Hi!

I'm an amateur concept/environment artist with a passion for mythology and dark fantasy. In college, my senior graduation project was making a concept art book on a game I've been wanting to make/designing. The game in question being a Dark Souls inspired video game based on Norse mythology. Lately however, I have come to realize that after playing God of War (2018), my idea was actually too similar to that, so I'm trying to shift gears here.

The plan now is to look into other mythologies, and I thought would be a good idea to research ones that aren't very popular like the Norse, Greek or Roman. That's when I decided to ask this community. My first option would be Celtic, but I actually don't know too much about it. So, any recommendations/insights/opinions/whatever you want to say would be greatly appreciated!

This passion project of mine is not only for improving my craft, but to genuinely want to put really cool ideas together and make a game I think people would really like to play. After playing games from smaller studios like Lies of P and Lords of the Fallen, seeing how successful and really dang cool those games are, I wanted to try my own hand at it and eventually try to make it happen. Again, thanks for your suggestions and I apologize for the long post! :)

Edit: I want to know more about the Celtic mythology, since I don't know too much about it. So like stories, myths, things you know/find interesting or general knowledge!

I know that Chandra is the god of the Moon and, if I’m not mistaken, also associated with vegetation. However, some time ago, while researching him on Wikipedia, I read articles in several languages (at least fifteen), translating each one into the language I speak. I noticed that, in many cases, aspects such as his beauty, brilliance, connection with vegetation, fertility, water, and liquids were emphasized more than his direct relationship with the Moon. That’s why I’m asking, to be certain about his main domain and what represents him best.

I’m looking them up for a painting I wanna make of a banshee-rockstar. From what I’ve picked up, they’re from Irish folklore and their wails signal the death of a family member, so they’re almost like The Grim.

I’d REALLY love to learn more about them, but all resources I’m pulling up are limited. Do y’all know any interesting pages, blogs, books, or ideally YouTube channels covering them?

(I know that mythology is consistent, authors ultimately decide, asking about power is dumb, etc etc. I am asking general consensus for lore)

So just from the contents of the myths I have read, Isis seems like she is the most powerful member aside from Ra. Set seems to be afraid of her. When she poisoned Ra, she was the one he trusted most to care for him. When Horus and Set were holding their breaths, she stabbed Horus, healed him, then stabbed Set. He begs for his life and it seems like she could’ve killed him if she wanted to. Although it varies on myth, when Horus cut her head off, she just put it back on. Once when Ra asked her to capture and bring Set to him, she did it with quite ease.

Generally, she seems to be the strongest member of the group. And that makes sense since she’s the goddess of magic and the only god to rival Thoth’s intelligence. However, Set proudly proclaimed himself the strongest on several occasions. It can be passed off as pride, but in a recent story, I read Osiris proclaim himself as the strongest god before making threats to Ra if Horus isn’t put on the throne.

Any help or lore to share?

I started compiling a complete list of Jesus-like characters found in numerous cultures throughout the world, usually the founder/teacher of a civilization or a character who is very similar (e.g. virgin birth). Originally, I was going to limit it to virgin/God birth stories, but thought to expand it for now.

As a hobbyist comparative mythologist, I have not had time to delve into this particular one as much as I would like to create a book on it, but let me propose a few main ones. I used AI to assemble much of this, but I am familiar with most.

Since several of these are quite vague to be counted as Jesus-like, I specifically added a piece on virgin/miraculous birth as this is highly unique, and so less likely to be a coincidence, and also less likely to fit the claims of "wishful thinking" (e.g. "resurrection" to bring dead ancestors back to life might be construed by some as wishful thinking). Yes, some will go off on debates here, but that is not my point here.

Many of these I would not think they were tied in some direct way to the Jesus story, but to some degree, I include them as a way to be comprehensive and if I am wrong on a particular being, someone can correct me. And since I did not put them in order, you need to sift through them to find the gems. For example, Greece is pretty weak in general.

