Portal:Myths

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Myth is a genre of folklore or theology consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that simply refers to something that is not true. Instead, the truth value 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 true accounts of their remote past. In particular, creation myths take place in a primordial age when the world had not achieved its later form. Other myths explain how a society's customs, institutions, and taboos were established and sanctified. There is a complex relationship between recital of myths and the enactment of rituals. (Full article...)

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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...)

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... that the legend of Sumbha and Nisumbha, demons from Hindu mythology, is used as a warning against the dangers of seduction in Shashi Tharoor's novel The Great Indian Novel?

...that the most popular deity worshipped by the Duala peoples of Cameroon is a mermaid called a jengu?

...that Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli (pictured) was the god of the planet Venus in Aztec belief?

...that according to Greek mythology, Adonis was slain by a boar at the foot of the waterfall in Apheca in modern-day Lebanon?

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In Hindu mythology, Keshin (Sanskrit: केशिन्, lit. 'the hairy one/long-haired' IAST: Keśin), also called Keshi (Sanskrit: केशी IAST: Keśī) is a horse-demon, killed by Krishna, an Avatara of Vishnu. The demon was dispatched by Krishna's evil uncle Kamsa, who was destined to die at Krishna's hands.

The tale of the slaying of Keshi is told in the Hindu scriptures of Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana and Harivamsa. Krishna is often praised as Keshava - the slayer of Keshi - in scriptures. (Full article...)

