Task 1 - What is mythology?

Mythology is the collection of myths belonging to a specific culture or people relating to their history and beliefs. These myths may be about their ancestors, gods, heroes or even supernatural beings. These myths can be expressions of a belief such as a people's religion. Myths usually tell a story and/or teach a lesson. Myths can be expressed with pictures and symbols. Once a myth is created it is passed down from generation to generation of a people, eventually becoming a legend. Mythology is a large and important part of humanity and may never be completely discovered.

Task 2- Greek Gods and Goddesses

Aphrodite

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of sex, love and beauty. She is associated with dolphins, doves, swans and lime trees. Legend says that she was born from the sea foam. This occured when the father of the gods, Uranus was castrated by his son Cronus. When his severed genitals were thrown into the sea, the foam was created and Aphrodite was born. Other stories say that she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Following her birth she was married to the smith god Hephaestus, because Zeus feared the other gods would fight over her. Hephaestus doted on Aphrodite and made her a girdle of gold with magic woven into it. However this only made Aphrodite more irrestible to the other gods, and she was not pleased about being married to a smith. Aphrodite was not only loved by other gods, she was also loved by mortals. Her most famous mortal lover was Adonis. Her children include Eros and Aeneas. Aphrodite's festival is celebrated in various parts of Greece and is called the Aphrodisiac. Her priestesses were women who represented the goddesses of sex, and intercourse with them was considered a huge honor as well as a method of worship.

Task 2 - Greek Gods and Goddesses

Poseidon

Poseidon is best known as the Greek god of the sea. He is also known as the god of horses and the god of earthquakes. Poseidon can be translated to mean "Husband." This son of Cronus and Rhea eventually divided the power of the world with his 5 siblings. Poseidon was awarded control of the sea. He is associated with dolphins, tridents and 3-pronged fish spears. Poseidon was very tempermental; when he was in a good mood he created new lands and a calm sea; but when he was in a bad mood he would cause earthquakes, shipwrecks and drownings, by striking the ground with a trident. He also used his powers of water, earthquakes and horses to inflict fear and punishment on people as revenge. Poseidon lived on the ocean floor in a palace made of coral and gems. He also drives a chariot, pulled by horses. Many sailors relied on Poseidon for a safe voyage across the sea. Many of these sailors drowned horses in his honor as sacrifices.

Poseidon plays an important role in Greek mythology. One of the morse common stories involving Poseidon is that of his love affair with his sister Demeter. Poseidon pursued his sister and in order to avoid him she transformed into a mare. Poseidon then became a stallion and captured her. Their affair resulted in the birth of a horse, Arion. Because Poseidon translated means "Husband," it is thought that he and Demeter are a good match, since they are the god and goddess of fertility. Poseidon is also known for his role of helping the Greeks in the Trojan War.

Task 2 - Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Sarasvati

Sarasvati (Saraswati) is the Hindu goddess of fertility, wealth and river waters. She is the patroness of speech, writing, learning, science and the arts. Sarasvati has four hands representing the four aspects of human personality in learning; mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She is the inspiration for music, poetry, drama and science. She holds sacred scriptures in one hand, prayer beads in the second and plays the vina (musical instrument) with her other two hands. Sarasvati is dressed in white, which is a sign of purity and rides a swan. Sarasvati is the wife of Brahma, the creator.

Task 2 - Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Indra

Indra is the Hindu supreme ruler of the gods. He was the leader of the Devas, which included the gods of war, thunder and storms, the greatest of all warriors and the strongest of all beings. Indra defended the gods and all of mankind against the forces of evil. He had aspects of a sun-god, as he could be seen riding in a golden chariot across the heavens but he is better known as the god of thunder. As the god of thunder he was seen wielding Vajra, the celestial weapon the lightning bolt. In battle he also used a bow, net and a hook. As well as having aspects of a sun, thunder, and fertility god, Indra was also seen as a creator god, since he brought water to the earth and made order among the skies. About 250 hymns in the Rig Veda are dedicated to Indra.

