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request Need help with an OC and MLP + Greek myth tie ins


ManaMinori

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I'm attempting to construct one more pony OC and I'm having a little trouble in the way of research to better develop the character. In a world like Equestria where magic tends to monopolize, I thought of trying to develop the character leaning more toward a talent more geared toward science, like alchemy, Ad seeing as how MLP features a lot of Greek influences, I need help pinpointing a god or creature from Greek culture that most heavily relates to alchemy. All I really got is Hermes, but if there's someone or some creature better suited to that field, maybe y'all can let me know, or give some links or something?

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I am from Greece and a myth geek so pm me for more info. Anyways Hephestus relies on crafting more. Alchemy doesnt exist so much in ancient Greece as far as i remember.

Really? But I mean, while researching alchemy symbols, I found that a universal one was the Flamel, which is near identical to the Caduceus, which Hermes carries, and both are tied in with Mercury and has meaning in alchemy (In alchemical symbolism the caduceus is associated with prime matter; the two serpents threaded in opposite directions around the magic wand represent the primal Chaos, in that the serpents are thought to be fighting. Eventually their withering around the caduceus brings about equilibrium of opposing factors, qualities, or tendencies. This is why sometimes the caduceus is called the symbol of peace; besides being the messenger of the gods Hermes also guided humans through their changes of being.), and due to the fact that the cadaecus is the symbol of modern medicine, and alchemy contributed to medicine, along with the fact that Hermes is the god of invention, transition, and boundaries, which alchemy kinda is. Not to mention Hermes Trismegistus being the father of alchemy, who's name he shares with the Greek god due to the similarities, I suppose, between the mythical figure and alchemy..

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(edited)

If it were a female OC, you could have used Athena, the goddess of wisdom, for your OC maybe? If it's a stallion, maybe Metis, who's Athena's father, and is the Oceanid specialising in wisdom , skills and craft. As Nionios said above, I don't think there's an actual god or goddess for alchmy, but these ones are pretty close in my opinion.

Edited by DJ-BRONI3
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how is Hecate related to alchemy?

She's the Goddess of Magic, and Necromancy, witchcraft and the like, which constitute the act of Alchemy in some aspects. 

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the two serpents threaded in opposite directions around the magic wand represent the primal Chaos, in that the serpents are thought to be fighting.
2-cad.gif
You mean this? This is Asclepeus' symbol i think... now how Hermes got it i don't remember... but i am positive it is that since it is used in pharmacies in one way. Maybe there are slight alterations but then again i would have to look for that. Asclepeus was a doctor who had the power to ressurect the dead. He was struck down by Zeus for just that.
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img-2909877-1-2-cad.gif

You mean this? This is Asclepeus' symbol i think... now how Hermes got it i don't remember... but i am positive it is that since it is used in pharmacies in one way. Maybe there are slight alterations but then again i would have to look for that. Asclepeus was a doctor who had the power to ressurect the dead. He was struck down by Zeus for just that.

The two snakes on the pole are an illustration from the bible:

 

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live." 9And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.

 

Thats why its used as a logo for pharmacies. a symbol of hope.

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If it were a female OC, you could have used Athena, the goddess of wisdom, for your OC maybe? If it's a stallion, maybe Metis, who's Athena's father, and is the Oceanid specialising in wisdom , skills and craft. As Nionios said above, I don't think there's an actual god or goddess for alchmy, but these ones are pretty close in my opinion.

Now I thought Athena burst from the head of Zeus. Wouldn't that make him her dad?

 

As for Hecate, she is usually associated with evil and dark magic more often than not. She is also a minor god. (Not that it matters.)

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The two snakes on the pole are an illustration from the bible:

 

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live." 9And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.

