GAEA: GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY

Research on Gaea, a Greek and Roman Mythology.

In Greek cosmogony, everything started with Chaos. A primeval void or emptiness,

representing the initial state of the universe. The primordial element from which
everything emerges. Chaos doesn’t possess distinct characteristics or traits; rather, it is
the undefined, chaotic space that precedes the order and structure of the cosmos. Chaos,
as a foundational elements of the Greek universe transcended from formless to form.
Taking shape and gained identity as Gaea, the Mother Earth. With her main trait being
fertility. She gave birth to Uranus, the sky, Pontus, the sea, and Oria the mountains.
Uranus ruled over the world and Gaea. She became the consort of Uranus and
together they gave birth to various powerful beings, including the twelve Titans such as
Cronos (represents time and is often associated with the cycles and seasons), Rhea (a
Titaness embodying the nurturing aspects of the natural world), Oceanus ( the vast and
unending expanse of the sea), the Cyclops (one-eyed giants), and the Hekatonkheires
(Hundred-Handed Ones).
However, as his offspring grew in number and power, he became fearful that they
would surpass him. To prevent this, Uranus imprisoned the Cyclops and the
Hekatonkheires within Gaea’s womb, causing her immense pain and distress. Gaea,
aggrieved by this and seeking to free her children, conspired with her son Cronus to
overthrow Uranus. Gaea’s plan came to fruition when Cronus, with Gaea’s assistance,
castrated Uranus, thereby dethroning him. With Uranus overthrown, Cronus becomes
the ruler of the cosmos. He marries his sister Rhea, and they bear the next generation of
gods, including Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia.
Later on, Cronus, feared a prophecy that his own children would overthrow him, so
he swallowed off his offspring upon their birth. However, Rhea manages to save Zeus by
hiding him. When Zeus grows to maturity, he confronts Cronus, leading to a war known
as the Titanomachy. The Titanomachy is a colossal conflict between the Titans and the
Olympian gods. Gaea, despite being the mother of both Titans and Olympians, supports
the latter. Zeus and the Olympians emerge victorious, casting the defeated Titans,
including Cronus, into Tartarus.
In due course, Gaia conspired against Zeus, conceiving the powerful Typhon,
leading to a clash between gods and giants known as the Gigantimaki. Zeus and the
Olympian gods prevailed, and Gaia surrendered herself to the new cosmic order,
worshipped as the personification of the Earth. Enjoying great prestige among ancient
Greeks, Gaia represented the foundation where all else is structured.

ROMAN MYTHOLOGY:
 In Roman mythology, the creation myth begins with Chaos, a formless and primeval
void. From Chaos emerged Terra, the Earth, and Caelus, the Sky. Terra and Caelus
united to create the first beings, including Titans and Giants. Terra gave birth to the
Titans, powerful deities like Saturn and Ops. One of the Titans, Saturn, eventually
overthrew Caelus, establishing a new order. Saturn ruled during a mythical Golden Age,
where abundance and peace prevailed.As the Roman creation myth unfolds, it sets the
stage for the rise of the Olympian gods, with Jupiter (Zeus in Greek mythology)
becoming the chief deity. This narrative intertwines with various stories in Roman
mythology, showcasing the cyclical nature of creation, power struggles among the gods,
and the establishment of divine order.

REACTION PAPER:
Within the intricate web of Greek and Roman mythology, there are few characters
that symbolize life and creation as deeply as Gaea, known as the Earth Mother. As the
original divine being embodying the Earth, Gaea’s influence spans across the universe,
Shaping the very foundation upon which existence thrives.
Gaea’s significance in Greek and Roman mythology is immense, as she is seen as the
mother of all life and the source of all creation. These myths all center on her relationship
to the Earth and the natural world, and the numerous children she bears testify to her
function as both creator and nurturer. What strikes me most about Gaea is her nurturing
essence, an embodiment of unconditional love and protection. Like the Earth itself, she
sustains life in all its forms, providing nourishment and shelter to those who dwell upon
her surface. She is so generous that the roaring seas and the whispering forests, the
mighty mountains and the soft valleys, are all included in her huge embrace. Below her
calm exterior exists a potent strength, an intertwined energy of both creation and
destruction. Gaea is not merely passive; she is an active participant in the unfolding
drama of existence. Emerging from the depths are ancient powers that shape the fates of
both gods and humans. Her anger is as fierce as her affection is gentle, underscoring the
fragile equilibrium that oversees the laws of nature. Gaea’s character is deeply
intertwined with the Earth’s natural forces, and her portrayal in mythology offers insight
into humanity’s relationship with the environment and the cosmos.Given the facts that
have been provided, I am intrigued by the intricacy and fascination of Gaea’s narrative.
Her position as a creator and caregiver, coupled with her bond to the Earth and nature,
symbolizes the significance of these aspects in ancient faiths. Moreover, her participation
in Cronus’ downfall and the Titans’ defeat illustrates her might and influence as a divine
being. Overall, Gaea’s story is a rich and meaningful one that provides insight into the
values and beliefs of ancient cultures.
In conclusion, Gaea stands as a timeless symbol of life, renewal, and interconnectedness. Her mythic legacy
serves as a poignant reminder of the profound mysteries that lie at the heart of existence. As we journey through
the tapestry of life, may we heed her wisdom and embrace our role as guardians of the Earth, for in her embrace, we
find the essence of our own humanity.

Survey/Research One Story Of Creation From Other Country.

