Compare or Contrast Myths
Compare or contrast two major female fertility deities as to character, activities and role in the myth. In the myths of the ancient world, a great deal of importance is placed on the rhythmical cycle of birth, maturity, death and rebirth. Ancient agrarian people observed the world around them, and from this observation they realized that their lives as well as every other living thing on this planet was a part of an intricate continuing cycle. Everything withered and died, but not before reproducing and continuing the cycle of life. Since female plants and animals were directly responsible for the birth of new life, people worshipped female deities to ensure that the earthly cycle of life was maintained in proper balance. One such goddess can be found in Japanese mythology. The most ancient of Japanese deities, Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun. She is also the ruler of the gods and the universe. She is revered and given considerable praise, evidenced by the fact the Japanese imperial family traces its lineage directly to the Goddess Amaterasu. This reverence is understandable, given the sun’s extreme importance in the cycle of life. Without the sun, there would be no warmth, no plants, and certainly no hum
In the myth of Amaterasu, her brother Susano-o-no-Mikoto has offended her by defiling her home and not respecting her. She comes out to satisfy her curiosity, and upon seeing herself in the mirror is so impressed that she returns to her position in the sky and life is renewed. When women are revered and treated with respect, flowers will continue to bloom and the sun will continue to shine its warmth down upon us. The time when she is in the Underworld represents the barren winter, and the when she is with her mother on Earth represents abundant spring and summer. One of the Goddesses, Ame no Uzume, performs a dance in front of the entrance to the cave. Hades, God of the Underworld, wants Persephone for his bride and kidnaps her and takes her down to the Underworld. Despite originating at opposite ends of the globe, these two stories have a lot in common. Another similar fertility story is that of Demeter and Persephone from Greek mythology. After all, they should all be depressed since she and her sunshine are gone. It also represents the important role that women played in early Japanese culture, where they occupied the same social roles as men. Demeter and Persephone are two Goddesses, mother and daughter, who live together in a state of eternal abundance. In both myths it is also a women who is responsible for the return of the female fertility Goddesses to the world, Ame no Uzume in Amaterasu and Demeter in Persephone and Demeter. I think that this represents the fact female Goddesses, and women as a whole, need to be treated with respect and not simply as a means to an end.
Common topics in this essay:
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Underworld Underworld,
Persephone Demeter,
Gods Goddesses,
Amaterasu Susano-o-no-Mikoto,
Goddess Amaterasu,
Underworld Demeter,
Ame Uzume,
Persephone Goddesses,
Underworld Persephone,
cycle life,
demeter persephone,
world begins,
continuing cycle,
female deities,
gods goddesses,
female fertility,
treated respect,
ame uzume,
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Acceptance Essays
