- Vikings- Brutal, pessimistic people of Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
- Ginnungagap- dark void
- Nifleheim- land of fog and ice
- Muspellheim- land of fire
- Yggdrasil- the world of ash tree
- Asgard- home of the gods
- Midgard- land of man
- Hel- home of the dead, and goddess of the dead
- Bifrost Bridge- divine bridge link between humans and Gods
- Ymir- evil giant
- Odin- god of the gods and man
- Frigg- wife of Odin and spinner of clouds
- The Valkyries- daughters of Odin and choosers of the slain
- The Norns- fate maidens
- Thor- strongest son of Odin
- Balder- beloved son
- Njord- patron of sailors
- Frey- god of fertility and sun
- Freya- goddess of fertility and love
- Idunn- goddess of youth and protector of the golden apples
- Loki- son of the giants, the trickster
- Fenrir- wolf destroyer
- Jormungandr- world serpent
- Ragnarok- doomsday or final battle
- Runes- the language of Norse people
Monday, December 1, 2008
Norse Vocab
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Native American Myth
There once was an older couple who had an only daughter. As soon as she was old enough she was being courted by the men in the village but she preferred the single life over any man. During this time in her life she fell ill and many medicine men tried to help her. As a result of her illness she died after two weeks and her body was taken several miles from camp. Although it had been a year after her death her parents still mourned her and friends and family encouraged them to move past their loss. Meanwhile a hunter and his wife were walking through the forest and noticed a stream of water coming out of the side of a bank located next to the girls scaffold. That night the hunter and his wife camped there by the dead girls scaffold. Immediately after setting up camp the dogs began to bark there was the figure of a girl coming over to them from the scaffold so they offered her food and a bed. In fact on the third night she came to visit them she was breathing so the hunter got some roots, skunk oil and vermilion and told her his wife could rub it on her and it would put new life in to her skin. They began to travel back to her village where she saw her parents again and her parents were so happy to have her back. Afterward she married the hunter and became his second wife. However soon after they were married the hunter died in a war party. A year after her husband’s death she married again. The new husband was also killed by enemies as was the third. After that the girl never married again and the men feared her. She spent much of her life after that as a doctor but fell into a sleep and never woke again.
Citation:
"The Resuscitation of the Only Daughter.” Native American Lore Index Page. Stone E Producktions, 1996. 7 November 2008..
Citation:
"The Resuscitation of the Only Daughter.” Native American Lore Index Page. Stone E Producktions, 1996. 7 November 2008.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Hero Quest
Hero- is unique and brings a gift back or is the founder of something new. The hero is imperfect and has a major flaw but continues to inspire others.
Universal/Unique-Representative of every man with a special characteristic that sets him apart from the rest.
Major Flaw- Every hero is special but not perfect all have a major flaw of some sort.
Call to Adventure- The hero is given a goal or an assignment to complete.
Initiation- Is when the hero enters a new and unfamiliar world.
Journey- Their journey would be their trials and obstacles they will face in order to complete their goals.
Companions and Friends- Are any sidekicks or partners the hero may have with them along the way that help them complete their task.
Supernatural Guides- Give the hero weapons or charms and often provide information to the hero.
Ultimate Battle- Is the final test the hero must complete in order to complete their goal.
Transformation- Alters the hero in some way, shape, or form.
Death and Rebirth- Means that when the old leaves the new comes.
Boon- Is the gift or the reward that the hero brings back with him from the journey.
Universal/Unique-Representative of every man with a special characteristic that sets him apart from the rest.
Major Flaw- Every hero is special but not perfect all have a major flaw of some sort.
Call to Adventure- The hero is given a goal or an assignment to complete.
Initiation- Is when the hero enters a new and unfamiliar world.
Journey- Their journey would be their trials and obstacles they will face in order to complete their goals.
Companions and Friends- Are any sidekicks or partners the hero may have with them along the way that help them complete their task.
Supernatural Guides- Give the hero weapons or charms and often provide information to the hero.
Ultimate Battle- Is the final test the hero must complete in order to complete their goal.
Transformation- Alters the hero in some way, shape, or form.
Death and Rebirth- Means that when the old leaves the new comes.
Boon- Is the gift or the reward that the hero brings back with him from the journey.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Definitions
A myth is a story of how or why something is the way it is. It can be true or false and is based on religion and the elements an example of a myth is Pandora's Box which explains why we have bad things in the world.
The hero is the founder of something new and is unique and always has a major flaw. They also bring a gift back with them an example of a hero is Hercules who saves many but also holds a major flaw which is his temper.
The hero journey Includes an initiation, a boon, and a point of rebirth. Every hero myth has a hero journey.
The hero is the founder of something new and is unique and always has a major flaw. They also bring a gift back with them an example of a hero is Hercules who saves many but also holds a major flaw which is his temper.
The hero journey Includes an initiation, a boon, and a point of rebirth. Every hero myth has a hero journey.