A creation myth from the Maori culture of New Zealand:
 Māori history states that the world was formed by the Māori Gods. The god of the forest,
Tane Mahuta, destroyed the father of the sky and the mother of the earth in order to
create land and sky. Tane Mahuta and his brothers created the world as they know it
today.
In the beginning, there was only darkness, known as Te Kore. Rangi, the sky father,
and Papa, the earth mother, were tightly embraced, and their children were trapped
between them, longing to see the light. Tane Mahuta, the god of forests and birds,
decided to separate his parents to bring light and space into the world. He pushed and
pushed until finally, Rangi and Papa were pried apart.
Once Rangi and Papa were separated, the world was filled with light and life. Tane
Mahuta planted trees, rivers flowed, and animals roamed the earth. This act of separation
created the balance and harmony that sustains the world, according to Maori beliefs.

(Mythology and Folklore)

1.How does the creation myth (Gaea: Greek and Roman Mythology) reflect their
culture?

The creation myth of Gaea in Greek and Roman mythology reflects the cultural values
and perspectives of the ancient people living in both Rome and Greece in several ways:

•Connection to Nature:
- Gaea, as the representation of the Mother Earth, embodies the profound connection ancient
Greeks and Romans felt with nature. The myth emphasizes the Earth as a living, nurturing force,
reflecting the agrarian societies dependence on the land for sustenance and the cyclical patterns of
nature.

•Primacy of Maternal Influence:

- Gaea is not just a passive environment but an active and powerful force. This mirrors the
cultural importance placed on motherhood, fertility, and the protective nature of maternal figures
within the societies. It underscores the reverence for the feminine aspects of creation and life.

•Generational Dynamics/ Patriarchy:

- The myth introduces the concept of generations within the divine family, with Gaea as the
mother of powerful beings like Uranus and the Titans. This reflects the societal emphasis on family
lineage, hierarchy, and the passing down of power through generations, mirroring the aristocratic
structures in ancient Rome and Greece.

•Struggle for Power:

- Gaea's involvement in the overthrow of Uranus by her Titan offspring symbolizes the
ongoing struggle for power and cosmic order. This mirrors the political and social struggles
within ancient Greek and Roman societies, where power dynamics were complex, and different
factions vied for dominance.

2.Conduct a local base survey on the creation myth believed by the community.
Philippines is a country with a rich cultural and mythological heritage, various
creation myths exist among its diverse ethnic groups. Some provinces have their own
unique narratives about creation. Other than the story of “Tungkung Langit and
Alunsina” in Panayan, here are some examples found in Philippine mythology:

• How the World Was Made

This is the ancient Filipino account of the creation.
Thousands of years ago there was no land nor sun nor moon nor stars, and the world was only a
great sea of water, above which stretched the sky. The water was the kingdom of the god
Maguayan, and the sky was ruled by the great god Captan.
Maguayan had a daughter called Lidagat, the sea, and Captan had a son known as Lihangin, the
wind. The gods agreed to the marriage of their children, so the sea became the bride of the wind.
Three sons and a daughter were born to them. The sons were called Licalibutan, Liadlao, and
Libulan; and the daughter received the name of Lisuga.
Licalibutan had a body of rock and was strong and brave; Liadlao was formed of gold and was
always happy; Libulan was made of copper and was weak and timid; and the beautiful Lisuga had
a body of pure silver and was sweet and gentle. Their parents were very fond of them, and nothing
was wanting to make them happy.
After a time Lihangin died and left the control of the winds to his eldest son Licalibutan. The
faithful wife Lidagat soon followed her husband, and the children, now grown up, were left
without father or mother. However, their grandfathers, Captan and Maguayan, took care of them
and guarded them from all evil.
After a time, Licalibutan, proud of his power over the winds, resolved to gain more power, and
asked his brothers to join him in an attack on Captan in the sky above. At first they refused; but
when Licalibutan became angry with them, the amiable Liadlao, not wishing to offend his brother,
agreed to help. Then together they induced the timid Libulan to join in the plan.
When all was ready the three brothers rushed at the sky, but they could not beat down the gates of
steel that guarded the entrance. Then Licalibutan let loose the strongest winds and blew the bars
in every direction. The brothers rushed into the opening, but were met by the angry god Captan.
So terrible did he look that they turned and ran in terror; but Captan, furious at the destruction of
his gates, sent three bolts of lightning after them.
The first struck the copper Libulan and melted him into a ball. The second struck the golden
Liadlao, and he too was melted. The third bolt struck Licalibutan, and his rocky body broke into
many pieces and fell into the sea. So huge was he that parts of his body stuck out above the water
and became what is known as land.
In the meantime the gentle Lisuga had missed her brothers and started to look for them. She went
toward the sky, but as she approached the broken gates, Captan, blind with anger, struck her too
with lightning, and her silver body broke into thousands of pieces.
Captan then came down from the sky and tore the sea apart, calling on Maguayan to come to him
and accusing him of ordering the attack on the sky. Soon Maguayan appeared and answered that
he knew nothing of the plot as he had been asleep far down in the sea.
After a time he succeeded in calming the angry Captan. Together they wept at the loss of their
grandchildren, especially the gentle and beautiful Lisuga; but with all their power they could not
restore the dead to life. However, they gave to each body a beautiful light that will shine forever.
And so it was that golden Liadlao became the sun, and copper Libulan the moon, while the
thousands of pieces of silver Lisuga shine as the stars of heaven. To wicked Licalibutan the gods
gave no light, but resolved to make his body support a new race of people. So Captan gave
Maguayan a seed, and he planted it on the land, which, as you will remember, was part of
Licalibutan's huge body.
Soon a bamboo tree grew up, and from the hollow of one of its branches a man and a woman came
out. The man's name was Sicalac, and the woman was called Sicabay. They were the parents of the
human race. Their first child was a son whom they called Libo; afterwards they had a daughter
who was known as Saman. Pandaguan was a younger son and he had a son called Arion.
from the lightning, and all his descendants ever since that day have been black.
His first son, Arion, was taken north, but as he had been born before his father's punishment he
did not lose his color, and all his people therefore are white.
Libo and Saman were carried south, where the hot sun scorched their bodies and caused all their
descendants to be of a brown color.
A son of Saman and a daughter of Sicalac were carried east, where the land at first was so lacking
in food that they were compelled to eat clay. On this account their children and their children's
children have always been yellow in color.
And so the world came to be made and peopled. The sun and moon shine in the sky, and the
beautiful stars light up the night. All over the land, on the body of the envious Licalibutan, the
children of' Sicalac and Sicabay have grown great in numbers. May they live forever in peace and
brotherly love!

