Heros and champions
Discussion
Well it's late and quiet on ph so i thought i would pose a question about the above.
just been reading about a Celtic champion/hero called Cúchulainn who was able to have warp spasms where his whole body would become contorted into a terrifying shape to conquer the villian.
It got me thinking about myth and legend, St. George the dragon slayer for example. It strikes me that history and moreover folklore is full of heros that did fantastic things. Most of them wholely unbeievable in todays society. So there must be some some truth to these stories, right?, I mean dragons? Where did they all go?
Ok, i relise that some may just have been bedtime stories to keep the kids out of mischief but 'Where are all the heroes gone?' da de daa, la la
just been reading about a Celtic champion/hero called Cúchulainn who was able to have warp spasms where his whole body would become contorted into a terrifying shape to conquer the villian.
It got me thinking about myth and legend, St. George the dragon slayer for example. It strikes me that history and moreover folklore is full of heros that did fantastic things. Most of them wholely unbeievable in todays society. So there must be some some truth to these stories, right?, I mean dragons? Where did they all go?
Ok, i relise that some may just have been bedtime stories to keep the kids out of mischief but 'Where are all the heroes gone?' da de daa, la la
bilko2 said:My theory on dragons is that dinosaur bones have always been in the ground and must have been discovered well before the onset of modern paleantology in the late 19th century. Now what would those in the dark ages make of a decent set of dinosaur bones?
I mean dragons? Where did they all go?
Dragons interest me. They feature in chinese mythology too. I don't think it has anything to do with the discovery of some bones though.
Ahh the dark ages
How is it that we can go back to the beginning of the universe but when it comes to the dark ages there's a whole bloody chapter missing?
Ahh the dark ages
How is it that we can go back to the beginning of the universe but when it comes to the dark ages there's a whole bloody chapter missing?
Cu Chulainn was Irish (not just Celtic). His original name was Setanta but he acquired his new name after he slew the guard dog of a chieftain called Chulainn. Setanta had been returning home from playing hurling when he was attacked by the dog. He defended himself with his hurley stick and inadvertantly killed the animal.
To atone for what he had done, he promised to act as Chulainn's guard dog.
The name Cu Chulainn actually means "The Hound of Chulainn".
To atone for what he had done, he promised to act as Chulainn's guard dog.
The name Cu Chulainn actually means "The Hound of Chulainn".
Thats right
Cool link here too
www.shee-eire.com/Magic&Mythology/Warriors&Heroes/Warriors/Males/Cuchulainn/Page1.htm
Cool link here too
www.shee-eire.com/Magic&Mythology/Warriors&Heroes/Warriors/Males/Cuchulainn/Page1.htm
We never learned about the "smashing the dog's brains out" bit at school!
It was always intimated that he killed the dog almost by mistake.
We learned a lot of these old Irish legends in primary school. At the time we all thought they were a bit naff - our heroes were more likely to be Georgie Best of Bobby Moore rather than Cu Chulainn. But now, it's nice to know that we have these ancient stoies as part of our culture.
It was always intimated that he killed the dog almost by mistake.
We learned a lot of these old Irish legends in primary school. At the time we all thought they were a bit naff - our heroes were more likely to be Georgie Best of Bobby Moore rather than Cu Chulainn. But now, it's nice to know that we have these ancient stoies as part of our culture.
Taliesin is another interesting "hero", more of a champion of words really, with a nice story. If you are looking for heroes look at the Mabinogion or go for some Northern myths... they are a jolly bunch those norse gods. They have all been killed by Christianity, well, not killed but transformed 
We still look though at the stories of human feats in the daily press or even in all those superheroes, but it is always nicer to resort to the sources and learn about the heroes that people did actually believe in. Robert Graves offers some good reads about myths if you are interested.
We still look though at the stories of human feats in the daily press or even in all those superheroes, but it is always nicer to resort to the sources and learn about the heroes that people did actually believe in. Robert Graves offers some good reads about myths if you are interested. Balmoral Green said:
I mean dragons? Where did they all go?
My theory on dragons is that dinosaur bones have always been in the ground and must have been discovered well before the onset of modern paleantology in the late 19th century. Now what would those in the dark ages make of a decent set of dinosaur bones?
- I mean, they lived in caves so it's not like they wouldn't have dug, and they wouldn't have had to dig so far to find them in better condition than we get them either. Also, think about it - you're a warrior who's found a set of bones. All you know about bones is that that's what you get when you kill something. My God, it's a dragon! And it has been slayed! There must have been a hero who lived here before us! Let's make stories up. And over time, they became the 'Christian' myths we know today evolved.
I like the fact that champions were used in the wars of old. Both armies would face off on the battle ground and the champion from each army would step forward and do battle with the other, normally deciding which side was to be victorious.
Even in those days they realised there was little need for loads of senseless killing.
Even in those days they realised there was little need for loads of senseless killing.
St George Slain the welsh dragon, i.e. defeate their army, wasnt ever meant in a mythical sense.
Even though fossils are hard to come by and tak a lot of digging etc, they could be the origin of dragons, but its weird that disparate civilisations (Europeans/chinese etc) all have the same base ideas somewhere.
Even though fossils are hard to come by and tak a lot of digging etc, they could be the origin of dragons, but its weird that disparate civilisations (Europeans/chinese etc) all have the same base ideas somewhere.
Fossils aren't always that hard to come by at all. Most fossils are found on the surface after the surrounding rock or soil jad been weathered away or washed away.
Fossils would have been found in ancient times by people just noticing skulls, shells and verterbrae sticking out from sand or soft sediments - much as they are today.
Fossils would have been found in ancient times by people just noticing skulls, shells and verterbrae sticking out from sand or soft sediments - much as they are today.
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