Symbolism of the Milky Way

The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System. The name "Milky Way" is a translation of the Latin via lactea, from the Greek γαλαξίας κύκλος (galaxías kýklos, "milky circle"). How did the name come from?

For the Ancient Greeks and Romans the Milky Ways was the milk that was squirted out from Hera's breast as she tore the nursing Herakles away, or ithe milk that spilled  from Ops's breast when she hid her child from her husband Saturn.

How did other people imagine the Milky Way?
The Milky Way was the celestial counterpart of the most important rivers, like the Ganges, Nile or the Yang-Ce. Or it was a river in the sky. Because of it's shape it was also associated with serpents,
(The Sumerians called it the Snake River.)

The Milky Way functioned also as a road.
The Sumerians believed that ghosts followed the Milky Way to the Otherworld. The Norse believed it was a path for the dead warriors. For the Christians it symbolizes the pilgrim's path. Inuit and Bushmen both see it as a track of ashes that glows for the traveller to follow.

For the Mongols and Tibetans the Milky Way is the breath of an elephant, which is swimming in the sea that encircles the Earth.

Horus

Horus is a major Egyptian god. He is usually shown as a falcon or as a human child, linked with the sky, the sun, kingship, protection, and healing. He said to be the son of Isis and Osiris and the rival to Set, the murderer of Osiris. Finally Set was defeated by Horus

Gods of American Gods

American Gods is a famous American TV show, based on Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name.

American Gods can be New Gods and traditional Old Gods, New Gods are the gods of technology and society. Old gods are the gods of religion and culture that were brought over to America by the immigrants who worshiped them and passed them down through the generations.

Who are the most important Old Gods in the TV series?

1. Mr. Wednesday - Odin



Mr. Wednesday is Odin, the ruler of the Valhalla. The god of battle, inspiration, magic and wisdom.

2. Bilquis - Queen of Sheba



She was suspected of being half-human, half-demon.

3. Mad Sweeney - Buile Shuibhne



Buile Shuibhne was a Medieval Irish ruler who was driven insane by St. Ronan's course.

4. Czernobog



The west Slavic tribes of the 12th century believed that bad things in the world happened because of Czernobog.

5. Mr. Nancy - Anansi



Anansi is both a man and a spider who is a successful trickster, going so far as to steal stories from the sky god. From this point on, he owns all the stories. He shows up as a character and god in folk tales of the West African diaspora, especially in the Caribbean and the Southern United States. His stories have become those associated with Brer Rabbit and Aunt Nancy.

6. Mr. Jacquel - Anubis



Mr. Jacquel is an incarnation of Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian god of mummification and afterlife. He is also a protector of graves.

7. Jinn



The Jinn is an ifrit from the Middle East. Ifrits are a tribe of jinns. They are mostly the powerful ones.

8. Easter - Éoster



Éoster is a Germanic goddess who is the namesake of the festival of easter.

9. Low Key Lyesmith - Loki



Low Key Lyesmith is Loki, the Norse trickster god.

10. Mr. Ibis - Thoth



Thoth is the Ancient Egyiptian God of writing, wisdom and magic.

11. Vulcan



Vulcan is based on the Roman god of metalworking, the forge and volcanoes. His Greek form is Hephaestus.

12. Zorya sisters.



The Zorya sisters are based on two guardian goddesses of Slavic mythology. The two goddesses represent the Auroras, watching over the doomsday hound, Simargl. Zorja Utrennjaja is the Morning Star and associated with Venus while Zorja Vechernjaja is the Evening Star and associated with Mercury. A third sister is described in some versions of the myth, however, Zorya Polunochnaya was created specifically by Neil Gaiman for the novel.