• The Creation (Igorot)

In the beginning there were no people on the earth.

Lumawig, the Great Spirit, came down from the sky and cut many reeds. He divided these into
pairs which he placed in different parts of the world, and then he said to them, "You must speak."
Immediately the reeds became people, and in each place was a man and a woman who could talk,
but the language of each couple differed from that of the others.
Then Lumawig commanded each man and woman to marry, which they did. By and by there were
many children, all speaking the same language as their parents. These, in turn, married and had
many children. In this way there came to be many people on the earth.
Then Lumawig commanded each man and woman to marry, which they did. By and by there were
many children, all speaking the same language as their parents. These, in turn, married and had
many children. In this way there came to be many people on the earth.
Now Lumawig saw that there were several things which the people on the earth needed to use, so
he set to work to supply them. He created salt, and told the inhabitants of one place to boil it down
and sell it to their neighbors. But these people could not understand the directions of the Great
Spirit, and the next time he visited them, they had not touched the salt.
Then he took it away from them and gave it to the people of a place called Mayinit. These did as he
directed, and because of this he told them that they should always be owners of the salt, and that
the other peoples must buy of them.
Then Lumawig went to the people of Bontoc and told them to get clay and make pots. They got the
clay, but they did not understand the molding, and the jars were not well shaped. Because of their
failure, Lumawig told them that they would always have to buy their jars, and he removed the
pottery to Samoki. When he told the people there what to do, they did just as he said, and their jars
were well shaped and beautiful. Then the Great Spirit saw that they were fit owners of the pottery,
and he told them that they should always make many jars to sell.
In this way Lumawig taught the people and brought to them all the things which they now have.

•The Story of the Creation Bilaan (Mindanao)

In the very beginning there lived a being so large that he cannot be compared with any known
thing. His name was Melu, and when he sat on the clouds, which were his home, he occupied all
the space above. His teeth were pure gold, and because he was very cleanly and continually rubbed
himself with his hands, his skin became pure white. The dead skin which he rubbed off his body
was placed on one side in a pile, and by and by this pile became so large that he was annoyed and
set himself to consider what he could do with it.
Finally Melu decided to make the earth; so he worked very hard in putting the dead skin into
shape, and when it was finished he was so pleased with it that he determined to make two beings
like himself, though smaller, to live on it.
Taking the remnants of the material left after making the earth he fashioned two men, but just as
they were all finished except their noses, Tau Tana from below the earth appeared and wanted to
help him.
Melu did not wish any assistance, and a great argument ensued. Tau Tana finally won his point
and made the noses which he placed on the people upside down. When all was finished, Melu and
Tau Tana whipped the forms until they moved. Then Melu went to his home above the clouds, and
Tau Tana returned to his place below the earth.
All went well until one day a great rain came, and the people on the earth nearly drowned from
the water which ran off their heads into their noses. Melu, from his place on the clouds, saw their
danger, and he came quickly to earth and saved their lives by turning their noses the other side up.
The people were very grateful to him, and promised to do anything he should ask of them. Before
he left for the sky, they told him that they were very unhappy living on the great earth all alone, so
he told them to save all the hair from their heads and the dry skin from their bodies and the next
time he came he would make them some companions. And in this way there came to be a great
many people on the earth.

• The Creation Story (Tagalog)

When the world first began there was no land, but only the sea and the sky, and between them was
a kite (a bird something like a hawk). One day the bird which had nowhere to light grew tired of
flying about, so she stirred up the sea until it threw its waters against the sky. The sky, in order to
restrain the sea, showered upon it many islands until it could no longer rise, but ran back and
forth. Then the sky ordered the kite to light on one of the islands to build her nest, and to leave the
sea and the sky in peace.Now at this time the land breeze and the sea breeze were married, and
they had a child which was a bamboo. One day when this bamboo was floating about on the water,
it struck the feet of the kite which was on the beach. The bird, angry that anything should strike it,
pecked at the bamboo, and out of one section came a man and from the other a woman.Then the
earthquake called on all the birds and fish to see what should be done with these two, and it was
decided that they should marry. Many children were born to the couple, and from them came all
the different races of people.After a while the parents grew very tired of having so many idle and
useless children around, and they wished to be rid of them, but they knew of no place to send them
to. Time went on and the children became so numerous that the parents enjoyed no peace. One
day, in desperation, the father seized a stick and began beating them on all sides.This so frightened
the children that they fled in different directions, seeking hidden rooms in the house -- some
concealed themselves in the walls, some ran outside, while others hid in the fireplace, and several
fled to the sea.
Now it happened that those who went into the hidden rooms of the house later became the chiefs of
the islands; and those who concealed themselves in the walls became slaves. Those who ran outside
were free men; and those who hid in the fireplace became negroes; while those who fled to the sea
were gone many years, and when their children came back they were the white people.

