SettingsComparative mythology
Alexander Veselovsky
Alexander Nikolayevich Veselovsky was a leading literary theorist of Imperial Russia who laid the groundwork for comparative literary studies.
Alexander Nikolayevich Veselovsky was a leading literary theorist of Imperial Russia who laid the groundwork for comparative literary studies.
Antiquitas Lost
Antiquitas Lost: The Last of the Shamalans is the debut novel of American cardiologist, Robert Louis Smith.
Antiquitas Lost: The Last of the Shamalans is the debut novel of American cardiologist, Robert Louis Smith.
Apple (symbolism)
Apples appear in many religious traditions, often as a mystical or forbidden fruit.
Apples appear in many religious traditions, often as a mystical or forbidden fruit.
Axis mundi
The axis mundi, in religion or mythology, is the world center and/or the connection between Heaven and Earth.
The axis mundi, in religion or mythology, is the world center and/or the connection between Heaven and Earth.
Barton Cylinder
The Barton Cylinder is a solid clay cylinder inscribed with a Sumerian cuneiform mythological text, found at the site of Nippur.
The Barton Cylinder is a solid clay cylinder inscribed with a Sumerian cuneiform mythological text, found at the site of Nippur.
Bull (mythology)
The worship of the Sacred Bull throughout the ancient world is most familiar to the Western world in the biblical episode of the idol of the Golden Calf made by people left behind by Moses durin...
The worship of the Sacred Bull throughout the ancient world is most familiar to the Western world in the biblical episode of the idol of the Golden Calf made by people left behind by Moses durin...
Centre de recherche sur l'imaginaire
The Centre de recherche sur l'imaginaire (Research Center on the Imaginary), also known as École de Grenoble, is a multidisciplinary training centre education of the University of Grenoble.
The Centre de recherche sur l'imaginaire (Research Center on the Imaginary), also known as École de Grenoble, is a multidisciplinary training centre education of the University of Grenoble.
Comparative mythology
Comparative mythology is the comparison of myths from different cultures in an attempt to identify shared themes and characteristics.
Comparative mythology is the comparison of myths from different cultures in an attempt to identify shared themes and characteristics.
Creation myth
A creation myth is a symbolic narrative of how the world began and how people first came to inhabit it.
A creation myth is a symbolic narrative of how the world began and how people first came to inhabit it.
Death deity
Deities associated with death take many different forms, depending on the specific culture and religion being referenced.
Deities associated with death take many different forms, depending on the specific culture and religion being referenced.
Debate between sheep and grain
The Debate between sheep and grain or Myth of cattle and grain is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
The Debate between sheep and grain or Myth of cattle and grain is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
Debate between Winter and Summer
The Debate between Winter and Summer or Myth of Emesh and Enten is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
The Debate between Winter and Summer or Myth of Emesh and Enten is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
Dying god
A dying god, also known as a dying-and-rising or resurrection deity, is a god who dies and is resurrected or reborn, in either a literal or symbolic sense.
A dying god, also known as a dying-and-rising or resurrection deity, is a god who dies and is resurrected or reborn, in either a literal or symbolic sense.
Enlil and Ninlil
Enlil and Ninlil or the Myth of Enlil and Ninlil or Enlil and Ninlil: The begetting of Nanna is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
Enlil and Ninlil or the Myth of Enlil and Ninlil or Enlil and Ninlil: The begetting of Nanna is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
Fertility symbol
A fertility symbol is an object used by early historical human societies representing fertility.
A fertility symbol is an object used by early historical human societies representing fertility.
Flood myth
A flood myth or deluge myth is a symbolic narrative of a great flood sent by a deity or deities to destroy civilization as an act of divine retribution.
A flood myth or deluge myth is a symbolic narrative of a great flood sent by a deity or deities to destroy civilization as an act of divine retribution.
Fyodor Buslaev
Fedor Ivanovich Buslaev (Фёдор Ива́нович Бусла́ев; April 13 (25), 1818, Kerensk, Penza Guberniya–July 31 (August 12), 1898, Moscow Guberniya) was a Russian philologist, art h...
Fedor Ivanovich Buslaev (Фёдор Ива́нович Бусла́ев; April 13 (25), 1818, Kerensk, Penza Guberniya–July 31 (August 12), 1898, Moscow Guberniya) was a Russian philologist, art h...
Genesis creation narrative
The Genesis creation narrative is the primary creation myth of both Judaism and Christianity.
The Genesis creation narrative is the primary creation myth of both Judaism and Christianity.
Gudea cylinders
Gudea was a ruler (ensi) of the state of Lagash in Southern Mesopotamia who ruled ca.
Gudea was a ruler (ensi) of the state of Lagash in Southern Mesopotamia who ruled ca.
