General Discussions

For my art project, I've decided to set it on the theme of myths, legends and mythical creatures. Partly because it allows for imagination but also because it is an important part of us. Our ancestors lived with these myths. Our parents might have been raised with them. I know that my mum has been raised with dozens of myths and stories, all important to her village and part of developing who she is. And we were raised with some of those stories, making us who we are.

So, I want to know, do you have any well known legends or stories that your parents, grandparents or ancestors might have been raised with? Stories seen as 'important', like how the world was made, or significant figures or creatures used to keep the kids in check, or explain something.

For example, at my mother's village there are two rocks, and it is said that there is a spirit in each rock, and that the spirit are lovers. The interesting thing is that the rocks move on their own, going into the river and back up a small hill, always together :3

Another one is that there are tree spirits that look after the ancient trees, and when children are bad and disobey their elders, the tree spirits will come along and whisk them away.

There is one legend that I've always liked

It goes something like this:

One night a goddess snuck down to earth to bathe in a hidden spring, but a handsome hunter stumbled upon her and they were instantly attracted, and spent the night together. The next day she wants him to stay with her forever, but he declines so she turns him into a silver stag and takes up her golden bow to kill him, but he runs away and she chases him, you can see them each day and night as she pursues him around the globe for eternity (sun/moon)

Something like that anyway

Being Scottish we don't have any old myths or legends, not since the Picts.

But the Irish have some cookey myths, the best being Finn McCool. Not only is it a great sounding name that seems to have came out in the 60-80's but it is a very very old legend.

Finn was a Giant and he built the Giant's Causeway which was supposed to link Northern Ireland and Scotland and was the path Finn used to visit Scotland to meet his love, but she was married already to another Giant which they battled over of course.

Finn picked up a piece of Eire and throw at the Giant, but missed and it formed the Isle of Man and a pebble which formed Rockall.

There is also a rock on a beach which is supposed to be Finn McCool's boot.

So many stories, some believe him not to be dead but in a cave hiding protected by the Fianna waiting for the horn of Dord Fiann (Finn's hunting horn) to be sounded 3 times so he may rise and help Ireland.

Good to look up these stories.

I think I heard that one before, ages ago. I actually forgot about it XD

Anyway, thanks you two