Mythological references: Difference between revisions
From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
More actions
→Judeo-Christian references: "Valley of Darkness" title. Not strictly an episode reference tho, as it's just a title |
no icky single = in articles |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
:''This article lists references to real-world religious references and other mythology in the [[Original Series]] and [[Re-imagined Series]], found in dialogue and from ship, place and character names''. | :''This article lists references to real-world religious references and other mythology in the [[Original Series]] and [[Re-imagined Series]], found in dialogue and from ship, place and character names''. | ||
= The Original Series = | == The Original Series == | ||
==Judeo-Christian references== | ===Judeo-Christian references=== | ||
* In ''[[Saga of a Star World]]'', [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] asks God to "take this burden" from him. The burden, of course, is the need to guard the last of humanity after the Twelve Colonies is destroyed. This reference is likely derived from the New Testament where Jesus prays to God before he is arrested and later crucified. | * In ''[[Saga of a Star World]]'', [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] asks God to "take this burden" from him. The burden, of course, is the need to guard the last of humanity after the Twelve Colonies is destroyed. This reference is likely derived from the New Testament where Jesus prays to God before he is arrested and later crucified. | ||
==Egyptian references== | ===Egyptian references=== | ||
* [[Eden]] - The special effects footage that depicts this city in "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]" is actually the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. | * [[Eden]] - The special effects footage that depicts this city in "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]" is actually the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. | ||
* Flight gear - In the Original Series, the helmet of the [[Viper (TOS)|Viper pilot]] resembles the ceremonial headdress of the Egyptian pharaohs. | * Flight gear - In the Original Series, the helmet of the [[Viper (TOS)|Viper pilot]] resembles the ceremonial headdress of the Egyptian pharaohs. | ||
* [[Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol]] - This place is heavily decorated in hieroglyphs and contains a sarcophagus with a prop of a Pharaoh's mummy. | * [[Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol]] - This place is heavily decorated in hieroglyphs and contains a sarcophagus with a prop of a Pharaoh's mummy. | ||
==Islamic references== | ===Islamic references=== | ||
* [[Iblis]] - This character's name is derived from "Diabolis" by the writers, but is coincidentally the name of a fallen servant of Allah. | * [[Iblis]] - This character's name is derived from "Diabolis" by the writers, but is coincidentally the name of a fallen servant of Allah. | ||
= The Re-imagined Series = | == The Re-imagined Series == | ||
==Judeo-Christian references== | ===Judeo-Christian references=== | ||
* The [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons of the Re-imagined Series]] are monotheistic, and worship a being they name simply as "God." The Cylons speak of commandments, inferring a parallelism between their deity and the central deity of the Abrahamic religions. | * The [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons of the Re-imagined Series]] are monotheistic, and worship a being they name simply as "God." The Cylons speak of commandments, inferring a parallelism between their deity and the central deity of the Abrahamic religions. | ||
* The title of the episode "[[Valley of Darkness]]" is from Psalms 23:4. | * The title of the episode "[[Valley of Darkness]]" is from Psalms 23:4. | ||
== Greek references == | === Greek references === | ||
=== Ships === | ==== Ships ==== | ||
* ''[[Atlantia]]'' - The name of a [[Wikipedia:Hamadryad|hamadryad]], a form of nymph and namesake of a battlestar lost in [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. Could also be a reference to the lengend of Atlantis, written by Plato. | * ''[[Atlantia]]'' - The name of a [[Wikipedia:Hamadryad|hamadryad]], a form of nymph and namesake of a battlestar lost in [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. Could also be a reference to the lengend of Atlantis, written by Plato. | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