Hamlet's Mill
Hamlet's Mill by Giorgio de Santillana and Hertha von Dechend is a nonfiction work of history and comparative mythology, particularly the subfield of archaeoastronomy.The book is thematicall...
Hamlet's Mill by Giorgio de Santillana and Hertha von Dechend is a nonfiction work of history and comparative mythology, particularly the subfield of archaeoastronomy.The book is thematicall...
Historical Atlas of World Mythology
The Historical Atlas of World Mythology is a multi-volume series of books by Joseph Campbell that traces developments in humankind's mythological symbols and stories from pre-history forward.
The Historical Atlas of World Mythology is a multi-volume series of books by Joseph Campbell that traces developments in humankind's mythological symbols and stories from pre-history forward.
Hymn to Enlil
The Hymn to Enlil, Enlil and the Ekur (Enlil A), Hymn to the Ekur, Hymn and incantation to Enlil, Hymn to Enlil the all beneficent or Excerpt from an exorcism is a ...
The Hymn to Enlil, Enlil and the Ekur (Enlil A), Hymn to the Ekur, Hymn and incantation to Enlil, Hymn to Enlil the all beneficent or Excerpt from an exorcism is a ...
James George Frazer
Sir James George Frazer, was a Scottish social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion.
Sir James George Frazer, was a Scottish social anthropologist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion.
Jonathan Young (psychologist)
Jonathan Young is a psychologist who became the founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives.
Jonathan Young is a psychologist who became the founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives.
Joseph Campbell
Joseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion.
Joseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion.
Joseph Campbell Foundation
The Joseph Campbell Foundation is a US not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserve, protect and perpetuate the work of influential American mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904–1987).
The Joseph Campbell Foundation is a US not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserve, protect and perpetuate the work of influential American mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904–1987).
Kesh temple hymn
The Kesh Temple Hymn or Liturgy to Nintud or Liturgy to Nintud on the creation of man and woman is a Sumerian myth, written on clay tablets as early as 2600 BC. Along with the Instru...
The Kesh Temple Hymn or Liturgy to Nintud or Liturgy to Nintud on the creation of man and woman is a Sumerian myth, written on clay tablets as early as 2600 BC. Along with the Instru...
King in the mountain
A king in the mountain, king under the mountain or sleeping hero is a prominent motif in folklore and mythology that is found in many folktales and legends.
A king in the mountain, king under the mountain or sleeping hero is a prominent motif in folklore and mythology that is found in many folktales and legends.
Lament for Ur
The Lament for Ur, or Lamentation over the city of Ur is a Sumerian lament composed around the time of the fall of Ur to the Elamites and the end of the city's third dynasty.
The Lament for Ur, or Lamentation over the city of Ur is a Sumerian lament composed around the time of the fall of Ur to the Elamites and the end of the city's third dynasty.
Life-death-rebirth deity
A life-death-rebirth deity, also known as a dying-and-rising or resurrection deity, is a god who is born, suffers death or a death-like experience, passes through a phase in the unde...
A life-death-rebirth deity, also known as a dying-and-rising or resurrection deity, is a god who is born, suffers death or a death-like experience, passes through a phase in the unde...
Milky Way (mythology)
There are many myths and legends about the origin of the Milky Way, the galaxy cluster of stars that makes a distinctive bright streak across the night sky.
There are many myths and legends about the origin of the Milky Way, the galaxy cluster of stars that makes a distinctive bright streak across the night sky.
Monomyth
Joseph Campbell's monomyth, or the hero's journey, is a basic pattern that its proponents argue is found in many narratives from around the world.
Joseph Campbell's monomyth, or the hero's journey, is a basic pattern that its proponents argue is found in many narratives from around the world.
Mother goddess
Mother goddess is a term used to refer to a goddess who represents motherhood, fertility, creation or embodies the bounty of the Earth.
Mother goddess is a term used to refer to a goddess who represents motherhood, fertility, creation or embodies the bounty of the Earth.
Mother Nature
Mother Nature is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother.
Mother Nature is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother.
Old Babylonian oracle
Old Babylonian oracle is a Sumerian myth, written on clay tablets dated to between 2340 to 2200 BC.
Old Babylonian oracle is a Sumerian myth, written on clay tablets dated to between 2340 to 2200 BC.
Paul Rebillot
Paul Rebillot (May 19, 1931 – February 11, 2010) was a leader in the human potential movement, an expert in the design and facilitation of personal growth journeys, the best-known of whic...
Paul Rebillot (May 19, 1931 – February 11, 2010) was a leader in the human potential movement, an expert in the design and facilitation of personal growth journeys, the best-known of whic...
Proto-Indo-European religion
Proto-Indo-European religion is the hypothesized religion of the Proto-Indo-European peoples based on the existence of similarities among the deities, religious practices and mythologies of the ...