Comparative Analysis of Greek and Roman Mythological Characters

1. Gaea (Greek) - Terra (Roman): Primordial goddess of the Earth.

2. Uranus (Greek) - Caelus (Roman): Uranus is the personification of the sky, and Caelus
serves a similar role in Roman mythology. However, unlike the Greek Mythology Caelus
is not an offspring of Gaea. Instead, just like Gaea he also emerged out from Chaos.
3. The Titans (e.g., Cronus) and Titanesses (e.g., Rhea): While the Titans and Titanesses
don't have direct Roman equivalents, Cronus is sometimes identified with Saturn in
Roman mythology.
4. The Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires: These beings, born from Gaea and Uranus, don't
have direct Roman equivalents.
5. Zeus (Greek) - Jupiter (Roman): Zeus, the king of the gods, has his Roman counterpart
in Jupiter.
6. Hera (Greek) - Juno (Roman): Hera, queen of the gods, is paralleled by Juno in Roman
mythology.
7. Other Olympian Gods (e.g., Poseidon, Demeter): These gods and goddesses generally
retain similar names in both Greek and Roman mythology, with only minor linguistic
variations.
8. Typhon: A monstrous offspring of Gaea, Typhon doesn't have a direct Roman
equivalent, but his influence is reflected in various mythological traditions.
Comparing the two versions:

Similarities:
Both traditions describe the Earth's origin from a primordial state – Chaos.

In both versions, there is a separation of Earth and Sky. Terra/Caelus (Roman) and Gaea/Uranus
(Greek) represent the primal elements of Earth and Sky, respectively. In both myths, a primordial
figure is overthrown – Caelus by Saturn (Roman), and Uranus by Cronus (Greek).
Similarities:
Both myths describe a period of divine rule and prosperity.
Saturn rules during a Golden Age in Roman mythology, and Zeus establishes a new cosmic order
after the Titanomachy in Greek mythology.

Differences:
While the characters involved are similar, there are differences in their names and some
attributes.
For example, Cronus (Greek) is identified with Saturn (Roman) and Uranus (Greek) is identified
with Caelus (Roman) .

Differences:
The Roman version doesn't explicitly mention the Cyclopes and Hekatonkheires, while
they play a crucial role in the Greek narrative.
In the Greek version, Gaea actively conspires against Uranus and later supports the Olympians in
the Titanomachy. In the Roman version, Terra's involvement in power struggles is less
emphasized.

Differences:
While both Greek and Roman mythology involve familial relationships and marriages,
the Romans might have adjusted some details to make the stories more palatable or in
line with their moral values or align with their cultural and religious sensibilities.

YGGDRASIL
THE TREE OF LIFE IN NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Etymology:
Interpretation:
Translated as "Odin's horse," also interpreted as "gallows."
Mythological Reference:
Odin hangs himself for nine days to gain rune magic.
Origin:
"Gallows" referred to as "the horse of the hanged," evolving into "Odin's Horse."

Norse Creation Myth

Yggdrasil grew from a void called Ginnungagap, which was closed on either side by the
fiery Muspellheim and the frosty Niflheim.
At some point, the fires of Muspellheim began to melt the ice of Niflheim and two
entities emerged from the realm of mist: Ymir the giant and Audhumla the cow.
Audhumla drew sustenance from licking the ice and soon uncovered Buri, the ancestor of
the gods. Buri had a son (no mention is made of how) named Borr who mated with the
giantess Bestla (who also appears from nowhere). Bestla gave birth to the first of the
gods: Odin, Vili, and Ve.
Odin and his brothers kill Ymir, forming the earth from his body, seas and lakes from his
blood, rocks from his bones, and the sky from his skull fixed with four points Austri
(east), Vestri (west), Nordri (north), and Sudri (south). Stars were made from sparks of
Muspelheim.
The gods built Midgard, Earth's fortification, from Ymir's eyelash to defend against
giants. It's humanity's world. At this time, Odin and his siblings also created the first two
humans, Ask (man) and Embla (woman), from two trees.

The nine realms, are established, marking the completion of creation. The nine realms
are interconnected by the ash tree Yggdrasil. The nine worlds were Asgard, Alfheim,
Midgard, Muspellheim, Nidavellir, Helheim, Niflheim, Jotunheim, and Vanaheim.

THE STRUCTURE, BEINGS AND IMPORTANCE

Physical Description

- Immense ash tree at the center of Norse cosmos.

- Connects all nine worlds.
- Branches extend to form a roof over the world.
- Roots stretch into three different realms.
- Trunk too vast to be circled by any creature.

Three Roots

1. Niflheim:Represents death and endings.

2. Jotunheim:Symbolizes change.
3. Asgard:Signifies growth and new beginnings.

Wells
1. Well of Urd: Holds memories and wisdom from all time periods.
2. Well of Mimir:Grants wisdom to those who drink from it.
3. Hvergelmir: Source of all rivers, home to serpents

Guardians
● Mimir: Guardian of the Well of Mimir, offering wisdom. Odin had
given his eye to Mimir in order to gain a drink from it, thereby
receiving its knowledge.

● Urd, Verdandi, Skuld (The Norns):

- Three fates weaving destinies at the Well of Urd
- Guardians of the Asgard root.

