For the mythology geeks out there

[ultranos]

Reference question: are there any books or other reference material for myth and legends from any of the following cultures that you would recommend? I've been datamining Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Mythica, but that only gets me so far.

Current List:
Aztec
Mayan
First Nations
Norse
Japanese
Chinese
Korean
Thai
Babylonian
Assyrian
Celtic
English/Arthurian cycle

And any others you think are exceedingly interesting? I'm trying to get away from the Classical (Greek and Roman) if at all possible.

Comments

[abyssinia]

When you use the term "First Nations" are you using that to mean all areas of North America or only Canadian areas?

[ultranos]

I meant all of North America. My mind is blanking on the correct term.

[abyssinia]

Well, I think part of that is that there's a lot of debate about correct term. Generally, in my experience, "First Nations" usually refers to natives in what is now Canada, and in the US we often use "Native American" or "American Indian" (which is a contentious term, which some prefer and some don't and it's all messy).

Mostly because we have this need to take this incredibly diverse assortment of tribes with very different names and languages and traditions and societies, and lump them together as if they are all the same (because, you know, everyone in Asia is the same...)

I was just checking whether you wanted to focus specifically on them or not. I'll check back with my bookshelf when I get home, but I know there's some good collections out there.

[ultranos]

I knew "Native American" was contentious, which is why I didn't use it. And the reason why I didn't list all of the tribes, which is what I really wanted, is because I don't know all of them and didn't want to miss one that I meant, because there ARE so many and they're all extremely interesting and I wanted to be inclusive without accidentally omitting any one.

So, I grasped for a blanket term that was hopefully least objectionable out of a lot of bad options. Which was possibly a bad decision.

[abyssinia]

I figured, and it's all reasonable. I was just checking to clarify what you were looking for recs on. I have a number of sources for "Native American" folklore from various regions, but very little on "First Nations" (augh, now I'm thinking too hard about names)

Here via DW Latest

[meret]

If you're into mythology you've probably already read Joseph Campbell, but I thought I'd mention him just in case. http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php

Re: Here via DW Latest

[ultranos]

I have a copy of Hero with a Thousand Faces, but none of his other works. So thanks!

[havocthecat]

Let me go through my mythological resources! I probably have good online or offline resources for a fair number of these. It's just that my books are scattered all over the house.

[ultranos]

That would be fantastic. (I knew this would probably be right up your alley.)

[archersangel]

http://edwardrhamilton.com/titles/7/4/0/7408935.html
THE ULTIMATE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHOLOGY

Previously published in two separate volumes as The Encyclopedia of Mythology and The Encyclopedia of Eastern Mythology. Comprehensive reference to the extraordinary tales and legends of the ancient world's most fascinating and beguiling mythologies. Offers over 1,000 alphabetical entries describing the central mythical figures of each culture and their importance to their civilizations.

Hardbound.
512 pages
Published by JG Press
Size(inches) 9 x 12
Item # 7408935
ISBN 1572154403
Remainder Your Price $19.95

[ultranos]

Thanks!