Tag Archives: Religion

MYTHOLOGY: INTER-CULTURAL INFLUENCE

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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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SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION: MY SHINTO LIST IS UP AT MAKETHELIST

Another site has been kind enough to run an item of mine. In this case a list of the Top 10 Deities In Shinto Mythology. The Shinto pantheon gets just enough attention that I didn’t feel it merited a whole page from me so I just did a Top 10 (with lots of side-references to lesser Shinto gods and goddesses) and submitted it elsewhere. Here is the link: http://www.makethelist.net/the-top-10-deities-in-shinto-mythology/

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