Proto-Indo-European religion is the hypothesized religion of the Proto-Indo-European peoples based on the existence of similarities among the deities, religious practices and mythologies of the ...
Sacred bull
The worship of the Sacred Bull throughout the ancient world is most familiar to the Western world in the biblical episode of the idol of the Golden Calf made by people left behind by Moses durin...
The worship of the Sacred Bull throughout the ancient world is most familiar to the Western world in the biblical episode of the idol of the Golden Calf made by people left behind by Moses durin...
Sacred king
The concept of theocracy is related, although a sacred king need not necessarily rule through his religious authority; rather, the temporal position itself has a religious significance.
The concept of theocracy is related, although a sacred king need not necessarily rule through his religious authority; rather, the temporal position itself has a religious significance.
Self-praise of Shulgi (Shulgi D)
Self-praise of Shulgi (Shulgi D) is a Sumerian myth, written on clay tablets dated to between 2100 to 2000 BC.
Self-praise of Shulgi (Shulgi D) is a Sumerian myth, written on clay tablets dated to between 2100 to 2000 BC.
Solar deity
A solar deity is a sky deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength.
A solar deity is a sky deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength.
Song of the hoe
The Song of the hoe or the Creation of the Pickax is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
The Song of the hoe or the Creation of the Pickax is a Sumerian creation myth, written on clay tablets in the mid to late 3rd millennium BC.
The Flight of the Wild Gander
In The Flight of the Wild Gander, mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904–1987) collected a number of his most thought-provoking early essays and forwards into a single volume.
In The Flight of the Wild Gander, mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904–1987) collected a number of his most thought-provoking early essays and forwards into a single volume.
The Golden Bough
The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion is a wide-ranging, comparative study of mythology and religion, written by Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer (1854–1941).
The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion is a wide-ranging, comparative study of mythology and religion, written by Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer (1854–1941).
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
The Hero with a Thousand Faces is a non-fiction book, and seminal work of comparative mythology by Joseph Campbell.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces is a non-fiction book, and seminal work of comparative mythology by Joseph Campbell.
The Hero's Journey (book)
The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work is a biography of the mythologist Joseph Campbell 1904-1987.
The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work is a biography of the mythologist Joseph Campbell 1904-1987.
The Hero's Journey (film)
The Hero's Journey: A Biographical Portrait is a filmed biography of famed mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904–1987).
The Hero's Journey: A Biographical Portrait is a filmed biography of famed mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904–1987).
The Inner Reaches of Outer Space
The Inner Reaches of Outer Space was the last book completed by mythologist Joseph Campbell before his death in 1987.
The Inner Reaches of Outer Space was the last book completed by mythologist Joseph Campbell before his death in 1987.
The Power of Myth
The Power of Myth is a book and six part television documentary originally broadcast on PBS in 1988 as Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth.
The Power of Myth is a book and six part television documentary originally broadcast on PBS in 1988 as Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth.
The White Goddess
The White Goddess: a Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth is a book-length essay on the nature of poetic myth-making by author and poet Robert Graves.
The White Goddess: a Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth is a book-length essay on the nature of poetic myth-making by author and poet Robert Graves.
Thou Art That (book)
Thou Art That is a book by Joseph Campbell exploring the mythological underpinnings of the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Thou Art That is a book by Joseph Campbell exploring the mythological underpinnings of the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Trifunctional hypothesis
The trifunctional hypothesis of prehistoric Proto-Indo-European society postulates a tripartite ideology reflected in the existence of three classes or castes—priests, warriors, and common...
The trifunctional hypothesis of prehistoric Proto-Indo-European society postulates a tripartite ideology reflected in the existence of three classes or castes—priests, warriors, and common...
Underworld
This article is about the underworld or netherworld as a region which is thought to be deep underground or beneath the surface of the world in most religions and mythologies.
This article is about the underworld or netherworld as a region which is thought to be deep underground or beneath the surface of the world in most religions and mythologies.
Vegetation deity
A vegetation deity is a god or goddess whose disappearance and reappearance, or death and rebirth, embodies the growth cycle of plants and represents the capacity of earthly life to regenerate i...
A vegetation deity is a god or goddess whose disappearance and reappearance, or death and rebirth, embodies the growth cycle of plants and represents the capacity of earthly life to regenerate i...
Weaving (mythology)
The theme of weaving in mythology is ancient, and its lost mythic lore probably accompanied the early spread of this art.
The theme of weaving in mythology is ancient, and its lost mythic lore probably accompanied the early spread of this art.
World Mill
The World Mill (also "heavenly mill", "cosmic mill" and variants) is a mytheme suggested as recurring in Indo-European and other mythologies.
The World Mill (also "heavenly mill", "cosmic mill" and variants) is a mytheme suggested as recurring in Indo-European and other mythologies.