Indra is described as being very powerful. He is portrayed with a reddish complexion having two or four very long arms. He would also ride the great white elephant Airavata. Indra was born fully grown and fully armed, from the sky god and the earth goddess. He married Indrani, and they lived together at Svarga. Svarga was Indra's heaven in the clouds, which surrounded the sacred mountain Meru. Svarga could be moved anywhere at Indra's command. No sorrow, suffering or fear were allowed in Indra's palace. Indra was a great drinker of Soma; sometimes he would drink to gain strenght and sometimes to get drunk.

Indra is best known for his battle with the asura Vritra. Vitra had stolen all the water in the world for himself and took the form of a mighty dragon. Vritra was keeping the world in a drought. When Indra was born he vowed to take back the water. Indra broke through Vritra's 99 fortresses and then came face to face with the dragon. Eventually after a long battle Indra defeated Vritra. Following Vritra's defeat, water fell from the skies. Upon Indra's victory he became a hero to all people and the gods elected him their king. But, in later times Indra lost much of his power and eventually became a weather god and lord of the lesser gods.

Task 2 - African Gods and Goddesses

Yemaja

Yemaja is the African mother goddess. She is worshipped primarily by women. Yemaja is the patroness of childbirth. She is associated with the Ogun river because the water there is considered to be a remedy for infertility. Her son Orungan raped her once and when he tried a second time her body burst open and 15 gods emerged, including Sango, the thunder god.

Task 2 - African Gods and Goddesses

Sango

Sango (Shango, Xango) is the African god of thunder. He is also the ancestor of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. He was once the fourth king of Yoruba. Sango is portrayed with a double axe on his head, six eyes and three heads. His mother is Yemaja, the protector of birth. He has three wives; Oya, Oschun and Oba. Oya stole Sango's magic secrets. Oschun is the river goddess and also Sango's favorite, due to her cooking talents. Oba tried to win Sango's love but offering her ear for him to eat. Sango was angered and she became the Oba river.

Task2 - Japanese Gods and Goddesses

Benten

Benten is the Japanese goddess of love, eloquence, wisdom, the arts, music, knowledge, good fortune and water. Many shrines devoted to her are located near the sea. She was originally a water goddess but later became a goddess of the rich and was added to the Shichi Fukujin. The Shichi Fukujin are the Seven Gods of Luck. Benten is the patroness of geishas, dancers and musicians. She is portrayed as a beautiful woman, riding a dragon and playing as stringed instrument. Benten has been seen playing the biwa, a kind of lute. She has a white serpent which serves as her messenger. She has eight arms and is seen holding a sword, jewel, bow, arrow, wheel and key. Her other two hands are together in prayer. The island of Enoshima rose from the sea in her honor. Benten is often associated with Saraswati, the Indian goddess of art and literature.

Task 2 - Japanese Gods and Goddesses

Ryujin

Ryujin is the Japanese dragon god of the sea. He is known as the "Luminous Being." Ryujin is the most powerful of the Raijin, or weather gods, controlling thunder and rain. He is known to generate dark rain clouds which later burst. He is seen with a large mouth. Ryujin is worshipped by farmers, particularly in times of drought. His main festival takes place in June.Ryujin lives in a palace, Ryugu, beneath the sea, located near the islands of Ryu Kyu. Within Ryugu lie the halls of seasons, of nature and mortal life. The Palace of Spring lies to the east, with cherry trees, butterflies and singing nightingale. The Palace of Summer lies to the south, with lush vegetation and insects. The Palace of Fall lies to the west, with trees in shades of red and gold. The Palace of Winter lies to the north, with eternal frost and snow. There is no return from the Palace of Winter. One day in his palace is equal to 100 years. Ryujin is guarded by water dragons and is served by various fishes. Turtles serve as his messengers.

Task2 - Native American Gods and Goddesses

Sedna

Sedna is the Native American goddess of the sea. She belongs to the Inuit/Eskimo tribe. Sedna is known as the Mother of Sea Beasts, and is seen as a one-eyed giant. She was once a beautiful human girl but now lives at the bottom of the sea as a goddess. Sedna rules all life in the Arctic Sea and decides the fate of it's creatures and those who hunt them.

