One day, a mysterious visitor appeared among the Aesir, one of two races of Nordic gods. An epic and long war began, and yet despite the bloodshed, their war eventually gave poetry to the world.
Everything, from the giants' home of Jotunheim, to the primeval Vanaheim, to the mortal realm of Midgard, is connected by the tree named Yggdrasil, life to all nine worlds of Norse peoples.
Let's start at the primordial beginning. The first "peoples" on the earth were Cyclops and Titans. Prometheus was one of these titans, and in fact just one of two remaining after an unfortunate conflict with, you guessed it, Zeus...
As the age of heroes faded and monsters were cast from the world, Zeus brought a task to the wisest of titans, Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus. They were to create the animals and form man to populate the upcoming age--which also lead to the creation of Pandora (and her box of sorrows).
Perseus was the undesirable grandchild of the king Acrisius, who wanted him dead--but accidentally just left him alive to float to a new beach. THEN he became the undesirable ADOPTED grandchild of the island's despot, Polydectes, who sent him on a quest to obtain the head of a gorgon...
Perseus is not intimidated by the grey women and their eyeball, or by Hermes's complicated directions, or by Medusa, or by a winged horse sprouting out of Medusa's blood, or by Andromeda's boyfriend, or by his own dad.
When Izanami died giving birth to Kagu-Tsuchi, the incarnation of fire, Izanagi visited the underworld to try to get her back, not realizing the dreadful terrors he would face. But from that bitter journey, sprung the life of new Japanese gods...
Krampus's name is growing popular in the United States, but most of us don't really know what he does OR that he is partners with St. Nicholas himself. He is in fact just one of many Christmas demons...
Inis Fáil is the Isle of Destiny, in Ireland. It was here that the Children of the Danu were sent on a quest to find their destiny, but they would have to encounter the Fir Bolg first...
Coyote is not just a wild animal in North America, but also a heroic, trickster protagonist whose mythological adventures reflect lessons learned from the natural world. Let's examine the Nlaka'pamux tribe's interpretation of Coyote.
Anwe the Killer was a man skilled in death--and he approached the People in their hour of need, to put to death the cannibals--the Wendigo--who had been torturing them.
Gilgamesh was a powerful yet cruel dictator in the Bronze Age civilization of Uruk (Babylon). In response to the people's cries, the gods created a man from nature, Enkidu, who was born in the wild but eventually learned the ways of humanity. He set out to stop the cruelty of Gilgamesh, not knowing that the power of friendship was here to save the day.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to slay Humbaba. With the help of the goddess queen Ninsun in obtaining a blessing from the gods, these two men became brothers, who went on to have, like, totally epic dreams, bro, in the “House of the Dream God” which empowered them to take on the monstrous foe.
Zahhak was not always a demon king--but, deceived by a young man named Iblis, he was motivated to slay his father to obtain world power. His pride would cause him to turn into a monstrous demon king, with serpents on his shoulders that fed on the Arabian people, for a thousand years... until Feraydun showed up...
Zal was raised not by his father, who feared his amazing white hate, but by the terrifying creature Simorgh--becoming a man of the mountains in the process. When his father decided to accept him back into society, his muscular frame caught the eye of the princess Rudabeh--but would he be able to gain favor for his wits?
The Nart people pursued the apples of a golden tree which bore a strange red and white pattern--eating from either side of it would allow the conception of a child with beautiful white hair. However, the apples kept mysteriously vanishing during the night--so two mighty brothers were set on the case of the vanishing apples.
When a soldier returns home from the battlefield, he finds the townspeople in fear of a warlock--but the solider wants to learn more about this fellow. And (un?)fortunately, the warlock is all too happy to tell...
A small white hare stood alone on the Isle of Oki, yearning to cross the deep waters to Japan. He was a clever hare--crafty, if not always wise--and he had a plan.
Last we saw Ōkuninushi, he showed kindness to a hare in distress, and the hare of Inaba had foretold that he would be the one that the princess of Yakami would desire. And this was true, because when his 80 brothers showed up at court and declared their intentions, the princess insisted she would only marry him--so thus, his brothers began trying to kill him off...
