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Welcome...
The recurrent themes in mythology are an important aspect of it
that justifies the hypothesis that mythology was a product of the
specific needs and imagination of ancient people. For the beginner
to mythology, it would be advisable to read the previous sections
on The Norse Pantheon, Mythical Tales and The Orient before continuing
on this section, as it might require some prior knowledge and understanding
of mythology to fully grasp the underlying ideas. For those who
are already well versed in the way of mythology, we bid you continue
and to explore the many themes of mythology.
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Creation
The ability
to explain the creation of the world is one unique to mythology
and religion. Practically every culture in the world has had some
way or another to explain the fundamental question of how...
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The
Cosmos
The cosmos,
in mythology, is very different from the way astronomer-author Carl
Sagan writes about it. Yet, it proves to be the more abstract and
perplexing of the two interpretations. What is the cosmos? Let...
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The
Making of Mankind
Mankind
was never the creator of the universe. He was often an after product
or byproduct of the process of creation by higher creatures. To
explain the phenomenon of human existence, the...
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Supernatural
Beings
There is one ubiquitous feature that manifests itself
in every mythological pantheon in the world. Almost crucial to the
classification of mythology itself, are the divinities- the gods.
Not many...
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Mythical
Creatures
It is beyond doubt that many creatures that have been
found in mythology do not exist at all. These creatures, such as
flying horses and mermaids, have been termed as mythical creatures,
which...
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Heroes
Heroism is a common theme that is found in much of
mythology. These heroes usually manage to perform extraordinary
and revolutionary tasks that leave a great impact on human society.
Although...
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Tricksters
Tricksters are present in every mythology, but yet
vary largely in terms of magnitude. Most mythologies tell of isolated
tales where the use of trickery and wit is used to overcome obstacles...
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Disasters
The theme of disasters that afflict the whole world
at once, are common features that is in many mythologies across
many different cultures. There is not one reason that can be applied
to describe...
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Good
Versus Evil
Good and evil are two opposite poles that are present
in an uneasy equilibrium, in many mythologies. The good and evil
is most obvious in the form of the presence of a rift between gods...
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The
Natural World
The ancient traditions are linked very closely to
animals and plants. The various constituents of the natural role
perform many different functions in mythology. Apart from that,
animals and trees are at...
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The
Afterlife
Different cultures and traditions had different ways
of accounting for what happened after death. Most mythologies around
the world believed in the presence of souls within the human body,
that is, they...
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The
End of the World
In mythology, the world and its many cyclic processes
exist in a delicate equilibrium that requires constant effort to
maintain. Within this balance also existed various processes that
were ongoing...
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Others
Bibliography
Noteboard
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