N is for Norse

This post is about the mythology, for the historical and cultural information, check out the post about the Danes.

Befitting their culture, the Norse have one of the most gruesome creation myths that I have personally come across. They believed that in the beginning, there were two worlds, Muspelheim and Niflheim, the first of fire and the second of ice. The air of the two worlds collided eventually collided and Ymir and the cow Audhumia were created.  The gods sprang forth from the sweat of Ymir and the saliva of the cow. When the gods were strong and plentiful enough, they killed Ymir, and his blood flooded the world (another blood flood myth), killing most of the gods. They then created seven more worlds using his flesh, blood, and bones.

The nine worlds of the Norse existed on an immense tree, called Yggdrasill. A gigantic, vicious dragon is said to chew on its roots. The nine worlds, while never mentioned in one source together, are Asgard, Vanaheimer, Alfheimer, Midgard (our world), Jotunheimer, Niovellir, Muspell, Neflher, and Hel. Asgard can be reached by a rainbow bridge called Bifrost. Hel was where the dead who did not die in valor went. It was ruled over by the giantess, Hel. The heroes, and those who did die with valor went to either Valhalla or Folkvangr, both in Asgard. Valhalla was a great hall belonging to the god Odin, and Folkvrangr belonged to Freyja. Once there, the heroes prepare to help Odin when Ragnarok comes.

The Ride of the Valkyries by John Charles Dollman.

A Valkyrie is mythical woman who decided who decided who fell in battle. They would guide the fallen to the halls of Valhalla. They were also sometimes associated with ravens.

The god Loki was a trickster shapeshifter, and is the father of various Norse mythological creatures, includinf Hel, Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Sleipnir (and horse similar to the Korean Chollima).  When he killed the god Baldr, the gods bound Loki with the entrails of his son. He is also said to play a major part in Ragnarok.

Thor battling the World Serpent by Henry Fuseli.

Jormungandr is a giant serpent that encircles Midgard (the earth). He is also known as the World Serpent. Jormungandr fought Thor twice, and is prophesied to fight him a third time during Ragnarok.

Ragnarok is a series of events that will culminate with the death of many important Norse deities, and the submersion of the world. Eventually, the world will arise renewed and will be repopulated by the surviving gods and humans.

Book recommendations for reading challeges:

Fantasy                                                                                             Sci-fi

 

M is for Mongols

Genghis Khan

Under Genghis Khan, the Mongol empire was ethnically, culturally, and religiously diverse. Genghis allowed religious freedom, and even gave tax exemptions for religious figures, teachers and doctors. To the Mongols, religion was a personal concept. They did not believe the law should interfere.

Genghis however, was responsible for the deaths of over 40 million people. He and his descendants conquered much of Asia (including the Middle East) and western Europe; More than any other empire in history. He was reputed to be a merciless ruler, often killing the sons of the captured cities. Despite this, he was extremely shrewd and intelligent, often surrounding himself with teachers and religious figures of many cultures. He also untied all of the Mongolian confederations.

Genghis created a secret code of law called the Yassa. Not much is known about it, other than it was the principal law of the Mongolian people. The documents were kept secret and were only read by the royal family. No copies remain (or have at least been found) today. The most common form of punishment was death, even for small things.

Quite a gruesome legend surrounds Genghis’ death. It is said that a Tangut princess that he had captured in war hid a pair of pliers in her vagina and basically castrated him. He died of the pain, and probably blood-loss. Yes, you read that right.

His grandson, Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty, and became the first non-Chinese emperor of China.

Mandukhai

The Mongols even had an empress of great power, who reunited the Mongol confederations. After the death of her husband, Mandull Khan, Mandukhani Khatan became adopted and regent over the seven year old Batmunkh. The boy was a direct descendant of Genghis and part of the Golden Horde. When he was old enough to rule, she married him. Manukhani was a fierce warrior and tactician, even leading a battle against the Oirats while pregnant with twins. She won that battle, btw.

The Mongols practiced Shamanism. A shaman is a person who is the intermediary between the physical and spiritual worlds. They were the healers and wise (wo)men of their communities. In many cultures, Shamans were two natured (transgendered), especially in Native American cultures. Two natured spirits were said to be more powerful, and were therefore greatly sought after.