Beings Around Yggdrasil

1. Unnamed Eagle:- Perches on the top branches.
2. Nidhogg: - Malicious dragon gnawing on the roots, seeking chaos.
3. Ratatosk:
- Trouble-making squirrel spreading rumors between the eagle and
Nidhogg.
Importance
● Represents the interconnectedness of all existence and the
interdependence of actions.
● Signifies growth, stability, and endurance, standing for
generations without weakening.
● Establishes an axis mundi, connecting heaven and earth,
facilitating communication between gods and humans.
● Enables travel between worlds, such as through Bifrost, the
rainbow bridge.
THE NINE REALMS
1. Asgard: Home of the Gods
The realm of the Aesir gods, including Odin, Thor, and Loki. Asgard is
depicted as a majestic city inhabited by the gods, situated at the
center of the cosmos.
2. Alfheim: Home of the Light Elves
The realm of the light elves, known for its beauty and luminous
landscapes. It is ruled by Freyr, the god of fertility and prosperity.
3. Midgard: Home of the Humans
The realm of humans, situated at the center of the Norse cosmos.
Midgard is depicted as a world surrounded by oceans and inhabited
by humans, who live their lives under the watchful eye of the gods.
4. Muspellheim: The Land of Fire
The realm of fire, inhabited by fire giants and ruled by Surtr, the fire
giant king. Muspellheim is characterized by its blazing flames and
volcanic landscapes.
5. Nidavellir: Home of the Dwarves
The realm of the dwarves, known for its underground caverns and
skilled craftsmen. Nidavellir is where legendary weapons like Thor's
hammers Mjolnir and Stormbreaker, were forged.
6. Helheim: Home of the Dishonorable Dead
The realm of the dead, ruled by Hel, the goddess of death. Helheim is
where those who did not die in battle go after death, and it is depicted
as a cold and dark underworld.
7. Nilfheim: The Realm of Fog and Mist
The realm of ice and mist, situated in the northern part of the cosmos.
Nilfheim is associated with icy landscapes and freezing temperatures,
contrasting with the fiery realm of Muspellheim.
8. Jotunheim: Home of the Giants
The realm of the giants, inhabited by the jotnar (giants) who are often
in conflict with the gods. Jotunheim is depicted as a harsh and rugged
wilderness.
9. Vanaheim: Home of the Vanir
The realm of the Vanir gods, including Njord, Freyja, and Freyr.
Vanaheim is associated with fertility, nature, and abundance, and it is
depicted as a lush and fertile land
RAGNAROK: The Apocalypse in Norse Mythology
- Heimdall unearths the Gjallarhorn and blows it, signaling the onset
of Ragnarök, the end of the world.
- A cataclysmic battle ensues between the gods and their enemies,
resulting in the fall of the Aesir.
- Yggdrasil, the foundation of the universe, trembles as the celestial
order collapses.
- The sun turns black, the earth sinks in the sea, and stars fall from
the sky.
- Intense steam and flames engulf heaven itself.
- Despite the devastation, a new world emerges from the ashes.
- Yggdrasil, as the figurative root of the cosmos, remains standing,
suggesting its resilience amidst chaos.
- Lif and Lifthrasir, two human survivors, find refuge in Yggdrasil's
branches, hinting at the tree's role in preserving life even amid
destruction.

1. It is the Norse mythological tree of life.

2. The translation of Yggdrasil
3. It is depicted as a majestic city inhabited by the Aesir gods such as Odin, Thor, and
Loki.
4. The guardian of the Well of Mimir.
5. The creature that gnaws on the roots of Yggdrasil.
6. Helheim is home to the ________.
7. The giant who is killed to form the earth.
8. The realm ruled by Surtr.
9. He is said to have hung himself on Yggdrasil to gain rune magic.
10. The name of the well that holds memories and wisdom from all time periods.
11. The realm associated with fertility, nature, and abundance.
12-14. The three fates weaving destinies at the Well of Urd, also called "The Norns,"
15. They are the first two humans created by Odin and his siblings.
16. This realm is characterized by its icy landscapes and freezing temperatures.
17. According to Norse mythology, from what void did Yggdrasil grow?
18. He is the ancestor of the gods in Norse mythology.
19. The name of the realm of the dwarves.
20. The creature that perches on the top branches of Yggdrasil.
21. She is the goddess who rules Helheim.
22. It is depicted as a world surrounded by oceans and inhabited by humans, who live
their lives under the watchful eye of the gods.
23. It is the rainbow bridge that facilitates travel between worlds.
24. The squirrel that spreads rumors between the eagle and Nidhogg.
25. It is what Odin sacrificed in the Well of Mimir.
Essay:
What reality does the Norse Mythology symbolize?

Answers:
1. Yggdrasil
2. Odin's horse/gallows
3. Asgard
4. Mimir
5. Nidhogg
6. dishonorable dead
7. Ymir
8. Muspellheim
9. Odin
10. Well of Urd
11. Vanaheim
12. Urd
13. Verdandi
14. Skuld
15. Ask & Embla
16. Niflheim
17. Ginnungagap
18. Buri
19. Nidavellir
20. Unnamed Eagle/Eagle
21. Hel
22. Midgard
23. Bifrost
24. Ratatosk
25. His eye

Pan Gu: The Chinese Myth Of World Creation

Daoism/Taoism
• a philosophy, religion, and way of life that arose in the 6th century BCE in
what is now the eastern Chinese province of Henan. Strongly influenced the
culture and religious life of China and other East Asian countries ever since.
• Taoism has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500
B.C.E. wrote the main book of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching.
• Introduction:
• The first writer to record the myth of Pangu was thought to be Xu Zheng
during the Three Kingdoms period.
• A primordial being and creation figure in Chinese mythology and Taoism
who separated heaven and earth, and his body later became geographic
features such as mountains and rivers.

The story started at the beginning of the universe. The universe was a chaotic mixture at
the start. A giant named Pangu was sleeping inside this mixture. After 18000 years,Pangu
woke up and broke the chaos apart. Some parts of the mixture became the sky and some
other parts became the land.
Pangu afraided that the sky and the land will change back to what it was before. So he
stood inbetween the sky and the earth to keep them apart.
As days past, the sky was so far away from the earth and Pangu became too tired to stay
alive.
Pangu died. His breath became the wind, mist and clouds; his voice, thunder; his left eye,
the Sun; his right eye, the Moon; his head, the mountains and extremes of the world;
His blood became the rivers; his muscles, fertile land; his facial hair, the stars and
MilkyWay; his fur, bushes and forests; his bones, valuable minerals; his bone marrow,
precious jewels; his sweat, rain; and the fleas on his fur carried by the wind became
animals. In other versions of the story, his body turned into the mountains.

