culture hero

culture hero
1. a mythical or mythicized historical figure who embodies the aspirations or ideals of a society.
2. a mythical figure considered by a people to have furnished it the means of existence or survival, as by inventing their alphabet, teaching them husbandry, or stealing fire from the gods for them.

* * *

Mythological figure who secures for humanity the attributes of culture either in cooperation with or in opposition to the gods.

The culture hero is often an animal or trickster figure, the most common motif being the animal who steals fire from the gods for the benefit of humans. In other stories the culture hero is human and must overcome the opposition of animals. In still others, the culture hero must travel to an inaccessible place to reach a life-giving or healing tree or other plant; supernatural animals may assist or obstruct him. See also Prometheus.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Culture hero — A culture hero is a mythological hero specific to some group (cultural, ethnic, religious, etc.) who changes the world through invention or discovery. A typical culture hero might be credited as the discoverer of fire, or agriculture, songs,… …   Wikipedia

  • culture hero — noun 1. : a legendary figure variously represented as a beast, bird, man, or demigod to whom a people attributes the factors that appear most essential to its existence and culture (as important inventions, the overcoming of major obstacles, the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Culture Hero —    It should be noted that while it is quite possible for culture heroes to become gods it is rare that gods become culture heroes. The reason for this is that most gods appear to have started as abstract conceptions and their relationship with… …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • culture hero — cul′ture he ro n. 1) myt a mythical or mythicized historical figure who embodies the aspirations or ideals of a society 2) myt ant a mythical figure considered by a people to have founded its fundamental institutions or provided the basis for its …   From formal English to slang

  • culture hero —   Kupua …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • Hero — For other uses, see Hero (disambiguation). Heroism and Heroine redirect here. For the film, see Heroism (film). For other uses of Heroine, see Heroine (disambiguation). good guy redirects here. For other uses, see The Good Guys (disambiguation).… …   Wikipedia

  • hero — herolike, adj. /hear oh/, n., pl. heroes; for 5 also heros. 1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. 2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic… …   Universalium

  • Hero — /hear oh/, n. 1. Class. Myth. a priestess of Aphrodite who drowned herself after her lover Leander drowned while swimming the Hellespont to visit her. 2. Also, Heron. (Hero of Alexandria) fl. 1st century A.D., Greek scientist. * * * I… …   Universalium

  • culture — /kul cheuhr/, n., v., cultured, culturing. n. 1. the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc. 2. that which is excellent in the arts, manners,… …   Universalium

  • Culture Brain — Inc. (株式会社カルチャーブレーン, Kabushiki gaisha Karuchā Burēn?), formally known as Nihon Game Inc. (株式会社日本ゲーム, Kabushiki gaisha Nihon Gēmu …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”