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

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The Mabinogion is based upon a 14th century manuscript known as ‘Red book of Hergest’. The work is a collection of eleven tales of early Welsh literature and draws upon the mystical word of the Celtic people intertwining myths, folklore, tradition and history. The Book of Oni and Other Mischievous Spirits delves into the makings of these infamous entities within Japanese myths. As it turns out, there is a lot more to the Oni than being giant, horned, and red. Some were once even people or animals. The functions and unique behaviors of the Oni in myths can all be found in this totally not frightening folklore book! 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.

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? You’ll find several books below that capture various aspects of Japanese mythology. From a compendium of Oni to a collection of traditional myths, there’s sure to be one to catch your eye. Japanese Mythology by Roberts Parizi As with most things, religion and beliefs shift with the passage of time. Some folklore is adapted to an ever-changing world. We’ve gathered four of the top-notch mythology books on ancient Egyptian myth. Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many by Erik Hornung A beautiful book that takes the most famous Greek myths and makes them fun and easy to digest. Marcia Williams uses a comic book format to tell each story and doesn’t shy away from the darker elements without it ever being too much for a child to process. My favourite was always Arachne. It showed me how the Greeks believed the gods could be just as spiteful and vain as humans which inspired the story of my last book Leo and the Gorgon’s Curse.Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition): Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton

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. Today, there are 574 federally recognized tribes within the United States alone. Each one has its own stories, monsters, and heroes. It is estimated that during the pre-Columbian era, there were well over 1,000 different Native American cultures thriving throughout the modern U.S., which means that Native American mythology is incomparably vast. Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual: Your Guide to Egyptian Gods & Creatures, Glyphs & Spells, and More If 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.We won’t learn much about the geography of Central America from the stories of the twins Hunapu and Xbalanque, but we do get a wonderful glimpse of the Mayan world. Everything, from the narrative and characters to the rhythm of the story, draws us close to the sense of humour, mischief and ingenuity of a whole people. Alongside gorgeous art by Kotaro Chiba, Tales of Japan: Traditional Stories of Monsters and Magic regales the audience with 15 folktales. All tales are derived from earlier 20th-century collections by Lafcadio Hearn and Yei Theodora Ozaki. Organized between “Journeys,” “Ghosts and Monsters,” and “Justice,” each chapter within this book offers insight into the oral traditions of ancient Japan. 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

I love books about mythology that take a well loved story that’s been told a thousand times and completely flip it on its head. This lovely short comic is one of the best examples of this. Using the characters from David and Goliath, Tom Gauld shows us the story from the other side of battle. Revealing the life of a larger than average man who just wanted to be left alone and work in admin. It's sensitive, funny and poignant.The Tain as translated by Thomas Kinsella offers maps and a pronunciation guide (we all know how handy those can be). Furthermore, it offers insight into the events before the Táin Bó Cuailnge. The story is thoroughly fleshed out, complemented with brush drawings by Louis Le Brocquy. Honestly, one can do no wrong by adding The Tain to their reading lists. Illustration: Helen Ward The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore by Michael Dylan Foster and Shinonome Kijin 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!