The moral:
• The egg gives us a visual idea of creation, and helps us to well define Chinese
culture and the idea of Yin and Yang.
• In Chinese culture, Yin, the heavy and dark part, represents the earth; while
Yang, the light part, represents the heaven and bright. Yin and Yang are two
opposite force but also independent of each other.
• the Yin and Yang theory also provides the basic idea for the Chinese
religions. Many religions began to follow the concept of the Yin and Yang as
their belief, such as Confucianism, which was the first religion to use the Yin
and Yang concept in their religious beliefs.
• Yin can also represent death while Yang represents life. As a result, for the
religion of Taoism, life is cyclical and always takes turns of Yin and Yang.
• The two forces are said to be “interdependent partners.” They believed that
one couldn’t exist without the other. The idea of good and evil came from this
concept also.
• a concept originated in ancient Chinese philosophy that describes how
obviously opposite or contrary forces may create each other by their
comparison and are to be seen as actually complementary, interconnected,
and interdependent in the natural world
• In Chinese religion, the Taoists favour Yin whilst Confucianists favour Yang
in keeping with the prime focus of their respective philosophies. The Taoists
emphasize reclusion whilst Confucianists believe in the importance of
engagement in life.
Mythology: PANGU, The Chinese Story of Creation

1. What is the name of the giant that was sleeping inside the mixture- PANGU
2. Where did Pangu slept for thousands of years?
- COSMIC EGG
3. After how many years did Pangu woke up and broke the chaos apart? - 18,000 years
4. How many feet did Pangu grow every single day?
-10 feet a day
5-6. As Pangu broke the egg apart, what do you call the upper part of the shell, and thE
lower part of it.- HEAVEN AND EARTH.
7. When rain occurs that would eventually form rivers and lakes, it means that Pangu
is_______.- CRYING
8. When he snores, what natural occurrence would happen?
- THUNDER
9. What is the oldest religion in the Chinese culture that Pangu associates of?
- DAOISM/TAOISM
10. What is the main book of Taoism?
- TAO TE CHING
11. When PANGU died, his breath became the______.
- WIND
12. His blood became the________.
- RIVERS.
13. The mountains are formed from his_____.
- BODY
14. What does the egg signifies in the Culture of the Chinese?
- YIN AND YANG
15. Who is the philosopher and the founder of Taoism?
- LAO TZU
16-20 (5pts) Essay

In what we had discussed, last meeting, what does YIN AND YANG represent?

Shintoism

is an Ancient religion of Japan. It started at least as long ago as 1000 B.C.E. but is still
practiced today by at least five million people. The followers of Shintoism believe that
spiritual powers exist in the natural world. Like any religion, it is difficult to concisely
define Shinto in a few words, however, it is notable for its polytheistic worship of
“kami,” meaning “gods or spirits that exist in all things.” Because of this belief that kami
reside in all things across nature—such as mountains, trees, waterfalls, etc—Shinto is also
classified as an animistic religion, one that worships nature or nature spirits. Another
term to describe Shinto is “kami-no-michi,” or “the way of the gods.”

BELIEFS OF SHINTO
The main beliefs of Shinto are the importance of purity, harmony, respect for nature,
family respect, and subordination of the individual before the group. There are many
Shinto gods or spirits and these have shrines dedicated to them where people offer food,
money and prayers.

RITUAL PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS

Shintō does not have a weekly religious service. People visit shrines at their convenience.
Some may go to the shrines on the 1st and 15th of each month and on the occasions of
rites or festivals (matsuri), which take place several times a year. Devotees, however, may
pay respect to the shrine every morning.

Varieties of festival, worship, and prayer

The order of rituals at a grand festival is usually as follows:

Purification rites (harae) — commonly held at a corner of the shrine precincts before
participants come into the shrine but sometimes held within the shrine before beginning
a ceremony.

Adoration — the chief priest and all the congregation bow to the altar.
Opening of the door of the inner sanctuary (by the chief priest).

Presentation of food offerings—rice, sake wine, rice cakes, fish, seaweed, vegetables, salt,
water, etc., are offered but animal meat is not, because of the taboo on shedding blood in
the sacred area. In the past cooked food was usually offered to kami, but nowadays
uncooked food is more often used. In accordance with this change, the idea of
entertaining kami changed to that of thanksgiving.

Prayer—the chief priest recites prayers (norito) modeled on ancient Shintō prayers. These
prayers were compiled in the early 10th century and were based on the old
belief that spoken words had spiritual potency.

Sacred music and dance.

General offering—participants in the festival make symbolic offerings using little

branches of the evergreen sacred tree to which strips of white paper are tied.
Taking offerings away.
Shutting the door of the inner sanctuary.
Final adoration.
Feast (naorai).

Shinto symbols
- Torii Gates, The Entrance to Shinto Shrines
- Shimenawa, Shinto's Sacred Rope
- Shide, the White, Zig-Zag Papers
- Sakaki, Shinto’s Sacred Tree
- Tomoe, The Swirling Commas
- Shinkyo, Shinto's God Mirror

Creation According to Shintoism Mythology

A Shinto interpretation of creation is that the world and its inhabitants are not “made”
but “born,” and the divine couple Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto play a
central role in this narrative. The couple marry and give birth to the islands of Japan, as
well as to several important natural deities that give the islands shape. This myth of
Izanagi and Izanami introduces significant concepts, such as male and female roles,
marriage, copulation and birth, death and the afterlife, and the birth and death cycle.

Beginnings of “Kami” The story of creation.