There are several stories of how she came to live at the bottom of the sea. One story tells of how she vowed to remain single to care for her father. However one day she fell for a charming and rich foreigner and married him. Things did not go well and she discovered that he was not a man but actually a bird spirit. Sedna's father was furious and decided to visit her, and found her very upset. Her husband returned from work but could not find her. Sedna was found hiding under fur pelts in her father's boat. Furious, her husband turned the sky black and made the seas churn violently. Her father feared for the end of the world and threw Sedna overboard. She clutched at the side of the boat but her father chopped off her fingers and she was lost to the sea. The bird spirit left and peace returned. Sedna's fingers somehow found their way to the top of an iceberg and became the first sea creatures, while Sedna remained at the bottom of the sea.

Task 2 - Native American Gods and Goddesses

Hino

Hino is the Native American god of thunder and guardian of the skies. Hino is a part of the Iroquois tribe. His wife is the rainbow. Hino is the eternal enemy of evil, fighting with a huge bow and flaming arrows. With these arrows he killed a giant water monster and saved mankind.

Task 2- Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

Bast

Bast is the ancient Egyptian cat goddess. In ancient Egypt cats were usually associated with female goddesses. People were forbidden on pain of death to harm a cat. Following the death of a cat, the family would shave off their eyebrows as a mark of mourning. The cat would be mummified with a grand funeral. During the funeral the cat would be placed in a tomb with its favorite toys and saucers of food. This ceremony was a rule in ancient Egypt.

Bast was also known as Bastet and Pasht. She became an important national deity in 950 B.C.E. In ancient Egyptian art Bast was portrayed as a woman with the head of a cat. She holds a sistrum for her music in her right hand and a shield, with the head of a cat or lioness at the top, in her left hand. She was worshipped at Bubastis in the eastern delta. She was also known as the manifestation of the solar eye. Many referred to her as "the eye of Ra who protects her father Ra." Bast loved music and dance. Bast was seen as the personification of the beneficial, fertilizing power of the sun. She protected pregnant women and men from disease and against evil spirits.

Bast's festival was one of the most popular in all of Egypt. She was celebrated with abundant sacrifices and festivities. During her festival dead cats were carefully mummified and buried. More than 700,000 people attended her festival. Men and women came by barge, dancing, singing, clapping and playing castanets, which were musical instruments. More wine was consumed at Bast's celebration than at any other time of the year.

Task 2 - Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

Anubis

Anubis is the jackal-headed Egyptian god of the dead. Anubis was known to prowl ancient cemeteries as a scavenger, but the Egyptians then turned him into a god, who protected the ancient graves. As the god of the dead Anubis presided over funerals, guided the dead through the underworld and finally into the kingdom of Osiris. As the guide of the dead Anubis assimilated the character of the earlier Egyptian god Wepawet. Wepawet was known as "he who opens the ways." Anubis is portrayed as a man with the head and neck of a dog. He is described in the Latin novel The Golden Ass (Book II), as the "messenger between heaven and hell, displaying alternately a face black as night and golden as day."

Anubis was common to both celestial and infernal regions. He was known in more than one religion. To the Greeks he was known as Anubis and to the Egyptians he was known as Anpu. There are many theories and myths that revolve around Anubis. Anubis was the son of the goddess Nephthys and his father was the god Osiris, who happened to be Nephtyhs's sister. At birth Anubis was abandoned by his mother. He was found and raised by the goddess Isis, who was Osiris's sister and wife. Anubis then accompanied Osiris on his conquest of the world. Osiris was then murdered and dismembered. Anubis found his body and embalmed it so well that it resisted the influences of tim and decay. This was the birth of burial rites. Another well known myth was how the leopard came to get it's spots. It was said that when the god Seth, who was a leopard, approached Osiris's body Anubis seizd Seth and branded him with a hot iron, giving him his spots.

Task 3 - What is your mythology?

What is my heritage?

I have a very diverse and rich heritage. I have a lot of German blood, but I am also Sweedish, Austrian, Irish, Polish and Native American. I feel that I most identify with my Native American ancestors. My great great great grandmother was an Iroquois. I feel this way because I am very close with nature, am family oriented and have a passion for horses.

