Atalanta and Hippomenes

| mcpaul1998

IMG_5890

 

THE STORY OF ATALANTA, THE FASTEST HUNTRESS Illustrated by the brilliant @mikepaulart Do you know the story of Atalanta from Greek Mythology? When King Iasus found out he had a daughter, he was so dismayed that he left her to die in the mountains. Fortunately, a she-bear rescued her and cared for her until hunters came along and raised her as their own. Atalanta then grew up to be a formidable and incredibly fast warrior. Eventually, she was reunited with her father, who wished that she would be married. Atalanta, uninterested in marriage, agreed to marry only on the condition that her suitor could outrun her in a race. She posed a deadly challenge – those who failed would be killed. King Iasus agreed. Many suitors tried and died in the challenge until finally, Hippomenes arrived. He had an ace up his sleeve: three Golden apples given by Aphrodite (the Goddess of Love) to distract Atalanta. The allure of the apples was irresistible, so every time Atalanta got ahead in the race, Hippomenes would roll an apple before her and she would rush after it. Naturally, Hippomenes won the race and won Atalanta's hand in marriage. Unfortunately, Hippomenes forgot to thank Aphrodite for her help. Furious at what she deemed a lack of respect, Aphrodite caused both Hippomenes and Atalanta to be turned into lions when they were trespassing in Zeus's temples! Alas, Atalanta and Hippomenes accepted their fate and spent the rest of their days hunting happily together as lions. #doyouknowthestory #tuesdaytales

A post shared by Do You Know The Story? (@doyouknowthestory) on

Do You Know the Story? published my illustration of Atalanta racing Hippomenes.

IMG_5903

cropped-image

Eclipse

| mcpaul1998

IMG_5888

I saw the eclipse today. It was only partially occulted where I was, around 85%, but still really awesome!   Don’t know what to do with those glasses now that the eclipse is over though.

 

THE STORY OF THE MOON RABBIT Illustrated by the amazing @mikepaulart THE STORY OF THE MOON RABBIT Do you know the story of the mythological Rabbit that lives on the Moon, according to several cultures? The story is based on certain markings on the Moon that resemble the shape of a rabbit. In China, legend has it the Moon Rabbit was a companion to the Moon goddess, Chang’e (whose story we told earlier!). The Moon Rabbit has a mortar and pestle with him, and is continously pounding the elixir of immortality for Chang’e. However, in Japanese and Korean versions of the story, the Moon Rabbit is actually believed to be pounding the ingredients for rice cakes! A Buddhist folktale tells us of how a Monkey, a Fox, a Jackal and a Rabbit each decided to perform an act of charity on the day of the Full Moon. They believed that true generosity would bring a great reward. They had their opportunity when an old man came begging for food. Monkey climbed a tree and brought back some fruit. Fox visited a stream and caught some fish. The Jackal found a lizard and some stolen milk. However, Rabbit only knew how to gather grass, so instead he offered his own body by jumping into the old man’s fire. Don’t worry, Rabbit did not burn! The old man was Lord Sakra in disguise! He revealed his true identity and was so touched by Rabbit’s selflessness, he drew the image of the Rabbit on the full Moon for everyone to see! A very similar Aztec legend also exists, where the God Quetzalcoatl (who was living as a human at the time) was incredibly hungry and tired. He was close to dying, when a Rabbit grazing nearby offered himself as food to save his life. Quetzalcoatl was genuinely moved, so he lifted the Rabbit to the Moon and back, proclaiming “You may be just a Rabbit, but everyone will remember you; there is your image in light for all people and all times.” #doyouknowthestory #mythologymondays

A post shared by Do You Know The Story? (@doyouknowthestory) on

My illustration of Moon Rabbit was published by Do You Know the Story? today. I posted the picture on social media a few weeks ago.

cropped-image