mythological objects)
Image 44The Honest Woodcutter, also known as Mercury and the Woodman and his famous Golden Axe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 45Greek God Kronos/Saturnus with sickle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 46Voodoo doll with pins in it, Museum of Witchcraft (from List of mythological objects)
Image 47Erlang Shen (二郎神), or Erlang is a Chinese God with his spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 48Opening 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 49Edith Hamilton's Mythology has been a major channel for English speakers to learn classical Greek and Roman mythology (from Myth)
Image 50Joan of Arc with her famous sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 51Ancient Sumerian cylinder seal impression showing the god Dumuzid being tortured in the Underworld by galla demons (from Comparative mythology)
Image 52The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune (c. 1689 or 1706) by René-Antoine Houasse, depicting the founding myth of Athens (from National myth)
Image 531929 Belgian banknote, depicting Ceres, Neptune and caduceus (from Myth)
Image 54Thor wearing the magic belt Megingjörð (from List of mythological objects)
Image 55Jason returns with Golden fleece (from List of mythological objects)
Image 56Rectangular tablets passed down by the Hand of God in the 10th century Byzantine Leo Bible (from List of mythological objects)
Image 57Thor kicks Litr onto Baldr's Hringhorni, illustration by Emil Doepler (ca. 1905) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 58A 19th-century drawing of Sun Wukong featuring his staff (from List of mythological objects)
Image 59Prometheus (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 60Hand of God (from List of mythological objects)
Image 61Symbolic power: a dragon in the Imperial City, Huế, Vietnam (from Legendary creature)
Image 62Jacob blesses Joseph and gives him the coat of many colors (from List of mythological objects)
Image 63Early Hebrew Conception of the Universe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 64"The Fall of Man" by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Tree of Knowledge is on the right (from List of mythological objects)
Image 65The Flying Dutchman (from List of mythological objects)
Image 66Veronica holding her veil, Hans Memling, c. 1470 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 67seven angels with seven trumpets (from List of mythological objects)
Image 68Riding a Flying Carpet, an 1880 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov (from List of mythological objects)
Image 69Sampo, 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 70Giza pyramids (from List of mythological objects)
Image 71"Tizona", the sword attributed to El Cid, on exhibit in the Army Museum of Madrid (from List of mythological objects)
Image 72Ancient 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 73Claíomh Solais on an Ireland stamp printed in 1922 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 74Yama with his famous Yama Pasha (from List of mythological objects)
Image 75Myths and legends of Babylonia and Assyria (1916) (from Myth)
Image 76Holy Robe in Trier (from List of mythological objects)
Image 77Golden cosmic egg Hiranyagarbha by Manaku (from List of mythological objects)
Image 78Goetia seal of solomon (from List of mythological objects)
Image 79Image 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 80King Svafrlame Secures the Sword Tyrfing (from List of mythological objects)
Image 81The 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 82Several mythical creatures from Bilderbuch für Kinder (lit. 'picture book for children') between 1790 and 1822, by Friedrich Justin Bertuch (from Legendary creature)
Image 83The Argo (c. 1500 – 1530), painting by Lorenzo Costa (from List of mythological objects)
Image 84The famous sword of Excalibur painted by Howard Pyle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 85Ballads of bravery (1877) part of Arthurian mythology (from Myth)
Image 86Surya on His Celestial Chariot (from List of mythological objects)
Image 87Hop-o'-My-Thumb stealing the Seven-league boots from the Ogre, by Gustave Doré (from List of mythological objects)