During a terrible drought, the people wondered why Wirreenun, the Rainmaker, was doing nothing, if he was the one who could bring the rains back. It turned out that he really needed to do an extremely complex elaborate ritual to make the people learn how to take care of themselves.
Once, the Tongala River, which most maps now call the Murray, was a place of peace where the Water-Rat Tribe could live with ease. But then one day appeared the Whowie: a great frog-headed lizard, long and fat and slow, prowling the banks.
Just as the gods Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, and Nanahautzin sacrificed themselves so the sun could move across the sky, so too did the Aztecs believe people must follow their example, and spill blood to thank the gods for their life, their maize, and the sun.
Huitzilopochtli, god of bloody victory, had promised the Mexica people a city. Before they would eventually settle down at Tenochtitlan, they wandered from place to place, inadvertently causing destruction on the orders of the violent god.
It was a time of trial for the tribes of Israel. They were no nation, but a loose confederation bound together by their divine covenants--which they had just broken. Amid this political and social chaos, a child was born, instructed by God to keep the Nazirite oath--stay away from alcohol, don't eat unclean food, and don't shave--and he would become a man of incredible strength.
After killing 1000 men, Samson runs into more trouble with the Philistines. Samson is a Judge, but he may not be the best judge of romantic partners... When Delilah betrays Samson for silver, all hope seems lost. But Samson has one last favor to ask.
Sit down and let us weave you a tale of the Amazing Anansi. We tell the story of how Anansi purchased all of the stories of the world by catching three of the most dangerous creatures in the world; how his son convinced Anansi to share his wisdom with the world; and how his friendship with Nothing ends very poorly.
Long ago, Jealousy kept himself hidden away from the world to guard his bride. But when Anansi stole Jealousy's wife through trickery, Jealousy no longer had any reason to stay in his empty village and entered every person's heart including Anansi. This is how Anansi became jealous of his neighbor Dew and how his own tricks came back to haunt him.
Dragons are one of the most popular creatures of myth and legend and for good reason! These guys are everywhere! Almost every culture has some form of dragon tale. From the wicked wyrms of western Europe, the benevolent Lung dragons of China, the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl, to the Rainbow Serpent of Aboriginal myth, dragon like figures take on many different forms and roles. But how and why do these serpentine beasts and gods appear in so many different legends? Gather round the campfire and let's chat!
Hercules (or Herakles in the Greek) needed to atone for killing his entire family so the gods did what the gods do best and gave him a quest: serve his cousin for 12 years. Shouldn't be too difficult. But his cousin was a terrible DM and created 10 impossible tasks for Hercules to complete. This first part covers the first five of the Herculian tasks (and some of the sick treasures Hercules uncovers along the way)
Hercules (or Herakles in the Greek) needs to finish the last five tasks on the list before he will have properly atoned for murdering his family, but it isn't going to be so easy. The king, seeing that Hercules has completed the tasks declares that two of them are invalid since Hercules got outside help. And I guess that's technically cheating? More sidequests abound and we meet a familiar face from an older Extra Mythology!
As the nights grow long and dark and the holidays creep ever closer in the calendar, let's take a look at some of the festive myths from around the world. This year we travel to Iceland, where the winter months offer only a few scant hours of sunlight. And in the dark, holiday monsters creep. Here… there is only the child-eating giantess ogre Gryla, her enormous cat, and her thirteen mischievous sons, the Yule Lads. Each has a very particular mischief up their sleeve from slamming doors to eating candles.
When someone who has lived a rotten life dies, their spirit is sent to the underworld to be tormented by demons. But what happens if that soul is SO bad, the demons admire and praise it instead? That, my friends, is how two fearsome monsters are born. Meet the Pricolici and the Strigoi, two creatures that look very similar to our modern conception of the werewolf and the vampire. And one might have influenced literature forever.
Another spooky story from SVP! We spoke of what happens when people are so bad, even hell spits them back out, but that isn't the case with the Rusalka. The Rusalka are women who met untimely deaths at the bottom of the river, but return to lure more victims to a watery grave. Are they spirits seeking justice? Or vengeance? We don't advise getting close enough to find out.
