Culture, Myth and Art

Objects in the sky and other natural phenomena have inspired people throughout the ages. Browse our collection of myths, folk tales, and stories of many types about the Earth and sky. Check out artwork, poetry, books, and movies that portray the natural world.
For the Aztecs, who lived in central Mexico, <a href="/mythology/tonatiuh.html&edu=elem&dev=1">Tonatiuh</a> was a <a href="/sun/sun.html&edu=elem&dev=1">Sun</a> god. Aztecs believed that four suns had been created in four previous ages, and all of them had died at the end of each cosmic era. Tonatiuh was the fifth sun and the present era is still his. The carvings on this sunstone represent the four cycles of creation and destruction in the Aztec creation story. The skull at the center depicts the god Tonatiuh.<p><small><em> Image courtesy of Corel Corporation.</em></small></p>Dutch painter Jan Vermeer painted the town of Delft, Holland where he lived for his entire life (1632-1675). Above the town, he painted <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/stratocumulus.html&edu=elem&dev=1">stratocumulus clouds</a> in the sky. Stratocumulus clouds usually produce only light precipitation, in the form of <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/precipitation/drizzle.html&edu=elem&dev=1">drizzle</a>.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Corel</em></small></p>Left section of the east frieze of the Siphnian Treasury (c. 525 B.C.) depicting from left to right <a href="/mythology/Definitions_gods/Venus_def.html&edu=elem&dev=1"> Venus</a>, <a href="/mythology/Diana_def.html&edu=elem&dev=1"> Diana</a>, and <a href="/mythology/Definitions_gods/Apollo_def.html&edu=elem&dev=1"> Apollo</a>. This portion of the frieze shows the gods sitting, watching the Greeks raid Troy.<p><small><em> Image courtesy of the Superintendency (Ephoria) of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities in Delphi. Greek Ministry of Culture-Archaeological Receipt Fund. (c) Greek Ministry of Culture.</em></small></p>British painter John Constable (1776-1837) made many paintings of clouds. It looks like he depicted towering <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/cumulus.html&edu=elem&dev=1">cumulus clouds</a> in this painting of Weymouth Bay. These clouds may have turned into <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/cumulonimbus.html&edu=elem&dev=1">cumulonimbus</a> and a <a href="/earth/Atmosphere/tstorm.html&edu=elem&dev=1">storm</a> later in the day.<p><small><em> Public domain/Wikipedia</em></small></p>There are over 900 <a href="/the_universe/uts/megalith.html&edu=elem&dev=1">rings of stone</a> located in the British Isles. The most famous of these stone rings is of course, <a href="/the_universe/uts/stonehenge.html&edu=elem&dev=1">Stonehenge</a>. The stones of Stonehenge were put in place between 3,000 B.C and 2,000 B.C. by neolithic people.Some speculate that the site was built as a temple of worship of the ancient Earth deities. Some say it was used as an <a href="/the_universe/uts/stonehenge_astro.html&edu=elem&dev=1">astronomical observatory</a> of sorts. Still others say it was a burial ground.<p><small><em> Image courtesy of Corel Photography.</em></small></p>

Explore Culture, Myth and Art

Mythology

   For thousands of years people have associated objects in the sky, the Earth, and aspects ...Read more

Stories

Explore stories and folklore about the Aurora Borealis, Meteors, and the Moon, and more. ...Read more

Poetry

This is a brief collection of poetry that relates to space and/or mythology. ...Read more

Poetry & Pictures

Submit your own poem about this month’s featured weather image. ...Read more

Books

Explore Science, Art, Mythology and other subjects further in the books recommended here. ...Read more

Movies

Find a great science- or space-related movie to watch. ...Read more

Clouds in Art

Landscape painters have been representing clouds in their art for centuries. Different artists ...Read more

Mythology Art Archive

See examples of famous mythology-related works of art. ...Read more

Mythology and Art Links

Explore other websites about mythology and art. ...Read more

People Art Archive

See images of famous scientists and philosophers. ...Read more

Historical Events

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Teacher Opportunities

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Did you know?

Did you know that many cultures have studied the heavens in the past?

Did you know that the Maori god of wind and storms, Tawhiri, had 13 cloud children, as well as the children rain, mist, and fog?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Riparian
xRiparian : The bank of a river or other body of water; may include the floodplains

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Triggers of Volcanic Eruptions in Oregon's Mount Hood Investigated

A new study has found that a mixing of two different types of magma is the key to the historic eruptions of Mount Hood, Oregon's tallest mountain, and that eruptions often happen in a relatively short...Read more


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