 

Book recommendations for reading challenges:

Fantasy                                                                                                                          Sci-fi

L is for Lakota

The Lakota are one of the seven Sioux tribes in the Dakotas.

The Lakota believe they are descended from the eagle, who is the wisest bird. They also have their own flood creation myth, where the water monster, Unktehi fought the humans and won, causing a great flood. Only one girl survived. An eagle, named Wanblee Galesha, saved her and brought her back to his home on a high spire. Back then, humans and animals shared a closer connection, so the bird was able to take her as his wife. She bore him twins, a girl and a boy, and when the waters receded, they came down to earth, married, had children, and created the Lakota nation.

Chief Sitting Bull in 1882

They also believe that Pipestone was created from the congealed blood of all the people who had died in the flood. Therefore, their pipes (made from Pipestone) is sacred because it is the flesh and blood of their ancestors.

Sitting bull was a famous Lakota chief who played a prominent role in the Great Sioux War. He fought in the battle of Little Big Horn, where he defeated Lt. Col. Custer. 

Book recommendations for Reading challenges:

Fantasy                                                                                         Sci-fi

K is for Korea

Korea is considered to be one of the oldest countries in the world. Ancient Korea was split into Three kingdoms, The Silla, Goguryeo, and Bakje. In the 7th century AD, the Silla conqured the other two kingdoms, uniting Korea into one kingdom.

Moon goddess of Goguryeo

Korean mythology (much like Japanese mythology) believed that everything in nature had a spirit residing in it. People would offer tributes and sacrifices to assaude the spirits from causing harm.

The moon (Haesik) and the sun (Daesun) are brother in sister. In folklore, their mother was a poor rice cake seller who got tricked into giving all her rice cakes away by a tiger. When she had run out, the tiger became angry with her and ate her. Disguising himself as her, he went to her house, and tried to trick Haesik and Daesun to open the door so he could eat them too. Daesun prayed to the heavens for a strong rope to save them, or a rotted one if they were dammed. A strong  robe was sent down and the siblings climbed it to the heavens where Haesik became the sun, and Daesun the moon. Later, they switched places because Daesun was afraid of the dark.

The Chollima is a winged mythical horse, much like the pegasus. It is often depicted as having eight legs. In legend, the Chollima was too fast for any mortal man to catch, therefore ride.

Koreans also have their own version of a Kitsune, a Gumiho. However, in these legends, the Gumiho would transform into a beautiful girl who would seduce men so that she could eat thier livers. They are also capable of casting powerful curses and illusions. Another differentiation from the other legends is that a fox would become a Gumiho after living for a thousand years. A fox that is over a hundred years old is called a Bulyeowoo.

A Dokkaebi is a Korean goblin that is sometimes evil, but aso mischevious. They are the transformed spirits of inanimate objects, and are gruesome to look upon. Some tales say that they have a cap that will make the wearer invisible. They will usually torment bad people and reward good people.

Book recommendations for reading challenges:

Fantasy                                                      Sci-fi

J is for Japan

Japan has the oldest surviving hereditary monarchy in the world, stretching back 2600 years. The first emperor of Japan, Jimmu is legendary, and may or may not have actually existed. It is said that he is the descendant of the sun goddess, Amaterasu.The Shogunate were the military might in Japan for nearly 700 years. The Shoguns were hereditary military dictators and de facto rulers. The emperor during this time acted more as a figurehead. The Shogunate fell apart during the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century, where the emperor was returned to absolute power.

One of the most famous Shogun, Oda Nobunaga, sought to unify Japan under the Shogunate. He managed to conquer a third of Japan before he was murdered by one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide. His successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi was able to complete what Nobunaga started.

Miyamoto Musashi

Samurai are elite imperial warriors that protected the nobility. A samurai warrior without a patron was called a Ronin. They usually wandered the countryside looking for work and sometimes causing trouble as a bored man with is sword is sometimes like to do.

