January
15
/ 2021
An archetypal character who appears in the myths of many different cultures, the Trickster gleefully crosses and breaks physical and societal laws of both humans and gods, destroying norms, while openly challenging and ridiculing authority. As the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, Hermes plays this role as the patron of thieves and inventor of lies. Norse mythology has Loki, a shapeshifter who could switch freely between genders and gives birth to Odin’s eight-legged horse when he takes the form of a mare. In Polynesian mythology it is Māui, who is not only the trickster but also a great cultural hero. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"81918","attributes":{"alt":"Participant of the Merrie Monarch Parade in Hilo performs as demigod Māui ( Thomas Tunsch / CC BY-SA