* ''[[Zephyr]]'' - A ship in the Fleet. Named after the Greek god of the west wind [[w:Anemoi#West_wind|Zephyrus]]. "Zephyr" is also a general name for the west wind. | * ''[[Zephyr]]'' - A ship in the Fleet. Named after the Greek god of the west wind [[w:Anemoi#West_wind|Zephyrus]]. "Zephyr" is also a general name for the west wind. | ||
=== Places === | ==== Places ==== | ||
* [[Delphi]] - A city on Caprica. On real-world Earth an ancient Greek city, which was home to the famous oracle Pythia. | * [[Delphi]] - A city on Caprica. On real-world Earth an ancient Greek city, which was home to the famous oracle Pythia. | ||
* [[Troy]] - A mining colony. In mythology, Troy was the site of legendary [[w:Trojan War|Trojan War]]. | * [[Troy]] - A mining colony. In mythology, Troy was the site of legendary [[w:Trojan War|Trojan War]]. | ||
=== Persons === | ==== Persons ==== | ||
* [[Pythia]] - An [[oracle]]. Pythia was the name for the oracle at Delphi in Greece. | * [[Pythia]] - An [[oracle]]. Pythia was the name for the oracle at Delphi in Greece. | ||
== Roman references == | === Roman references === | ||
* [[Mars Day]] - A weekday or holiday named after the Roman god of war. | * [[Mars Day]] - A weekday or holiday named after the Roman god of war. | ||
| Line 62: | Line 62: | ||
* The [[Eye of Jupiter]] - An ancient artifact named after the chief god of Roman mythology; counterpart of Zeus. | * The [[Eye of Jupiter]] - An ancient artifact named after the chief god of Roman mythology; counterpart of Zeus. | ||
== Norse references == | === Norse references === | ||
* ''[[Embla Brokk]]'' - A ship in the Fleet. The name may be derived from two separate figures of mythology: Embla, the first woman, and Brokk, a dwarf who helped create Draupnir (a magical ring) and Mjollnir (Thor's hammer). | * ''[[Embla Brokk]]'' - A ship in the Fleet. The name may be derived from two separate figures of mythology: Embla, the first woman, and Brokk, a dwarf who helped create Draupnir (a magical ring) and Mjollnir (Thor's hammer). | ||
| Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
* ''[[Valkyrie]]'' - Valkyries are minor Norse deities and [[w:shieldmaiden|shieldmaidens]] who gathered up warriors to fight at Ragnarok. | * ''[[Valkyrie]]'' - Valkyries are minor Norse deities and [[w:shieldmaiden|shieldmaidens]] who gathered up warriors to fight at Ragnarok. | ||
== Other references == | === Other references === | ||
* ''[[Enkidu]]'' - A ship in the Fleet. Named after the [[wikipedia:Enkidu|Enkidu]] of the [[wikipedia:Sumerian mythology|Sumerian mythological]] [[wikipedia:Epic of Gilgamesh|Epic of Gilgamesh]]. | * ''[[Enkidu]]'' - A ship in the Fleet. Named after the [[wikipedia:Enkidu|Enkidu]] of the [[wikipedia:Sumerian mythology|Sumerian mythological]] [[wikipedia:Epic of Gilgamesh|Epic of Gilgamesh]]. | ||
=Shared references = | ==Shared references == | ||
* [[Kobol]] - The name of this planet is based on "Kolob", the name of the "star nearest to God" as told in [[w:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Mormon scripture]]. | * [[Kobol]] - The name of this planet is based on "Kolob", the name of the "star nearest to God" as told in [[w:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Mormon scripture]]. | ||
* [[The Twelve Colonies]] - The pilot episode of the Original Series, "[[Saga of a Star World]]", as well as the Re-imagined [[Miniseries]] both show pyramidal buildings on Caprica. | * [[The Twelve Colonies]] - The pilot episode of the Original Series, "[[Saga of a Star World]]", as well as the Re-imagined [[Miniseries]] both show pyramidal buildings on Caprica. | ||
=See also = | ==See also == | ||
* [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)]] - Information on how the Olympic pantheon is used in the Re-imagined Series. | * [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)]] - Information on how the Olympic pantheon is used in the Re-imagined Series. | ||
Revision as of 19:42, 17 January 2007
- This article lists references to real-world religious references and other mythology in the Original Series and Re-imagined Series, found in dialogue and from ship, place and character names.
