What are jotunns in Norse mythology? The Jotnar (singular Jotunn) are human-shaped beings from Norse mythology that are commonly described as giants. The origin of the name “jotunn” is uncertain, but it most likely derives from the Proto-Germanic “itunoz” meaning “giant” or “monster” or as a compound word meaning “immense eater”. As the name implies, …
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Who is Ullr? Ullr (pronounced “ULL-er”), is the god of archery, snow, hunting and skiing in Norse mythology. The origin of his name is unclear and is still under debate, with the most likely origin is that his name derives from the old Proto-Germanic *Wulþuz, meaning “glory”. As for his appearance, the Norse Eddas describe …
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Who was Ask and Embla? Ask and Embla are the first two humans in Norse mythology and have a very similar role to that of Adam and Eve in Christianity and Judaism. Unfortunately, the Norse mythological texts almost never mention these two enigmatic figures, with the exception of their creation story and how they and …
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Vietnam has an extremely rich folklore and mythology, a testatment to the countries long and very eventful history filled with geopolitical struggles, social conflicts and emotional personal stories. What follows is a summary of the 10 most important Vietnamese myths, stories and folktales. 1. The Legend of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ The legend …
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There were a number of ways witches and sorcerers in the European medieval era were able to cast curses. Most of these do not involve the elaborate, time-consuming rituals sometimes seen in various Hollywood movies. In most cases, simple words and gestures are enough to perform a curse. The simplicity of casting a curse makes …
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A curse is a supernatural manifestation that inflicts various hardships and torments on the victim. Curses are often inflicted in various ways, such as through divine punishment, pagan magic, witchcraft, or demonic influences. Throughout most religions, folk takes and mythological stories, curses are depicted as having devastating consequences and are often permanent. That being said, …
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What is a superstition? A superstition is a widespread cultural behavior that is motivated by supernatural beliefs in fate, magic, luck, or spirituality and not any proven scientific theory or rigorous logic. Supernatural beliefs used to be much more prevalent in ages past when religion, not science, was the primary tool people used to explain …
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Are Aliens compatible with Christianity and the Bible? The Bible doesn’t specifically mention anything about aliens or extra-terrestrial life, but it does give us a strong set of religious arguments and biblical perspectives that clearly suggest the existence of aliens is entirely compatible with the Bible and God’s creation. Finally, just because the Bible doesn’t …
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Throughout its lengthy evolution, Hinduism has embraced numerous symbolic elements that play a significant role in its imagery, drawing their spiritual meanings from ancient scriptures or cultural customs. The importance given to these icons can vary based on the region, era, and specific sects of believers. Symbols like the Swastika have gained broader recognition over …
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Nihilism, a philosophical belief that life has no ultimate meaning or purpose. For some it is a relief, for others a source of despair. Whichever camp you may fall into, it is undeniable that nihilism is a major philosophical theory that shapes modern thought even today. In one way or another, nihilistic philosophy has existed …
7 Most Important Nihilist Philosophers (& their Main Ideas) Read More »