So, if most major religions have a "Christ-type" figure at their origins or somewhere along the way--then that's remarkable if you ask me. There are many more than these in my limited research, but these include most of the main ones to my knowledge. I am including others mentioned in the other responses here and will try to update it if anyone lets me know. Again, some of these have a very weak similarity, but I am including them for now as I will have to do original data mining to determine if the story is deeper.

In no particular order:

Africa

1. Osiris (Egyptian)
2. Horus (Egyptian)
3. Haile Selassie (Rastafari)
4. Eshu (Yoruba, West African)
5. Ogotemmeli (Dogon, West African)
6. Zalmoxis (Thracian/Dacian)

Asia

1. Tammuz (Mesopotamian)
2. Gilgamesh (Sumerian)
3. Yemo (Proto-Indo-European)
4. Mithras (Persian/Roman)
5. Saoshyant - Zoroaster / Zarathustra (Persian)
6. Melchizedek (Abrahamic)
7. Teacher of Righteousness (Dead Sea Scrolls)
8. Buddha / Bodhidharma (Indian)
9. Krishna (Hindu)
10. Mani (Indian)
11. Guru Nanak (Sikhism - Indian)
12. Izanagi (Japanese Shinto)
13. Amaterasu (Japanese Shinto)
14. Hwanung (Korean)
15. Yellow Emperor / Huangdi (Chinese)
16. Jizō (Mahayana Buddhism)
17. Laozi (Taoism)
18. The Jade Emperor (Chinese)

Europe

1. Dionysus (Greek)
2. Hercules (Greek/Roman)
3. Prometheus (Greek)
4. Orpheus (Greek)
5. Pythagoras (Greek)
6. Apollonius of Tyana (Greek)
7. Asclepius (Greek)
8. Attis (Phrygian)
9. Verethragna - (Zoroastrianism / Persian)
10. Baldr (Norse)
11. Lugh (Celtic)
12. Manannan mac Lir (Celtic)
13. Ara the Handsome (Armenian)

The Americas

1. Quetzalcoatl (Aztec)
2. Huitzilopochtli (Aztec)
3. Kukulkan (Maya)
4. Viracocha (Inca)
5. Maui (Polynesian)
6. Nanabozho (Ojibwe/Algonquin)
7. Hiawatha (Iroquois)

I provide a detailed view of each name on this Doc that I am working on:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhnf0gPzdtEgonoy9WF9kvg2GmaLHoNVxEz1k41ZUco/edit?tab=t.0

PLEASE make suggestions, additions, and corrections!!

What I already know about Sirens is that they're half-bird half woman, and lure in male sailors to their death with an irresistible melody. Of course, that's what they commonly say about them. Anything else I should know about?

Title. I know a few examples such as being turned into a god by another or being born as one in the first place, but besides those I’m wondering what other methods there are in mythology.

Hi! So I'm really interested in getting to know more Greek and Roman myths I've been passionate about classics for as long as I can remember but I just dont know many myths! Are there any websites that just have a big ol' list of myths for me to read about or a place where loads of myths are? Anything will help, thanks!!

So, I teach high school English and our admin asked us to share a survey course this year. Each of us got to choose what we wanted to teach and I chose mythology. The kids ALWAYS love it and regardless of my admin's snotty response, I know this is a legit choice.

That said, I would like to do something different than what I've done in the past. Usually I just focused on Greek mythology since we teach the Greek epics in the core classes. But this time, I would like to focus on a variety of cultures' myths. This is, more or less, how I've managed to break down what concepts I want to cover:

Unit 1: Introduction to Comparative Mythology

Days 1-2 Introduction

3-4 Creation

5-7 Destruction - The Flood

7-10 Heroes

11-12 Tricksters

13-14 Review and test

Unit 2: Myths of Transcendence and Transformation

Days 15-18 Afterlife/Underworld

19-21 Life and Rebirth

22-23 Enlightenment and Transcendence

24-27 Lovers

28 Test

Unit 3: Fairy Tales, Legends, and the Contemporary

29-30 Intro to fairy tales, legends (differences to myths)

31-33 Grimm’s fairy tales, etc

34-36 Legends - King Arthur, Rama and Sita, Bamboo Cutter, Maui/Pele

37-40 Modern - American urban legends (Supernatural episode?)

