Mermaid

Mermaid : The Sea Beauty or Danger?


A mermaid is a mythological aquatic creature with a female human head, arms, and torso and the tail of a fish.Mermaids are represented in the folklore, literature and popular culture of many countries worldwide.


The earliest known mermaid legends come from Syria around 1000 B.C. where the Syrian goddess Atargatis dove into a lake to take the form of a fish, but the powers there would not allow her give up her great beauty, so only her bottom half became a fish and she kept her top half in human form.


As myths tend to do, the story changed over time and Atargatis became mixed with Syrian goddess Ashtarte, who is generally considered the counterpart to Greek mythology's Aphrodite. Though Aphrodite is rarely portrayed in mermaid form, this evolution of mermaid mythology is what led to Aphrodite's role in the mythology of Pisces, which clearly has roots in Syrian mythology.
Later tales in the mythology of mermaids stem from Homer's epic "The Odyssey", where some mythologists believe the Sirens to have been in mermaid form. This was an extremely popular version of the mermaid throughout history. Many popular tales including legends from the British Isles and the famous Arabian Nights tales identify mermaids in exactly this fashion. In these myths, mermaids would sing to men on ships or shores nearby, practically hypnotizing them with their beauty and song. Those affected would rush out to sea only to be either drowned, eaten, or otherwise sent to their doom.


The evil-intentioned mermaid is not the only way these creatures were seen as dangerous. Some believed that even well-intentioned mermaids would cause great danger to men who believed they saw a woman drowning and would dive into the waters to save them. Other tales suggest that mermaids either forgot or didn't understand that humans could not breathe underwater, and they would pull them down into the depths of the sea, accidentally drowning them in the process.


In the modern mythology of mermaids, however, this is rarely the case. Today these beings are more likely to be seen as innocent and sweet, if not helpful in many cases to human kind. Much of the modern interpretation of mermaids can be credited to the most famous tale in all of mermaid mythology - Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" and the subsequent Disney movie of the same name.


This famous tale was likely the introduction of the mermaid to many children and adults alike, which makes it no surprise that people tend to stick with that version of this widely recognized creature. Not that Mr. Andersen was alone in this interpretation. Many cultures believed that these beings were immortal and had powers ranging from the ability to cure disease to granting wishes to being able to share their immortality.




Lucky or unlucky, it is interesting that the mythology of mermaids seems to stretch worldwide. European countries tended to have a more negative view of the creatures but many countries in the Pacific Isles see them as signs of good fortune or better. In Warsaw, Poland the mermaid is the symbol of the city and tales of mermaids have come everywhere from central Africa to Canada to Israel. That's a whole lot of places for a creature that isn't supposed to exist. 

Minotaur

Minotaur : One of The Strongest Creature

The Minotaur was a half-man, half-bull imprisoned in the labyrinth on the island of Crete. King Minos was very fond of bulls (most likely due to the fact that his mother Europa was courted by Zeus in the form of a white bull). Minos came to own an extensive collection of bulls and one of the finest was a white prize bull. His wife, Queen Pasiphae was a beautiful woman who loved Minos very much and was fond of the compliments he offered her concerning her beauty. She boasted once that she was even lovelier than Aphrodite, the goddess of love and thus incurred the wrath of Aphrodite.

Aphrodite cursed Pasiphae by sending her son, Eros, to make her fall in love with King Minos' prized white bull with one of his magical arrows. Pasiphae was struck and fell violently and passionately in love with the bull. She resisted her urges all she could, but eventually she could resist no more. She requested the aide of Daedalus who was currently a servant of Minos to help her. Daedalus built Pasiphae a wooden cow which looked remarkably realistic. It was hollow on the inside so that Pasiphae may fit inside it and it had wheels under the hooves so she could roll toward the object of her affection.

At nights Pasiphae would approach the bull to quench her passion and all went well until she became pregnant and gave birth to a monstrosity. The infant was covered in short dense fur with beastial features. It's eyes were beady, it's nostrils smushed and flared, it had hooves for feet and atop it's head were two protruding knobs which would soon turn into great horns.