Universal is known by all, "One size fits all." Stories of creation are universally known every culture has their own story but the idea of creation is all the same.
The archetype is an original model such as the ideas of the egg, the void, or water. For example, the Chinese myth explains how their world was created by the splitting of an egg.
Cyclical is a rotation and a recurring cycle. The hero journey is very cyclical because it is repetitive and keeps rotating.
Duality is the separation from the whole making opposite doubles. In Greek myths there are the heavens and the underworld which is a perfect example of Duality.
Creation is the beginning of life such as the egg, the void or water. The Egyptian myths describe the dark swirling chaos that existed before creation.
In life from death, death brings life. In the Chinese myth Pan Gu's death results in the creation of the world.
Matriarchal means mother rules and the foundation of female power such as mother earth. Greek mythology can be considered matriarchal because Rhea outsmarts Krono and sets her children free they then become the gods and goddesses of the world.
Patriarchal means father rules and the foundation of male power such as father sky. The Egyptian culture is very Patriarchal their creator is the God Nu.
Sacrifice means that something is being given up for the greater good. Prometheus sacrifices his life to give the humans fire.
The archetype is an original model such as the ideas of the egg, the void, or water. For example, the Chinese myth explains how their world was created by the splitting of an egg.
Cyclical is a rotation and a recurring cycle. The hero journey is very cyclical because it is repetitive and keeps rotating.
Duality is the separation from the whole making opposite doubles. In Greek myths there are the heavens and the underworld which is a perfect example of Duality.
Creation is the beginning of life such as the egg, the void or water. The Egyptian myths describe the dark swirling chaos that existed before creation.
In life from death, death brings life. In the Chinese myth Pan Gu's death results in the creation of the world.
Matriarchal means mother rules and the foundation of female power such as mother earth. Greek mythology can be considered matriarchal because Rhea outsmarts Krono and sets her children free they then become the gods and goddesses of the world.
Patriarchal means father rules and the foundation of male power such as father sky. The Egyptian culture is very Patriarchal their creator is the God Nu.
Sacrifice means that something is being given up for the greater good. Prometheus sacrifices his life to give the humans fire.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Interpretation Essay
There are three levels of interpretation that are important to consider when analyzing a myth. The first is the natural level that explains things such as seasons. The second is the social or community level and the last is a psychological level that is the most personal. They are all very important because it helps the reader better understand the myths they are reading and relate to them. In the myth of Demeter and Persephone these three levels are particularly helpful in understanding why we have the seasons that we do.
Demeter is the goddess of the corn and agriculture her daughter is Persephone. On a natural level she is in charge of the seasons and food for the people of earth. But on a social level she is much more than that she is a loving mother and a Queen and she lets the plants grow so people can farm. But even deeper than that she is a mother with a daughter who has suffered great amounts of grief and loss, which results in her harshness every winter when the land turns baron and nothing, grows. Persephone’s situation is somewhat similar.
Globally Persephone is associated with spring, growth and beginnings. Socially she is an only daughter, a princess, and a symbol of innocence virginity and purity. But on a more personal level she is finding her own way in the world and gaining experience as well as her own personal freedom. One could even say she is gaining respect for herself and even some self esteem. Hades may be a fit husband for Persephone after all.
King of the underworld, Hades is known worldwide for his wealth and for ultimately collecting the souls of the dead. Socially he is a brother and he is evil and he is King. He is a mystery to many yet a perfect husband figure. Personally maybe his taking of Persephone can be blamed on his need to fill the lonely space in his heart and by his side.
This myth is important because it helps us to understand the bond between a mother and a daughter, a wife and a husband. Maybe you as well can begin to look at your myths in these ways so instead of just fantasy stories you have an actual piece of literature that you can relate to.
Demeter is the goddess of the corn and agriculture her daughter is Persephone. On a natural level she is in charge of the seasons and food for the people of earth. But on a social level she is much more than that she is a loving mother and a Queen and she lets the plants grow so people can farm. But even deeper than that she is a mother with a daughter who has suffered great amounts of grief and loss, which results in her harshness every winter when the land turns baron and nothing, grows. Persephone’s situation is somewhat similar.
Globally Persephone is associated with spring, growth and beginnings. Socially she is an only daughter, a princess, and a symbol of innocence virginity and purity. But on a more personal level she is finding her own way in the world and gaining experience as well as her own personal freedom. One could even say she is gaining respect for herself and even some self esteem. Hades may be a fit husband for Persephone after all.
King of the underworld, Hades is known worldwide for his wealth and for ultimately collecting the souls of the dead. Socially he is a brother and he is evil and he is King. He is a mystery to many yet a perfect husband figure. Personally maybe his taking of Persephone can be blamed on his need to fill the lonely space in his heart and by his side.
This myth is important because it helps us to understand the bond between a mother and a daughter, a wife and a husband. Maybe you as well can begin to look at your myths in these ways so instead of just fantasy stories you have an actual piece of literature that you can relate to.
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