When mythology is blended with the art of allusion, we get mythological allusions. Read to learn more about the mythological allusions in modern society.
Allusions are references established directly or indirectly with a place, an event, a character or a myth. When these allusions are specifically from mythology then they are known as mythological allusions. A question that is continuously striking my mind is, why do we make references of myths for allusion? One of the most important function of myth is to establish behavioral model. Each time we use an allusion, it has a moral interpretation. They are derived from different mythologies like Greek, Roman and Norse.
We are all surrounded by mythology whether we accept it or not. We daily come across so many allusions in form of words, city names, literature and companies – they all have been borrowed from various mythologies. Everywhere you will find a reference to mythology.
There are many groups and companies that have mythological reference to their logos and names. Following are the allusion examples of some world known companies and groups:
| COMPANIES / GROUPS | ALLUSIONS IN MYTHOLOGY |
| Aegis Combat System | Aegis, Zeus and Athena’s protective shield |
| Aetna Groups | Aetna, a daughter of Uranus and Gaia. She is the personified goddess of Mt. Etna, a volcano on Sicily. |
| Amazon.com | Amazon, race of warrior women |
| Ambrosia Natural Foods | In ancient Greek mythology, ambrosia is sometimes the food, sometimes the drink, of the Greek gods |
| Antheia Flowers, Ballroom Hotel | Antheia, a goddess of vegetation, lowlands, marshlands, gardens, blossoms, the budding earth and human love |
| Centaur Theater Company | Mythological creatures that are part human and part horse |
| Cyclops Electronics | These were giant creatures with a single round eye in the middle of their foreheads. |
| Helicon Software | A woody mountain in Boeotia, Greece, dedicated to the Muses. |
| Hercules Incorporated | Roman name for Heracles, the greatest Greek hero |
| Nyx Cosmetics | Nyx, a primordial goddess of the night |
| Honda Odyssey | The 10-year sea voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Ithica |
| Vulcan Minerals | Roman name for Hephaestus, god of the smiths and the forge |
There are many place in the United States named after mythological characters. Sixteen cities have Athens and twenty-six cities have Troy in their names. Here is a list of few states that have mythological references.
| CITIES | ALLUSIONS IN MYTHOLOGY |
|
Athens, capital of Greece named after the goddess Athena |
|
Minerva, Athena’s Roman equivalent |
|
Achilles, greatest warrior of the Trojan |
|
Apollo, god of music and light |
|
Arcadia, a famous place in ancient Greece |
Even the months in our calendar have originated from Roman, Greek, and Norse mythology. Here is a list of those months.
| MONTHS | ALLUSIONS IN MYTHOLOGY |
| January | Janus, the two-faced god |
| March | Mars, the Roman god of war |
| April | Abbreviation for Aphrodite |
| May | Roman goddess of growth |
| June | Juno, queen of the gods |
Mythology in any culture is a storehouse of myths. We very often refer to the word ‘mythology’ to the ancient tales that has been passed on by our grandparents, through lullaby, from generation to generation. Also, we often use biblical allusions as a reference in many situations. Since ages even mythologies have been influencing each other like Roman mythology is largely influenced by Greek mythology. Modern tradition also holds the glimpse of Greek and Roman culture through these allusions.
