Archery in mythology and legend

www.archeryoutpost.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:25:04 +0000

The sport of archery dates back thousands of years, and while the gear and equipment may have changed (somewhat), it was still a respected art even at the beginning of its popularity. Many gods and goddesses have been associated with archery throughout the years, revealing their virtues and strengths.The Greek and Roman god Apollo is the god of light and the sun, and was often portrayed with a bow and arrows. These were given to him by the god Hephaestus in order to kill the dragon Python, which was hunting down his mother. Later, Apollo shot plague-infected arrows during the Trojan War in order to recapture Chryseis, the daughter of one of his chief priests. He was also responsible for killing Achilles, who had earlier killed Apollo’s own son, Troilus.Archery was a fitting representation for Apollo’s strength and power. His twin sister, Artemis, was also a renowned archer, usually associated with hunting. These associations were used in several stories where she humbles (or kills) bold hunters who either boast of being more skilled than her, or desire her. Though she does not always use the bow to defeat them, it is always by her side, perhaps symbolizing her dignity and reserve.A medieval addition to the lore of archery was the outlaw Robin Hood. Although some believe Robin Hood was a real person, others claim he is solely a fictional character. Whatever the case, his impressive skill with a bow reinforces his folk hero nature. Robin Hood was originally much more violent and quick-tempered and did not always give away what he stole, but by the 17^th century he had reached the character that many of us know today.Archery has become even more popular with the Lord of the Rings films in recent years, and fans of the sport know that it will continue to have strong support in the years to come.

Archery Outpost » Mythology

Archery in mythology and legend