In Lithuania, there's a story about how the trees got their names. There's the mighty oak, the regal birch, and the small and timid Aspen. It's also a story of snakes, songs, and secrets. Let us tell you the story of how a young farm girl named Egle became the Queen of Snakes, lost her husband, and cursed her children forevermore.
On the top of a high mountain, a magic stone that had absorbed the energies of the universe split open to reveal... a stone egg! And inside that stone egg, there was a stone monkey who would one day become the Monkey King and discover the secret to immortality. This is the first part of our series on the Chinese legend of the Monkey King.
The Monkey King traveled across half the world to discover the secret to immortality and sure enough, he did! Along with several other magic powers and abilities. But while the Monkey King might have become immortal, that wasn't good enough for him. The Monkey King wouldn't be satisfied until he had ALL of the immortality. It turns out, that kind of thing stacks. And boy howdy, will it stack along with all of the trouble Monkey King was causing.
Somewhere in the depths of the underworld, there lives a giant creature called the Horerczy that belches swarms of shapeshifting butterfly demons known as alps. These little demons go out into the world seeking humans to sit on while they sleep, causing sleep paralysis, nightmares, and sometimes taking a sip or two of the humans blood. But when they are caught and vanquished, they disappear back into the mouth of the Horerczy. And sometimes, they tell stories of their adventures in our realm.
Easter is a revered holiday that has been celebrated for a millennium and is often associated with Christians. But there are other, older traditions mixed into the festivities. And one very peculiar detail: Almost all celebrations center on colorful eggs. We're here with two very different stories that both show the symbolic importance of the egg and where an egg-laying bunny even comes from.
The goddess Morrigan is a complicated figure in mythology. A goddess of both prosperity and ruin, the Morrigan is a protector first and foremost. But woe be to those who catch her eye as Cuchulainn will quickly find out when he rejects her in her human disguise.
Our last video focused on the end of Cuchulain at the hands of the Morrigan, but where did this hero come from? Was his start as heroic as his end? Well... not precisely. A strong but arrogant young boy Cuchulain was brash. But an encounter with a hound large as a horse and darker than the night sky will change all of that.
Once there was a land beset by a dragon. The dragon breathed noxious fumes that poisoned the water and the countryside. To try and appease the dragon, the city paid it tribute in the form of farm animals, but those quickly ran out. They were left with no choice but to sacrifice village members to the dragon. But along came a mythic knight named George with a crazy idea: What if we killed the dragon instead?
Ah, the myth that launched a thousand ships. The apple thrown into the middle of a greek banquet would ruin lives and lay waste to entire kingdoms. We set the stage for Helen and Paris, two lovers who were not meant to be, and why so many kingdoms would unite to keep the two of them apart. Agamemnon, Achilles, Paris, Odysseus, and fair Helen are all here, and a war is about to begin.
The Greeks learn that kidnapping the daughter of a priest to a god of plague is maybe not the best decision. But if Agamemnon lets her go, then how is everyone supposed to know that he is the best king who deserves a prize? So Agamemnon decides that if he has to let Chryseis go, then he'll have Achilleus' prize, Briseis. Which Achilleus does not appreciate. And he is also related to the gods. This will all be handled maturely and with no bloodshed whatsoever.
One morning, Thor's precious hammer disappears. Shockingly, it's not Loki's fault. So the two brothers team up to try and find the hammer. And when they find it in the hands of a frost giant, they're going to need a clever plan to try and rescue it. A plan that might involve a wedding.
Gods and goddesses join the fray and continue to drive the tides of war. Paris tries to end the bloody battle in a single one on one fight but it isn't meant to be. Ares and Aphrodite side with the Trojans, Hera and Athena support the Achaeans. Zeus would just like everyone to please stop. And where is Achilles???
So here we stand at the end, the Trojans have pushed back the Acheans. Achilles is nowhere to be seen and Agamemnon tries to find some way to convince him to join the battle. Zeus, tired of the gods ignoring the rule to not intervene, decides to let all the gods intervene. And as someone in Achilles' armor arrives on the battlefield, Hector will make a deadly decision.
