Myths and Legends: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)

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Chinese mythology is known for its colorful characters and magical settings. Drawing inspiration from early Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist beliefs, traditional Chinese mythology was originally passed on through oral traditions. Therefore, much of Chinese mythology acts as a base for broader Chinese folk religion. All six of Matt Clayton’s Legends and Gods of Africa series are available on Kindle here. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Hardcover Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition): Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton First on our list of best overall mythology books is this four-book collection from History Brought Alive. By giving the four ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia ( Cradle of Civilization), and Egypt center stage, these books allow the audience to take a deep dive into each civilization without being too overwhelming. One can expect myths to be shared alongside recorded history in Greek, Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome: Fascinating Insights, Mythology, Stories, History & Knowledge From The World’s Most Interesting Civilizations & Empires. Norse myths and legends were almost completely lost to us since the stories were, traditionally, told through oral tradition. Through the famous works of Snorri Sturluson and others, we have been able to salvage what knowledge we have of Norse myths.

Most Japanese legends are based on Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Shinto is the older of the two and is considered widely as Japan’s indigenous religion. Like the last recommendation this is another book that, as a child, you feel must contain some kind of magic. The illustrations and design of the book are made to look an ancient artefact and the information is presented through the lens of an explorer (Emily Sands) as she hunts for the tomb of the god Osiris, which is a perfect way to get a child invested in learning about mythology.Each tribe has its own unique myths and legends. These can vary regionally, especially when considering outside influences. That being said, most myths shared several overarching motifs. From Coyote to Spider Woman, Native American mythology is filled with colorful tales about Native American gods for all ages. Coyote &: Native American Folk Tales by Joe Hayes Leave it to a former lecturer at Oxford University to write one of the best mythology books on the market!

A fantastic choice for students and those new to mythology overall, World Mythology: An Anthology of Great Myths and Epics (3rd Edition) is the book to have. Rosenberg has impressively gathered more than 50 epic legends from around the world. The audience will be able to learn about cultures across Greece, Rome, the Middle East, the Far East and Pacific islands, the British Isles, Northern Europe, Africa, and the Americas through a handful of their most treasured myths.Much of the mythology does span centuries of Chinese history as well. A sprinkling of monsters and Chinese gods within historical events is pretty standard. Chinese Mythology: Classic Stories of Chinese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters by Scott Lewis

Greek, Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome: Fascinating Insights, Mythology, Stories, History & Knowledge From The World’s Most Interesting Civilizations & Empires by History Brought AliveIf you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to Norse mythology without the fluff, look no further. The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion is as easy to understand as it is informative. That, and you’ll get 34 – trust us, that’s a lot – myths retold. I was completely obsessed with Tintin as a child and this book was my favourite. Something I think is so great about all the Tintin books is how on their surface they are pure adventure but they inspire the reader to learn more about the world Tintin discovers. This book was no different and i ended up convincing my mum to buy other books about Egyptian mythology so I could discover the story that inspired Hergé - the 1922 discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb and the urban myth than anyone connected with the discovery was cursed. Even better? Children of Blood and Bone isn’t only a great read for students. Adeyemi’s masterful storytelling is sure to appeal to audiences of all ages.

In all, Japanese Mythology is an informative audiobook for those interested in learning more about traditional Japanese myths. There are several things to look out for when searching for the best overall mythology books. A good mythology book captures the heart of myths. These tales are timeless. These gods? Ancient! It takes nothing short of the real deal to share the stories of old with a new generation. From girlhood to becoming a young woman, Maxine Hong Kingston describes growing up in 20th-century California in The Woman Warrior. A daughter to Chinese immigrants, Hong Kingston details her experiences interwoven with traditional Chinese history, folklore, and fairytales.

The Stoor Worm 

Looking for information on the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Otherworld? The Book of Celtic Myths has it. Perhaps King Arthur in Celtic myth? Oh, absolutely. This book even covers Celtic Christianity! We all know the Greek gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. In fact, Greek myths have had such an impact on Western culture that many know of the classic stories of ancient Greece. Most are well-versed in the legendary Trojan War and the mythological creatures that plagued poor Odysseus. Though, how much of Greek mythology do we really know? Norse Paganism puts great emphasis on Runes. Although many brush off Runes as nothing more than the alphabet of the Norse, there is something more to them.