World Mythologies found in Tolkien
 

As many of us may or may not know Tolkien derived a lot of his basic ideas from different world mythologies, specifically the Norse and Celtic mythologies. But what about other world mythologies and religions? I am sure that we can find some examples of Tolkien in every area of the world. Just this summer while studying Japanes culture, I learned of an article of food known as kibidongo that had many of the same properties of lembas bread, you know, the ability to keep a person going even in dire circumstances.

I guess the reason I started this thread was to create a running conversation of all of the evidence of Tolkien that can be found in the multitude of mythologies of the world. Living in America, and with my school system having the classic idea of American superiority (I hate that btw), we really are not taught much about the culture and ideas of rest of the world unless we take a specific class on it. So, to use my local grammer, what do yous guys think?

I think it is obvious that Tolkien's early writings - the BolT, were strongly influenced by the Greek Mythology as well - with all that pagan, multi-Gods structure, flat Arda etc.
Besides, according to Snorri (the "Eddas") Norse and Germanic Gods - the Aesir not only came from the South (in the Prologue to the "Prose Eddas" Snorri clearly speaks about them coming from the destroyed Troy, or at least from Asia Minor), but in fact the mythologies of most Western European peoples were strongly influenced by the Greek mythology, "fitted" of course into their own cultural environment.

However, it is just as well clear that a lot of the characters inhabiting the wolds of Tolkien had been inspired by those of the ancient tales and sagas of the North-Western Europe.

Just a quick reminder before this discussion continues.

The merits or otherwise of America's national outlook on the world is irrelevant to the subject at hand, so please steer clear of any further discussion on that issue. Iaurhirwen and turgon, you may wish to amend your posts to avoid the issue being taken any further.

Thank you.

And further to the Greek influence referenced above, there are clear parallels between Tolkien's Númenor, and the Atlantis legend; the latter was orginally referenced (or created) by Plato. However, in an addendum to this connection, it should be noted that I am not referring to the subsequent name for Númenor of Atalantë, the derivation of which JRRT described as merely serendipitous, being a play on the Quenya for 'fallen'.

This is a well-intentioned thread, but it is important not to seek influence where there is little. The list of genuinely powerful influences on Tolkien's sub-creation are for the most part Northern European.

Rimbaud (naturally) is correct; the northern influences are very strong.

Some name-dropping: Kalevala (Finnish I think?), Elder Edda and Younger Edda (Icelandic/norse), Beowulf and the other Anglo-Saxon works & remnants; The (welsh) Mabinogion (which I am familiar with only as much as it was used in the Chronicles of Prydain, though I have good intentions and keep promising myself a more scholastic version) and that rather elusive body of Irish folklore where the Tuatha de Danaan linger.

There's more, but that's a good start and some (fascinating ) reading. Oh, and don't forget the story of Sigurd and Fafnir as told by Andrew Lang in his Red Fairy Book-- that's how a very young Tolkien fell in love with dragons. Definitely worth the read.

A friend of mine is taking a class in Russian history and she passed this bit of information along to me. I didn't take all she sent me so if this doesn't make sense I'm sorry. "The story goes: the leaders of Novgorod ruled their city well, sharing power among themselves and consulting the citizens on every decision. Then one day they began fight amongst themselves, killing each other in the streets. Rumors spread that the fighting had resulted from a pagan-god resurfacing and placing among the Novgorodians a 'stick of power'."
The stick of power is obviously the one ring. There's more stuff about how people kept losing the stick of power and it would sit for many years then someone elese would pick it up and something terrible would happen to their village or their families. Then it would be lost or cast away until someone else found it and thus the procress is repeated.

There's a beautiful edition of The Mabinogion out, with illustrations by Alan Lee, which give the whole thing a 'Tolkienish' feel for me.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

Also, as far as the Irish myths go, I'd go for Lady Gregory's translations, Gods & Fighting Men
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books
& & Cuchulain of Muirthemne http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...844204-6901455

I've found, unfortunately, that some of these interesting books aren't always easy to find. Luckily, one day at work I was grumbling to my boss about how I couldn't get a copy of The Poetic Eddas in Waterstones (I say this like it is an everyday thing to talk about at work, but my boss is also a Tolkien fan and into esoteric literature) and he sent me this fantastic link
Sacred Texts

You will find just about anything you could want here. It's not got the tactile quality of a book, obviously, but is very good for emergencies, or for browsing to see what you might find interesting, downloading to a PDA, whatever you like.

I have to say though, Tolkien did not just make use of the written stories which are available, he clearly made use of folklore, as seen in the origins of Hobbits - they come from many sources, including Hobgoblins, Boggarts and Brownies, unwritten but very vivid stories of creatures you can find in many cultures. It's always worth listening to those old hokey tales that grandparents (and parents) tell around the fireplace on a winter's night. :)

There is an interesting thread that deals with about anything you need to know about European Myths. Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon, Arthurian legends, Baltic myths...etc. (Oops I just realize Lalwende has already posted that, lol, good job, Lal, got to it before me :) ).

Anyway, what I wanted to focus on was a Baltic Legend, called, "Battle of the Wizards."
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/bw/bw05.htm

That is the link to view the story in whole.

Basically it deals with a "Great Wizard," and a "Wicked Wizard," who duke it out in a classic Wizard battle. The part I wanted to focus on was....

These "spells" these two wizards cast are ones that Gandalf seems to use.