Myth Review of Asia and Polynesia

Hinduism

an ancient Indian faith that focuses on liberating the soul from the cycle of reincarnation (samsara) by balancing moral duty (dharma) and actions (karma) to achieve union with a supreme being. 

Dharma

a definite pattern of righteous behavior dictated by a person’s position in society

Yuga

great age, with each lasting for 4,320,000 years

Yin and Yang

a concept originating in ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics that is used to describe two primal opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe.

Confucianism

the system of ethics, education, and statesmanship taught by Confucius and his disciples, stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for parents, and harmony in thought and conduct.

Shinto

Religion of early Japanese culture; devotees worshiped numerous gods and spirits associated with the natural world; offers of food and prayers made to gods and nature spirits

Yomi

the land of the dead in Japanese myth

Etiological

serving to explain something by giving a cause or reason for it, often in historical or mythical terms.

Mythical Hero

a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods

Trickster

a character that is usually clever and mischievous, ad tries to survive the dangers and challenges of the world using trickery and deceit. The trickster can be cunning or foolish, and even often funny.

Cultural Hero

a (typically mythological) historical figure who embodies the culture of a particular society, and is frequently considered to have founded or shaped that culture; (also more generally) a person

Kami

a divine being or spirit in the Shinto religion

Bao Chu

son of Hui Niang (a farmer) and Hui Niang (a weaver); hero who goes on a quest for the sun

Chi Li

Daughter of Tan Li and his wife; one of six sisters; faces the Yung serpent

Yi

considered to be the greatest archer of all time in China

Pangu

a horned and hairy beast considered to be the first living being in the universe who created earth and sky in Chinese mythology

Izanagi

the father of the Japanese kami, creator of the islands of Japan, and father of Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo, and countless other gods

Izanami

mother of the Japanese kami, creator of islands of Japan, dies giving birth to god of fire, Kagutsuchi

Amaterasu

the Japanese sun goddess, daughter of creator deities Izanagi and Izanami, and central to the Shinto religion

Susano-o-no-Mikoto

god of the sea and storms in Japanese mythology

Nugua

the creator of all mankind in Chinese mythology

Maui

The Polynesian culture hero who tames the sun

Hina of the Fire

mother of Maui; maker of kappa

Rama

the eldest and favorite son of King Dasa-ratha; earthly form of Vishnu; brother of Bharata, Lakshama, and Satrughna; husband of Sita

Sita

wife of Rama; earthly form of Lakshmi; daughter of Mother Earth; adopted daughter of King Janaka and his wife, Queen Sunayana

Dasa-Ratha

King of Kosala; father of Rama, Bharata. Lakshmana, and Satrughna

Bharata

son of King Dasa-Ratha; brother of Rama, Lakshmana, and Satrughna; second earthly form of Vishnu; becomes ruler of Kosala after their father’s death

Hanuman

son of the wind; great monkey hero who helps Rama

Sugriva

monkey king who helps Rama fight Ravana

Ravana

demon king of Lanka and the Rakshasa; enemy of the gods and mortals; kidnaps Sita

March

Ravana’s advisor; a Rakshasa demon; helps lure Sita

Vibhishana

youngest and good brother of Ravana

Kumbha-Karna

giant brother of Ravana; greatest Rakshasa warrior

Rakshasas

in Hindu mythology, a type of demon or goblin with the power to shape shift

Vishnu

is the second god in the Hindu triumvirate (or Trimurti). the preserver and protector of the universe. His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil.

Brahma

the creator god of the Hindu sacred triad

Shiva

the god of destruction and regeneration in the Hindu sacred triad

Indra

the chief of the Vedic gods, the god of rain and thunder.

Lakshmana

son of King Dasa-ratha; brother of Rama, Bharata, and Satrughna; third earthly form of Vishnu; accompanies Rama into exile

Satrughna

son of King Dasa-ratha; brother of Rama, Bharata, and Lakshmana fourth earthly form of Vishnu