Sharilyn ([info]kontzel) wrote in [info]wheeloftime,
@ 2007-10-29 21:55:00
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Current mood: cold

Myth/Legend/Real Event
A random Wheel of Time musing...

So I was listening to The Dragon Reborn audio CD the other weekend and heard an interview at the end with Robert Jordan. It was a little bitter-sweet, what with his recent death, but for the first time, I heard the statement that some of the myths and legends that were used in The Wheel of Time world were based on real events in our current world. Basically, Robert Jordan intended for there to from time to time be myths of ours that were based on "real" happenings of Rand-land and things that were "myths" in Rand-land that are "real" current events.

And *bam!* Suddenly it hit me. Rand had to take Calendor (a sword) out of the Stone of Tear. The Sword in the Stone. Only *he* could take the sword out of the stone. Get it? I can't believe I didn't see it before. Their "real" event became one of our "myths." I'm sure there are plenty of others.

Any other things that people have noticed? I was amazed that I hadn't seen it - once I did, it just seemed so obvious.


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[info]lieutfaber
2007-10-30 02:53 am UTC (link)
Tar Valon = Avalon

Amyrlin = Merlin

Those both go along with your revelation. :D

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[info]faoiltiama
2007-10-30 03:07 am UTC (link)
About half the names from the series for one.

Rand al'Thor = Thor was the god of thunder in Norse mythology
Nynaeve - Nineve and other variants of the name (Nimue, Niniane, Vivien) were all names for the Lady of the Lake in the legend of King Arthur
Gawain - A Knight of the Round Table from the legend of King Arthur
Galahad - The do-gooder son of Sir Lancelot and the knight of the round table who obtained the Holy Grail
Elayne - The Lady Elayne from King Arthur's legend
Artur Paendrag Tanreall - Arthur Pendragon was King Arthur's full name
Moiraine - Morgaine/Morgan le Fay/Morgana was the name of King Arthur's half-sister, the Fairy Queen
Shai'tan - The Christian name for the devil is Satan
The Green Man - A mythic figure from many different traditions
Egwene al'Vere - Some people speculate she is named after Guinevere.
Mordeth/Moridin - Mordred was the name of King Arthur's son with

There's lots more but I can't think of them right now.

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[info]henrymrx
2007-10-30 08:16 am UTC (link)
Here are a few more.

Rand's mother was named Tigraine - King Arthur's mother was named Igraine.
Mat is very similar to Odin/Wodan.

Also, from Hindu mythology:
Brahma the creator - Perrin.
Vishnu the preserver - Mat.
Shiva the destroyer - Rand.

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What I've heard
[info]linguafranca
2007-10-30 03:57 am UTC (link)
Tarmon Gai'din = Armageddon
Lenn, who flew to the moon in the belly of an eagle = John Glenn
His daughter Salya = Sally Ride
Anla the Wise Counselor = Ann Landers
Mosk and Merk the giants = Russia (Moscow) and America

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Re: What I've heard
[info]linguafranca
2007-10-30 03:58 am UTC (link)
...er, that should be spelled Tarmon Gai'don.

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Spoilers past book 3
[info]fromthewall
2007-10-30 04:14 am UTC (link)
Morgase = Morgause/Morgase from Arthurian legend
Caemlyn = Camelot
Thom Merrilin = Merlin

Lots of biblical references, too, with Rand as Christ. Not being Christian, my knowledge is limited, but off the top of my head:

Crown of Swords = Crown of Thorns
Wound in the side

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Re: Spoilers past book 3
[info]faoiltiama
2007-10-30 04:46 am UTC (link)
Also in that line of thought he was born of a "maiden" and has returned (second coming) for the last battle with evil.
Also, Ba'alzamon = Beelzebub, another name for the Christian devil.

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Re: Spoilers past book 3
(Anonymous)
2007-10-30 02:21 pm UTC (link)
Also, Caemlyn could also be named for Camlann, the site of King Arthur's last battle where he was killed by his son, Mordred.

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[info]t_rokshaw
2007-10-30 07:36 pm UTC (link)
This site list a bunch of myths that are intertwined. Not just the arthurian ledgions, but Greek and Norse myths as well.

http://linuxmafia.com/jordan/3_sources/index.html

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[info]loveboyloveboy
2007-10-30 08:59 pm UTC (link)
The wikipedia entries for the characters are all really well done and researched.

Jordan also used magical symbolism like how Rand's 3 ladies are
1-a "Maiden" (Aviendha)
2-a mother (pregnant Elayne)
3-a crone (older woman Min)
which are the 3 faces of Hecate, also of the Furies

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[info]waltbagofdonuts
2007-11-06 02:13 am UTC (link)
Robert Jordan has died? Damn. Damn Damn Damn.

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