Creatures in Greek and Roman Mythology PDF

MYTHS AS EXPLANATIONS OF NATURAL PHENOMENA: Exploring the Connection Between Ancient Greek Myths and the Natural World 0 Apollo and Daphne 1 A Mythical Explanation for the Laurel Tree Introduction: Myths are powerful stories that have captivated humanity for millennia. They offer ex...

MYTHS AS EXPLANATIONS OF NATURAL PHENOMENA: Exploring the Connection Between Ancient Greek Myths and the Natural World 0 Apollo and Daphne 1 A Mythical Explanation for the Laurel Tree Introduction: Myths are powerful stories that have captivated humanity for millennia. They offer explanations for the world around us, from the origins of life to the forces of nature. - Greek mythology, in particular, is rich with tales that weave together natural phenomena, human emotions, and divine intervention. The Laurel's Symbolism: The laurel tree holds a rich symbolism beyond its connection to Apollo. Its evergreen leaves represent immortality, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life. The laurel's association with victory and triumph stems from the Roman tradition of crowning victors with laurel wreaths, a practice that originated from the Greek myth. The Myth of Apollo and Daphne: - Apollo, the god of sun, music, and poetry, was known for his irresistible charm and numerous love affairs. - One day, he encountered Daphne, a nymph known for her beauty and grace. - Apollo, smitten by her, pursued her relentlessly, but Daphne, desiring independence, fled from his advances. Apollo: The worst she can say is no The Myth of Apollo and Daphne: - In a desperate plea to escape Apollo's affections, Daphne called upon her father, the river god Peneus, to protect her. - Peneus transformed Daphne into a laurel tree, forever preserving her beauty and granting her a new form of life. Daphne: I’d rather be a tree bro The Laurel Tree's Significance: The laurel tree, with its evergreen leaves, became a symbol of Apollo's undying love for Daphne. It was also associated with victory, honor, and poetic inspiration, reflecting Apollo's domains. The laurel wreath, woven from its branches, was awarded to victorious athletes and poets in ancient Greece. 0 Pyramus and Thisbe 2 A Mythical Explanation for the Mulberry Tree A Wall Divides, a Crack Connects The Wall and the Crack Pyramus and Thisbe, two young lovers from neighboring families, are forbidden to be together. Their families' feud prevents them from seeing each other. Separated by a wall, Pyramus and Thisbe communicate through a crack, whispering their love and longing for each other. They plan to meet secretly under a mulberry tree. However, a misunderstanding leads to tragedy.  The Lion and the Bloodstained Veil Thisbe arrives first, but a lioness scares her, leaving her bloodstained veil behind. Pyramus finds the veil and, believing Thisbe dead, takes his own life under the mulberry tree. Thisbe returns to find Pyramus dead. In her grief, she stabs herself with his sword, dying next to him. The mulberry tree, witnessing their tragedy, turns its fruit a deep crimson, forever stained with their blood. 0 Cephalus and Procris 3 A Mythical Explanation for the Dawn Chorus and Swiftness of the Wind A Magical Spear and a Jealous Test The Gift of the Spear and the Test of Love Cephalus, a skilled hunter, is known for his connection to the dawn. Procris, gifted with a magical spear, is renowned for her speed and agility. Procris receives a magical spear from the goddess Artemis, which ensures accuracy and swiftness. However, suspicion and jealousy cloud their relationship. Cephalus: How dare you Mistrust and the Fatal Chase fancy another man’s spear! Cephalus, falsely accused of infidelity, flees from Procris. During the chase, Procris is fatally wounded by the magical spear. The myth connects Cephalus' association with the dawn to the early morning birdsong, symbolizing the swiftness of the wind and the beginning of a new day. CREATURES IN MYTHOLOGIES 0 Greek and Roman Myth 1 Exploring the Mythological Creatures of Greece and Rome KRAKEN The kraken is a legendary sea monster of enormous size, per its etymology something akin to a cephalopod, said to appear in the sea between Norway and Iceland. It is believed that the legend of the Kraken may have originated from sightings of giant squid, which may grow to 12–15 m in length. Scylla and Charybdis Scylla - A six-headed monster that lived in a cave on a rocky cliff. She would snatch six sailors from a ship that passed too close to her. Her name means "she who rends" or "puppy". Charybdis - A giant whirlpool that would suck in and spit out ocean water three times a day. It would destroy any ship that passed too close. CENTAURS The Centaur's are half man, and half horse. They have the body of a horse but, in place of the horse's head the have the torso, head and arms of a man. Most are wild and savage, known for lustfulness and drunkenness. The exception is the wise Centaur Chiron. GRIFFIN A griffin is a legendary animal with the head, wings, and talons of an eagle and the body, tail, and back legs of a lion. Griffins are often depicted as guardians of kings' gold and other valuables. CERBERUS In Greek mythology, Cerberus is a three-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld, or Hades, and prevents the dead from leaving. He is also known as the hound of