Myths & Legends

All over the world there are extraordinary stories—stories that once upon a time were believed to be true but are today limited to the sphere of ancient myths and legends. The question remains, are those myths and legends something that existed in the minds of our ancestors, or were they based on true events? It is true that most of those ancient myths and legends appear to the scientific world to be fictitious products of vivid imaginations whose goals were purely to explain phenomena beyond their comprehension. Yet is it not arrogant to accuse our ancestors of being uncivilised and ignorant in one breath, then offer them praise and admiration over their monuments, buildings, art, sculptures, and societies in the next? This only proves that our modern society has two contradictory attitudes toward our past.

In this section we will explore some of the most amazing myths and legends from around the world—legends that may hold truths that can unlock the secrets of our ancient origins.

A representation of a kelpie, a sea horse more vicious than the hippocampus.

4 October, 2019 - 23:52 valdar

Riding the Seas: Kelpies, Hippocampus, and More Monstrous Horses

There are many interesting legends from around the world and through the ages that refer to mythical beings that are similar to horses . The Scottish Kelpies are some of the more intriguing of these...

Almendres cromlech megaliths. Evora, Portugal.

28 September, 2019 - 01:53 Mark Miller

Legends say Mysterious Women Built the Megaliths of Portugal

Prehistoric Europeans told legends about powerful, mysterious female makers of European stone tombs called dolmens and cromlechs. On the one hand, they were said to bestow riches and fertility on...

The goddess Hathor

25 September, 2019 - 01:37 Natalia Klimczak

Hathor: Goddess of Joy and Motherhood Near the Nile

The shadow of Hathor is still present in many places related to the monumental history of ancient Egypt. She was one of the most important goddesses near the Nile and remains one of the best-known...

The Battle between the Gods and the Titans by Joachim Wtewael. The beginning of the Greek Gods

24 September, 2019 - 19:00 dhwty

Greek Gods: The 7 Core Males Exposed

The ancient Greeks were a polytheistic people and worshiped a multitude of gods. The most important gods of the Greek pantheon were the Twelve Olympians, so-called due to the belief that they resided...

Saul and the Witch of Endor

17 September, 2019 - 22:35 Natalia Klimczak

The Biblical Witch of Endor: Contacting the Spirit of a Prophet

The Witch of Endor is also known as the biblical Medium of Endor. According to legend, she was a medium who apparently summoned the Prophet Samuel's spirit. She is known from the Old Testament but...

Old druid with wooden mug (tverdohlib/Adobe Stock)

6 September, 2019 - 22:55 Aleksa Vučković

Dagda, Potbellied Chief Deity of the Celtic Pantheon

To date Celtic mythology remains one of the more enigmatic of the collective European folklore. Its deep-rooted legends, imaginative fables and magical myths deserve exploration to provide valuable...

Ares, God of war in ancient Greece.

4 September, 2019 - 19:33 Natalia Klimczak

The Power of Ares: Greek God of War, Lust, and Protection

Ares is one of the most popular gods of the Greek pantheon. He is also one of the earliest documented deities, known from the texts much older than the Iliad. This deity is primarily known as a...

Egyptian gods and goddess. From left to right, Sekhmet, Isis, Ra, Horus, Wadjet, and Set. Source: Hotaru Ito / Public Domain.

31 August, 2019 - 13:56 Aleksa Vučković

Understanding the Gods of Egypt: In Unison With Nature

Ancient Egypt is a never ending source of inspiration for many of us – their myths , their history, and their art are so wonderful and enigmatic, that they have intrigued researchers for decades. But...

Psyché et l'Amour (Cupid and Psyche), also known as Psyche Receiving Cupid's First Kiss (1798) by François Gérard.

20 August, 2019 - 19:35 Riley Winters

Cupid and Psyche: True Love Conquers All

The mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche is one of the few Greek and Roman myths that has not fully become assimilated into modern consciousness. Though adapted somewhat into the better known "...

The wild man has many names throughout the legends of the ancient world. Source: warpaintcobra/ Adobe Stock.

13 August, 2019 - 14:01 Sarah P Young

Wild Men of the Ancient World: Legends Across the Globe Tell of a Humanoid Beast – Are They Real?

Man-like beasts appear in myths and legends of cultures around the globe. The best known ‘wild man’ phenomena of today is the Sasquatch or Big Foot of North America, but there are other legends such...

Lady with an elegant headdress

11 August, 2019 - 20:48 Weam

Ningal: The Mesopotamian Goddess Awakening Female Mysticism

In the city of Ur, where the first settlements in the marshes of southern Mesopotamia were built with reeds without any type of nails or woods, Ningal was born to Ninhursag and Enki. Her name means...

The Finnish sky god Ukko. Source: Risukarhi / Public Domain.

