Fire Gods in Greek, Hawaiian, and Norse Mythologies - Research Paper Example

Greek, Hawaiian, and Norse fire gods of mythology Introduction Defining Gods on earth is a real task for one attempting it. However, one will certainly meet with the fact that gods are extra-dimensional superhuman beings, causing for the destruction and construction of human civilization. Analyzing the world history, the influence of gods in human life is crystal clear, and as such, the study concerning gods deserves greater significance. This is also identifiable that man, during the first periods of his life on earth itself, felt the need of something to protect him. He frightened everything which are more powerful than him and began to worship them. It is the fear of man in the certain forces of nature gradually led to the concept of superhuman that has the power to regulate the whole human life. Whatever may be the history regarding the belief system, one can see the various tribes or races in the world believe in extra-dimensional superhuman beings. But it will not be favorable to regard all the superhuman beings as gods. Gods themselves are often been regarded as superhuman beings to themselves. Because their origins and true natures are shrouded in myth and controversy, the gods remain difficult entities to readily define (The mythological universe). This is quite applicable to the studies intended to explore Greek, Hawaiian, and Norse fire gods of mythology. Greek mythology It is significant to notice that Greek mythologies provide plenty of information about various gods and their influence on human beings. Analyzing Greek mythologies, one can perceive the fact that human life in ancient Greece have kept a close relationship with various gods or people in ancient Greece weaved their life both earthly experiences and heavenly presence of gods .In Greek mythology, Hephaestus, the son Zeus and Hera is considered as the god of fire and metallurgy and artisans. He created both heavenly and earthly fire, including the fire of volcano and thunder. In Roman mythology Hephaestus is changed in to Vulcan. Greek mythologies present Hephaestus as a kind and lovable god. Unlike other Greek gods, Hephaestus has problems in his world and his physical unattractiveness and lame made him isolated from other gods. As Ryan Omega comments; First of all, he had his loveless parents, Zeus and Hera, who were king and queen of Olympus (Omega 45). His mother Hera threw him from mount Olympus to the depths of the seas because of everlasting frustration and anger and it caused deformation on his leg. Similar way his wife Aphrodite, Greek goddess of beauty was never loyal to her husband Hephaestus. His physical disabilities always make him as an outsider among the gods. In Greek stories he was usually depicted as a bearded man having hammer and tongs which is considered the tools of a smith. Hestia, another Greek goddess of sacred fire also shared the status of god of fire with Hephaestus. Greek mythologies and stories have widely revered of the goddess Hestia and she has a vital influence on mythologies. Scholars and researchers have identified that, nothing like other Greek gods Hestia does not provide a story about her. In books Hestia is identified through the symbol of a sacred flame and the circle. Perry L. Westmoreland remarks that “As a gentle spirit, she tends to the fragrant and undying flames of the sacred fires in the palace, and she is the goddess of the hearth, home and family” (Westmoreland 95). In Greek mythology, fire gods are presented as virtuous figures and their existence influence the life of living things in the world and their blessings are essential for existence. Norse fire gods Norse mythology is also rich, though not so rich, with gods and goddesses like Greek mythology. One can identify a number of gods accompanied with Norse beliefs and traditions and majority of them are worshipped at present. This is interesting to note that the Norse Mythology is still fascinating millions of people. As in the case of the Greek stories, in Norse mythology also there has been some changes occurred as it is passing down through many generations. Poetic Edda and Prose Edda are the two main sources of Morse Mythology. It was Snorri Sturluson from Iceland who wrote Prose Edda around the year 1200 (Norse Mythology). The Poetic Edda is a collection of authorless Old Norse poems. The book entitled, Norse Mythology writes, “Loki, a trickster and trouble maker, was both a giant and a god in Norse mythology” (Norse mythology 16). He is the god of the Joutun Race and is considered as the evil god of fire God in Norse Mythology. This Loki was once bound and shut up in a dark cave when he caused many problems to the gods. The website entitled; Norse Gods and Immortals remarks the character of Loki as, “The sly, trickster god. Son of two giants. Also known as the Sly One, the Trickster, the Shape Changer and the Sky Traveler. Becomes increasingly more evil. He is responsible for the death of Balder. Bound until Ragnarok.” The presentation of Loki in Norse mythology is very interesting that one can find various beliefs existing with Loki, the mischief maker. The Norse mythology presents Loki as the father of lies and deceit, and shape shifter (Daly & Rengel 63). The very notable thing regarding the mythology of Loki is that “He is the personification of both aspects of fire: the merry but potentially dangerous hearth fire and the destructive fire of forest and volcano” (Daly & Rengel 63). In their combined venture, Norse Mythology A to Z, the authors Daly and Rengel make a clear evaluation of the Norse mythology and unveil that Loki was the son of the giant Farbauti and of the giantess Laufey or Nal (63). Loki had two wives Angrboda and Signyn. Loki had three children in Angrboda and two in Signyn (Norse mythology 16). As Loki belonged to the Jotun race, he is often viewed as an enemy of gods. Some believe that he is the blood brother of the great god Odin, which is why, the gods never harm him though he causes for many mischief and certain other problems. Loki has often been regarded as an amusing character that he could make other gods happy with his tricks. Sometimes he extended his hands of help to other gods but often gods would regret taking his advice (Daly & Rengel 63). When gods captured and punished Loki by binding him and shutting in a dark cave for his mischief, only his faithful wife, Sigyn assisted him. Norse Mythology also regards Loki as causing for earthquakes when he squirm with pain and terror after dipping the venom