The Original Series
Judeo-Christian references
- In Saga of a Star World, Adama asks God to "take this burden" from him. The burden, of course, is the need to guard the last of humanity after the Twelve Colonies is destroyed. This reference is likely derived from the New Testament where Jesus prays to God before he is arrested and later crucified.
Egyptian references
- Eden - The special effects footage that depicts this city in "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II" is actually the pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
- Flight gear - In the Original Series, the helmet of the Viper pilot resembles the ceremonial headdress of the Egyptian pharaohs.
- Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol - This place is heavily decorated in hieroglyphs and contains a sarcophagus with a prop of a Pharaoh's mummy.
Islamic references
- Iblis - This character's name is derived from "Diabolis" by the writers, but is coincidentally the name of a fallen servant of Allah.
The Re-imagined Series
Judeo-Christian references
- The Cylons of the Re-imagined Series are monotheistic, and worship a being they name simply as "God." The Cylons speak of commandments, inferring a parallelism between their deity and the central deity of the Abrahamic religions.
- The title of the episode "Valley of Darkness" is from Psalms 23:4.
Greek references
Ships
- Atlantia - The name of a hamadryad, a form of nymph and namesake of a battlestar lost in Fall of the Twelve Colonies. Could also be a reference to the lengend of Atlantis, written by Plato.
- Chiron - A ship in the Fleet. In Greek mythology, Chiron is a centaur, or half-horse, half-human being.
- Epheme - A ship in the Fleet. May be named for a minor character in Greek mythology who was nurse to the Muses.
- Pegasus - A legendary flying horse and namesake of Admiral Helena Cain's Mercury class battlestar.
- Persephone - A ship in the Fleet. Named after the queen of the underworld; daughter of Demeter.
- Prometheus - A freighter in Fleet that was a hub of the black market. Named after the titan who stole the fire from the gods to give it to the humans.
- Scylla - A ship in Admiral Cain's short-lived civilian fleet. In Homer's The Odyssey Scylla is one of two monsters on either side of a narrow strait of water.
- Triton - The namesake of a battlestar lost in the Fall of the Twelve Colonies. Son of Poseidon and messenger of the deep.
- Zephyr - A ship in the Fleet. Named after the Greek god of the west wind Zephyrus. "Zephyr" is also a general name for the west wind.
Places
- Delphi - A city on Caprica. On real-world Earth an ancient Greek city, which was home to the famous oracle Pythia.
- Troy - A mining colony. In mythology, Troy was the site of legendary Trojan War.
Persons
Roman references
- Mars Day - A weekday or holiday named after the Roman god of war.
- Mercury - The lead ship of the Mercury class, named after the Roman god of trade, profit and commerce.
- Plutonium - The namesake of this element, Pluto, is the Roman god of the underworld.
- The Eye of Jupiter - An ancient artifact named after the chief god of Roman mythology; counterpart of Zeus.
Norse references
- Embla Brokk - A ship in the Fleet. The name may be derived from two separate figures of mythology: Embla, the first woman, and Brokk, a dwarf who helped create Draupnir (a magical ring) and Mjollnir (Thor's hammer).
- Ragnar - Ragnar is named in reference to Ragnarok, the apocalyptic battle between the Norse gods at the end of the world.
- Valkyrie - Valkyries are minor Norse deities and shieldmaidens who gathered up warriors to fight at Ragnarok.
Other references
- Enkidu - A ship in the Fleet. Named after the Enkidu of the Sumerian mythological Epic of Gilgamesh.
- Kobol - The name of this planet is based on "Kolob", the name of the "star nearest to God" as told in Mormon scripture.
- The Twelve Colonies - The pilot episode of the Original Series, "Saga of a Star World", as well as the Re-imagined Miniseries both show pyramidal buildings on Caprica.
See also
- Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM) - Information on how the Olympic pantheon is used in the Re-imagined Series.
- Religion in the Twelve Colonies (TOS) - Information on how many Egyptian and LDS church references are used in the Original Series.