Hades. Cerberus is the child of Typhon, a giant covered in serpents and dragons, and Echidna, a half- woman/half-serpent. One of the labors of the warrior Heracles was to bring Cerberus to the land of the living. SPHINX In Greek tradition, the sphinx is a treacherous and merciless being with the head of a woman, the haunches of a lion, and the wings of a bird. According to Greek myth, she challenges those who encounter her to answer a riddle, and kills and eats them when they fail to solve the riddle. MINOTAUR In Greek myth, the Minotaur was a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man who was imprisoned in a dark underground labyrinth at Knossos on the Aegean island of Crete. The Labyrinth was an ingenious maze commissioned by King Minos and designed by the architect Daedalus. MEDUSA In Greek mythology, Medusa, also called Gorgo or the Gorgon, was one of the three Gorgons. Medusa is generally described as a woman with living snakes in place of hair; her appearance was so hideous that anyone who looked upon her was turned to stone. HARPIES These monstrous beings, often depicted as winged women with the heads and talons of birds, were known for their foul stench and their habit of snatching food and children. They were associated with the underworld and often served as the messenger of the gods. HYDRA A serpentine monster with multiple heads, each capable of regenerating when cut off. The hydra was a formidable foe, and its venom was said to be deadly. It was famously slain by Heracles as one of his twelve labors. PEGASUS A winged horse, born form the blood of Medusa. Pegasus was known for its beauty, speed, and connection to the muses. It was often depicted carrying the hero Bellerophon on its back. FAUN A nature spirit, often depicted as a half-human, half-goat creatures. Fauns were associated with the forest and were known for their love of music and dance. BASILISK A serpent-like creature with a deadly gaze. The Basilisk was said to be the king of snakes and could kill with a single look. CACUS A fire-breathing giant, son of Vulcan. Cacus was known for his strength and his habit of stealing cattle. He was eventually slain by Heracles STRIX These birds have long golden beaks and are known to suck the blood of their favorite prey. They have red- colored wings and black legs with clawed feet that helped them hunt their prey. The Strix was a bird of ill omen that fed on humans. 0 FILIPINO MYTHOLOGY 2 Exploring the Mythological Creatures of the Philippines ASWANG These malevolent beings are often portrayed as shape-shifters, capable of assuming the form of a human, animal, or even an inanimate object. Aswangs primarily feed on human flesh and blood, making them akin to vampires in Western mythology. TIKBALANG Tikbalang are considered the guardians of the wilderness, often playing tricks on travelers who enter their territory. Legend has it that if you find yourself lost in the woods, a Tikbalang may lead you astray by making you walk in circles. To escape their pranks, you must turn your clothes inside out, enabling you to find your way home safely. KAPRE A colossal creature with dark, ashy skin, long fingernails, and a tobacco pipe. These giants are known for their affinity for large trees, particularly the old acacia trees found throughout the archipelago. Kapres are generally benevolent unless provoked. To avoid a Kapre’s mischievous schemes, locals often offer them gifts like tobacco or sweets to appease them. MANANANGGAL The Manananggal is a mythical creature with a rather horrifying characteristic – the ability to detach its upper body from its lower half. By night, Manananggal transform and take flight, leaving their lower torsos behind to hunt for victims. They are often depicted with bat-like wings and a long, prehensile tongue. DUWENDE Duwendes are small, gnome-like creatures often associated with mischief. These playful beings reside underground, in the roots of trees and are said to guard the environment they inhabit. NUNO SA PUNSO These creatures are believed to inhabit ant hills or termite mounds, and disturbing their homes can bring misfortune or illness to those responsible. To show respect for the Nuno sa Punso, it’s common for Filipinos to ask for permission before sitting on or altering their homes. This is a way to maintain a harmonious coexistence with these mythical beings. DIWATA In Filipino mythology, a diwata is a supernatural protector of nature that can appear in human or animal form. One example of a diwata is Maria Makiling, who was originally known as Makiling, an anito sent by Bathala to help humans with their daily tasks. ENGKANTO Engkanto are mythical environmental spirits that are said to have the ability to appear in human form. They are often associated with the spirits of ancestors in the Philippines. They are also characterized as spirit sorts like sirens, dark beings, elves, and more. AMALANHIG Amalanhig are creatures in Visayan mythology, particularly among Hiligaynon speaking groups. Amalanhig are Aswangs who failed to transfer their monstrosity causing them to rise from their graves to kill humans by biting their necks. AMOMONGO In Philippine folklore, the Amomongo is a creature described as a hairy, man- sized ape with long nails. The name is probably derived from the Hiligaynon word amó, which translates "ape" or "monkey". ANGGITAY The Anggitay is a creature with the upper body of a female human and the lower body and legs of a horse from waist down. They are the Philippine counterpart to the centauride, the female centaurs. They are also believed to be the female counterpart of the Tikbalang. SANTELMO Apoy ni San Elmo, often shortened to santelmo, is a mischievous spirit in Filipino folklore, known for its penchant for playing tricks on sailors and fishermen. These spirits, often seen as fiery apparitions, are said to appear at night, leading unsuspecting seafarers astray. To ward off these mischievous spirits, sailors would often resort to a simple yet effective remedy: reversing their clothes. BATIBAT In the Philippine Mythology, the Batibat is a vengeful demon found in Ilocano folklore. These demons were blamed as the cause of the fatal nocturnal disease called bangungot. SARANGAY A sarangay is a half-man, half-bull creature, the Philippine equivalent of the minotaur. A sarangay's head resembles a carabao's with magical gemstones attached to its ears. MAHOMANAY The Mahomanays are kind creatures that serve as guardians of animals in the forest. These spirits appears to humans in the form of fair skinned human males. The Mahomanays reside in the mountains where they look upon animals and keep them from danger especially from poachers and unkind hunters. They accept offerings in exchange of a regulated hunting. TAMALANHIG Elf-like Female beings with beautiful long black hair and reddish skin and pointy leaf shaped ears. They are the Female counterpart of the pale Mahomanay. MINOKAWA Minokawa is a giant, dragon-like bird in Philippine legends, particularly the Bagobo ethnic groups of Mindanao. Early people believed this creature is so big that it can swallow (or cover) the sun to explain the occurrence of eclipses. It lives beyond the sky which can devour the sun and the moon, and would try to do the same with the earth. SAMAL NAGA In Samal myth the milky way is seen as a gigantic trapped dragon (referred as a Naga). The legend goes that it was put in the sky when a couple prayed to God to save their lives from the terrible beast. At the end of days, it is said that the dragon will be freed and will devour all those not faithful to the Almighty. 0 MYTHOLOGIES AROUND THE WORLD 3 Exploring the Mythological Creatures from Around the World KELPIE In Scottish folklore, a kelpie is a malevolent, shape-shifting water spirit that lives in lochs and streams. Kelpies are often depicted as a white or gray horse, but can also take the form of a human, a tame pony, or a hairy human. They are known for luring people to their deaths by enticing them to ride on their backs and then carrying them into the water. However, if caught with a magic bridle, a kelpie's strength can be used for good. KAPPA Kappa, in Japanese folklore, a type of vampire-like lecherous creature that is more intelligent than the devilish oni (q.v.) and less malevolent toward men. Kappa can become harmful when not respected as gods. Accounts typically depict them as green, human-like beings with webbed hands and feet and turtle-like carapaces on their backs. OGRE An ogre (feminine: ogress) is a legendary monster depicted as a large, hideous, man-like being that eats ordinary human beings, especially infants and children. Ogres are frequently featured in European mythology, folklore, and fiction. PHOENIX (in classical mythology) a unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, after this time burning itself on a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle. COCKATRICE A cockatrice is a mythical beast, essentially a two-legged dragon, wyvern, or serpent-like creature with a rooster's head credited with powers of destroying all animal and vegetable life by its mere look or breath. Only the weasel, which secreted a venom deadly to the cockatrice, was safe from its powers. GOBLIN A goblin is a small, grotesque, monstrous creature that appears in the folklore of multiple European cultures. First attested in stories from the Middle Ages, they are ascribed conflicting abilities, temperaments, and appearances depending on the story and country of origin, ranging from mischievous household spirits to malicious, bestial thieves. UNICORN The unicorn is a legendary animal that looks like a horse or a goat with a single horn on its forehead. Unicorns are thought to be good and pure creatures with magical powers. They are strong, often white in color, and difficult to catch. The unicorn appears in the art of ancient Mesopotamia. ONI Oni are ogre-like, demonic creatures from Japanese folklore. They are often depicted as giant, with horns, sharp teeth, and a muscular build. They are usually red, blue, or green in color, and wear a loincloth made of tiger skin. FENRIR Fenrir is a monstrous wolf in Norse mythology. In Old Norse texts, Fenrir plays a key role during the events of Ragnarök, where he is foretold to assist in setting the world aflame, resulting in the collapse of humanity and society, and kill the god Odin. FAIRY Fairies, a classification of faerie or fae, are usually small magical creatures that mainly look like humans. However, there are a few exceptions to their appearance like wings, webbed hands and feet, green or blue skin, pointed ears, and no nose. Fairy folklore dates back centuries to the Middle Ages in Europe.