Rumor spread throughout the kingdom of this beast and it became known as the Minotaur, which means Minos' bull. King Minos, enraged but rational, had Daedalus construct the labyrinth and promptly imprisoned Pasiphae, the Minotaur and even Daedalus within, for he could not forgive Daedalus for building Pasiphae the wooden cow. There the Minotaur grew and grew, more ferocious and powerful each day. Minos forever jaded by the shame became cruel and sadistic.


After defeating King Aegeus in war Minos compromised that the city of Athens would not be conquered so long as Athens sent seven of the best young men and seven of the loveliest young women as sacrifices to Knossos at the hands of the Minotaur. Henceforth, the Minotaur devoured the sacrifices that were forced into the labyrinth annually from Athens. That is, until Theseus came and slew the monster.

The geographer, Pausanias, reported one of the many scenes of Bathycles' carving on the Spartan throne, where he mentioned that Theseus had captured alive and bound the Minotaur in fetter. Apart from this one reference, all other literal sources say that Theseus killed the Minotaur, not captured the creature.

Griffin

Griffin: The Myth Mixture Creature

Griffin  was a giant creature with the head and wings of an eagle, but the body and hindquarters of a lion.

There are only a few references of the griffins in the Greek mythology. The Greek historian, Herodotus, who claimed they come from the land of the Hyperboreans. The griffins were most likely of Asiatic origin.

In his play Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus mentioned the griffins with their sharp beaks. Aeschylus says that the griffins lived around the river rolling gold alongside with the hounds of Zeus and the mounted one-eyed Arimaspians. The geographer Pausanias reported that the griffins were seen guarding their hoards of gold from the thieving one-eyed Arimaspians, their neighbours.

However, there are many depictions of griffins in paintings, both in Bronze Age Crete and Greece, as well as in classical Greece. In the Minoan civilisation (Bronze Age), seals have been found, where naked woman or goddess held a griffin by the ear. This goddess was known as the Mistress of Animals, who was later identified with the Artemis, goddess of hunting and wild creatures.

The Griffin reappeared in medieval legend; they were often used on heraldic banners and coat of arms.

The griffin was a favourite decorative motif in the ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean lands. Probably originating in the Levant in the 2nd millennium bce, the griffin had spread throughout western Asia and into Greece by the 14th century bce. The Asiatic griffin had a crested head, whereas the Minoan and Greek griffin usually had a mane of spiral curls. It was shown either recumbent or seated on its haunches, often paired with the sphinx; its function may have been protective.

Sculpture of a griffin in Washington, D.C. ]In the Iron Age the griffin was again prominent in both Asia and Greece. Greek metalworkers evolved a handsome stylized rendering, the beak open to show a curling tongue and the head provided with horses’ ears and a large knob on top. Apparently the griffin was in some sense sacred, appearing frequently in sanctuary and tomb furnishings. Its precise nature or its place in cult and legend remains unknown.

It likes to make its nest in mountains, especially near cliffs. They covet gold and jewels often gathering large masses of them, and store them in their nests. Their preferential stones are said to be agates, for the beneficial properties. The agate was commonly used to promote energy, healing, protection and courage, but it was well-known for its strength. The tributes of the agate were also shared in the symbolism of the griffin.

Both kind and cruel, the griffin is known for its temper and savagery. Known to protect castles and, if tame, their riders. They are also fiercely loyal. At one point, during the Middle Ages, the griffin was used as a symbol for both Satan and Christ. Later, it became a solid emblem of Christ.

Gargoyle

The Stone Statue - Gargoyle

Gargoyle. A grotesque carved human or animal face or figure projecting from the gutter, especially of Gothic buildings, used as a spout to carry water clear of a wall. The word Gargoyle is derived from an old French word gargouille, meaning throat.