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Vampire Fenrir Ala (demon) Sharabha Ratatoskr Huginn and Muninn 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 1A 19th-century drawing of Sun Wukong featuring his staff (from List of mythological objects)
Image 2Joan of Arc with her famous sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 3Killing of Ravana Painting by Brahmstra of Arrow of Brahma (from List of mythological objects)
Image 4As 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 5Achilles wearing his armor (from List of mythological objects)
Image 6Rectangular tablets passed down by the Hand of God in the 10th century Byzantine Leo Bible (from List of mythological objects)
Image 7Snake and world egg of the inhabitants of Tyre (from List of mythological objects)
Image 8Ancient 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 9Artist's impressions of the (unseen) Imperial Regalia of Japan (from List of mythological objects)
Image 10Pied piper (from List of mythological objects)
Image 11Riding a Flying Carpet, an 1880 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov (from List of mythological objects)
Image 12seven angels with seven trumpets (from List of mythological objects)
Image 13Hand of God (from List of mythological objects)
Image 14Azoth, a universal medicine or universal solvent sought in alchemy. (Medieval legend) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 15King Svafrlame Secures the Sword Tyrfing (from List of mythological objects)
Image 16Erlang Shen (二郎神), or Erlang is a Chinese God with his spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 17The fall of Icarus (from List of mythological objects)
Image 18Thor kicks Litr onto Baldr's Hringhorni, illustration by Emil Doepler (ca. 1905) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 19"The Fall of Man" by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Tree of Knowledge is on the right (from List of mythological objects)
Image 20Edith Hamilton's Mythology has been a major channel for English speakers to learn classical Greek and Roman mythology (from Myth)
Image 21The 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 22Jug from Lydian Treasure Usak (from List of mythological objects)
Image 23Goetia seal of solomon (from List of mythological objects)
Image 24The Crown of Immortality, held by the allegorical figure Eterna (Eternity) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 25Houyi, the God of Archery (from List of mythological objects)
Image 26Shiva with his Trishula (from List of mythological objects)
Image 27Ancient Sumerian cylinder seal impression showing the god Dumuzid being tortured in the Underworld by galla demons (from Comparative mythology)
Image 28Claíomh Solais on an Ireland stamp printed in 1922 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 29Voodoo doll with pins in it, Museum of Witchcraft (from List of mythological objects)
Image 30This 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 31Longinus with his famous Spear (from List of mythological objects)
Image 32The Honest Woodcutter, also known as Mercury and the Woodman and his famous Golden Axe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 33 Odysseus Overcome by Demodocus' Song, by Francesco Hayez, 1813–1815 (from Myth)
Image 34"Tizona", the sword attributed to El Cid, on exhibit in the Army Museum of Madrid (from List of mythological objects)
Image 35Surya on His Celestial Chariot (from List of mythological objects)
Image 36Hop-o'-My-Thumb stealing the Seven-league boots from the Ogre, by Gustave Doré (from List of mythological objects)
Image 37Thor wearing the magic belt Megingjörð (from List of mythological objects)
Image 38Greek God Kronos/Saturnus with sickle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 391929 Belgian banknote, depicting Ceres, Neptune and caduceus (from Myth)
Image 40Lord 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 41Perillos being forced into the brazen bull that he built for Phalaris (from List of mythological objects)
Image 42An angel (Camael) expelling Adam and Eve with a flaming sword (from List of mythological objects)
Image 43Veronica holding her veil, Hans Memling, c. 1470 (from List of mythological objects)
Image 44The 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 45Prometheus (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 46Symbolic power: a dragon in the Imperial City, Huế, Vietnam (from Legendary creature)
Image 47Jacob blesses Joseph and gives him the coat of many colors (from List of mythological objects)
Image 48The 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 49Jason returns with Golden fleece (from List of mythological objects)
Image 50The Argo (c. 1500 – 1530), painting by Lorenzo Costa (from List of mythological objects)
Image 51Väinämöinen, 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 52The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune (c. 1689 or 1706) by René-Antoine Houasse, depicting the founding myth of Athens (from National myth)
Image 53Heracles 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 54Golem and Loew (from List of mythological objects)
Image 55Several mythical creatures from Bilderbuch für Kinder (lit. 'picture book for children') between 1790 and 1822, by Friedrich Justin Bertuch (from Legendary creature)
Image 56Hanuman fetches the herb-bearing mountain, in a print from the Ravi Varma Press, 1910's (from List of mythological objects)
Image 57Yama with his famous Yama Pasha (from List of mythological objects)
Image 58Ballads of bravery (1877) part of Arthurian mythology (from Myth)
Image 5914th century Goryeo painting of Ksitigarbha holding a cintamani (from List of mythological objects)
Image 60Fig trees often represent talismans with the udumbara (from List of mythological objects)
Image 61Myths and legends of Babylonia and Assyria (1916) (from Myth)
Image 62Sampo, 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 63Fountain of Youth (from List of mythological objects)
Image 64Fortune Wheel (from List of mythological objects)
Image 65Ahimelech giving the sword of Goliath to David, by Aert de Gelder. (from List of mythological objects)
Image 66Vishnu holding his legendary sword Nandaka (from List of mythological objects)
Image 67Golden cosmic egg Hiranyagarbha by Manaku (from List of mythological objects)
Image 68Vishnu with his Panchajanya (from List of mythological objects)
Image 69Lichas bringing the garment of Nessus to Hercules (from List of mythological objects)
Image 70Tissot Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 71Holy Robe in Trier (from List of mythological objects)
Image 72Early Hebrew Conception of the Universe (from List of mythological objects)
Image 73The Flying Dutchman (from List of mythological objects)
Image 74The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral (from List of mythological objects)
Image 75The Fall of the Titans (1596–98) by Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem (from Comparative mythology)
Image 76Amenonuhoko (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 77Opening 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 78Image 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 79Shield of Achilles (illustration) (from List of mythological objects)
Image 80Giza pyramids (from List of mythological objects)
Image 81The famous sword of Excalibur painted by Howard Pyle (from List of mythological objects)
Image 82Adam's Bridge also called as Rama Setu (from List of mythological objects)
Image 83The 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 84The Ash Yggdrasil by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine (from List of mythological objects)
Image 85Aura, a field of luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (from List of mythological objects)
Image 86Dietrich von Bern and Hildebrand fight against dragons (from List of mythological objects)
Image 87The Celestial Chariot, Pushpaka Vimana from Ramayana (from List of mythological objects)