Japanese Samurai believed heavily in honor, and had their own code, called Bushido, or “Way of the Warrior-Knight”. Part of this code states that if a samurai was captured by the enemy, it was more honorable to commit suicide, or Seppuku than to be killed or tortured. Seppuku was a ritualistic suicide where the Samurai would disembowel himself with a Tanto (a small knife used for this purpose). Seppuku was also sometimes used as a form of capital punishment.

Shinju is where two lovers would commit suicide together (a la Romeo and Juliet). Usually due to social circumstances where they were not allowed to be together.

Nine tailed Kitsune with a woman.

Kitsune are a popular creature in Japanese mythology. Kitsune are foxes and are often depicted as intelligent, magical foxes that are able to take the form of humans. It it said that they grow a tail for every hundred years they are alive, and can have up to nine. There are two types of Kitsune, Inari foxes, which are “good” and often associated with the god Inari, and Yako foxes, which are tricksy and can be cruel. There are many tales of men marrying kitsune. They are most often portrayed as female, but can be both sexes.

For many years, rice was the currency in Japan.

 

Book recommendation for reading challenges:

Fantasy                                                Sci-fi

I is for India

Buddha

India has a long and vibrant history. I could probably write a post every day for a year and not cover everything. It is the birthplace of four major religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. India is also one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with the Indus River Valley being the birthplace of the Indo-European cultures.

Hinduism is considered to be the oldest religion in the world, stretching back over 5000 years, and has over a million gods, some of which have many incarnations.

Statue of Avatar Krishna

An avatar is an incarnation of a god; most often the god Vishnu. Avatars descend to earth to bring Dharma, or righteousness back to the earth. Two of the most popular avatars are Krishna and Rama. Both were avatars of the god Vishnu.

Karma is the belief that every action has a reaction. It is believed that your actions in this life will affect the actions in the next. I am vastly understating this, but that is the basic concept.

Ganesha is the most widely worshiped god in Hinduism. He is often depicted with an elephant head  and four arms. One of the legends behind his appearance says that the god Shiva beheaded Ganesha when he came between him and the goddess Parvati, and replaced it with that of an elephant.

Kali is the goddess of time and change. She is also considered “The Redeemer of the Universe”. She is most often depicted as violent and bloodthirsty. She is also largely depicted as a demon slayer. Other, more recent accounts see her as  more benevolent sort of  ‘mother goddess’.

The Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum by the emperor Shah Jahan for his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. Her death had caused him so much grief (she died in giving birth to their 14th! child) that he wanted to create something beautiful in her memory.

Once again, I am posting a John Green video, this one about Buddha and Ashoka the Great.

Books for reading challenges:

Fantasy                                                                                                        Sci-fi

H is for Huns

I’m back! Kinda.

To catch up, I’m going to do two posts a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Yay, double me!

So, the Huns. The Huns were a nomadic people in the 4th through the 6th centuries. Not much is known about where they came from, as there are many conflicting theories. Some scholars believe they orginated on Mongolia, others from around Turkey or Russia. The general consenus is that they were a nomadic confederacy comprised of many cultures.

The Huns practiced artifical cranial deformation, which is as terrible as it sounds. It’s similar to Chinese foot binding, where an infants head would be reformed by applying pressure. The heads were either rounded (Coneheads!) or flattened using pieces of wood or a cloth.

The Huns would also scar a child’s face to prevent facial hair in adulthood to impress the ladies. I don’t know if they actually did it for that reason, but why else would you inflict bodily harm to change your appearance, if it wasn’t to impress someone? I probably just opened up a moral can of worms…

Anyways, Attila the Hun originally ruled alongside his brother, Bleda. However, they each controlled their own territories. Together, they were bloodthirsty and ambitious, forcing the Romans into signing a treaty in which the Romans would allow the Huns to trade in addition to giving them annual tributes. When the Romans failed to pay tribute, the Huns attacked, and decimated the already weakened Roman Empire. And again, when the Romans failed to pay up for a second time. After Bleda’s death, the Hunnic empire was unified under Attila, but fell apart after his death.

Some theorize that they were one of the causes of the fall of Rome. Other sources credit the Germanic tribes. It was probably a bunch of unrelated factors.

