9 Strange Similarities Between Greek And Indian Mythology

9 Strange Similarities Between Greek And Indian Mythology

For years, people have followed the traditions and beliefs that they connect with and grew up listening to. Those who grew up learning from their elders about the myths and legends of Greece and India share a history that goes back thousands of years and has many similarities.

Zeus and Indra

Zeus is one of the best-known Greek gods. As god of the sky, he is believed to be the protector, ruler and father of all humans and all gods. Illustrations of him show an old and strong-looking man grasping a lightning bolt.

According to Hindu mythology, Indra is also the King of the gods and weather, specifically thunderstorms and lightning, and he is believed to be the cousin of Zeus. Another connection shared by the two Gods is that Indra is said to hail from Mount Meru and Zeus is from Mount Olympus.

Karna and Achilles

Karna is the spiritual son of the Hindu Sun God and Princess Kunti, which makes him a royal demigod. Achilles is best known for his heroics fighting for the Greek army in the Trojan War. He was the son of King Peleus, which also makes him a demigod. Both were warriors and both had mothers who were goddesses of the sea.

Ramayana and The Trojan War

The Ramayana War was a fierce battle that lasted a week, after Ravana kidnapped Ram’s wife Seeta. The Trojan war started after Paris of Troy took Helen, the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta, and ran away with her.

Holy Trinity

Both Greek and Indian mythology have a Holy Trinity based on a belief in three most important Gods. In Indian mythology, although there are many gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar are considered the most important. In Greek mythology, Zeus, Hades and Poseidon are all believed to rule heaven.

Gods of All

Both the Indian and Greek mythologies subscribe to the belief that there is a God for everything, including wealth and wisdom.

Hades and Yama

Hades is the Greek God of the underworld. Similarly, Yama is a Hindu and Buddhist God of death and the underworld.

Saptarishis and the seven sisters

In Indian mythology, the Saptarishis are thought to be the seven brightest stars that have the power to control the sun. In Greek mythology, the cluster of stars are known as the Pleiades.

Icarus and Sampati

In Greek mythology, Icarus, the son of the inventor Daedalus, did not survive transitioning from a boy into a man and fell to the ground. In Indian mythology, Sampati also fell to the ground after he went too close to the sun and burned his wings.

Hermes and Narada

Hermes and Narada share similar personality traits and enjoy tricking and misleading people. The Greek god Hermes was god of many things, including thieves and travel, and was one of the cleverest and naughtiest gods. Narada, the Hindu God, was well-known for being a traveling musician and a storyteller who enjoyed tricking and misleading people.

Another form of mythology is horoscopes, which are linked to the time a person is born into the world. The word originates from the Greek words "ora", which means "time", and "scopos", which means "observer". In Hindu astrology, they believe in a relationship between the movement of the stars and moon. People around the world subscribe to the meanings and predictions related to horoscopes, and there is a huge market in associated clothing and jewelry. T-shirts bearing the star signs, like this Libra Colours T-shirt, are a great way to show your connection with your star sign.

Other symbols people believe in include the Shaman’s Healing Hand. A tradition that started in Japan more than 100 years ago, the symbol originates from the tradition of Reiki. Reiki principles are said to heal negative emotions in the body, including anger and stress, and heal hurt from the past. The hand and fingers are said to be full of energy and that transfers from the healer to the client. It can also ward off evil. T-shirts with the symbol are available in a variety of colors and sizes, such as this Purple Shaman's Healing Hand T-shirt.

The Laughing Buddha is recognized around the world and comes from a legend that says a happy Zen monk called Budai brought good luck and charm to many. His laughing face and large, round belly is now found on clothing, art and ornaments, such as this Orange Laughing Buddha T-shirt.

Mythology is as fascinating today as it has always been, and these gods and symbols highlight the strengths and weaknesses in all of us.