from the serpent placed by the icy goddess Skade over his upturned face. Considering all these factors, one can infer that Loki, the god of fire has an elite role in Norse mythology. Hawaiian fire gods of mythology Hawaiian mythology is concerned with Polynesia and the lands to the south and west. It is believed that it is from these lands the Hawaiian people attained their myths, their legends, their gods and goddesses and the roots of their culture (Hawaiian Mythology and Religion). Attempting an exploration of the Hawaiian mythology one can see that it is one among the oldest mythologies in the world. And the most significant thing about Hawaiian mythology is the innumerable fantastic stories about gods and goddesses. Contrary to the Greek and the Norse mythologies, majority of the gods were lived as humans before they assumed themselves as gods. Therefore, one may find the Hawaiian gods as different from the modern western concept of god and goddesses. Regarding the Hawaiian mythology it will be interesting to note that the skills of gods are in correspondence with the skills of the humans as they were already in human form. Hence one can see, “The skills which gods were presenting, their dedication to the Ohana in time of their human existence, was creating the highest value for society and after death of the body resulted in becoming a God of certain type” (Hawaiian Mythology). This affirms the fact that gods in Hawaii cannot be entirely considered as jus abstract concepts of worship; instead they are closely associated with real human actions and human reality. Pele, the Goddess of Volcanic fire is often described as one among the most popular gods remembered in Hawaii today. Beckwith and Salmon writes about Pele, the Goddess of Volcanic fire in their book, Hawaiian mythology as, “…The great goddess Pere (consuming heat) must be goddess of spontaneous burning of the earth” (165). Pele has a strong influence in the minds of the Hawaiian people who believed that she was a goddess shaped like an old woman. They also followed the belief that she had the ability to assume any form if she wishes, and it would not be good for one to ignore her. The very interesting fact about Pele is that even now, in Hawaii, there spreads stories about her, though many believe it as either superstition or imagination. The people of Hawaii are not at all worried at the volcanic eruptions and the breaking away of their houses, they consider it as their gifts to the Pele, the goddess of volcanic fire. Sometimes they regard Pele as the preserver of a new island, the home for new generations. Her unpredictability and power also are sketching models for them (Hawaiian Mythology). The Hawaii people address Pele in their chants in a number of names descriptive of volcanic activity. According to Beckwith and Salmon, as Pele destroys the land with her flames, she is often called as Pele-ai-honua (eater of land). Some wish to call her Ai-laau (Wood cutter), as she causes for the retreat of the old volcano god at her arrival. The description of Pele as, “…Pere has light down in the earth, without heat; above is the fire ever burning” and “Awe-inspring is the residence of Pere in the earth, great are her attendants that follow her below and above the surface of the world” (Beckwith & Salmon 165) are sufficient enough for one to have a clear picture of Pele, the goddess of Volcanic fire. Conclusion To conclude, one can infer that the gods in Greek, Hawaiian, and Norse mythology bear many similarities as well as differences. The fire gods in Greek and Roman mythologies differ only in their names. A closer analysis of the Greek mythologies reveal that human life in ancient Greece have kept a close relationship with various gods or people and as such, life in ancient Greece weaved around both the earthly experiences and heavenly presence of gods. Greek mythology presents Hephaestus, the son Zeus and Hera as the god of fire, metallurgy and artisans. The notable thing regarding Hephaestus is that he could create both heavenly and earthly fire, including the fire of volcano and thunder. This is quite similar to the personification of Loki, the Norse God of fire as possessing the merry but potentially dangerous hearth fire and the destructive fire of forest and volcano. This clearly underlines the similarity between these gods. As stated earlier, the Greek mythology has close similarity with Romans where Hephaestus is changed to Vulcan. In Greek mythology, one can identify one more god of fire, namely, Hestia, the Greek goddess of sacred fire. The study of the Norse mythology has helped the researcher to understand their fire god, Loki— a trickster and trouble maker. He has been portrayed as a giant in Norse mythology and presents him as the father of lies and deceit, and the one who is capable of changing his figure. The presentation of Loki as the one causing for earthquakes also is notable. The study has unearthed the disparity of Hawaii mythology to that of the Greek and Norse. When the Greek and the Norse mythologies present gods as abstractions and superhuman beings, the Hawaiian mythology presents majority of the gods assuming the forms of god after living many years as humans. Thus it becomes different from majority of the modern mythologies. Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of volcanic fire affirms this fact. Analyzing the story of Pele, one can see that it is strongly smacked with the tradition and belief of the Hawaii people. Therefore, it leads to the conclusion that the Greek, Hawaii and Norse mythological fire gods bear similarities as well as differences. Works Cited: Beckwith, M.W & Salmon, L.M. Hawaiian mythology. Forgotten Books, 1940. Print. Hawaiian Mythology and Religion. About.com. 2011. Web. 18 April, 2011 http://gohawaii.about.com/od/mythology/Hawaiian_Mythology_and_Religion_.htm Hawaiian Mythology. We-Hawaii.com. 2011. Web. 18 April, 2011. http://www.we-hawaii.com/hawaii_mythology.html Omega, R. The Greek God Tabloids. 2008. Print. Norse-Mythology.com. Norse Mythology - Gods and Goddesses. Norse-Mythology.com. 2011. Web. 18 April, 2011. http://www.norse-mythology.com/ Norse Mythology. In the Hands of a Child, n. d. Print. Norse Mythology. The Norse Gods and Immortals. n. d. Web. 18 April, 2011. http://www.akasha.demon.co.uk/norse.htm The official guide to the mythological universe. n. d. Web. 18 April, 2011. http://www.angelfire.com/planet/mythguide/mythguide.html Westmoreland, P. L. Ancient Greek Beliefs. Illustrated edition, abridged. Lee And Vance Publishing Co, 2007. Print. Read More