Mythemes
Al-Qurnah
Al-Qurnah (Qurna) is a small village in southern Iraq about 74 km northwest of Basra, within the town of Nahairat.
Al-Qurnah (Qurna) is a small village in southern Iraq about 74 km northwest of Basra, within the town of Nahairat.
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.
Crossroads (culture)
A crossroads is a road junction, where two or more roads meet.
A crossroads is a road junction, where two or more roads meet.
Crossroads (mythology)
In folk magic and mythology, crossroads may represent a location "between the worlds" and, as such, a site where supernatural spirits can be contacted and paranormal events can take place.
In folk magic and mythology, crossroads may represent a location "between the worlds" and, as such, a site where supernatural spirits can be contacted and paranormal events can take place.
Dolorous Stroke
The Dolorous Stroke is a trope in Arthurian legend and some other stories of Celtic origin.
The Dolorous Stroke is a trope in Arthurian legend and some other stories of Celtic origin.
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events of history, the ultimate destiny of humanity—commonly referred to as the en...
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events of history, the ultimate destiny of humanity—commonly referred to as the en...
Eternal return
Eternal return is a concept which posits that the universe has been recurring, and will continue to recur, in a self-similar form an infinite number of times across infinite time or space.
Eternal return is a concept which posits that the universe has been recurring, and will continue to recur, in a self-similar form an infinite number of times across infinite time or space.
Eternal return (Eliade)
The "Eternal return" is, according to the theories of religious historian Mircea Eliade, a belief, expressed (sometimes implicitly, but often explicitly) in religious behavior, in the ability to...
The "Eternal return" is, according to the theories of religious historian Mircea Eliade, a belief, expressed (sometimes implicitly, but often explicitly) in religious behavior, in the ability to...
Hieros gamos
Hieros gamos or Hierogamy (Greek, "holy marriage") refers to a sexual ritual that plays out a marriage between a god and a goddess, especially when enacted in a symbolic ritual where ...
Hieros gamos or Hierogamy (Greek, "holy marriage") refers to a sexual ritual that plays out a marriage between a god and a goddess, especially when enacted in a symbolic ritual where ...
Human sacrifice
Human sacrifice is the act of killing one or more human beings as part of a religious ritual.
Human sacrifice is the act of killing one or more human beings as part of a religious ritual.
Infant exposure
The motif of infant exposure is a recurring theme in mythology, especially among hero births.
The motif of infant exposure is a recurring theme in mythology, especially among hero births.
Katabasis
Katabasis, or catabasis, (from Greek κατὰ, "down" βαίνω "go") is a descent of some type, such as moving downhill, or the sinking of the winds or sun, a military retreat, or a trip to the u...
Katabasis, or catabasis, (from Greek κατὰ, "down" βαίνω "go") is a descent of some type, such as moving downhill, or the sinking of the winds or sun, a military retreat, or a trip to the u...
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.
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.
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is often hideous and may produce fear or physical harm by either its appearance or its actions.
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is often hideous and may produce fear or physical harm by either its appearance or its actions.
Musica universalis
Musica universalis (lit. universal music, or music of the spheres) is an ancient philosophical concept that regards proportions in the movements of celestial bodies—the Sun, Moon, an...
Musica universalis (lit. universal music, or music of the spheres) is an ancient philosophical concept that regards proportions in the movements of celestial bodies—the Sun, Moon, an...
Myth of origins
An origin myth is a myth that purports to describe the origin of some feature of the natural or social world.
An origin myth is a myth that purports to describe the origin of some feature of the natural or social world.
Mytheme
In the study of mythology, a mytheme is the essential kernel of a myth—an irreducible, unchanging element, a minimal unit that is always found shared with other, related mythemes and reass...
In the study of mythology, a mytheme is the essential kernel of a myth—an irreducible, unchanging element, a minimal unit that is always found shared with other, related mythemes and reass...
Narrative structure
Narrative structure is generally described as the structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a narrative is presented to a reader, listener, or viewer.
Narrative structure is generally described as the structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a narrative is presented to a reader, listener, or viewer.
Quest
In mythology and literature, a quest, a journey towards a goal, serves as a plot device and (frequently) as a symbol.
In mythology and literature, a quest, a journey towards a goal, serves as a plot device and (frequently) as a symbol.
Resurrection
Resurrection (anglicized from Latin resurrectio) is the literal coming back to life of the dead.
Resurrection (anglicized from Latin resurrectio) is the literal coming back to life of the dead.
Subtle body
According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings, a subtle body is one of a series of psycho-spiritual constituents of living beings.
According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings, a subtle body is one of a series of psycho-spiritual constituents of living beings.
Tree of life
The concept of a tree of life as a many-branched tree illustrating the idea that all life on earth is related has been used in science, religion, philosophy, mythology, and other areas.
The concept of a tree of life as a many-branched tree illustrating the idea that all life on earth is related has been used in science, religion, philosophy, mythology, and other areas.
Tree worship
Tree worship (dendrolatry) refers to the tendency of many societies throughout history to worship or otherwise mythologize trees.
Tree worship (dendrolatry) refers to the tendency of many societies throughout history to worship or otherwise mythologize trees.
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.
Settings