We're doing something a little bit different for this Extra Mythology. We're examining the intersection of real world mythology and fictional world mythology in The Witcher. One of the main antagonists in The Witcher 3 is a spectral force named The Wild Hunt. Well, kinda spectral. Turns out there's a whole big deal with some portals and elves??? But there's also an equivalent, from many different places all over the world. Slavic folklore tells of riders that come with baying hounds and winter winds. They take all different forms, but all share one thing in common: you don't want to be taken by them, wherever they may go.
The famous story of the seasons, Persephone and Hades. A romantic kidnapping that ended up creating a situation where Persephone has to spend half of her time in the world above and half of her time in the world below. This story may be one of the most retold and reinterpreted myths for a long time, from Hadestown to Lore Olympus. And as a bonus, hey this is also where sirens first show up, though they're much more aerial and less aquatic from their usual representation.
A Mexican ghost story of a woman who, from sadness or madness, does the unthinkable and drowns her two children & then herself. The tale differs from place to place, and from time to time, but one detail is consistent. The Weeping Woman is still out there, wailing and mourning her two boys... and looking for others to join them. If you see a woman in white down by the river, you have to watch out. It could be La Llorona.
As two families fight for who will rule, one of the Pandava brothers, Arjuna, can't bring himself to fight. He wants to fight as a prince, but when he looks out on the battlefield, all he sees are fathers and brothers and sons. He doesn't want to kill any of them. It just so happens that his friend and charioteer is Krishna who is here to answer some of the prince's questions. As well as reveal some fundamental truths of the universe to his human companion. Ah mortals, aren't they adorable?
Sometimes you just need a little me time when your husband is the destoryer of the universe. Unfortunately, the only one who could guard Parvati's bath was Nandi, Shiva's bull. Who was loyal to Shiva and couldn't keep him out. Parvati created Ganesha as her son to help guard the bathhouse instead but... well let's just say there was a little bit of a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding that led to Shiva cutting off Ganesha's head. Hopefully nothing a lil bandaid can't fix.
The Book of Job tries to answer one of the fundamental questions of the universe: what if God and Satan had awkward bets over the lives and happiness of God's followers? Oh, and why do bad things happen to good people. And the answer might not be what you expect... or even fully comprehendible to the human mind.
No one can just listen to what they're told in mythology can they? Melusine was a woman born from a fae mother and a human father and lived in Avalon because her father couldn't follow basic fae contracts. But one day she too would meet a man and fall in love. And have her own cursed nonsense. Guess what happens?
A lonely bamboo cutter and his wife had created a fine if humble life for themselves but had never had any children to care for in their old age. Luckily, this is mythology, so when out in the bamboo forest, the cutter found a tiny girl, only three inches tall! That would be unusual enough but... what if she was also from the moon?
One of the oldest creation myths we know of, Enuma Elish is the tale of how the gods and humans and the world as we know it came into being. First there was nothing and then from the nothing came somethings: Apsu and Tiamat! And then they had kids. A lot of kids. A LOT of loud noisy god kids. And what else can ya do with kids but try and kill them all? Ah, mythology.
We've been teasing it for a while so let's take a break from the spooky Krampuses & Yule Lads of the season and instead talk about some real s***. And yes, we actually swear in one of our videos. But it's all within the context of some good holiday fun! Because how else can you describe a happy little log that poops out delicious presents like turron for good children, under threat of being beaten with a stick? Happy holidays!
John Henry is a myth that embodies a lot of America. From the story of hard work and the working man overcoming the cold unfeeling steel of machinery; to its bitter history of exploiting marginalized people and infrastructure built on the bodies of those literally worked to death. As in a lot of Americana, the line between the historical figure and the mythical hero is blurry at best, if not entirely indistinguishable. What does the story of John Henry mean to you?
Sometimes you have a daughter that's so amazing, even the gods fight for her hand in marriage. Son Tinh, the Mountain God and Thuy Tinh, the River God both want to marry the strong & intelligent My Nuong. The gods are both evenly matched, capable of incredible feats so the emperor poses one last trial. Whoever arrives first the next day with a suitable wedding present will get to marry his daughter. Thuy Tinh may have spent a little too much time picking out presents because by the time he arrives, My Nuong and Son Tinh are long gone. But Thuy Tinh isn't going to give up so easily...