The Iroquois Indians resided in the northeast of North America, more specifically from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. The Iroquois were mainly hunters. They hunted many animals, including bear, beaver and rabbits, but manily deer. In addition to hunting several tribes favored fishing. In order to hunt the Iroquois used bow and arrows, as well as traps. When the Iroquois caught an animal they used all of it. They ate the meat, used the hides for clothing and bones for tools. The Iroquois are best known for their rituals using masks, false faces or medicine masks. No two masks are ever the same. Those who wore the masks were believed to have the power to ward off sickness.

One of the most popular Iroquois myths is the "No Face Doll." The story begins wih the three sisters, or the sustainers of life. The three sisters were known as corn, beans and squash. The corn asked the Creator what more she could do for her people and the Creator replied that she could make a beautiful doll from her husks. She then created the doll and gave her a beautiful face. She sent the doll to various villages for the children to play with. The doll would play and do whatever she could for the children. At each village she was told how beautiful she was and over time she grew vain. The Creator talked to the doll and explained that vanity was not a good behavior and if she did not change her ways she would be punished. The doll agreed. One day the doll stopped at a creek and admired her reflection, thinking that she was indeed beautiful. The Creator sent an owl to fly above her and when she looked again at her reflection, she had no face. The Creator's punishment was the removal of the doll's face. The lesson is not to think that you are better than anyone else and that the Creator gives everyone something special. When an Iroquois mother gives her child a doll, the child is told this legend.

The Iroquois have many gods and goddesses. Some of the better known deities are Hino, the thunder god and god of the skies who destroys evil beings and Deohako, the spirits of maize, beans and squahs. Ataensic is known as mother earth. The big heads are the demon gods. The Iroquois also have several creators, including Sone-yah-tis-sa-ye, Ioskeha and Hahgwehdiyu.

Task 4 - Original Gods and Goddesses

Shimmer

Shimmer is the white stallion that descended from the stars. He has eternal youth and beauty. His coat glistens and has a magnificent presence. Shimmer is the lord of all horses, the god of natural power. He can allow an individual to access extra power if the need is great and pure. With extreme power and presence, he is who all horses look up to. Some say that he is related to Pegasus but we will never know. Shimmer can do all kinds of manuevers from stopping on a dime to spinning into the ground to almost running in place. He has rock hard muscles over his entire body and can go for days at breathtaking speeds without rest. Those who have witnessed his speed say that his hooves do not even touch the ground. Shimmer rules over all smaller creatures and keeps the natural world in order. Shimmer appears when needed and spends his time roaming the earth.

The Quack

The Quak is a duck, as you probably guessed from his name. But he is not an ordinary duck. The Quack is a duck with supernatural powers. He has the body of a normal duck and acts like a normal duck. However he is the god of humor and good spirits. He is also a bit of a nuisance to the other gods, as he likes to play jokes on them. He wanders from place to place and makes his presence known when he comes across a sould lacking good, high spirits. When he comes across a soul that is down on his luck he gives them good spirits through his quack and shows them how to embrace life. He believes in thoughts such as living each day as if it's your last and living in the moment. His goal in life is to make souls get the most out of life that they can.

Casey

Casey is the goddess of togetherness and safety. She takes the form of a border collie, as they have tendencies to protect and keep their charges together. She roams freely and works with the other gods and goddesses. She works to keep people together and safe. She will interfere and go to work if she believes she is needed. Her powers include lightning fast speed and persuasiveness. She is a honest, hard working goddess who will do no wrong.

Squeak

Squeak is the mouse goddess. She works to help people to discover their true selves. She also serves as a spy/messenger to the other gods and goddesses, relaying information about who needs help and where her colleagues are needed. She uses her size to her advantage, as she sometimes able to go unnoticed. However, despite her size she is able to travel from place to place in the blink of an eye. She is very compassionate and is able to convince people to make changes for the better. All four of these gods and goddesses have connections in their minds and work together.

