Test your knowledge of Hindu, Chinese, Japanese and other world mythologies!
1. Who is the Japanese god of storms in Shinto mythology?
💡 Susanoo is the Shinto god of storms and seas — brother of Amaterasu. He was banished from the heavens and later became a heroic figure who slew the eight-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi.
2. What is the name of the Aztec sun god who required human sacrifice?
💡 Huitzilopochtli is the Aztec god of the sun and war — the Aztecs believed he required human blood sacrifices to continue rising each day and power the sun's movement.
3. Who is the Inca sun god worshipped as the ancestor of the Inca emperors?
💡 Inti is the Inca sun god — considered the ancestor and protector of the Inca people. The Sapa Inca (emperor) was believed to be Inti's son and representative on Earth.
4. What is the name of the Hindu god with an elephant head?
💡 Ganesha is the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati — worshipped as the remover of obstacles and god of beginnings, wisdom, and arts.
5. What is the Mahabharata in Hindu tradition?
💡 The Mahabharata is one of two great Hindu epics — an immense poem about the war between the Pandava and Kaurava royal families, containing the Bhagavad Gita.
6. What is the significance of the lotus flower in Hindu and Buddhist religion?
💡 The lotus grows in muddy water yet blooms pure and clean — symbolizing spiritual purity, enlightenment, and the ability to rise above earthly desires in both Hinduism and Buddhism.
7. Who is Sun Wukong in Chinese mythology?
💡 Sun Wukong (Monkey King) is the trickster hero of Journey to the West — born from a stone, he acquired supernatural powers and accompanied the monk Xuanzang to India.
8. What is the name of the monkey god in Hindu mythology who helps Rama rescue Sita?
💡 Hanuman is the devoted monkey god and faithful companion of Lord Rama — he led an army of monkeys to help rescue Sita from Lanka in the Ramayana.
9. What is the name of the Japanese sun goddess who is the most important deity in Shinto?
💡 Amaterasu is the Shinto goddess of the sun and universe — ruler of the heavens and ancestor of the Japanese imperial family. The Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to her.
10. What is the Ramayana about?
💡 The Ramayana is the Hindu epic about Prince Rama — exiled from Ayodhya, his wife Sita is kidnapped by demon king Ravana, and Rama with Hanuman's help rescues her.
11. What is "karma" in Buddhist philosophy?
💡 In Buddhism, karma is the law of cause and effect — intentional actions create consequences that shape future experiences and rebirths until the cycle is broken through enlightenment.
12. Who is the supreme deity in Chinese mythology who rules the heavens?
💡 The Jade Emperor (Yù Huáng Dà Dì) is the supreme ruler of Heaven in Chinese mythology — presiding over all gods, humans, and the celestial bureaucracy.
13. Who is the Hindu god of destruction in the Hindu Trinity?
💡 Shiva is the destroyer in the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti) — alongside Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver. Destruction is necessary for recreation and renewal.
14. What is "Quetzalcoatl" in Aztec mythology?
💡 Quetzalcoatl (feathered serpent) is one of the most important Aztec deities — god of wind, air, and learning. He is credited with giving corn and writing to humanity.
15. Who is the Hindu god known as the preserver of the universe?
💡 Vishnu is the preserver in the Hindu Trinity — he descends to Earth in various avatars (incarnations) to restore cosmic order. Krishna and Rama are his most celebrated avatars.