41 Test

Do you veterans have any suggestions I should use or adjustments I should make? Any specific myths or legends you love that would fit in these categories? I really don't like how tightly locked in I am with this timeline so if you have any suggestions on things that could be skipped or where I should place more emphasis, I would appreciate. I have, as you see, about 40-41 days.

I've always wanted to write fantasy. And by fantasy, I mean folk horror thinly disguised as sword and sorcerery. Naturally, I've become curious about the darker side of elves and fairies in folklore and mythology. Myths or tale that portray them as malicious or sinister. Big plus if they're said to look grotesque.

Elves, especially. A bit of Googling says one possible etymology of the word "eldritch" is the Middle English for "elf kingdom". Gave me the idea to put a weird (as in eerie or uncanny) spin on Tolkien or DnD elves. I haven't actually read Lord of the Rings, but I will get to it once I'm done with Cliver Barker's "Books of Blood".

Basically, I wanna put a horror spin on elves and fairies that's ground in mythology and folklore, preferably Norse/Germanic or Celtic. Primary and secondary sources will be appreciated.

So I'm making a personal story and I am interested in using mythical creatures from Celtic myth, also making a character named Lugh, I don't know which ones to use, would like a bit of information with them as well, (I've gotten Cu-Sith and Cat-Sith and Baobhan Sith if those three are part of Celtic myth) sorry if I've misspelled anything, can be well known or not well known, I don't mind.

I am making a drawing of Thruðr (Þrúþr) the valkyrie daughter of Thor and Sif. I got the design figured out sorta a mix of Thor and Sif’s traits such as Thor’s wild red hair, heterochromia of the hair causing some of Sif’s golden blonde hair to be mixed in there, muscular build because shes a Goddess of Strength (totally definitely not because I’m into muscular woman), 1 red eye and 1 blue eye, also some valkyrie traits such as tight chain mail armor and a swan feather cloak, pale skin (the only thing about her appearance is supported by mythology), etc

Im trying to figure out a pose, any suggestions?

I've recently learned that "Fae" isn't just used to describe "fairies" (again, unsure on the correct spelling...research leads me to believe the "ae" in place of "ai" is its more ancient spelling but isn't used as widely...but feel free to clarify that as well if it's incorrect lol) but instead is a blanket term for all mythological creatures of different cultures. So a banshee, a pixie, even a leprechaun, all are considered Fae beings. That being said, I came across a different reddit post with info that indicated "faeries" is the blanket term to refer to these beings as well. So...does that mean "faeries" or "fairies" aren't actually their own individual beings with specific powers and abilities? I hope this makes sense! I appreciate the help in advance. I'm writing a story about the Ghillie Dhu (of Scottish folklore) for funsies but I want to know the basics of the Fae in mythology before adding my own creative liberties.

I know next to nothing about these mythologies and i would love to learn more about them.

Sorry if this is asked often.

Matali, the driver of Indra's vimana, travels different worlds or realms of the universe in search of a husband for his daughter. Sage Narada accompanies him. A brief description of the worlds they visit and the beings that inhabit those worlds are given. Matali uses his mind to maneuver the vimana.

The king of the three worlds, Indra, had a cherished charioteer named Matali, who was blessed with a daughter renowned across the heavens for her extraordinary beauty. This daughter, graced with celestial charm and perfection of form, was named Gunakesi. In both elegance and physical grace, she surpassed all others of her kind.

When the time came for her marriage, Matali and his wife, Sudharma, grew anxious, pondering their next course of action. Deep in thought, Matali reflected:

"Alas! The birth of a daughter in noble and virtuous families, though a blessing, often brings great concern. A daughter’s marriage touches the honor of three households—her paternal home, her maternal kin, and the family she joins through marriage. I have searched the realms of gods and men but have yet to find a worthy match for my Gunakesi."