In the beginning the world split into the heavens and the earth, and three kami deities of
the heavenly realm came into being. Then the first reeds took root and sprouted, and two
more kami deities came to be. These first five kami deities were formless and had no
partners. Thereafter, however, pairs of “partner” kami deities were born in succession.
The seventh and final generation was the male Izanagi no Mikoto and the female Izanami
no Mikoto.Izanagi means 'he who invites' and Izanami means 'she who invites'.
Izanagi and Izanami with the task of bringing order to the world and granted them a
sacred spear with which to do so.

Standing on a bridge, the two first looked down upon the primordial mire and decided to
try mixing it. They stuck the spear in, turned it about, and when they drew it back out, a
drop fell from its tip. This drop settled and became the first island, Onokoro Shima.
Birth of the Islands of Japan

After descending to the island, Izanagi and Izanami became aware of the differences in
their bodies and decided to join together to give birth to the country. And so, they
married by circling a sacred post three times and taking their vows. The couple had
sexual intercourse on several other occasions and their other offspring included the other
islands of Japan and some of the kami.
Unfortunately, Izanami was gravely injured giving birth, and soon died.
Izanagi mourned and missed her terribly, and before long decided to travel to Yomi, the
land of the dead to get her back.
By the time Izanagi arrived and found Izanami, she had already eaten food of the
underworld. This meant she was thus unable to return. Izanagi pleaded with Izanami
anyway until she agreed to ask the deities of the land of the dead if she might leave to go
back to the country they were still in the process of making. Before she went to ask,
Izanami made one request: she bid Izanagi not to follow her, and to wait outside until she
returned. Izanagi agreed.
A long time passed in Izanami’s absence, and Izanagi grew impatient. At last, he decided
to disregard Izanami’s request and went to look for her.
To his horror, he discovered her as a frightful, decaying corpse. Izanami was furious at
being seen, and Izanagi fled in terror.
He quickly exited the land of the dead. Izanami chased after him, but she soon found her
way blocked by a large boulder and could follow Izanagi no further. Izanagi had placed
the boulder, and so trapped Izanami in the land of the dead.
Izanami was furious and said that every day from that moment on she would kill 1000
people every day. Izanagi replied by saying that he would create 1500 new born babies
each day.

Izanagi’s “Misogi”

After escaping, Izanagi declared the land of the dead an ugly and defiled place and
decided to purify himself by cleansing. This act is today considered the origin
of“misogi,”a ritual cleansing done at Shinto shrines and ceremonies where
one bathes or immerses oneself in water. He went on the plain of Ahagi at Tachibana in
Wodo in Hiuga of Tsukushi, and purified himself.
As Izanagi washed his face, three significant deities were born: the sun kami Amaterasu-
no-Oho-Kami from his left eye, the moon kami Tsuki- yomi-no-Mikoto from his right eye,
and the kami of the seas Susa-no-Wo-no-Mikoto from his nose. Izanagi gave these three
children the duties of ruling, respectively, the heavenly realm, the night realm, and the
seas. Izanagi said ¨do thou Amaterasu-no-Oho-Kami, ¨rule the plain of high heaven¨,
¨do thou Tsuki- yomi-no-Mikoto, rule the eight fold tides of the ocean plain;
do thou, Susa-no-Wo-no-Mikoto rule the world¨.

1. It is an order of ritual during a grand Festival in Japan where the chief priest and all the
congregation bow to the altar.

•Adoration.

2. It is an ancient religion of Japan in which their followers believes that spirits/kami

exist in the natural world.

• Shintoism

3. They are tasked to bring order to the world

(Izanagi Mikoto and Izanami Mikoto)

4.) They are given a _____ to bring order to the world. This weapon
is also relevant in making the First Island which is Onokoro Shima.
• Sacred Spear

5. It is described/declared by Izanagi as an ugly and defiled place.

Yomi/Land of
the dead.

6. The kami that was born from the right eye of Izanagi.

•Tsuki-yomi - No- Mikoto

7.) It is a ritual cleansing done at Shinto shrines and ceremonies where one
bathes or immerses oneself in water.

•Misogi

8.) The kami that was born from Izanagi's left eye, and is the ruler of the heavenly realm.

•Amaterasu -no- oho- kami

9.) He is the kami of the

seas.

• Susano-wo-no-Mikoto

10-12: (Enumeration)
Give at least 3 importance of the main beliefs of Shinto.

• purity, harmony, respect for nature, family respect, and subordination of the individual
before the group.

(13-14)
Give at least 2 symbols of Shinto.

15.) True or False

In the Shintoism's story of creation, it is believed that the world and its
inhabitants are" made" and "not born"

• False.

(16- 20)Essay:
What are the significant concepts that are introduced in the Story of Creation Myth in
Japan (Shintoism)?

Brahmanism

(Hindu Mythology)

Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some may have factual origins, while others are completely fictional.
But myths are more than mere stories and they serve a more profound purpose in ancient and modern cultures. The
same in Hindu Mythology (Brahmanism) although it may have different versions, but it didn’t change their cultural
beliefs and values.

Brahmanism was a philosophical movement that began in India thousands of years ago and was the forerunner to
Hinduism. Brahmanism focused on brahman, the ultimate reality to which everything belonged and returned after
escaping cycles of reincarnation, the rebirth of the soul into new bodies.

Characters:

Brahma (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मा, IAST: Brahmā)

is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme divinity that includes Vishnu
and Shiva. He is associated with creation, knowledge, and the Vedas. Brahma is prominently mentioned in creation
legends.

Vishnu

Vishnu is the god of Preservation, the great maintainer who often appears in various incarnations (avatara) to
provide salvation for humanity.

Vishnu is the god of Preservation, the great maintainer who often appears in various incarnations (avatara) to
provide salvation for humanity.