Book for reading challenges:

   Fantasy                                                                                            Sci-fi

Due to Technical Difficulties…

I am taking a reluctant break from the A to Z challenge.

However, once I’m up and running again, I do plan on continuing the posts. Mostly because I enjoy doing them (and all the research). Who knows, maybe I’ll add more cultures?

G is for Greeks

Ah, the Greeks. Such a long, tumultuous history. From their epic battles, larger than life heroes, and moody gods, they made sure they would be remembered for a long time to come.

The early Mycenaean Greeks of the bronze age were greatly influenced by the Minoans of Crete, and actually thank their rise to the fall of the Minoans. Bronze age Greece were divided up into city-states such as Mycenae, Sparta, Ithaca, Thebes, and Pylos. the Mycenaeans were ruled by a warrior aristocracy, and benefited through conquest.

Sculpture of Poseidon in Copenhagen, Denmark

There were several major gods in the Greek pantheon, and like the Mesopotamians, the gods were often associated with certain cities, even foreign ones, like Poseidon with Troy. However, the Greeks believed that the world was created by Chaos, who eventually gave birth to the primordial gods, who eventually gave birth to the titans, then the Olympian Gods.

Psyche crossing the river Styx

The Greeks believed in an underworld called Hades, named after the god who ruled it. They thought that if a funeral was never performed, a person’s spirit would never reach it, and would remain a ghost forever. the underworld was guarded by a three-headed dog named Cerberus, and souls had to cross the river Styx. Later Greeks believed in Tartarus, where the dammed went, and Elysium, where heroes (like Achilles and Ganymede resided) too.

Nymphs finding the head of Orpheus by John William Waterhouse

One of my favorite tales is that of Orpheus and Eurydice. At their wedding, Eurydice went for a walk and was chased by a satyr. When she tried to escape, she fell into a nest of vipers and was bit. Orpheus discovered her body, and overcome with grief, traveled to the underworld and begged them to return his wife and played such sweet, sad music that it softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone. They agreed to allow Eurydice to return with him to earth only if  he walked in front of her and not look back until they both had reached the upper world. However, in his anxiety, as soon as he reached the upper world, he turned to look at her, but she had not crossed over into the upper world yet, and she vanished for the second time.

During the Greco-Persian wars, the Spartans came to the aid of the Athenians, in one of the most famous moments in history, when king Leonidas held off the Persian army with only 300 men (it was more like a couple thousand) at the battle of Thermopylae. However, less than twenty years later, the Spartans and Athenians fought against each other in the Peloponnesian War. the people of the Peloponnese were fearful of Athens growing power.

Alexander the Great managed to conquer much of the East, and accomplished what many great men before him had failed, he overthrew the Persians. Alexander was also responsible for the spread of the Greek language.

Greek, Greek, it rhymes with meek. But meek they were not.

More on Alexander the Great from John Green:

Book recommendations for reading challenges:

Fantasy                                                                                                            Sci-fi

F is for Franks

The Franks were a group of Germanic tribes along the Rhine valley during the 2nd to 9th centuries, and were the arch-nemesis’ of the Romans. Ok, arch-nemesis is a bit of a stretch, but some Frankish tribes raided the Roman territories. Others joined the Roman armies, so they weren’t exactly united. By the 6th century, the Franks had spread to much of Western Europe, and had formed a bunch of mini kingdoms.

However, like the Romans, the Franks claim their descent from Troy. Depending on the legend and source, Priam and Antennor led the survivors to the sea of Azov, or that the survivors migrated to Macedonia under king Friga.

During the mid 6th century, the Franks took advantage of the Gothic War, and descended on the River Po, where both the Romans and Gothic camps were situated. They defeated both sides and marched for Tuscany, but their victory was cut short when dysentery spread through their ranks and they had to withdraw.

The Franks were described as being tall and pale with blue-grey eyes and the men sported thin mustaches. They fought with only a sword, shield, and a small axe, and cavalry men carried spears. Roman historians claim that the Franks did not use armor (I’m sensing a theme among early European tribes). Later, they incorporated many of the Roman militaristic practices.

 

Book recommendations for reading challenges

Fantasy                                                                                                         Sci-fi