Despite looking among the gods, Daityas, Gandharvas, men, and sages, none seemed suitable. After consulting with Sudharma one night, Matali decided to seek a match in the world of the Nagas. Resolving that perhaps among the serpent kings there might be one worthy of his daughter, he bid farewell to his wife, gently kissed his daughter’s head, and descended into the nether regions in search of a fitting bridegroom.

As Matali made his way, he encountered the great sage Narada, who was traveling leisurely to visit Varuna, the god of the waters. Seeing Matali, Narada asked, “Where are you headed, O charioteer? Is this journey undertaken for your own purpose or at the command of Satakratu (Indra)?”

Matali respectfully informed Narada of his mission. After listening, Narada said, “Let us travel together. I am on my way to see Varuna, having left the heavens to explore the nether regions. Once we have searched thoroughly, we will choose a suitable bridegroom for your daughter.”

With that decision, the two illustrious figures—Matali and Narada—descended into the realms beneath the earth and soon arrived at Varuna’s abode. There, Narada received honors befitting a celestial sage, and Matali was welcomed with the same reverence accorded to Indra’s close companion. After explaining their purpose to Varuna and gaining his permission, they began their search among the Nagas.

Narada, familiar with all who dwelled in the nether world, began to describe them to Matali:

“You have seen Varuna surrounded by his sons and grandsons. Look around at his vast domain, filled with wealth and beauty. Varuna’s son, Pushkara, is renowned for his wisdom, virtue, and holiness. His eyes, like lotus petals, and his graceful form make him delightful to behold. He is married to Jyotsnakali, Soma’s daughter, a beauty akin to the goddess Sree. She had once chosen the foremost of Aditi’s sons as her lord but now resides here with Pushkara.

“Observe, Matali, that golden palace, filled with Varuni wine—the elixir that bestows godhood. These shining weapons you see belonged to the Daityas, now vanquished by the gods. These arms, imperishable and returning to their wielder when thrown, were taken as spoils of war and require immense mental energy to wield effectively.

“In ancient times, this realm was home to powerful tribes of Rakshasas and Daityas, armed with divine weapons. Yet, they too were defeated by the gods. Look at that blazing fire in Varuna’s lake and Vishnu’s radiant discus. There lies the mighty bow created to bring about cosmic destruction. Guarded vigilantly by the gods, it is from this bow that Arjuna’s famed Gandiva derives its name. It holds the strength of a hundred thousand bows and is used to punish wicked rulers with demonic tendencies.

“This formidable weapon, crafted by Brahma himself, was described by the great sage Sukra as a terror to kings. Endowed with immense power, it remains in the possession of Varuna’s sons. Behold the umbrella in Varuna’s chamber, which showers cool, refreshing rain like clouds. Though pure as moonlight, the water it releases is shrouded in darkness, invisible to all.

“This realm is filled with countless marvels, Matali, but lingering here will delay your mission. Let us continue our journey without further delay.”

With Narada’s guidance, they prepared to move forward in their quest.

Narada continued:

"In the heart of the Naga realm lies the city of Patalam, renowned throughout the universe and revered by the Daityas and Danavas. Creatures swept here by powerful currents tremble in fear, their cries echoing through the waters. Here burns the Asura-fire, fueled by water and blazing eternally. Bound by the will of the gods, it remains motionless, as though chained.

It was in this sacred place that the gods, after vanquishing their foes, drank the Amrita, leaving its remnants behind. From here, the waxing and waning of the moon are observed. The Horse-headed Vishnu, son of Aditi, rises here on auspicious occasions, filling the heavens with the sound of Vedic hymns. This region, known as Patala, earns its name because of the celestial waters—such as those of the moon—that shower blessings upon it.

Here, Airavata, the celestial elephant, draws cool water to nourish the clouds, which Indra releases as rain for the world. The waters teem with diverse aquatic creatures—Timis and others—who thrive on the moon’s rays. Some beings perish under the harsh sun but are revived each night by the moon’s soothing touch, its rays infused with Amrita.