A beast of never-ending hunger and greed, the Kammapa appeared suddenly from the mountains. Made of a slick carapace that could not be pierced, it devoured dozens of people in a single bite, whole villages in minutes. Only when it saw that nothing remained, it returned to its lair in the mountains. An old woman who hid in the baobab grove was the only human left in all of existence. But all was not lost for the gods gave her a child, Ditaolane, and he would save humanity.
Maui may be a bit of a trickster god, but at heart, he's a good demigod! Look at everything he's done for humanity (and a little bit to show off). He lasso'd the sun to make the days longer, discovered how to make fire from the hens, and even brought in the biggest catch that ever was: A whole island chain. I mean, what can we say except thank you?
In Hawai'i, there were once powerful people, some considered to be descended from the gods themselves. These people were announced by processions of marchers and trumpeting from conch shells so that all may stand aside and pay due deference. But even in death, they continue to walk the island path. And they still demand respect. For those unwary travelers, coming across the Nightmarch can be a deadly affair.
We all know the stars of Hades are the Greek gods and dear Zagreus but the locale deserves some recognition too! So hop on the Ferryman's boat and let's take a tour of the Underworld, Supergiant style. We'll talk about the realms of the dead like Tartarus, the Asphodel Meadows (which aren't as firey in the original greek), and of course, the famed fields of Elysium. We'll talk about what kind of souls are in each, and even the very special VIP spot for those who manage to reincarnate as heroes three times throughout their life.
It turns out that divine justice and punishment really aren't the place for the gods. Petty human squabbles over things like robbery and murder are a bit beneath them. They have Olympus to party on. But there is one crime that they will take notice of. Murder of the family is the one crime bold enough to call forward the servants of the gods, the divine Furies down in Hades. Three stand above the rest of them all: Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone And boy are they not gonna be happy about it.
Not every monster in mythology starts as one. And Medusa has dozens of interpretations. Is her story a cautionary tale about getting caught up in fame? Or is it a romantic tragedy? Was Athena's decision to transform her a curse for defiling her temple, or a gift of freedom? Let's break it down and talk about the most famous of the gorgons, Medusa.
A legendary mead hall has been built. Called Heorot, it is a place of feasting and revelry. It's also got a really REALLY bad neighbor. The monster Grendel does not enjoy living near Heorot and has a tendency to file noise complaints in the form of mass slaughter. And this terror goes unchallenged for 12 years. Until finally, a hero overhears the tale. A hero named Beowulf.
With Heorot saved from the menace of Grendel, Beowulf can finally leave and get back to adventuring. Except the night before he leaves, the king's advisor is abducted as revenge! Even something as monstrous as Grendel had a mother, and she won't rest until all of the Danes have been slain. So Beowulf dons his armor and seeks out Grendel's mother in her lair, beneath a fetid lake filled with water like acid and so deep no human has ever seen the bottom.
After the Grendel and the Bog Witch incident, Beowulf was ready to kick back and relax... and he did! He was made king of an entire realm and governed with wisdom and compassion. But when your youth was filled with wrestling monstrous abominations sometimes the sedentary political life feels a little... boring. Lucky for Beowulf there was a dragon right around the corner.
Happy Pride everyone! Hermaphroditus, the child of Hermes and Aphrodite, has the grace, charm, and confidence of both of his parents. He also inherited their wanderlust. But what happens when he catches the eye of a water nymph that just won't take no as an answer.
Most of us might be familiar with Mulan from a particular animated film. Or maybe the live-action remake. But neither quite captures the original ballad in its entirety. For one, Mulan never disguises herself in the army. And her time in the army? Over a full decade.
The myth of undead is present in most cultures but zombies are something quite different. We have a very specific image of them, born from Hollywood of the brain-eating shambling undead. But it's a story that has changed and shifted in its many forms. Supernatural horror? Scientific oddity? Or a dire warning of cutting away one's humanity & community?
The story of Sedna has many different versions. In some, she marries a bird spirit where things don't quite work out as she hopes. In some, she's a giant, eating too much for the community to sustain itself. Sometimes her father does the terrible deed reluctantly, other times, the violence is malicious. But in all stories, Sedna sinks to the bottom of the waves to become the Mother of the Sea.
Rice is one of the staple foods that allows humanity to grow & flourish, but where did it come from? Who could have possibly blessed the world with the rice paddy? This myth from Indonesia may shed some light on the subject. Featuring a god who required a palace, a snake who feared for his head, and a beautiful daughter who was known for her gentle & caring nature. Even in her death.
Sometimes when the gods have overseen peace on earth for over a millennium, you need a little nap. But unfortunately, Brahma has extremely bad bed breath. So bad in fact, that it manifested as the Rakshasa, entities that were fierce and monstrous, who immediately started gnawing on Brahma. For this, they were sent to earth... where they began gnawing on humanity instead. And among them, one got a taste for the power of ruling over man: Ravana. But he also had one enemy in the form of Rama. And one day, decided to kidnap Rama's wife Sita. This is bound to go well.
No "Extra Mythology" episodes were released in 2022. Season 2021 was followed by Season 2023. Admins, please delete this season.
The Revenant is a Scottish Myth that tells of a scorned and dreadful man that wanders the night with a pack of dogs. His flesh is rotting and his stench is so dreadful that it carries the plague. He prowls the midnight streets for those he may bludgeon and then crawls back to his grave by morning.
The Dobhar-Chú, Father of Otters, King of Lakes, and the Master Otter of Northwestern Ireland. A Monstrous and Mythological beast that roams Lough Glenade with a white pelt and murderous rage!
Vasilisa was a beautiful girl but her stepmother and 3 evil step-sisters had different plans for her. Plans that sent her deep into the woods and into the house of the dark witch named Baba Yaga. A witch who liked snacking on wayward travelers, bringing people misfortune, and occasionally passing along a little misunderstood luck.
There have been countless tellings of the story of King Arthur and Merlin BUT why would this all-powerful magical guy submit to his own death?
The unkillable American Cryptid lurks in the forest...
Orpheus was a world-class poet and bard. He was on the top of the world and engaged to a beautiful nymph named Eurydice. However, that's when tragedy struck! Eurydice dies and the only way to bring her back would be for Orpheus to delve into Hades to find her.
Herodotus, the father of history, chronicled the cultures and customs of the ancient world. Including one of the giant gold-digging ants of India! Making us wonder... is this history, Myth or BOTH?
Loki! The trickster god famed for his cunning, deception, and being really, REALLY annoying. So what could go wrong when you invite him to a godly shindig filled with great food and wine?
Urmahlullu, the Babylonian creature that's half man and half lion. Bred for battle and to protect your rear!
How would you kill the dreaded Basilisk? The Roman Republic sent knights while others used mirrors. But, the real slayer of the King of Snakes is the fluffy, yet common weasel.
Oni, the monstrous demons of Japan. Dishonest and deceptive they stole women and brought misfortune to the villages of Japan. So, Emperor Ichijō sent his greatest and most pure warrior to slay this foul demon but Minamoto No Raikō soul would not be safe from the cunning Oni.
Genie, Jinn, or Jinny, are these beings friends or foes to humanity? We hear stories in books like 1001 Nights Arabian Nights. They serve and grant wishes to humans but also twist people's minds toward sinister ends. Join us as we get to the bottom of this Islamic mythology.
Genie, Jinn, or Jinny, are these beings friends or foes to humanity? We hear stories in books like 1001 Nights Arabian Nights. They serve and grant wishes to humans but also twist people's minds toward sinister ends. Join us as we get to the bottom of this Islamic mythology.
Meet Jörmungandr, Loki's offspring and the ultimate prankster serpent! Not only does he kickstart Ragnarök, but he also manages to outwit Thor, the thunderous god!
Dive into the sands of ancient Egypt and uncover the captivating story of Osiris, the god-king destined to die not once, but twice! We'll piece together the scattered fragments of his life (literally and figuratively), learn about his cosmic lineage, the cunning of Set, the devotion of Isis, and how a god's dual demise became the heartbeat of Egypt's life and afterlife.
