Mythology: Something in Common Trivia

1. According to Irish legend, what was associated with hearing the scream of a banshee?

From Quiz Damaging Demons

Answer: A family member had died or was about to die

Hearing the scream of a banshee in the Irish countryside meant that someone in the family had died or would soon die. Reports of banshees were recorded as early as the 14th century A.D. The name banshee was derived from an Old Gaelic expression "ben síde" which translates to "woman of the fairy mound". There have been various physical descriptions of banshees. Some people described them as having white dresses with red hair, silver dresses with grey hair or green dresses with white hair. It is said that the eyes of banshees eyes were red from their constant screaming and weeping.

From Quiz Tricky Situation

Answer: Loki

Although Loki's lineage in Norse mythology is a bit hazy due to various inconsistencies in old texts, he's certainly one of the most popular; you'd probably remember him in a top five list of Norse Gods. It's not hard to see why, since Loki's tales of trickery are common. Able to shift his form at will, Loki is sly and cunning, often creating problems for mortals and gods alike, often for his own amusement. Although the Loki of the Marvel comic book series "Thor" (and, yes, "The Avengers") is said to be adopted by Odin, there is no mention of that in the true mythology.

From Quiz Can't Get Over the Rainbow Myths

Answer: Bifröst

Bifröst was said to be a burning or shimmering bridge that joined Midgard, or earth, with the realm of the gods, Asgard. The bridge ended up at the home of Heimdallr, the god who was looking out for the onset of Ragnarök, when it was prophesied that Bifröst would be destroyed. Fólkvangr was a meadow ruled over by Freyja where some humans went who died in combat. Yggdrasil was the holy tree connecting the worlds.

From Quiz Epic Heroes

Answer: Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi (often just called Musashi), is the only epic hero to write his own story. He finished "The Book of the Five Rings", a remarkable mix of philosophy and autobiography, just before he died in 1645. He lived from 1584 to 1645, in the flower of the samurai culture under the shoguns. Eisaku Sato was Japan's first Nobel Peace Prize winner. Hideki Tojo drove Japanese aggression in World War II. Toshiro Mifune was likely Japan's greatest actor. He portrayed Musashi in a superlative trio of 1950s films by Hiroshi Inagaki.

From Quiz Who's Your Daddy?

Answer: Odin

Heimdall has the unusual distinction of being born from nine mothers with Odin as his father. Not only does he have spectacular sight and hearing, but he possesses foreknowledge too. He lives in Himinbjörg, or the Sky Cliffs, which is situated at the top of the Bifröst. At the advent of Ragnarök, Heimdall will sound the Resounding Horn, Gjallarhorn, to warn of the arrival of the frost giants. The various gods and creatures will kill each other and the land will descend into the water. The world will then be reborn and Baldur, who was killed as a result of Loki's deception, will return from the underworld. Two mortals will survive and creation will take place all over again.

From Quiz The Nymphs

Answer: Greek

Nymph-like creatures exist in the mythology of many other cultures. However, popular opinion is that they originated with the Greeks. An integral part of Greek mythology, nymphs were mentioned in relation to Zeus, Helios, Hera, Apollo and most of the other Gods, as well as mere men. They were always female, and if they were not inhabiting a particular location, such as a river or forest, they were attendant upon more important deities, such as Artemis, Demeter or Dionysus.

From Quiz 'O' My God..

Answer: Oenothea

Oenothea is, appropriately, associated with home, innkeeping, and hospitality. She is known as a dispenser of immortality. No wonder those under the influence of wine tend to think themselves immortal!

From Quiz The Entity

Answer: Hinduism

Hinduism has roots in the Vedic religion that was prevalent in Iron Age India. This religion has many beings that could be called demons. Pishacha are believed to haunt places associated with death and are believed to be able to change appearance as needed. They are usually described as male entities that have prominent red eyes which glow in the dark. Bulging veins and very dark skin add to their terrifying appearance. They are thought to have the ability to possess a person causing a variety of maladies including insanity. Offerings are made to the Pishacha during various celebrations and rites in order to gain protection.

From Quiz Myth-taking the Constellations

Answer: Aries

The four constellations that comprise Argo, the ship, are nearby. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac. Grus is a crane, Capricorn is the sea goat, and Vulpecula is a fox.

From Quiz Luck Be A Lady

Answer: Fortuna

In Roman mythology, Fortuna, a daughter of Jupiter, represents the personification of luck, both good and bad, though there are other minor deities also associated with luck. When works of art or literature make mention of 'Lady Luck' (or perhaps 'Lady Fortune'), it is Fortuna (as well as her Greek equivalent) that they are referring to. Fortuna was the original owner of the Rota Fortunae (Wheel of Fortune), which represents the idea that luck is ever changing - with one spin of her wheel, Fortuna can take you from good luck to bad, or vice versa.