Defeated and stripped of their power by Indra, many sinful Danavas live here, confined and tormented by Time. It was also in this sacred place that Mahadeva, the Lord of all creation, performed severe penances for the benefit of the universe. Many great Rishis, devoted to vows known as Go, reside here, emaciated from their austerities and sustained by the recitation of the Vedas. These sages, having mastered their breath and life forces, have ascended to the heavens through sheer discipline. The Go vow requires one to sleep wherever fate takes them, accept whatever food is given, and wear whatever clothing is provided.

Here, among the descendants of the mighty elephant Supratika, are the noble elephants Airavata, Vamana, Kumuda, and Anjana—the first being their king.

Observe, Matali, if there is anyone here of exceptional virtue and merit, worthy of your daughter’s hand. Let us seek such a suitor with respect and reverence.”

Narada then pointed to a radiant egg floating in the waters. “Behold that egg, glowing with beauty. It has existed since the dawn of creation, never moving or hatching. None knows its origin—neither father nor mother. It is said that when the world ends, a mighty fire will emerge from within it, consuming the three worlds and all living things.”

Hearing this, Matali replied, “None here seems suitable. Let us depart without further delay.”

Narada continued:

"Behold, Matali, the grand and illustrious Hiranyapura, the city of cities, crafted with unmatched skill by the divine architect Maya. This magnificent stronghold, hidden within Patala, is fortified with a hundred kinds of illusions, a sanctuary for the Daityas and Danavas who once obtained powerful boons from Brahma. Here, they thrive in defiance of the gods, impervious to the might of Indra, Yama, Varuna, or Kuvera.

Within these boundaries dwell the formidable Kalakhanjas, born of Vishnu, and the fearsome Yatudhanas, sprung from Brahma’s feet. Their sharp fangs, terrifying speed, and prowess—fueled by illusion—make them a force to be reckoned with. Among them are the Nivatakavachas, warriors invincible in battle, whom even mighty Indra has failed to subdue. Recall, Matali, the many times you, alongside your son Gomukha and Lord Indra himself, were forced to retreat before their might.

Behold their glittering abodes, constructed from silver and gold, adorned with intricate designs and shimmering with the glow of lapis lazuli, coral, and gems like Vajrasara. The brilliance of these mansions rivals the sun, fire, and radiant jewels such as Padmaragas. Each palace stands tall, majestic, and resplendent, their architectural beauty surpassing description. These dwellings are not just shelters but masterpieces of unparalleled artistry.

Observe their luxurious retreats, their opulent beds, and the exquisite vessels encrusted with precious stones. Gaze upon their cloud-like hills, fountains that spring to life, and enchanted trees that yield any fruit or flower desired. Everything here exudes grandeur and wonder.

Search among these realms, Matali, for a worthy bridegroom, if any may be found. Should none please you, we can depart for other regions, exploring the world anew."

Matali replied:

"O celestial sage, it is not fitting for me to forge alliances with the enemies of the gods. The Devas and Danavas, though born of the same lineage, have always stood in enmity. How then can I, a servant of the heavens, form ties with those who oppose us? Let us journey elsewhere, for I cannot consider the Danavas. As for you, Narada, I know well your fondness for stirring conflicts."

Narada spoke:

“This realm, Matali, is home to a noble race of birds, each adorned with splendid feathers and unparalleled strength. They subsist on serpents and are tireless in their feats of prowess, whether in flight, journeys, or bearing burdens. These magnificent beings are descended from the six illustrious sons of Garuda—Sumukha, Sunaman, Sunetra, Suvarchas, Suanch, and Suvala, the prince among birds.

Born of Kasyapa’s lineage and elevating the glory of Vinata’s race, these winged creatures have founded countless noble dynasties, multiplying and spreading their legacy far and wide. Their lineage is marked by prosperity, adorned with the sacred symbol of Sreevatsa, and blessed with immense strength and fortune. Their actions reflect the valor of Kshatriyas, though they are without compassion, living as they do by preying on serpents, their kin. Because of this, they remain distant from spiritual enlightenment.

