Favorite mythological figures

[rocklobster]

I've always loved folklore and mythology. In fact, I think it's impossible NOT to like it. Stories are as old as recorded history itself and can be infinitely enjoyed. Since I know I'm not alone, who are your favorite mythological figures.
Here are some of mine:
Greek/Roman:
Aphrodite/Venus
Hermes/Mercury
Athena/Minerva
Norse:
Thor
Odin
Loki
Hindu: (I've read a little)
Vishnu (I like how devious this guy can be sometimes)
Native American:
Coyote (this guy is pure fun)

[Yuki-Anne]

Ulysses. Dude was a frickin' STUD.

I can't really think of any other mythological figures right now... I used to read mythology a lot, but... It's been quite some time, and I don't remember most of it.

[Nate]

Jesus.

in b4 people don't realize "myth" doesn't mean "fake"

[rocklobster]

Actually Nate, I wanted to concentrate on those that weren't Christian. Jesus was no myth, he did actually exist.

[Nate]

in b4 people don't realize "myth" doesn't mean "fake"

Jesus was no myth, he did actually exist.

Man can I call them or what? Looks like someone doesn't know the definition of the word "myth!" (Hint: It's not me.)

[Sheol777]

[Tsukuyomi]

Jesus.

in b4 people don't realize "myth" doesn't mean "fake"[/QUOTE]

Actually Nate, I wanted to concentrate on those that weren't Christian. Jesus was no myth, he did actually exist.

Please note what Nate says there ^^ He's not saying Jesus wasn't real ^__^

Oh gosh, I have a bunch.. Some I don't remember their names Most of them are creation myths like Izanagi and Izanami. Anything branching from them as well (Amaterasu and Susano-wo.. Tsukuyomi as well).

There's some Chinese ones I love as well ^^

Nu wa, and how she created mankind from mud xD There's some other Chinese ones that's pretty much covered in the Chinese Drama "King Of Hades"

I think my favorite that tops them all is the Swan Maiden Myths ^^ There's different variations of it, but basically the one depicted in the anime "Ayashi no Ceres" <3

[Atria35]

Lincoln
Ghandi
Horus (Egyptian)
Valkyrie (Norse)
Jack the Ripper

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

My favourites:

Greek
Hades
Cerebus

Norse
Odin

Egyptian
Thoth
Horus/Ra
Set
Anubis
Ammit
Apep
Ma'at
Osiris
Honourable mention: Tawaret (Lost reference)

Australian Aboriginal
Bunyip
Mungoon Galli

[Htom Sirveaux]

Barry White

[Scarecrow]

Socrates
Plato
Aristotle
Homer
William Wallace
Alexander the Great...

[ShiroiHikari]

David Caruso

[Ante Bellum]

Fish and Chips.

[Peanut]

Peanut

Also, Owen Schmitt. Dude's a legend.

[Beau Soir]

Hercules! XD ...Okay, so I only know about the one from the Disney movie...

[Aquilla]

Jack o' the Lantern. Very interesting little story. If you ever have the time, check it out.

[the_wolfs_howl]

I've never been terribly fond of Greek/Roman myths; all the gods seemed really stupid to me - the one that always cracked me up was Zeus giving birth to a daughter out of his head

And I've always thought Anubis looked the coolest out of all the Egyptian gods.

But the only mythical figure I've ever really enjoyed reading about is Rustam (also spelled Rustem), from the Persian legends compiled in Shahname, or the Epic of Kings. I first heard the name in the game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and it got me curious. After digging around a bit, I finally came upon Shahname, and oh my goodness, what a beautiful bit of ancient literature! It felt kind of like reading the King James version of the Bible, except that it was filled only with bloody tales of warriors. And everyone lives for hundreds and hundreds of years, but I found Rustam interesting.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

It felt kind of like reading the King James version of the Bible...

So the tale was difficult to understand, used ridiculously out-dated language and was an over-rated translation?

But seriously, I've never heard of that one. I really enjoy some of the stories of the 1001 Arabian Nights. They have some Persian tales too.

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

Lincoln

Wait, what?

[Nate]

Lincoln is slowly being turned into a mythological figure, just like the Founding Fathers and George Washington.

A good example is that the reality is Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared slaves in only ten states free (and even then not immediately).

The myth is "Abraham Lincoln freed all the slaves." So yes, Lincoln is a mythological figure, even though he is a real person. This is why I said mythological doesn't mean fake, and why I put down Jesus.

[Atria35]

The myth is "Abraham Lincoln freed all the slaves." So yes, Lincoln is a mythological figure, even though he is a real person.

Bingo.

As I learn more and more about history in college, I've learned that a lot of the "history" I learned surrounding people in American history, in particular, just isn't true. Myths have built around them and have been perpetuated in the classroom.

And that's why Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorite mythological figures.

[the_wolfs_howl]

So the tale was difficult to understand, used ridiculously out-dated language and was an over-rated translation?

Uh...kinda? ^^' I think both Shahname and the King James translation sound beautifully poetic in some parts, but to each his own. I will admit that newer translations of the Bible are a lot easier to understand and study!

Here's a sample of Shahname:

"Then Rustam spake unto Saum and said, 'O Pehliva, I rejoice in that I am sprung from thee, for my desires are not after the feast, neither do I covet sleep or rest. My heart is fixed upon valor, a horse do I crave and a saddle, a coat of mail and a helmet, and my delight is in the arrow. Thine enemies will I vanquish, and may my courage be like unto thine.'"

[Sheenar]

I enjoy Arthurian literature --Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in particular. Especially the Tolkien translation with Middle English on one side of the page and modern English on the other. <3

I also love Beowulf, The Odyssey (and the character Ulysses), The Iliad (with the story of Agammemnon and Achilles) and many others.

I also like the classic stories of Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed.