Nothing from our ancient past seems more deeply embedded in our modern consciousness than mythologies, tales and symbols. Were those myths something that existed in the minds of our ancestors, or were they based on true events? The extraordinary stories of societies, heroes, gods, the supernatural, and life and death resonate deep within us even now, surfacing generation after generation in books, art, culture, music and everyday wisdom. Some realms still remain hidden from us, as they may have for our ancient ancestors, and these anomalies need to be re-examined—mysteries and legends may hold truths that can unlock the secrets of our ancient origins.
Here we feature Myths and Mysteries:
Faerie-type entities have always been an important component of British and Irish folklore. In the Aarne-Thompson-Uther Motif Index of Folk Literature (ATU) there are over 500 motifs within folktales that include the faeries, many of whi...
A common cosmological theme within ancient cultures was the concept that the Netherworld, Underworld or afterlife was entered from this world through portals and these ancient gates were often built in stone. Gates and doorways in sacred settings...
Kinryuzan Sensoji Temple, located in Asakusa, Tokyo is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. Dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of compassion, the temple is one of the most widely visited spiritual sites in the world with over ...
Classic works such as Odyssey by Homer, The Tempest by William Shakespeare and Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe tell about mysterious distant islands. These islands are usually exotic and inaccessible homes to treasures,...
The history of the military conquests of the ancient Romans has often neglected to highlight some characteristics, which are still typical of the citizens of the Urbs Aeterna (Eternal City). The Romans have always shared an undi...
Commodus, the son and heir of the distinguished ‘philosopher emperor’ Marcus Aurelius, was a failure as a Roman ...
Written in the early 11th century Japan, Genji Monogatari (源氏物語, The Tale of Genji) vividly describes the complex life and relationships of Genji, a handsome courtier, an excellent lover and a worthy friend. At ...
The Fairy Queen is a famous mythological figure featuring in Irish and British folklore for at least 1000 years, who after Shakespeare's influence, was often named Titania or Mab. In Irish folklore, the last High Queen of the Daoine S...
Imagine a time machine, that could capture, among other things, three dimensional holograms of the crucifixion and death of Jesus; a speech by Napoleon; Cice...
The Maenads are often written off simply as ‘mad women’ by historians. However, although the name Maenad literally translates as the ‘raving ones’, these women were much more than that. The Maenads were actually sacred worshipper...