Listen, Matali, as I name the leaders among them, each distinguished by might, renown, and deeds. This race holds a place of reverence, favored by Vishnu himself. They worship him, and he is their protector and refuge, dwelling always in their hearts.

Among their number are Suvarnachuda, Nagasin, Daruna, Chandatundaka, Anala, Vaisalaksha, Kundalin, Pankajit, Vajraviskambha, Vainateya, Vamana, Vatavega, Disachakshu, Nimisha, Animisha, Trirava, Saptarava, Valmiki, Dipaka, Daityadwipa, Saridwipa, Sarasa, Padmaketana, Sumukha, Chitraketu, Chitravara, Anagha, Meshahrit, Kumuda, Daksha, Sarpanta, Somabhojana, Gurubhara, Kapota, Suryanetra, Chirantaka, Vishnudharman, Kumara, Parivarha, Hari, Suswara, Madhuparka, Hemavarna, Malaya, Matariswan, Nisakara, and Divakara.

These, Matali, are only the leaders dwelling in a single province of this vast realm. If none among them is suitable to you, let us move on. I shall guide you to another region, where perhaps a fitting husband for your daughter may be found.”

Narada spoke:

“This realm, Matali, is known as Rasatala, the seventh stratum beneath the earth. Here resides Surabhi, the divine mother of all cows, born from the nectar of immortality. Her milk, rich and pure, contains the essence of the finest flavors, blending the six tastes into one perfect harmony. In ancient times, she emerged from the mouth of the Grandsire, gratified by the nectar and bestowing the earth’s most sacred treasures.

A single stream of her milk, touching the earth, gave birth to the sacred Milky Ocean, its surface adorned with white foam like garlands of blossoms. Around this ocean dwell the revered ascetics known as the Foam-Drinkers, sustained solely by its foam. Engaged in profound austerities, these sages inspire awe, even among the gods themselves.

From Surabhi were born four celestial cows, each upholding one of the four quarters of the universe. Known as the Dikpalinis, they are the guardians of the directions:

Surupa, supporting the eastern quarter,

Hansika, presiding over the south,

Subhadra, sustaining the west under Varuna’s rule,

Sarva-kamadugha, the wish-fulfilling cow of the virtuous northern quarter, governed by Kuvera, the Lord of Treasures.

When gods and Asuras, united in their efforts, churned the ocean with Mount Mandara as their churning rod, they brought forth the divine nectar Amrita, the goddess Lakshmi, the intoxicating Varuni, the celestial horse Uchchhaisrava, and the radiant jewel Kaustubha. The milk of these four sacred cows infused the ocean, enriching it with their divine essence.

Surabhi’s milk transforms according to the needs of those who partake of it: it becomes Swaha for those offering oblations, Swadha for ancestral rites, and Amrita for the immortals.

Even today, scholars recall the ancient couplet sung by the sages of Rasatala:

“Neither in the realm of the Nagas, nor in heaven, nor among celestial palaces, nor even in Tripishtapa, is life as blissful as in Rasatala.”

Such is the glory of this hidden world, Matali.”

Narada spoke:

“This splendid city before you, Matali, rivals Amaravati itself, the abode of Indra. Known as Bhogavati, it is ruled by Vasuki, the king of the Nagas. Here dwells the mighty Shesha, whose supreme austerities enable him to bear the weight of the entire earth. His body, vast and white as a mountain, is adorned with celestial jewels. He possesses a thousand heads, each tongue blazing like fire, embodying immense power.

In this realm, countless Nagas, the sons of Surasa, thrive in prosperity. They assume diverse forms and wear intricate ornaments inlaid with gems, Swastikas, and sacred symbols. Fierce by nature and formidable in strength, they range from serpents with a thousand heads to those with five or even two. Their colossal bodies stretch across the earth like mountain ranges, and their numbers are beyond reckoning.

Yet, I shall name a few of the most renowned among them: Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kaliya, Nahusha, Aswatara, Vakyakunda, and Mani. Others include Elapatra, Airavata, Nanda, Upananda, Kumuda, and Sankha-sirsha, alongside many more noble descendants of Kasyapa. Each is revered for their might and lineage.