Task 5

Task 1

www.atf.org.au/papers/glossary.asp

"Mythology." THE FREE DICTIONARY BY FARLEX. Http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mythology. December 31, 2006.

"Mythology." MSN Encarta. Http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861632242/mythology.html. December 31, 2006.

"What is mythology?" About: Urban Legends and Folklore. Http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/folklore/f/mythology1.htm. December 31, 2006.

Saari, Peggy. "Religion: What Is Mythology?." History Fact Finder. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie. UXL-GALE, 2001. eNotes.com. 2006. 2 Jan, 2007 <http://history.enotes.com/history-fact-finder/religion/what-mythology>

Task 2

Jordan, Michael. "Ryujin." Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses. Michael Jordan. Second. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2004.

Mercatante, Anthony. "Anubis." The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend. James Dow. Second. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2004.

Mercatante, Anthony. "Bast." The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend. Anthony Mercatante. Second. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2004.

Ions, Veronica. Egyptian Mythology. London: The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1968.

Millidge, Judith, ed. Japanese Gods and Myths. Edison: Chartwell Books, 1998.

"Native American Gods." Metareligion. Http://www.metareligion.com/World_Religions/Ancient_religions/North_america/native_american_gods.htm. January 1, 2007.

"Saraswati." Satansociety.org. http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/saraswati.htm. January 1, 2007.

"Hino." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hino.html> January 1, 2007.

http://www.gods-heros-myth.com/mythmore-namerican.html

"Hinu." Native American Mythology The Gods of North America. Http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/native_american-mythology.php?deity=HINU. January 1, 2007.

"Sedna." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/s/sedna.html> January 1, 2007.

"Native American Legends Sedna An Eskimo Legend." First People. Http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Sedna-Eskimo.html. January 1, 2007.

"Sedna." Native American Mythology. Http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/native_american-mythology.php?deity=SEDNA. January 1, 2007.

"Benten." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 1 Jan. 2007 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9078654>.

"Indra." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/i/indra.html> January 1, 2007.

"Sarasvati." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/s/sarasvati.html> January 1, 2007.

"Shango." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/s/shango.html> January 1, 2007.

Indra Mala. www.rudraksha-ratna.com/indra-mala.html. January 1, 2007.

Http://www.hindunet.org/god/Goddesses/saraswati/index.htm

"Sarasvati: The Hindu Muse." ReligionFacts. http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/beliefs/goddesses.htm. January 1, 2007.

"Yemaja." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/y/yemaja.html> January 1, 2007.

"Poseidon." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopeida Mythica Online.http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/poseidon.html January 1, 2007.

Aphrodite." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopeida Mythica Online http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/aphrodite.html
January 1, 2007.

"Ryujin." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopeida Mythica Online.<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/r/ryujin.html> January 1, 2007.

"Sedna." MYTH*ING LINKS . http://images.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://www.mythinglinks.org/Sedna_brightened~sidesFilled.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mythinglinks.org/ip~northamerica~Sedna.html&h=532&w=337&sz=63&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=FDl3FPhkCAaQTM:&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;tbnh=132&tbnw=84&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsedna%2Bsea%2Bgoddess%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D. January 2, 2007.

"Shango." Windows to the Universe. www.windows.ucar.edu/.../shango_storm.html. January 2, 2007.

Dancing Geisha. www.kyoto-su.ac.jp/~leon/geisha/index.html. January 2, 2007.

Web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/downloads/

"Deep Spirit: 7. Meeting of Minds." www.deepspirit.com/sys-tmpl/7meetingofminds/

Task 3

"NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN GODS." Http://www.gothikangel.com/Gods/NorthAmerican.htm. January 1, 2007.

"IROQUOIS LEGEND OF THE NO FACE DOLL." IROQUOIS LEGENDS. http://www.oneida-nation.net/irolegends.html. January 1, 2007.

"Native American God and Goddess Dieties." AAANativeArts.com. http://www.aaanativearts.com/indian_gods.htm. January 1, 2007.

"Iroquois False Face Masks." http://lunanegro.net/masks.htm. January 1, 2007.