From Quiz Herbs in Myths and Legends

Answer: Basil

Latin name: Ocimum basilicum. Tulsi was a Hindi nymph who escaped the attentions of a far eastern god by being transformed into a bush. Basil originated in India, where it is the sacred herb of Vishnu. In ancient Rome it was known as Basilescus and it was used as a charm against the Basilisk or fire breathing dragon. Other herbs of love include lavender, peppermint, savory and clove.

From Quiz Man, Myth & Magic: Wands

Answer: The Fairy Wand

The Fairy Wand is a well known example. It is supposed to draw its power from the sun, represented by the star at its tip.

From Quiz Operatic Non-Greek Myth and Legend

Answer: Aladdin

Henry Rowley Bishop (1786-1855) was an English composer. "Aladdin" was his last opera and rather a failure. Ali Baba was a woodcutter who opened the gate Sesame. He fought against forty robbers. Sinbad was a sailor whose adventures are also related in "The Book of One Thousand and One Nights". Scheherazade was the princess who would have invented the stories of "The Book of One Thousand and One Nights". Aladdin was a tailor's son. When he found a genii in a wonder lamp, he started to climb the social ladder and ended up marrying a true princess. Walt Disney Corporation has produced a series of animated movies on Aladdin.

From Quiz Name the Goddess

Answer: Demeter

Persephone is the wife of Hades, god of the underworld. Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty. Artemis is the goddess of the hunt. Hecate is the Greek goddess of the crossroads. She is most often depicted as having three heads; one of a dog, one of a snake and one of a horse.

From Quiz Divine Retribution

Answer: tied him to a tree and skinned him alive

Greek gods did not take challenges of their skills lightly. They always won, and had a knack for making the challenger pay dearly for his hubris.

From Quiz The Mythology of Volcanoes

Answer: vulcan

Vulcan was the Roman god of fire. Depending on which source you read, his forge was located either on the island of Vulcano (off the coast of Sicily), in Mt Etna (on Sicily itself) or in Mt Vesuvius (mainland Italy). As the mythical inventor of smithing and metalworking, Vulcan was said to have made weapons for the other gods on his forge. Ancient Romans believed that when a volcano erupted, it was Vulcan working at his forge.

From Quiz Idiots of Myth and Legend

Answer: Oedipus

If there's been a prophecy that you'll marry your mother, and a woman turns up who's significantly older than you, you'd be a little bit careful, wouldn't you?

From Quiz The Personification of Death

Answer: Ereshkigal

In Sumerian cosmology, the netherworld is the place the dead go when their lives are over, where they eat bread and drink water; (it is also the place where the sun and moon go when they are not overhead). The dead are judged by the gods, and their afterlife fates decreed according to the gods' desires. Utu, the sun, and Nanna, the moon both decree the fate of the dead when they are in the netherworld; in addition, the seven Annunaki (sometimes called the Annuna; both terms refer to the offspring of An but the Annuna may more properly be a set of "fifty great gods" not necessarily confined to the netherworld) are the seven "judges" of the dead. The netherworld is sometimes called by the name "Kur," which either refers to a great dragon whose body became the netherworld after it was slain by Enki, or to the living land itself, or to some variant or combination of these two. The chief personification of death in the Sumerian cosmology was Ereshkigal, who became the Queen of Death against her will. The older sister of Innanna, Ereshkigal was carried off by (or given to) Kur soon after the world came into being. There the dominion over the dead was thrust upon her; ultimately she definitely grew into the role. When Innanna goes to the underworld to witness the funeral rites of Gugalanna, the Bull of Heaven, Ereshkigal orders that Innanna be permitted entry to each of the seven gates of her dwelling; at each, Innanna loses an article of clothing, so that Innanna is naked by the time the sisters are face to face. Ereshkigal herself wears no clothing, and is demonic in appearance. The Annunaki pass judgment upon her, and Ereshkigal renders Innanna a corpse by directing a killing gaze upon her. (Innanna is later revived and freed when Dumuzi/Tammuz is set in her place.) This cycle is surely cognate with the Greek myth of Persephone, although the Greeks combined the elements of Ereshkigal's and Innanna's experiences into one girl's experience; this was probably appropriate since Innanna and Ereshkigal appear to be aspects of (or at the very least foils for) one another. (Innanna and the Annunaki are described above; Uttu is the goddess of weaving, textiles and clothing.)

