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Why are poinsettias associated with Christmas?

The site Poinsettia Facts associates the flower with Christmas: No flower says Christmas like the beautiful poinsettia. Learn a few facts about this traditional Christmas plant. Today the plant is known in Mexico and Guatemala as ""La Flor de la…
Girsan Virlee
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Is there a preferred, scholarly edition of the Gesta Danorum in English?

Been meaning to read this for a while, but there are quite a few translations out there.
DukeZhou
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Why wasn't Poseidon turned into stone?

"She [Medousa], it's said, was violated in Minerva's [Athena's] shrine by the Lord of the Sea (Rector Pelagi) [Poseidon]. Jove's [Zeus'] daughter turned away and covered with her shield her virgin's eyes. And then for fitting punishment transformed…
bleh
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To what degree are depictions of Beggar So influenced by the immortal Li Tieguai?

I'm specifically wondering about the depictions of Beggar So in popular culture, such as his portrayal by the inimitable Yuen Siu-tien. For instance: Li Tienguai has a magic medicine gourd; Beggar So is often depicted with a wine gourd. Li…
DukeZhou
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Who lives in Mount Olympus usually?

Greek gods were on Olympus. On the top of my head, I can also name some more, like the Muses and Ganymede, but, are there other people who lived on Mount Olympus?
bleh
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Are there any mythical creatures in Islam?

Islam is arguably one of the most important religions in the world. However, I have not found any other mythical creatures in Islam, save the jinn, which is a type of fire spirit. Are there any other mythical creatures in Islam?
user1385
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Why did the sky exist when Ouranos was castrated?

So Ouranos was castrated by Kronos and Titans. When that happened, why didn't the sky just collapse?
bleh
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Is Zeus subject to the decrees of the Moirai?

In Herodotus's Histories (I.91) it is said: When the Lydians came, and spoke as they had been instructed, the priestess (it is said) made the following reply. “No one may escape his lot, not even a god. This would seem to indicate that the…
Obie 2.0
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How many heads did the Hydra originally have?

When Hercules fought the Hydra, it had 9 heads I think. But the way of the Hydra is that when one is cut down 2 grow up. So obviously some foolish fighters went in and cut some heads before, to know that information. So what I am asking, when the…
bleh
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Is there a myth that explains Senet's origins?

Fey Ray's answer to the question What is the oldest traditional children's game? is Senet, a game like checkers. Does the game appear in Egyptian mythology? Is there a myth that explains where and how it came from?
bleh
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Was it Apollo or Helios?

In some accounts I've read, the Greeks thought Apollo drove the chariot of the sun across the sky, in others it was Helios. Obviously they didn't see two suns rise and fall back then; How did these conflicting versions come about? Did one god…
drnkininLA
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Where Can I Study Parallel Mythologies?

I am very fascinated with the notion that there are significant parallels between mythologies - there may be different reincarnations of the same God? For instance, we know that Hermes is Mercury, but he is also related to Odin/Woden, and Buddha,…
Lady F
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Who are the little people who clean in exchange for a saucer of milk?

Terry Pratchett has referenced them in several works. I think other authors have too. I've googled, to no real avail. They first have to "steal" the instructions from manuals, the back of packets, etc. before they can do any of their work, which…
LikeATiger
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Are there any Greek myths related to the creation or use of numbers?

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_numerals for reference; So the Greek Mythology played a part in almost everything, like The ocean (Oceanus) Northern Europe (Europa) And a whole bunch of stuff besides. And I was looking at a random…
bleh
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Why aren't bears more revered in Korean culture?

Bears have a prominent place in the Korean creation myth: Ungnyeo was the name of a bear that turned into a woman, who gave birth to Dangun, the legendary first Korean king. So really, Ungnyeo the bear-woman was the mother of the Korean…
congusbongus
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