The Untold Story of Mythical Weapons

INTRODUCTION The tales of heroes and gods, monsters and miracles, love and betrayal, echo through the ages, attracting our attention with their grandeur, chilling fears, or fiery passions. Yet, the heroes often work their miracles and face their enemies with specially blessed, magically created, or divinely gifted weapons. These mythical weapons, embedded in folklore and legend, offer much more than mere tales of adventures. They are symbolic representations of power, virtue, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The histories and stories surrounding these weapons often offer a rich tapestry of the cultures and societies that created them. And so, we uncover the untold story of these mythical weapons, exploring and unravelling their origins, their symbolism, and their significance across different cultures. ORIGIN AND CULTURAL CONTEXT From swords that slice thunderbolts to bows that shoot solar flares, mythical weapons hail from every corner of the world, originating from diverse cultures and varied epochs. Each weapon originates within a particular cultural context, a creation not just of artisans, but also of the social, political, and religious conduct of their time. Take Durandal, the indestructible sword of the Frankish knight Roland from the medieval epic "The Song of Roland". The sword's hilt contained relics of saints, symbolising Roland's sanctity, associating his heroism with Christianity's holy virtues. Further east, in Japan, we encounter the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, a mythological sword that controlled the wind, reportedly found in the body of an eight-headed serpent slain by the storm god Susanoo. Both weapons highlight the influence of their origin societies' dominant religions and folklore traditions. THE LEGEND OR STORY The legends chains of these weapons are marred by quests, wars, and destinies. Durandal, originally the sword of Hector of Troy, was supposedly given to Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Emperor, who later granted it to his paladin Roland. In the battle of Roncevaux Pass, to prevent the sword from falling into enemy hands, Roland tried burying it within a rock, signifying his loyalty and bravery. In contrast, the Kusanagi has an entirely different tale. It was discovered in the fourth tail of the eight-headed serpent, Orochi, by the storm god Susanoo. He presented the sword to his sister, Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, as a conciliatory gift, symbolising power, reconciliation, and the dominance of mankind over monstrous nature. INTERPRETATIONS AND SYMBOLISM Delving deeper into their legends, one may find an array of symbolism tied to these weapons. Durandal, with the saintly relics in its hilt, symbolises divine protection. Notably, its strength and hardness are attributes oft-associated with unyielding faith, embodying the holy soldier, one who fights for virtue. Kusanagi's story also hints at interpretations beyond its literal tale. Its discovery in Orochi's body may symbolise the extraction of valuable resources—in this case, power—from a despicable creature (nature), implying man’s ability to use and transform nature for his own ends. It also symbolises the divine power of the wind, a force capable of cleaving through any resistance. COMPARISONS IN OTHER CULTURES In Indian mythology, we have the 'Vajra', a thunderbolt weapon of Lord Indra, the god of heaven and thunderstorms, which shares similarities with Zeus's Thunderbolt of Greek mythology. All these weapons embody divine energy, celestial power, and victory over evil. MODERN REFERENCES AND POP CULTURE With time, these mythical weapons have permeated into pop culture. In Micheal Crichton's novel 'Timeline', a character carries Durandal, which he eventually uses to kill a knight. The story of Kusanagi has also found its place in anime and manga such as Naruto. Overall, these weapons have come to symbolise justice, duty, bravery, and sacrifice in modern storytelling, becoming key elements in fantasy fiction and movies, who draw heavily from the mythology and legends that birthed these symbols of power and triumph. LEGACY AND LASTING MYSTERIES Ultimately, mythical weapons are more than mere artefacts of the past. They narrate the tales of ancient cultures, their beliefs, struggles, victories, and defeats. Despite the passage of time, they remain unresolved mysteries that continue to enthrall. For instance, the location of Durandal remains a topic of speculation. Some believe it to be buried in Rocamadour, France, while others consider it lost. Similarly, the Kusanagi's existence and location are shrouded in mystery. Some believe it is hidden in the Atsuta Shrine, while others presume it lost at sea. These lingering mysteries only enhance the enchantment, making these mythological artefacts an inexhaustible source of inspiration and fascination. Embodying cultural wisdom, historical adventure, and tales of heroism, mythical weapons wield an everlasting charm, echoing the ancient worlds and brave heroes that once were, and are no more.