Mythology/Iconography

Mythology is the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person. Mythology was best through the ancient Greek culture. Every Greek culture compared everything such as, rain, crops, sunlight, etc., to the gods reasoning. When cities would go to war with one another, they would pray to Ares, the god of war, for aid to win the war. Zeus, the god of all gods, was the superior, and was always the most feared. Mythology also entailed creatures called demi-gods, were humans that were half human and half god. All of these gods were highly worshiped and glorified throughout the Greek culture. Gods were the reason humans were successful, poor, lucky, alive or even dead. If you were to mock the gods, it was believed that they would show no mercy in showing who is dominant. If you were to owe a favor to Poseidon for example, after he does something for you and you fail to comply, he would send a tidal wave to flood your land to make you suffer. Each culture has their own version of their gods, but none of them is seen better through the Ancient Greek culture. As followed by the famous book, The Odyssey, the main character Odysseus, is challenged and tormented by the god because he went against them. He had to spend years and countless challenges until he returned home. The Gods taught him a lesson to appreciate his life and never take anything for granted.

- Rex Sainz

Iconography - the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject. Iconography has been dated back since around 3000 B.C. Another meaning of Iconography is the allegorical paintings and arts of icons in the Byzantine and Orthodox Christian traditions.

Most Greek Gods have their own depiction of iconography and symbolism. For example, according to classical Greek iconography the paintings, art, and sculptures of Zeus depict him as not a tyrant, but a fair and even minded God that sits on a throne, holding a sceptre, with the power to heave lightning bolts. Poseidon is always shown with a trident, and usually seen near underwater animals.

Iconography, also known as the language of symbols, was very important in the eras where only a few of the people were literate. These illustrations were intended for the audience to easily recognize and understand the subject immediately. Consistency when using symbols is one of the most important factors in understanding Iconography.

Regions in Africa, China, Rome, and Egypt are among some of the other past civilizations which we know for a fact that have used Iconography.

In Egypt, one of the Gods they worship is a mother goddess named Hathor that is always associated with the cow and usually appeared in relief sculpture and wall paintings as a woman with a cow head. Some of the other Egyptian gods that the Egyptians worship is Ra, the sun god, and Ptah the creator. While Ra takes form of a hawk head, Ptah takes form of a bull.

- By Ricky Young