 

Thats why its used as a logo for pharmacies. a symbol of hope.

pretty sure in the bible, it was a symbol for healing, not hope

 

healing-medicine- transmutation of natural substances- alchemy

 

two serpents wound around a staff with wings at the top is the caduceus or magical Staff of Hermes who was a Greek god, messenger of the gods, inventor of (magical) incantations, conductor of the dead and protector of merchants and thieves. It is derived from the Greek karykeion = "herald's staff", itself based on the word "eruko" meaning restrain, control. It was a symbol for the Phoenician god of Wisdom. Later the Roman god, Mercury replaced Hermes. The wings on top of the short rod may represent the wings that were often attached to the heels of Mercury, messenger of the Gods, signifying speed.

 

So how did this symbol become associated with medicine? After all, Hermes is the god of commerce, eloquence, invention, travel and theft, and so was a symbol of heralds and commerce, not medicine. The words caduity and caducous imply temporality, perishableness and senility, while the medical profession espouses renewal, vitality and health. So what happened? Well, probably the use of this staff of Hermes came about because by the seventh century AD, Hermes was associated with alchemy. What is alchemy? Alchemy is an ancient tradition, the primary objective of which was the creation of the mythical "philosopher's stone" which was thought to be able to turn base metals into gold, and also act as an magic potion that would confer youth and immortality upon its user. Those who studied and knew alchemy were said to practice the Hermetic Arts. Initially alchemy preceded modern science and chemistry. However, alchemy also included various non-scientific mystical and occult concepts, theories and practices. Then gradually alchemy came to mean not only chemical processes but medical and pharmaceutical procedures, as well.as even metallurgy and mining.  The staff of Hermes represented these processes as well as Mercury's messenger functions.

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pretty sure in the bible, it was a symbol for healing, not hope

 

healing-medicine- transmutation of natural substances- alchemy

 

two serpents wound around a staff with wings at the top is the caduceus or magical Staff of Hermes who was a Greek god, messenger of the gods, inventor of (magical) incantations, conductor of the dead and protector of merchants and thieves. It is derived from the Greek karykeion = "herald's staff", itself based on the word "eruko" meaning restrain, control. It was a symbol for the Phoenician god of Wisdom. Later the Roman god, Mercury replaced Hermes. The wings on top of the short rod may represent the wings that were often attached to the heels of Mercury, messenger of the Gods, signifying speed.

 

So how did this symbol become associated with medicine? After all, Hermes is the god of commerce, eloquence, invention, travel and theft, and so was a symbol of heralds and commerce, not medicine. The words caduity and caducous imply temporality, perishableness and senility, while the medical profession espouses renewal, vitality and health. So what happened? Well, probably the use of this staff of Hermes came about because by the seventh century AD, Hermes was associated with alchemy. What is alchemy? Alchemy is an ancient tradition, the primary objective of which was the creation of the mythical "philosopher's stone" which was thought to be able to turn base metals into gold, and also act as an magic potion that would confer youth and immortality upon its user. Those who studied and knew alchemy were said to practice the Hermetic Arts. Initially alchemy preceded modern science and chemistry. However, alchemy also included various non-scientific mystical and occult concepts, theories and practices. Then gradually alchemy came to mean not only chemical processes but medical and pharmaceutical procedures, as well.as even metallurgy and mining.  The staff of Hermes represented these processes as well as Mercury's messenger functions.

oops, I ment Healing. haha.  :lol:

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If it were a female OC, you could have used Athena, the goddess of wisdom, for your OC maybe? If it's a stallion, maybe Metis, who's Athena's father, and is the Oceanid specialising in wisdom , skills and craft. As Nionios said above, I don't think there's an actual god or goddess for alchmy, but these ones are pretty close in my opinion.

Actually Zeus swallowed Metis his first spouse and Metis lived in his head crafting her armor. Athena bursted from Zeus' head fully armored when Hephestus smashed Zeus' head.

 

As for transformations and transmutations Proteus is your number one candidate. He could shapeshift to any form or material imagineable.

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Actually Zeus swallowed Metis his first spouse and Metis lived in his head crafting her armor. Athena bursted from Zeus' head fully armored when Hephestus smashed Zeus' head.

As for transformations and transmutations Proteus is your number one candidate. He could shapeshift to any form or material imagineable.

Oh yeah! You're right! I got a bit mixed up there! :P

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