Look around, Matali, and see if anyone here seems suitable.”

Kanwa continued:

As Narada finished, Matali's gaze lingered on a radiant young Naga standing near Aryaka, a venerable elder of Kauravya’s line. With admiration in his voice, Matali asked, “Who is this luminous youth? What noble lineage does he come from? Who are his parents? His poise, patience, and beauty captivate my heart. He would make an ideal husband for my daughter, Gunakesi.”

Narada, pleased by Matali's interest, responded, “That youth is Sumukha, born of the illustrious line of Airavata. He is Aryaka’s cherished grandson and the son of Chikura, who was slain by Garuda not long ago. Sumukha’s maternal grandfather is Vamana, further enhancing his noble heritage.”

Hearing this, Matali’s delight deepened. Turning to Narada, he said eagerly, “This noble Naga is perfect. Secure him as my son-in-law, O sage, for I am greatly pleased at the thought of giving my beloved daughter to him.”

Narada spoke:

“This noble charioteer you see before you, Matali, is a dear friend of Sakra, the chief of the gods. His character is pure, his disposition virtuous, and he possesses a wealth of remarkable qualities. Endowed with strength of mind, boundless energy, and immense might, Matali serves not only as Sakra’s trusted charioteer but also as his friend and counselor. In every battle between the gods and the Asuras, Matali’s prowess is second only to Vasava’s, and it is he who, through his mastery over Indra’s chariot, guides the mighty vehicle with a thousand steeds. With his deft handling of the reins, Matali ensures the defeat of the Asuras, paving the way for Indra’s victory.

Matali has a daughter, Gunakesi, renowned for her beauty, virtue, and all accomplishments, whose equal cannot be found in the world. In search of a worthy bridegroom, Matali has traversed the three realms. Now, he has chosen your grandson, Sumukha, as a suitor for her. If this proposal pleases you, O great serpent, I urge you to give your consent. Let Gunakesi, as Lakshmi graces the household of Vishnu or Swaha adorns Agni’s, become the beloved wife of your grandson. Though Sumukha has lost his father, it is his virtues, nobility, and noble lineage from Airavata that have made him acceptable to Matali. It is in recognition of Sumukha’s merits—his purity, self-restraint, and noble qualities—that Matali desires him for his daughter. I therefore ask you, Aryaka, to honor Matali’s choice and grant your approval.”

Kanwa continued:

Upon hearing Narada’s words, Aryaka, though filled with delight at the thought of his grandson’s union with Gunakesi, was also overcome with sorrow. He remembered the death of his son at the hands of Garuda, and the words of Vinata’s son that had cast a shadow over his joy. Aryaka spoke, his voice tinged with both grief and hesitation:

“O celestial sage, how can I accept Gunakesi for my grandson, when the very source of this alliance is fraught with uncertainty? Indeed, your words are worthy of great honor, for who would not desire an alliance with the friend of Indra? Yet, there lingers in my heart the weight of dread. My son’s death at the hands of Garuda still pains us deeply, and worse still, Vinata’s son, before leaving these realms, declared, ‘In a month, I shall devour Sumukha as well.’ We know well the might of Garuda, and so, at his words, our hearts are filled with sorrow and trepidation.”

Kanwa continued:

Matali, seeing Aryaka’s concern, spoke with resolve:

“I have a plan. Let this noble grandson of yours, Sumukha, accompany me, along with Narada, to the presence of Sakra, the Lord of Heaven. There, I shall do my utmost to prevent Garuda from carrying out his threat. Should it be necessary, we will also inquire into the span of Sumukha’s life to ensure his safety. Come, O best of Nagas, let Sumukha join us as we approach the Lord of the Celestials.”

With that, they took Sumukha, and the four—Matali, Narada, Aryaka, and Sumukha—traveled to the heavenly realms. There, in all his glory, they beheld Sakra seated upon his throne. At that moment, Vishnu, the four-armed Lord, was also present.

