Incest

Incest is sexual activity or marriage between very close family members. It is a taboo, as well as a criminal offense, in virtually all societies. In many societies premarital sex is allowed or encouraged; in most such societies, the same restrictions apply to sexual unions as to marriage.

Mythology

Examples of incest in mythology are rampant. In Greek mythology Zeus and Hera are brother and sister as well as husband and wife. They were the children of Cronus and Rhea (also married siblings) and grandchildren of Uranus and Gaia (a son who took his mother as consort). Cronus and Rhea's siblings, the other Titans, were also all married brothers and sisters.

Related Topics:
Mythology - Greek mythology - Zeus - Hera - Cronus - Rhea - Uranus - Gaia - Titans

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Scandinavian mythology, Loki accuses Freyr and Freya of committing incest, in Lokasenna. Moreover, in the Völsunga saga, the hero Sigmund and his sister Signy murdered her children and begat a son, Sinfjötli. When Sinfötli had grown up, he and Sigmund murdered Signy's husband Siggeir.

Related Topics:
Scandinavian mythology - Loki - Freyr - Freya - Lokasenna - Völsunga saga - Sigmund - Signy - Sinfjötli - Siggeir

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Icelandic folklore a common plot involves a brother and sister (illegally) conceiving a child. They subsequently escape justice by moving to a remote valley. There they proceed to have several more children. The man has some magical abilities which he uses to direct travellers to or away from the valley as he chooses. The siblings always have exactly one daughter but any number of sons. Eventually the magician allows a young man (usually searching for sheep) into the valley and asks him to marry the daughter and give himself and his sister a civilized burial upon their deaths. This is subsequently done.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sibling incest forms an important part of the plot in the story of Kullervo in the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, as also in mediaeval versions of the British legend of King Arthur.

Related Topics:
Kullervo - Finnish - Kalevala - British - King Arthur

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~