In contemporary fiction, gargoyles are typically depicted as a (generally) winged humanoid race with demonic features (generally horns, a tail, talons, and may or may not have a beak). Gargoyles can generally use their wings(if they have any) to fly or glide and are often depicted as having a rocky hide, or being capable of turning into stone in one way or another, a reference to their structural roots. If they don't have wings, (like the one in the photo to the left), they will scale the building's outer walls and either walk the streets at night or they will go inside the building. Gargoyles are known to protect buildings from evil spirits.

There are many theories has to how and why medieval architects and stone carvers developed gargoyles. It is believed that they were used to ward of evil and to act as guardians of the church to keep the terrible spirits of evil away and were inspired from a passage written in the bible. Adrienne Mayor believes they were inspired by the skeletal remains and bones of dinosaurs, found by Greek and Roman paleontologists. Many gargoyles are similar to the legends and figures of the ancients Celts, such as the Green Man or Jack of the Green ... the god of tree worship. The Pagan artists who carved these were inspired by their culture and were the last vestiges of paganism from an age when god would be heard in trees and river plains. Or are they representations of deep rooted elements within human nature and expressions of man's subconscious fears or attempts to define or embody evils of the world into manageable elements.

Whatever their true origins these awesome visual images have been with man for hundreds of years and they still seem to catch and inspire the imagination of modern society. Maybe they do, indeed, have a spirit of their own.

A French legend that sprang up around the name of St. Romanus ("Romain") (AD 631–641), the former chancellor of the Merovingian king Clotaire II who was made bishop of Rouen, relates how he delivered the country around Rouen from a monster called Gargouille or Goji. La Gargouille is said to have been the typical dragon with batlike wings, long neck, and sprouts fire from its mouth. There are multiple versions of the story, either that St. Romanus subdued the creature with a crucifix, or he captured the creature with the help of the only volunteer, a condemned man. In each, the monster is lead back to Rouen and burned, but its head and neck would not, due to being tempered by its own fire breath. The head was then mounted on the walls of the newly built church to scare off evil spirits, and used for protection. In commemoration of St. Romain the Archbishops of Rouen were granted the right to set a prisoner free on the day that the reliquary of the saint was carried in procession.

Yeti

Mysteries Of The Yeti:Myth Or Reality

The Yeti or Abominable Snowman is an ape-like cryptid said to inhabit the Himalayan region of Nepal, and Tibet.The names Yeti and Meh-Teh are commonly used by the people indigenous to the region,and are part of their history and mythology.


Like many other creatures that have existed in different historic books and cultures, Yeti is one such being. But Yeti is different from these mythological creatures because it belongs to that class which has been literally seen by some people. 


The Yeti belongs to the class of Cryptids, which are creatures that are believed to exist but scientifically, their existence is not confirmed. The most known features of Yeti, which have been known by people are that, it can walk like a man and has long white hairs covereing its whole body. It has a big man like foot which is a major evidence of it existence because many large, man like foot prints have been seen by people in its suppose habitat.


The popular place where the sightings of Yeti have been claimed is the Himalayas. The dangerous and extreme mountainous areas of the Himalayan region is a place where only a handful of local population have been living for centuries. Most of the people that come to this place arrive here for the purpose of mountaineering and hiking. So the reports about its sightings have been mostly registered by these mountaineers who saw its foot prints on high areas of Himalayas. Although many sightings have been reported yet, no one has really witnessed it up close to provide any sufficient evidence about its existence. 


In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reported seeing large footprints while scaling Mount Everest where Tenzing has mentioned about the encounter of yeti in his first autobiography.


In 1925, N. A. Tombazi, a photographer and member of the Royal Geographical Society, encountered yeti near Zemu Glacier. Tombazi later wrote that he observed the creature from about 180 to 270 M while descended the mountain and saw the creature’s foot prints. He described it as similar in shape to those of a man, but only six to seven inches long by four inches wide.


Analyzing the series, the 1889 foot print discovery is one of the oldest link in the trail of yeti encounter. L. A. Waddell reported his guide's describing a large ape like creature moving in the dark where its existence remains hidden and controversial.


Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of UAAA said, “Yeti is a mysterious creature which has kept its existence hidden for years. To be precise the word Yeti comes from the word meti which means human eating creature. Though, it is believed to be a mystery but in reality for people who live in the region, they have reasons to believe of its existence. When we were young, we use to hear a lot of lore’s and stories of yeti. It’s true that there is an unknown creature hidden in the laps of the Himalayan where it’s completely mysterious and may be that is the reason why its so popular around the world.”


Jyoti Adhikari, President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) said, “Yeti is a mystery which lies hidden in the depth of remote areas where its existence survives in just lore’s and stories. Every year numerous propagandas are created with yeti but it’s very controversial to predict its existence as still today we lack proper evidence. On contrary, if it’s true then it should be left alone. Furthermore, it should not be bothered as it’s a creature of its kind where leaving it in isolation seems wise. Besides, Nepal is known in the world for Mountain Everest not yeti. There are only handful number of people who come in quest of yeti so intruding such a mythical creature can bring difficult situation which needs to be understood.”


Yeti has evolved itself as a new marketing and promotion tool which has been drawing scientists, researchers, adventure enthusiasts etc to Nepal.

Vampire

Vampires of Eastern Europe - The truth behind vampire myths

To those living in Silesia, Moravia, and along the southern frontier of Hungary the word "vampire" has a terrible significance, saavelers who scoff at these assertions have more than once had cause to change their minds owing to some tearful experience of their own. For the benefit of the reader we shall describe, first of all, just what a vampire is, according to those who are most familiar with this terrible being and his ways.


The 12th-century English historians and chroniclers Walter Map and William of Newburgh recorded accounts of revenants,though records in English legends of vampiric beings after this date are scant. These tales are similar to the later folklore widely reported from Eastern Europe in the 18th century, which were the basis of the vampire legend that later entered Germany and England, where they were subsequently embellished and popularised.


During this time in the 18th century, there was a frenzy of vampire sightings in Eastern Europe, with frequent stakings and grave diggings taking place in order to identify and kill the potential revenants; even government officials were compelled into the hunting and staking of vampires.Despite being called the Age of Enlightenment, during which most folkloric legends were quelled, the belief in vampires increased dramatically, resulting in what could only be called a mass hysteria throughout most of Europe.The panic began with an outbreak of alleged vampire attacks in East Prussia in 1721 and in the Habsburg Monarchy from 1725 to 1734, which spread to other localities. 


Two famous vampire cases, which were the first to be officially recorded, involved the corpses of Peter Plogojowitz and Arnold Paole from Serbia. Plogojowitz was reported to have died at the age of 62, but allegedly returned after his death asking his son for food. When the son refused, he was found dead the following day. Plogojowitz soon supposedly returned and attacked some neighbours who died from loss of blood.


In the second case, Arnold Paole, an ex-soldier turned farmer who allegedly was attacked by a vampire years before, died while haying. After his death, people began to die in the surrounding area and it was widely believed that Paole had returned to prey on the neighbours.

About 200 years ago a learned priest, by name Augustine Calmet, published a work in two volumes, in which he critically examined a number of these stories of vampires. After narrating a number of them he goes on to say: "I lay down at first this principle -- that it may be that these are corpses which, although interred some days, shed fluid blood through the pores of their bodies." Although this is hardly the case, under certain peculiar conditions something akin to it may take place and thus give rise to the stories where fresh blood is found in the corpse.


As to the death of some of the persons who were attacked by vampires, Calmet says, "I add, moreover, that it is very easy for certain people to fancy themselves sucked by vampires, and that the fear caused by that fancy should make a revolution in their frame sufficiently violent to deprive them of life."


Had he lived in these days he would have put such cases down to the "influence of suggestion."