From Quiz Cauldrons and Wells in Norse and Celtic Myth

Answer: Cauldron of Diwrnach the Giant

The Cauldron of Diwrnach has also been called the Cauldron of Llauyntiauc (in the poem "The Spoils of Annwfn" from the 12-13th century Book of Taliesin (Lyfr Taliesin)). It would not boil the food of a coward, but would cook food for a brave man; most of the so-called Hallows possessed characteristics betraying an interest in the worthiness of the possessor of the item. The Cauldron appears to have been the main item Arthur sought when he set out to harrow the otherworld, and is the only one recorded with certainty to have been recovered by him. The thirteen Hallows are usually given as Dyrnwyn, the Sword of Rhydderch the Generous (possessing the ability to burst into flame); the Hamper of Gwyddno Garanhir (possessing the ability to turn food for one man into food for a hundred men); the Horn of Bran (possessing the ability to provide any drink the owner desires); the Chariot of Morgan the Wealthy (possessing the ability to travel anywhere almost instantly); the Halter of Clyno Eiddyn (possessing the ability to provide any particular horse desired by its owner); the Knife of Llawfronedd the Horseman (possessing the ability to carve enough food for twenty-four men); the Cauldron of Diwrnach the Giant; the Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd (a sword sharpened with the stone by a brave man would always kill, although a sword sharpened by a coward would remain unchanged); the Coat of Padarn Red-Coat (which would only and always fit a man of noble birth); the Crock of Rhygenydd; (possessing the ability to provide its owner's favorite food); the Dish of Rhygenydd (with the same ability as the Crock); the Chessboard of Gwenddolau (possessing the ability to play by itself; when Peredur set up the board and "his" side lost he cast the board into a lake); and the Mantle of Arthur (possessing the ability to make its wearer invisible).

From Quiz Weapons of Yore

Answer: Excalibur & Excaliber

The Welsh name is Caledfwlch

From Quiz Myths - Fertility And Cultivation

Answer: Falcon

Many Egyptians believed the sky was a vast falcon and its two eyes were the sun and moon.

From Quiz Places That Never Were

Answer: Atlantis

From Quiz Sharp Objects

Answer: The Song of Roland

In the French version of 'The Song of Roland', Murgleys is said to have a gold pommel containing a holy relic, while the German version describes it as a seax (a type of knife wielded by Germanic peoples) called Mulagir. Opinion is divided as to the meaning of the sword's name: 'death brand', 'Moorish sword' and 'valiant piercer' have all been suggested by various translators. In 'The Matter of France', Ganelon is a knight who betrayed Charlemagne, while in 'The Song of Roland', he is Roland's stepfather. Other notable swords in 'The Song of Roland' include Durandal, Roland's own sword; Joyeuse, Charlemagne's sword; and Hauteclere, a sword belonging to Olivier, a paladin and Roland's best friend.

From Quiz Tricky Situation

Answer: Anansi

Originating in West Africa, but also appearing in Caribbean folklore over time, Anansi is known to be a spider who, through various means, receives powers from the gods to complete odd jobs. Although his actual appearance is hard to pin down, some stories tell the tale of a talking spider, but others personify him as a man with spider-like qualities (including four pairs of legs). Anansi is considered by many to be a storyteller, so it somewhat goes hand-in-hand that he's a trickster as well, weaving stories to get his way and reap the benefits of the gods. It's because of this, perhaps, that many believe he created the world.

From Quiz Can't Get Over the Rainbow Myths

Answer: Myanmar

The Karen say to their children that the rainbow is a painted demon that will eat them or drink them up. The Karen people have lived in what is now Myanmar for centuries. There are around 5 million of them in the country. In common with other ethnic groups in Myanmar, the Karen have been in conflict with the government. Many have crossed the border to Thailand.

From Quiz Who's Your Daddy?

Answer: Poseidon

It is true, Pegasus and Bellerephon were half-brothers. Well, probably. Bellerephon was the son of either Glaucus or the god of the Sea, Poseidon, depending on which myth you prescribe to. Pegasus was born of the Gorgon Medusa as Perseus decapitated her. One version of the mythology states that Pegasus was born from the blood that flowed from Medusa's neck. Another version has Pegasus being formed from Medusa's blood mixing with the sea foam. After Bellerephon and Pegasus defeated the Chimaera, Zeus transformed Pegasus into a constellation in the heavens.

From Quiz Gods Of The Night

Answer: Erebus

Chaos refers to the nothingness that existed before the creation of the universe, and first to spring forth from this, according to Hesiod, were Erebus and Night (or Nyx). The brother and sister are consorts, as is common in Greek mythology, and together bore Aether and Hemera, representing the upper atmosphere and the day. The name is also used for part of Hades (the underworld), which was split into various regions. Erebus is the darkest region, through which the souls of the dead pass soon after death, and through which one of the five rivers of Hades, the Lethe, flows. This is the river of forgetfulness.

From Quiz Eyes...Windows to the Soul?

Answer: Triangle

Often associated with Freemasonry, the Eye of Providence is a symbol incorporating an open eye enclosed in a triangle and surrounded by rays of light. It is interpreted as depicting the eye of God watching over all of mankind. The triangle is symbolic of the Christian Trinity.

From Quiz 'O' My God..

Answer: Both of these

A wife of Shango, god of hunting and thunder, Oya is mighty mighty in her own right! She is the goddess of wind, fire, thunder, and earthquakes. Interestingly, Shango is said to have married her after he witnessed her transform from water buffalo to woman; he was appropriately impressed!

From Quiz The Entity

Answer: Gluttony

This list, which came out in 1589, was used in association with Binsfield's prominence in the field of witch hunting. Beelzebub is associated with the deadly sin of gluttony. The others on this list are as follows: Lucifer/pride Leviathan/envy Mammon/greed Belphagor/sloth Asmodeus/lust Amon/wrath

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