Shiva

Destroyer of Darkness - Shiva is also known as the Destroyer or Transformer. Shiva is usually depicted as white,
from the ashes of corpses that are smeared on his body, with a blue neck, from holding poison in his throat. His
wears a crescent moon and the Ganges River as decorations in his hair and a garland of skulls and a serpent around
his neck.

Saraswati

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge. She is associated with wisdom, music, art, and learning.

Her dhyana mantra describes her to be as white as the moon, clad in a white dress, bedecked in white ornaments,
radiating with beauty, holding a book and a pen in her hands (the book represents knowledge). She is generally
shown to have four arms, but sometimes just two.

Lakshmi

also known as Shri is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism. She is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power,
beauty, fertility and prosperity.

The Hindu goddess of wealth, good fortune, happiness, youth, and beauty. She is the wife of Vishnu, the god that
sustains the universe.

Ganesha

Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god of prosperity and wisdom, figure on external wall of a South Indian
temple in Kerala, India. Ganesha, elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, who is traditionally worshipped
before any major enterprise and is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors.

how the universe was created (brahmanism)

This is not the first world, nor is it the first universe. There have been and will be many more worlds and universes
than there are drops of water in the holy river Ganges. The universes are made by Lord Brahma the Creator,
maintained by Lord Vishnu the Preserver and destroyed by Lord Shiva. Since the universes must be destroyed
before they can be recreated, Lord Shiva is called the Destroyer and Re-creator. These three gods are all forms of
Supreme One and part of the Supreme One. The Supreme One is behind and beyond all.

After each old universe is destroyed nothing is left but a vast ocean. Floating on this ocean, resting on the great
snake Ananta, is Lord Vishnu.

Some say that a lotus flower springs from his navel and from this comes Lord Brahma. And it is from Lord Brahma
that all creation comes.

How does Lord Brahma create?

Some tell of how he grows lonely and splits himself in two to create male and female. Then he becomes one again
and human beings are created. In the same way he creates all the other living things, from the great animals to the
tiniest insects. Others say that everything comes from different parts of Lord Brahma's body.
All the different animals and all the people come from his mouth, arms, thighs and feet. Everything comes from
one - Lord Brahma, who is part of the Supreme One - so everything is part of the Supreme One. For this universe,
this world and this Lord Brahma, like all those before and all those to come, will be destroyed by Lord Shiva.

How long is the life of a universe?

Its length is beyond imagination. One day to Lord Brahma is longer than four thousand million of the years that we
know. Every night when Lord Brahma sleeps the world is destroyed. Every morning when he awakes it is created
again. When the Lord Brahma of this universe has lived a lifetime of such days the universe is completely
destroyed by Lord Shiva.

Everything disappears into the Supreme One. For an unimaginable period of time chaos and water alone exist.
Then once again Lord Vishnu appears, floating on the vast ocean. From Lord Vishnu comes forth Lord Brahma of
the new universe and the cycle continues for ever.

This belief in reincarnation, in the cycle of life, strongly influences the lifestyle of many Hindus. It can best be
explained by the terms 'dharma' and 'karma'. Dharma may be translated as 'duty' and for Hindus, part of that duty is
to respect and care for all living things.

The belief that after death we are reborn in another body, not necessarily human, leads to a great respect for all life
and results in many cases of vegetarianism. Karma is the result or product of what we do. If we do our duty, then
we create good karma, since the next life we may have is directly related to the actions of our present life. To the
Hindu, everything is part of the Supreme One, and thus every living thing is equally important in the great cycle of
life.

How did the story of creation (Brahmanism) reflects to the Hindu culture?

Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that emphasizes good conduct and morality. Hindus
revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal. Food is an important part of life for Hindus. Most
don't eat beef or pork, and many are vegetarians. With their strong beliefs they also incorporate in their daily living
the faith in Karma and reincarnation. They highly practice goodness in their actions for their belief that everything
that you do will comeback to you and will affect what you will be in your next life.

How does the Hinduism mythology reflects on our society?

How does the Hinduism mythology affect the world?

Although there are many versions of the Brahmanism in Hindu Mythology, it still does not affect its cultural
beliefs and values. Hindus believe that every thought, word and action accumulates karma, which can affect
current and future lives. Hindus believe in reincarnation14. Actions from a past life can affect events in the current
life, including health and wellbeing14.

1. It is a philosophical movement that began in India thousand of years ago and was the
forerunner of Hindu religion.
BRAHMANISM
2. In Hindu mythology he is known as the god of creation. BRAHMA
3. This god in Hindu mythology serves as the redeemer, he is Lord?
VISHNU
4-5 they are the first man and woman in Hindu mythology who are created.
MANU
SHATAPURA
6. The elephant - headed Hindu god of prosperity and wisdom, figure on external wall of
a south Indian temple in Kerala, India is?
GANESHA
7. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of?
KNOWLEDGE
8. In Brahmanism Shiva is known as the?
DESTROYER / GOD OF DESTRUCTION
9. -11 Illustrate the cycle of existence in Brahmanism incorporating the Trimurti.
12. One day in Lord brahma is more than ___ million years that we know.
FOUR THOUSAND
13. Where did Lord Brahma came from?
LOTUS FLOWER
14. - 15. This two is the main goal of living in Hindu mythology, it can be explained by
the terms ____ and ____
DHARMA AND KARMA

TRUE OR FALSE
1. Hindu mythology does not believe in reincarnation. F
2. Some tell of how Lord brahma grows lonely and splits himself into two to create one
male and female. T
3. In Hindu mythology the cycle of existence can still continue even if one of the Trimurti
is missing. - F
4. Lord Shiva is a bad god according to Brahmanism since he is a god of destruction. - F
5. In Brahmanism they believe that Karma is all about the bad actions that you do and
that will come back to you. - F

5 pts. Essay: In what ways does Brahmanism reflect the culture of India?