There are cases on record where the beard, hair, nails, etc. are found to have grown after death, and this was thought to be a sign of vampirism. But to this Calmet says:


"Experience teaches us that there are certain kinds of earth which reserve dead bodies perfectly fresh. ...As to the growth of the nails, the hair and the beard, it is often perceived in corpses. While there yet remains a good deal of moisture in the body, it is not surprising that sometimes we see some augmentation in those parts which do not demand a vital spirit.


As to the cry uttered by the vampires when the stake is driven through the heart, nothing is more natural; the air is there confined, and thus expelled by violence necessarily produces that noice in passing through the throat."


While much of Mr. Calmet's physiology is a little shaky, still he has grasped the main truth of the question. He saw that natural physical causes operating in the body produced, on occassion, those odd changes and influences which were thought to be proff of vampirism.

Werewolf

The Myths and Truths Surrounding Werewolf Legend:


So, what actually is werewolf or lycanthropy? Is it a fact based on concrete evidences? Is it a myth, fabrication of feeble minds? Is it an exaggeration of some other things? Well, all these questions have been puzzling mankind for last 5 centuries.

A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope (from the Greek λυκάνθρωπος: λύκος, lukos, "wolf", and άνθρωπος, anthrōpos, man), is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphicwolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse and/or lycanthropic affliction via a bite or scratch from a werewolf, or some  other means. This transformation is often associated with the appearance of the full moon, as popularly noted by the medieval chronicler Gervase of Tilbury, and perhaps in earlier times among the ancient Greeks through the writings of Petronius.


Werewolves are often attributed superhuman strength, speed, and senses, far beyond those of both wolves and men. The werewolf is generally held as a European character, although its lore spread through the world in later times. Shape-shifters, similar to werewolves, are common in tales from all over the world, most notably amongst the Native Americans, though most of them involve animal forms other than wolves.


A werewolf is a living person who has the power to transform into a wolf. Once transformed, they have all of the wolf's characteristics. They were well known during the 1400s all the way to the 1600s in the Scandinavian countries. At that time people believed that werewolves obtained their powers from the devil. They started as a normal person like everyone else until they began to worship the Devil. The Devil gives the person the power to turn into a wolf and made promises, like keeping a herd of cattle safe in return for the worship. They believed that there were ways to keep werewolves away. Since werewolves worshiped the Devil, they feared God and people used the church for protection from them. These legends and stories are what we believe have arisen from porphyria. There are many different types of porphyria and each person's symptoms vary. Some types of porphyria (CEP, VP) causes excess hair growth on the body and face. These types of porphyria, we believe, might have been the cause to the werewolf legends. Another name for a werewolf was lycanthrope. The term lycanthrope can also be used to describe people who have a mental disorder, believing themselves to be werewolves. This name came from a gruesome Greek king named Lycaon. 



Many European countries and cultures influenced by them have stories of werewolves, including:

• Albania (oik)
• France (loup-garou)
• Greece (lycanthropos)
• Spain (hombre lobo)
• Mexico (hombre lobo and nahual)
• Bulgaria (varkolak)
• Turkey (kurtadam)
• Czech Republic/Slovakia (vlkodlak)
• Serbia/Montenegro/Bosnia (vukodlak, вукодлак)
• Russia (vourdalak, оборотень)
• Ukraine (vovkulak(a), vurdalak(a), vovkun, перевертень)
• Croatia (vukodlak)
• Poland (wilkołak)
• Romania (vârcolac, priculici)
• Macedonia (vrkolak)
• Scotland (werewolf, wulver)
• England (werewolf)
• Ireland (faoladh or conriocht)
• Germany (Werwolf)
• Netherlands (weerwolf)
• Denmark/Sweden/Norway (Varulv)
• Norway/Iceland (kveld-ulf, varúlfur), Galicia (lobisón)
• Portugal/ (lobisomem)
• Lithuania (vilkolakis and vilkatlakis)
• Latvia (vilkatis and vilkacis)
• Andorra/Catalonia (home llop)
• Hungary (Vérfarkas and Farkasember)
• Estonia (libahunt)
• Finland (ihmissusi and vironsusi)
• Italy (lupo mannaro).