Mythology

Mjölnir: Thor's hammer in Norse myth, ritual, and culture Mjolnir Mjölnir is the legendary hammer of the Norse god Thor—an emblem of storm, strength, protection and ritual power, known from medieval Icelandic sources and widespread archaeological…

Mnemosyne: Titaness of Memory in Greek Mythology Mnemosyne Mnemosyne is the Greek Titaness who personifies memory; mother of the nine Muses and a figure tied to poetic tradition, recollection, and symbolic art and ritual.

Móði and Magni — Sons of Thor in Norse mythology Móði and Magni Móði and Magni are minor Norse deities, traditionally described as sons of Thor and personifications of his strength and courage; Magni appears in the Hrungnir myth, both survive R…

Moirai (The Fates): Greek goddesses who determined life and destiny Moirai The Moirai, or Fates, are three ancient Greek goddesses who controlled the length and course of every life. This article explains their roles, origins, cultural influence, and Roma…

Mokèlé‑mbèmbé: Congo Basin legend and cryptid claims Mokele-mbembe Mokèlé‑mbèmbé is a legendary water creature of the Congo River basin. Described as a river spirit, unknown animal, or surviving dinosaur, it has inspired local stories, expeditions…

Mokosh — East Slavic goddess of moisture, fate and protector of women Mokosh Mokosh is an East Slavic deity linked with moisture, fertility, spinning and the protection of women and childbirth. Her name appears in medieval chronicles and survives in folklor…

Molly Pitcher — Revolutionary War legend, origins, and legacy Molly Pitcher Molly Pitcher is a popular name for women who carried water and sometimes manned artillery during the American Revolution. The figure blends folklore and documented actions by seve…

Momotarō (Peach Boy): Japanese folktale, variations, symbolism and cultural impact Momotarō Momotarō, the “Peach Boy,” is a central figure of Japanese folklore. This article summarizes the tale’s versions, characters, symbolic meanings, and its role in literature, educati…

Momus — Greek personification of blame, satire, and faultfinding Momus Momus is the ancient Greek spirit of blame and mockery, a minor deity known for criticizing gods and mortals. He appears in classical lists of Nyx's children and influenced later s…

Monster: concept in myth, folklore and fiction Monster An overview of monsters as cultural and literary figures: definitions, common traits, origins in folklore and myth, examples (vampires, witches, werewolves) and their roles in stor…

Monthu — Ancient Egyptian God of War and Solar Power Monthu Monthu (also Mont, Montu, Montju) is an ancient Egyptian war deity often shown as a falcon-headed man or bull; associated with military victory, the sun god, and local cults at The…

Mordred — figure of Arthurian legend Mordred Mordred is a central figure in Arthurian tradition, variously depicted as son, nephew, traitor or tragic rival whose actions culminate in the Battle of Camlann and King Arthur's do…

Morgan le Fay: Arthurian Enchantress and Literary Figure Morgan le Fay Morgan le Fay, also Morgaine or Morgana, is a prominent figure of Arthurian legend: a skilled sorceress whose portrayal ranges from healer and ruler of Avalon to a hostile antagoni…

Morien — a 13th‑century Arthurian knight Morien Morien (Moriaen) is the hero of a 13th‑century Middle Dutch Arthurian romance. A dark‑skinned knight and son of Sir Aglovale, he searches for his father and exemplifies chivalric v…

Moroni (Book of Mormon figure and angel in Latter Day Saint belief) Moroni Moroni is a principal figure in the Book of Mormon—the last Nephite prophet—and, in Latter Day Saint tradition, the angel who delivered the golden plates to Joseph Smith and is dep…

Moros (Greek personification of doom) Moros Moros is the ancient Greek personification of impending doom and unavoidable fate. A child of Night (Nyx), he embodies inevitability and is distinct from the Fates and Death.

Morpheus (mythology) Morpheus is the dream-shaping figure of classical myth, associated with human-form dreams, the Oneiroi, and later cultural traditions from poetry to medicine and modern culture.

Mount Othrys: geography, ecology and myth of a central Greek mountain Mount Othrys Mount Othrys is a mountainous massif in central Greece known for its rugged terrain, ecological variety and its role in Greek mythology as the Titans' stronghold during their war w…

Munchkins — inhabitants of Munchkin Country in L. Frank Baum's Oz Munchkin Fictional people who live in Munchkin Country of the Land of Oz, introduced by L. Frank Baum in 1900; known for blue clothing in the books and for their portrayal in the 1939 film.

Mundilfari Mundilfari: a figure in Norse myth, father of the personified Sun and Moon; name appears in medieval sources and has modern use as the name of a small planetary satellite.

Musa (genus and personal name) Musa Musa is a plant genus that includes bananas and plantains and a personal name found across many cultures. This entry summarizes botanical features, cultivation, uses, pests, taxono…

Muses: Greek goddesses of inspiration for the arts and sciences Muse The Muses are nine Greek goddesses who personify and inspire artistic, literary and scientific activity. This article explains their names, roles, origins, cult, and lasting cultur…

Muspelheim — Norse realm of fire Muspelheim Muspelheim is the fiery world in Norse cosmology, inhabited by Surtr and fire-giants; it figures in creation accounts and the apocalyptic events of Ragnarök.

Mut (ancient Egyptian mother goddess) Mut Mut, meaning 'mother' in Egyptian, was a major ancient Egyptian goddess associated with motherhood, the primeval waters, and state religion; she had varied forms, titles, and a cen…

Mutunus Tutunus: Roman Phallic Deity and Marriage Cult Mutunus Tutunus Overview of Mutunus Tutunus, a Roman phallic deity linked to marriage rites, fertility symbolism, the Velian Hill shrine, and its reception in later Christian sources.

