Ancient Celtic Mythology: a Vision of Gods and Goddesses

The honor code that can be found in the Mabinogi, The Tain, and Gantz’s Early Irish Myths and Sagas drives the characters towards the ideal Celtic hero. The following of the honor code could be better seen as a way of serving the identity and reputation of the hero rather than a deeper code of morality as it might suggest. The gae bolga, Efnisien, Mider’s love for Etain, and Rhiannon’s magic bag are all instruments of unworldly power, making the impossible possible for each of the heroes. It is because of these supernatural influences that the heroes are both blessed and cursed by their own powers. The compliance to the honor code plays less a role in truly enabling the hero and

Many, many cultures associate the Moon with certain deities according to their traditions, relating the energy and influence of the Moon to the aspects of the deities. One lunar God was the Egyptian god of magic and wisdom, Thoth. Thoth was considered a lunar deity, that’s why he is often seen wearing a crescent on his head or with a head of an Ibis or baboon, both animals being considered sacred to him. This Egyptian God was a very important deity and he was known as the messenger of the Gods as well as the God of magick and wisdom.

Fairy Folk Tales are the most popular types of literature. The tale is an orally transmitted tradition by generations through the time; some events are changed to fit reality and society. Folk fairy tales deal with the dualism of the good and the evil. They are basing on a conflict between the good and the evil forces. The conclusion comes from aspirations of the human desire to achieve the justices. There are no known authors and sources for ancient literature. We have many versions of the story; they are credited by many authors later. Each tale is very like some other culture’s tale. Each culture has own tales, but all the tales are similar and different in some points. This essay will compare between two

In my research I have learned an addition of facts and stories about Greek mythology. Like how “the Pegasus and Chrysor came from the blood of Medusa’s head after Perseus cut it off” (Greek Mythology). Or how the “Amazonian group of warriors was all females” (Greek Mythology). The more that I have research about my topic the more fascinating and interesting it becomes. I hope that everyone will further their research and knowledge on this topic whether it’s reading a book, researching on the Internet, or even just watching a movie.

As Hephaestus is notified of Thetis’ arrival, he explores what their relationship has meant to him. Hephaestus recalls that “Thetis saved my life when the mortal pain came on me after my great fall…” (P. 480) After Hephaestus falls out of Zeus’ good graces, Thetis is able to lend her helping hand, displaying the hierarchical dynamic between the gods. The gods are indebted to each other, the likely reason that Hephaestus felt as though he needed to make Thetis the ornate shield. The duty and obligation to each other fuels the mutualistic relationships between the gods. Thetis’ motivation to help Hephaestus was not solely out of kindness; rather Thetis saw the opportunity to make a strategic move and put Hephaestus in her debt, knowing that she very well could use his services in her future. Hephaestus describes the pain that he felt as “mortal pain” signifying a distinction between the discomforts and vulnerability of mortals and gods.

Religions play various different roles throughout literature, the most common one I think of is Christianity. We will discuss what the role of Religion is in Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney and the role in the movie The 13th Warrior. Christianity, Islam, and Anglo-Saxon Paganism are the various Religions’ that are expressed in both the literature and the movie. Since both works are similar, but written in a different point of view because of different beliefs we will discuss the difference between Beowulf and The 13th warrior throughout the paper. Another thing we will be discussing is how the authors use religion in a unique way in both works to portray their story in their own way. Before we begin our comparison we will begin with some information on Anglo-Saxon Paganism and Islam.

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic that was transmitted verbally for hundreds of years before it was written down. Around the time of its composition, Christianity was beginning to gain prominence in England and was quickly replacing the animistic religion of the Celts. As a result of the dueling religions of the time, the poem includes influences from both Christianity and paganism, leaving its readers to wonder which religion had the most sway over the poet. Beowulf is a fundamentally more Christian epic on account of Beowulf’s resemblances of Jesus Christ, its allusions to the Bible, and its intimation of a supreme, monotheistic religion.

In the year 1939 in the community of Sutton Hoo near Suffolk, England a discovery of massive proportion took place. The magnitude of this archeological find was described in a local news article, “For the first thousand years of the Christian era the little island of Britain was overrun by hordes of men who rose up out of the sea. In the Fifth Century came the Angles, from somewhere on the bleak coast of the Baltic. Ships brought them, and when their kings died they were buried in ships with their bows pointing toward the sea.” This discovery answered many of the questions left by the story Beowulf, a document once cast of as a transcribed lore. Modern day archeological discoveries prove that Beowulf is a story founded in truth.

