Episode 87 - Here There Be Dragons: Etiologies

This week, Anna and Amber look into the origin stories of some of the most widespread and enduring myths and monsters. Where do these beasties come from? How do they shift as they enter different cultures? Throughout history, how have people used the mythological to explain the unexplainable?

To learn more, check out:

Exploring the World's Creation Myths (NPR)

Creation Stories from around the World: Encapsulations of some traditional stories explaining the origin of the Earth, its life, and its peoples

The Origin of Dragons (Anthropos)

Dragons: A Brief History of the Mythical, Fire-Breathing Beasts (LiveScience)

Cyclops Myth Spurred by 'One-Eyed' Fossils? (National Geographic)

10 Mythological Perspectives On Menstruation (Listverse)

Religion and Women (via Google Books)

Menstruation (Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961)

Star Gods of the Maya: Astronomy in Art, Folklore, and Calendars (via Google Books)

Ancient mantis-man petroglyph discovered in Iran (Phys.org)

Iconography of the Indus Unicorn: Origins and Legacy (Harappa.com)

Now we know the reason for the narwhal's tusk (Mother Nature Network)

The Travels of Marco Polo (Wikisource)

Photo credit: Wikipedia, with a little flourish from Anna