Narada recounted the entire story to Sakra, explaining Matali’s desire for the union of Sumukha and his daughter.

Kanwa continued:

Hearing Narada’s tale, Vishnu turned to Sakra and spoke:

“Let Amrita be granted to this youth, and let him be made immortal, as the gods are. Through my grace, let Matali, Narada, and Sumukha all find their hearts’ desire fulfilled.”

However, Sakra, mindful of Garuda’s power, reflected for a moment and then spoke:

“Let Amrita be bestowed upon him, but not by me.”

Vishnu replied, “You are the Lord of all beings, O Sakra. Who would refuse a gift offered by you?”

Thus, Sakra granted Sumukha a boon, bestowing upon him length of life, but refraining from granting him immortality. With this blessing, Sumukha’s face beamed with joy. Having won Matali’s daughter, he returned home with happiness in his heart.

Narada and Aryaka, their mission fulfilled, were overjoyed by the success of their endeavor. After paying their respects to the glorious chief of the gods, they departed, content in the knowledge that their quest had been successful.

Hello I'm looking for suggestions/information on any mythological goddesses that symbolise power, healing or strength.

I am currently interested in Sumerian Mythology in general, and in particular Ishtar and her role in the god pantheon (such as power, symbol, etc...). So I would like to ask what books go into the role and image of Ishtar? Like talk about how important she is, compare to other Anunnaki. And some Sumerian Mythology books to start with.

Furthermore, I read "Enki and the World Order" on ETCSL, and the last paragraph about Ishtar's privilege that Enki explains is omitted (because of missing tablets?). Are there any other sources that talk more fully about her role in this story?

What I mean is religious prophecies that state certain things that will be true of a certain person.

I’m looking for as many as possible for this

I am writing a paper about how different psychopomps/representations of death showcased how their culture viewed death and one of them is Thanatos. From most sources I am seeing that he was represented gentle death but showed no mercy. I’m having trouble finding literature that depicts Thanatos besides Hesiod’s Theogony in which he is described as hateful. Basically what I am asking for is any ancient texts (prior to 1650) that feature him for me to analyze.

Sorry if I got anything wrong here; I’m having a hard time researching this

Do you believe in the Anunnaki?

Hey guys,
Do you believe in the Anunnaki**? I've been reading about them—these ancient 'gods' who supposedly came from the sky. Honestly, it's wild to think about.

What do you think? Myth or something more?

• Ancient aliens?
• Lost mythology?
• Pure fantasy?

I ask as someone who knows it’s a longer book but also wants to check it out as I know it’s widely regarded as a classic and massively influential to Chinese culture

I'm in the early brainstorming phases of making a plot for a tabletop RPG I'm going to play with friends (Sentinel Comics, if you're wondering!) and I had a cool idea to have the villain be some kind of evil mask.

I've also got a few ideas about having some Greek Gods showing up as heroes in some way, and wanted to mesh the ideas.

Does anyone know about any Greek myths that involve spooky, cursed masks? (Maybe not really spooky or cursed, I'm just looking for a mask-centric story)

Plenty of gods and mythological heroes were seen as heroic and good in their time and to their culture, but come across much worse to us. I wonder if there are examples of the inverse being true.

I had an idea for a game that involves some of the most prominent icons of death/the dead. So far it have Anubis, Hel, Lucifer, Charon, Grim Reaper, Izanami, and Hades. Does anyone know of any other beings i could include. Any and all mythologies are welcome. If possible a little bit about the myths of the beings you can think of would be helpful. Thanks in advanced.

I'm looking to name a 3D printer, but want to give it a cool name. It's to actually distinguish it on a program, not just I'm sentimental or whatever.

The problem is that most mythologic figures are the famous portion and their workshops are just named after them. Brokk and Sindri, Aulë, Hephaestus, etc. Mount Etna/Aetna exists but it's the name of a health insurance company. Niðavellir is just the realm of the dwarves, not the forge.

What would be a cool name for a 3D printer based off of mythology?

If you know something about it please share bibliography for justify sources.