Throughout Homer’s epic The Odyssey, The gods and goddesses in Olympus think they are better and more powerful than all mortals and even other gods and goddesses; in Calypso’s philippic to Hermes, she denounces this unfair hierarchy. Calypso has Odysseus trapped on her island in the hopes of persuading him to be her husband. Of course, the gods come crashing in and tell Calypso that they will not allow it. Calypso becomes enraged and calls the gods “unrivaled lords of jealousy” because the more powerful gods are infamous for their liaisons with mortals, such as Zeus breaking into the mortal woman Denae’s prison cell, appearing as a golden shower, and impregnating Danae (5: 156). However, when Calypso, a mere nymph, engages in a romantic relationship

Amazingly, Chapter 4 surprised me with the quote, “Humans had lived in this part of Europe for many thousands of years, but their lack of any system of writing severely limits our knowledge of the earliest inhabitants” (Bulliet). Why did the Celts not form a writing system until European Middle Ages? The Greek and Roman accounts of the Celts spoke about their impulsive and emotional yet quick-witted and eager to learn behavior (Pg. 101). Therefore, why had the Celts not developed any form of writing? In addition, the contact with literary cultures surely would have inspired them to develop writing. In conclusion, I wondered if this has to do with there being not one specific Celtic

Giraldus Cambrensis, known more commonly as Gerald of Wales, was a complex mix of nationalities far greater than his name implies. Understanding Gerlad’s writings of The History and Topography of Ireland and The Journey Through Wales and the Description of Wales can only be done when analyzed in context. It is vital to evaluate how his diverse background and calculated reasons for the descriptions of the Welsh and Irish people influenced his writing. And furthermore, it is imperative to use Gerald’s writings to consider if his writings accurately reflect English attitudes of Ireland and Wales.

The rideshare's name was Eris and she arrived in my driveway with a large Norwalk juicer, three hardshell oversized suitcases and any number of bags. She stood leaning on her cane smoking her organic cigarette out of a long glass holder while her friend and I loaded her stuff in and on top of the van in the pouring rain. She had green dreadlocks that reached the ground, a green leaf tattooed mustache and forehead, nose rings, piercings, a fuzzy black beard and bulbous horn earrings. She had been on retreat on Texada from Oakland Ca....the Green Man in Celtic Mythology, a radical fairy (a counter culture movement formed in the 70's "redefining queer consciousness through pagan rituals and anti establishment ideals") a pagan minister, Buddhist

Focusing on two of history’s most notorious mythologies, Greek and Roman, one may believe that they are exceedingly comparable; however, beyond a first glance, it is clear that each system is extremely distinguished. The Roman Empire, developed nearly a millennia following the great, Greek Trojan war, was highly influenced by the elaborate Greek myths of gods, goddesses, monsters, and mythical creatures. Their captivation of Greek culture bore a permanent effect on the Roman Empire, as Rome adopted much that defined Greece, including its art, philosophy, literature, drama, and most importantly, mythology. However, despite their indistinguishable origins, Roman and Greek mythologies prove to be very individualized.

In Greek Mythology, perhaps one of the most rudimental yet one of the most important elements are the Greek Gods and Goddesses. The ancient Greeks created the stories about the lives and journeys of the Greek Gods, known as myths, simply as an endeavor to elucidate nature and all phenomena which were difficult to explain using modern science and logic. These myths about the Gods were spread around the world by explorers and storytellers, and later merged with Greek religion. To this day, numerous myths survived through many writings and through much art. Each of these myths is very unique, and moreover, tells us much about the Greek Gods. The Greek myths in particular convey to us that Greek Gods and Goddesses looked and acted like humans,

Many people today can associate with the classic tale of leprechauns and a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. This tale is a recurring myth within the realm of Celtic mythology. Celtic mythology was an integral part of ancient history throughout the British Isles especially Ireland. Authors of this magnificent form of literature have created stories that were based on the events of that time period and their works have transcended to future generations up until today. Overall, Celtic mythology and folklore has had a magnanimous impact on the world in lending itself for priceless amusable, educational, and historical excellence.