I.WHAT’S UP WITH YI? – Yi the Divine Archer from Chinese mythology deserves to be remembered in one breath with some of the other great heroes and monster slayers from belief systems around the world. Most people are only familiar with his feat of shooting down multiple suns that appeared in the sky one day, but this article will provide a light- hearted look at all of his fantastic adventures. Continue reading
Category Archives: Mythology
MYTHOLOGY: THE NEGLECTED EPIC MYTH OF YI THE DIVINE ARCHER
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SHINTO DEITY: KUYEBIKO
Kuyebiko was the Shinto scarecrow god. Originally he functioned as the protector of the rice fields, a task assigned him by his father Inari the rice god. He was considered to be incarnate in all scarecrows and eventually came to be considered as a divinitory deity who knew everything that transpired under the heavens.
The leap from being the god of scarecrows to divinitory deity came about because of Continue reading
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SHINTO DEITY: JUROJIN
For more of the Shinto deities I’ve covered here at Balladeer’s Blog click here: http://www.makethelist.net/the-top-10-deities-in-shinto-mythology/
JUROJIN – The god of longevity who granted a long life and watched over the elderly. He was depicted as a Continue reading
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SHINTO DEITY: KOTOHIRA
For other Shinto deities I’ve covered here at Balladeer’s Blog click here: http://www.makethelist.net/the-top-10-deities-in-shinto-mythology/
KOTOHIRA – The god of the Inland Sea, the location of which is indicated on the map to your right. (the rough translation of the words above the arrow would be “Here’s the Inland Sea … assholes”. ) This deity guarded over the entire Inland Sea and commanded Continue reading
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MYTHOLOGY: INTER-CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Balladeer’s Blog
Recently one of my favorite bloggers, Sara from Midaeval Maiden and Life With 4 Cats, asked me a question about Egyptian mythology being influenced by other cultures. I provided an answer where the words just flowed along nicely and so, since I get occassional e-mails asking me similar questions I figured I would post my answer to Sara in the spirit of a FAQ. All in all, it saves me from coming up with a totally new post today … I think you’ll agree.
My Answer: This sort of inter-cultural influence is pretty standard in mythology. No belief system springs from a vacuum. It springs from previous belief systems in the region and also from appropriating elements of belief systems of other cultures they come into contact with. The process is called syncretism.
Even the big three religions have done it. Zoroastrianism predates Christianity, Islam and Judaism and all three of those Continue reading
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MYTHOLOGY – THE EGYPTIAN GOD BES
"If Danny DeVito was an Egyptian god"
BES – This diminutive Egyptian god presents a perfect opportunity for me to point out how the concepts that a deity is supposedly the patron of can change over time. During his centuries- long period of worship Bes was at various times considered a lion god (his oddly shaped hairdo/beard combo is meant to be reminiscent of a lion’s mane), a patron of art and music, a protector of women in childbirth, a god who could cure infertility and a household god. In that last mentioned role Bes not only looked after children and their mothers, but he would safeguard the household by driving off evil spirits and by strangling potential dangers like snakes, lions and bears. (Oh my!) Because of his short stature and the fact that he was often depicted sporting an enormous erection he was sometimes called “the Egyptian Pan”, but given his benevolent and constructive nature I would say he has more in common with the dwarfish Shinto deity Sukuna-Biko, the friend of Okuninushi. Bes wore a loincloth made of lionskin with the lion’s tail hanging down behind him (though originally he was presented as Continue reading
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MYTHOLOGY: THE AZTEC CORN TRINITY
CINTEOTL – Just as XILONEN was the god of young, tender corn and ILAMATECUHTLI was the deity of old, overripe and dry corn, Cinteotl was the lord of mature corn ripe for the harvest. Their mother was the goddess Tlazolteotl and this three-in- one trio of deities provides an Continue reading
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MYTHOLOGY: THE EGYPTIAN GOD SOPED
SOPED – This deity was the hawk-headed god who guarded the roadway that connected Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. At the road’s beginning in Lower Egypt stood a temple devoted to Soped, and at its terminus in Upper Egypt stood a temple to Continue reading
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INUIT MYTH PAGE – KANAJUK
For more Inuit deities click here: https://glitternight.com/inuit-myth/
KANAJUK – This god was the giant sea scorpion who was the husband Sedna shared with her armless mother, Isarrataitsoq. Kanajuk often Continue reading
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INUIT MYTH PAGE: THE GODDESS KADLU AND HER SISTERS
For more Inuit deities click here: https://glitternight.com/inuit-myth/
KADLU- The goddess who makes lightning by rubbing pieces of dry seal skin together. She dwells in Sedna’s subaquatic realm along with her sisters, Ignirtoq and Kweetoo. Inuit women would make offerings of Continue reading
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