Myrmidons — legendary warriors of Greek mythology Myrmidons The Myrmidons were a famed group of warriors in Greek myth, famed as Achilles' followers. Accounts connect them to Thessaly or Aegina and to an origin story in which Zeus transform…

Mythology: Meaning, Forms, and Cultural Roles Mythology An accessible overview of mythology: what myths are, how they differ from legends and folktales, their functions, history, and how scholars study them across cultures.

Mythology: Greek Gods, Heroes, & Monsters — book Mythology (book) An illustrated, encyclopedia-style compendium of Greek myths by Dugald Steer (2007), framed as a travel journal by fictional Lady Hestia Evans with notes by John Oro. Accessible gu…

Nāga — serpent deities in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions Nāga Nāgas are serpent or semi-serpent beings of South and Southeast Asian religions. Associated with water, fertility, protection, and the underworld, they appear in myth, ritual, art,…

Naglfari (Norse mythology) Naglfari Naglfari is a little-known figure in Norse myth, named as the first husband of the personified Night (Nótt) and father of Auðr in Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda; his origin and mean…

Nandi (the sacred bull of Shiva) Nandi (bull) Nandi is the sacred bull and vahana (mount) and chief gatekeeper of the Hindu god Shiva. Widely represented in temple sculpture, Nandi symbolizes devotion, strength and dharma in S…

Nanna (Norse goddess) Nanna (Norse deity) Nanna is a minor Norse goddess best known as the wife of Baldr. She appears in the Baldr cycle, dies of grief after his death, and is represented sparsely in the surviving Old Nors…

Narasimha — the Lion-Man Avatar of Vishnu Narasimha Narasimha is the lion-headed incarnation of Vishnu in Hindu tradition, famed for protecting the devotee Prahlada by slaying the demon Hiranyakashipu and symbolizing divine protecti…

Narcissus (Greek mythology) Narcissus (mythology) Narcissus, a handsome youth of Boeotia in Greek myth, famous for falling in love with his own reflection and transforming into the narcissus flower; his name inspired the modern te…

Native American mythology Traditional stories and cosmologies of Indigenous peoples of the Americas, varying by region and tribe. Covers creation myths, tricksters, sacred beings, social roles, regional div…

Nefertem: Egyptian god of the lotus, beauty, and healing Nefertem Nefertem, an ancient Egyptian deity associated with the lotus, perfume, healing and rebirth, formed part of Memphis's divine family and symbolized early morning renewal and fragran…

Neheb — Predynastic Egyptian figure attested on the Palermo Stone Neheb Neheb is a name recorded on the Palermo Stone as a Predynastic ruler of Lower Egypt. No independent archaeological evidence exists; scholars treat the entry cautiously and offer se…

Nehebkau — Egyptian serpent deity and guardian of the Duat Nehebkau Nehebkau is an ancient Egyptian serpent god linked to the soul, funerary rites, and protection at the entrance to the Duat. He appears in funerary literature and later became a ben…

Neith — Egyptian goddess of war, weaving and creation Neith Neith, an ancient Egyptian deity tied to Sais and Memphis, was worshipped as a creator, warrior, mother and funerary protector. Her symbols include the Red Crown, bow, arrows and w…

Nekhbet — Vulture Goddess and Protector of Upper Egypt Nekhbet Nekhbet, an ancient Egyptian vulture goddess, was protector of Upper Egypt, the pharaohs and childbirth. She appears in royal iconography and pairs with Wadjet as the 'Two Ladies'.

Nemean Lion — Mythical lion of Nemea Nemean lion The Nemean Lion is a fearsome creature from Greek mythology slain by Heracles. Noted for its impenetrable hide, it appears in ancient art, literature, and later cultural symbolism.

Nemesis: Greek goddess of retribution and the concept of just vengeance Nemesis Nemesis, in ancient Greek religion, is the goddess who punishes hubris and restores balance; the figure shaped ideas of divine retribution and later literary and popular meanings o…

Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) — Son of Achilles in Greek mythology Neoptolemus Neoptolemus, also called Pyrrhus, is a son of Achilles in Greek myth. He plays a decisive role at Troy, is connected to several violent episodes after the city's fall, and appears…

Neper — ancient Egyptian god of grain and sustenance Neper (mythology) Neper (Nepri) is the ancient Egyptian deity of grain and harvest, associated with nourishment, the seasonal cycle of crops, and agricultural symbolism in Egyptian religion and art.

Nephthys — Egyptian goddess of protection, mourning, and the dead Nephthys Nephthys, sister of Isis and wife of Set, is an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with protection, funerary rites, mourning, and resurrection in the Osiris cycle.

Neptune: Roman God of the Sea, Freshwater, and Horses Neptune (mythology) Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, freshwater springs and horses: his rites, iconography (trident and equine associations), links to Greek Poseidon and Etruscan Nethuns, public cul…

Nereid: Sea Nymphs of Greek Mythology Nereid Sea-nymph daughters of Nereus and Doris in Greek mythology. Benevolent marine spirits, attendants of Poseidon, and figures in literature, art, taxonomy and astronomy.

Nereus: Greek sea-god and father of the Nereids Nereus Nereus, the 'Old Man of the Sea' in Greek myth, is a primordial sea-god, son of Gaia and Pontos, husband of Doris and father of the Nereids. He embodies wisdom, prophecy and shapes…