Ever whispered 'Bloody Mary' into a mirror? Discover the haunting origins of this spine-chilling legend. From an innocent herbalist named Mary Worth in 1600s New England to the blood-curdling curse that promises vengeful terror, plunge into the dark heart of this enduring myth. Is it just an urban legend? Or is there more lurking behind your reflection? Dare to watch, but don't say we didn't warn you!
Step into the shadowy world of Japanese yokai as we delve into the spine-tingling legend of Kuchisake-Onna, the slit-faced woman. From her ominous origins to the eerie encounters with this supernatural entity, join us on a journey that will send shivers down your spine. Learn the chilling consequences of uttering a single phrase and the bizarre way to outsmart this otherworldly threat. This spooky season, beware the question: "Am I pretty?" Subscribe for more spine-tingling tales of folklore and the paranormal!
Meet Friar Dando, a boisterous huntsman with an insatiable appetite for indulgence. In a fateful encounter on the misty moorlands, Dando's greed leads him to a devilish rider with a golden drinking horn, setting off a chain of events that plunge him into the eternal hunt. Join us by the campfire as we unravel the haunting legend of Dando and his spectral dogs.
From the ancient tales of St. Nicholas to his modern, jolly incarnation, discover the enchanting evolution of the man in red. As we delve into St. Nicholas' early days, his secret acts of charity, and the mystical transformations that turned him into the legendary Santa Claus.
Step back in time to ancient Greece, where love took a most extraordinary form. In the myth of Pygmalion, the skilled sculptor whose heart yearned for a love beyond the ordinary. From a dreamy vision to a carved masterpiece, Pygmalion's journey is a tale of divine intervention, self-discovery, and the unexpected twists of love.
Journey into the realms of Finnish mythology with the legendary blacksmith god, Ilmarinen! Who was challenged to forge the mysterious Sampo for the notorious witch Louhi. But what is the Sampo? Join us as we unravel the twists and turns of this epic quest, filled with magical creations, unexpected challenges, and a love story that defies conventional norms.
Prepare to dive into the bizarre world of Japanese mythology as we unravel the mysteries of Kappa - those cheeky water creatures with a penchant for mischief and a peculiar interest in human butts! From their origin as kami of the water to their chaotic antics, this video explores the fascinating stories and encounters with Kappa that have been passed down through generations. Learn about their weaknesses, the peculiar ritual of bowing, and why a well-timed fart might just be your best defense!
We'll periodically, in-between series, do a Mythology Matters video, where we talk about some of the writing and research choices we made and topics we didn't really get to cover in the full illustrated episodes. We'll talk about some of the plot holes we found in our Celtic myth episodes!
Did you know that the Wendigo myth can be thought of as a warning against overconsumption of the natural world? We talk about this and other fun facts that we didn't really get to cover in our animated Wendigo episode!
The myth of Gilgamesh is a metaphor for building a civilization--yes, really? Let's go behind-the-scenes on our Bronze Age myth!
In this episode, Extra Credits goes to King's Landing--er, so we can talk about the things we couldn't fit in to our Persian myths episodes, *obviously.*
In this episode, we talk about the distinction between Nart and Russian myths, and how mythology is used to create the idea of shared culture between people in a large, spread-out nation.
We learn about how some classic Japanese myths were created thanks to the combined influence of Shinto and Buddhism. Also, a lot of horror myths actually come from Noh theater! Is a myth still mythology if it was very deliberately invented by an author?
Today we talk about how we sort through and decipher the sources used for our Australian Aboriginal myths. For example, we found one very interesting book that turned out to be plagiarized from an Indigenous Australian man, David Unaipon.
Mythology sources continue to be very complicated, especially when invading colonizers are involved. We discuss our writing process for our recent Aztec myth episodes!
There can be a tension between hearing old stories in the modern age, dealing with simplified retellings and understanding older cultural values through a modern lens. We discuss writing Samson and Delilah and where we think the story is coming from. What are your thoughts?
Anansi is a great example of the trickster god, so of course, there are some aspects of his stories that are tricky to tell. James talks about the difficulties of making shorter stories into a full episode narrative and what to consider "canon" for myths that have changed so much over time.