4 August, 2019 - 22:38 Caleb Strom

Ukko, The Mighty Finnish God of Thunder and Lightening

Every culture has its sky deity or old man of the heavens. The ancient Greeks had Zeus . The Romans had Jupiter . For the Norse , Thor essentially played this role. The Finns are no exception. For...

Myrmidons were the mythical ‘Ant Army’ of Achilles. Source: Fotokvadrat / Adobe Stock

31 July, 2019 - 23:01 Caleb Strom

Myrmidons: The Fiercely Loyal and Unstoppable ‘Antmen’ Army of Achilles

The Myrmidons were allegedly fierce warriors from Thessaly that fought during the Trojan War with Achilles as their leader. The Myrmidons were considered the among the best warriors in Greece. They...

Modern representation of Pandora with the infamous box.

31 July, 2019 - 19:37 dhwty

Pandora: Unleashing Hell and Hope Upon Humanity

Most people are familiar with the creation of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis. But the story of mankind’s creation in Greek mythology is probably less well-known, and is arguably darker in tone...

The golden city of Paititi is hidden in the dense Peruvian jungle. Source: marmoset / Adobe stock

31 July, 2019 - 18:42 B. B. Wagner

The Inkarri and the Golden City of Paititi: The Myths Born from Blood and Greed

On August 29, 1533, the Incan King Atahualpa , who only ruled for one single year, was ordered by Francisco Pizarro (1471-1541) to be strangled to death by a garrot. This single act martyred...

Memories of Childhood: Aesop’s Fables are as Relevant Today as They Were 2,600 Years Ago

26 July, 2019 - 23:07 Aleksa Vučković

Memories of Childhood: Aesop’s Fables are as Relevant Today as They Were 2,600 Years Ago

The Frog and the Mouse, The Fox and the Stork, The Boy Who Cried Wolf – these, and many other wonderful fables were a big part of childhood for many of us. But now that childhood is gone, did we stop...

Tuatha Dé Dannan, the Enchanting Predecessors of Irish Fairies and Elves

20 July, 2019 - 00:18 Kerry Sullivan

Tuatha Dé Dannan, the Enchanting Predecessors of Irish Fairies and Elves

Most people do not believe in elves. The little people, along with fairies , banshees, and werewolves, are often thrown into the category of ‘fantasy’ and left to molder unless some video game or...

The Amazons were a tribe of warrior women. (Atelier Sommerland / Adobe Stock).

18 July, 2019 - 14:07 B. B. Wagner

The Amazons: The Real Female Fighters Dispelling Myth & Legend

Famous ancient Greek historian Herodotus once wrote of the Amazons - or as he called them Oier Pata (‘Killers of Men’) – a tribe of fierce warrior women. Though in today’s world, the name ‘Amazon’ is...

An illustration depicting Frigg.

16 July, 2019 - 17:18 dhwty

Frigg: Queen of Asgard, Beloved Norse Goddess, Mother

Frigg or Frigga (which means ‘Beloved’ in Old Norse) is a goddess found in Norse mythology. As the wife of Odin and the mother of Baldur, she is the ‘Queen of the Æsir’. This deity was worshipped as...

There are many tales about the Tengu. Source: shihina / Adobe Stock.

15 July, 2019 - 14:01 NisaRyan

Magic and Mayhem of Japanese Legend: Don’t Try To Out-Trick A Tengu!

The Tengu were not only protectors of the mountains and the Buddhist faith, they were also known to be mischievous tricksters who, much like their Kitsune cousins, were capable of using magic such as...

Were the first rulers deities, mythical, or appointed by the gods? Source: tomertu / Adobe Stock.

14 July, 2019 - 01:53 Caleb Strom

‘First Kings’ Myths From Around the World: How Do They Compare?

Monarchs have always played a very important role in how their subjects form their cultural identity. Egypt, China, and the Sumerian city-states are examples of some of the oldest monarchies. The...

Legendary Black Knights: Mysterious Medieval Entities of Neutrality

13 July, 2019 - 20:54 valdar

Legendary Black Knights: Mysterious Medieval Entities of Neutrality

Black Knights began to appear in history during the Middle Ages. Since the 13th century, a series of legends mentioning the mysterious Black Knights emerged. Although the Black Knights were said to...

Mount Shasta

11 July, 2019 - 23:41 D.W. Naef

Mount Shasta: Spirits and Danger on a Sacred California Mountain

Mount Shasta, located near the Oregon border in northern California, holds the distinction of being one of the world’s preeminent sacred mountains. It is recognized as an eligible Native American...

The Legendary Mongolian Death Worm

6 July, 2019 - 04:09 lizleafloor

Searching for the Terrifying Mongolian Death Worm

Deep within the shifting sands of the Gobi Desert lies the elusive Olgoi-Khorkhoi, the Mongolian Death Worm – or so legend has it. The Mongolian Death Worm is a bright red worm, a mysterious cryptid...

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