When we use the word mythology we tend to associate it with terms such as Greek, Roman, Celtic, Germanic, Aztec, Chinese, etc., which implies a more or less concrete and known geographical location. However, there are very few occasions when we hear of Spanish mythology. The great European mythologies began in the millennia before our era, with connections beginning at that time and continuing throughout the centuries. Of course, our territory received influences of all kinds since prehistoric times, because the attraction and interest in the Peninsula was evident since then. As is normal, all the people who landed here in one way or another, influenced the natural inhabitants. The myths introduced were mixed with the existing ones and gave way to new creations that varied over time.

If we ask someone randomly about a mythological being, most of the answers will mention the names of gods and goddesses that we all know. But actually, the mythology goes much further, and in reality, the true essence of myths, what allows their development through all kinds of stories, is the relationship they establish with humans and the result of those contacts. To understand the relevance and importance of mythological beliefs, it is necessary to look beyond the most known gods, such as Zeus, Odin, Anubis, Chaak, Texcatlipoca…

In reality, the characters that tell us the most about the mythology of a society or country are the secondary characters. Of course, the offerings, temples, and statues used to be made for these gods, just as in monotheistic religions cathedrals, mosques, synagogues, and all kinds of sacred enclosures have been built for centuries. But before, as now, for daily life, people used to resort to minor gods and mythological characters. This is attested by the offerings and expressions that are still heard today, for example, in places in the north of Spain, where they refer to the nubero when the sky is overcast and it is going to rain; or to the ventolin when a strong wind blows and brings a storm. Or when they say “cantos de sirena” when someone tries to convince another person of something.

The oral and written traditions have made possible access to the knowledge of some supernatural beings related to small stories that end up becoming tales and legends. Nowadays mythology has disappeared, they are children’s stories and we always talk about it in the past tense. But it is still present in the life of human beings at some point. For centuries the stories of gods, demigods, and magical beings have become tales that we access from childhood. Tales in which there are witches, fairy godmothers, bicycles, elves, and all kinds of magical beings. In addition, the audiovisual media have put faces to these characters that have also been mixed with others, giving rise to movies and television series about them (the case of Shrek, Once Upon a Time …). Mythology remains, evolves, varies, and is preserved in many aspects.

One of the great problems with Spanish mythology is that most of the studies and compilations about it are late, from the 19th Century on. While many myths and legends of Spain have been lost forever, some have managed to survive to the present day. We know that Christianity had gone from being a sect within Judaism to becoming a religion of its own with numerous followers well into the fourth century in Europe. Christianity had an overwhelming success among the population, especially in urban areas. As a consequence, many of the myths of ancient religions were dismissed. In Spain, as Christianity advanced throughout the peninsular territory, the ancient beliefs were disappearing.

Logically, not every cult or rite disappeared instantly. Many pre-Christian beliefs accompanied the faith of the first Christians, mixing until they began to disappear with time. The beings of the ancient polytheistic religions passed to the long list of the process known as “defeated gods”. But a small part of these myths had the good fortune to be so deeply rooted in the population that defended them with enthusiasm, that they have lasted until today.

If you are interested in this topic, don’t hesitate and continue reading about Spanish mythology!

 

 

Sources:

Hidalgo Perez, E. (2014). La Mitologia Española. ArtyHum, 2, 7-19.