Sleep Stories of Greek Mythology with Hypnos | Greeking Out Podcast | NEW | S12 E7 | @natgeokids

Key Concepts

• Greek Mythology: Ancient Greek stories featuring gods, goddesses, and heroes.
• Hypnos: Greek god of sleep.
• Nyx: Greek goddess of night, mother of Hypnos.
• Thanatos: Greek god of death, twin brother of Hypnos.
• Lethe: River in the underworld associated with forgetfulness.
• Morpheus: Roman god of dreams, son of Somnus.
• Somnia: Roman sons of Somnus, representing aspects of dreams.
• Brizo: Greek goddess worshipped on Delos, associated with prophetic dreams for sailors.
• Sandman: A fairy-like character from German folklore who sprinkles sleep-inducing dust.
• Aibibishaa: Ojibway spider-woman figure who taught mothers to weave dreamcatchers.
• Dreamcatcher: A web-like object hung above sleeping places to filter dreams.
• REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement): The stage of sleep where most dreaming occurs.
• Postprandial Somnolence: Sleepiness experienced after eating.
• Goshi: A prosperous farmer in feudal Japan who owned their own land.
• Psyche: Greek word that can mean "butterfly" or "soul," connected to the goddess Psyche.
• Argentine Ant Super Colony: A massive ant colony spanning thousands of kilometers in Europe, representing a large animal society.

Episode Summary: Sleep and Dreams in Mythology

This episode of "Greeking Out" shifts its usual energetic tone to a more calming approach, focusing on themes of sleep and dreams, inspired by listener feedback indicating the podcast is used for relaxation before sleep. The hosts aim to create a soothing atmosphere, incorporating rain sounds and a softer speaking style.

The Gods of Sleep and Dreams

The episode begins by introducing Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, personifying sleep itself. His mother was Nyx, the goddess of night, and his twin brother was Thanatos, the god of death, whose domain was typically non-violent. Hypnos resided in a cave where the river Lethe, associated with forgetfulness, originated, located at the boundary of night and day. Their dwelling was characterized by an absence of sound and light. Hypnos is described as a calm and gentle deity who cared for mortals during their rest.

The Roman equivalent of Hypnos was Somnus, who, according to legend, had a thousand sons known as the Somnia. These sons represented various aspects of dreams and dreaming. The leader of the Somnia was Morpheus, often considered the god of dreams, though more accurately described as a dream himself, responsible for creating dreams for mortals. Morpheus was particularly skilled at imitating human forms, while his brothers specialized in imitating birds, animals, or more frightening entities.

Ancient Beliefs and Practices Around Sleep

The ancient Greeks, like modern humans, viewed sleep and dreams as mysterious. The goddess Brizo was worshipped on the island of Delos for her ability to grant prophetic dreams to sailors and fishermen.

The episode then broadens its scope beyond Greek mythology to explore similar themes in other cultures:

• German Folklore: The Sandman, a fairy-like character, was believed to visit at night. When people felt tired and rubbed their eyes, it was thought to be the Sandman sprinkling dust. Early written mentions date back to the 18th century, popularized by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Some myths suggest the Sandman's dust brought good dreams.
• Ojiway Culture (North America): The story of Aibibishaa, a spider-woman figure, is presented. Aibibishaa acted as a spiritual helper and caretaker for the Ojiway children. As the tribe expanded, she taught mothers and grandmothers how to weave magical webs, known as dreamcatchers. These webs, made from flexible wood like willow and sinew or cloth, were designed to catch dreams. They filtered dreams, allowing only good ones to pass through while trapping bad dreams and harmful visions, which would vanish at daybreak. This practice was first documented by a European ethnographer in 1929 but existed in oral traditions long before.

Scientific and Folkloric Perspectives on Sleep

A brief scientific note is included, citing Harvard Medical School's definition of good sleep in terms of quantity (not too much, not too little) and quality (falling asleep quickly and staying asleep). It's also mentioned that scientists are still exploring why humans need sleep, with recent studies suggesting it helps clear toxins accumulated in the brain during wakefulness.

An interesting fact is shared: whales and dolphins sleep with only half of their brain at a time to remain conscious enough to surface for air.

The Japanese Folk Tale of Akinosuk

The episode then delves into an old Japanese folk tale about a farmer named Akinosuk.

• The Nap and the Royal Summons: Akinosuk, a prosperous farmer (a goshi), fell asleep under a cedar tree after a day of hard work. Upon waking, he found his friends gone and the sun lower in the sky. He experienced postprandial somnolence. Soon, a royal carriage arrived, and Akinosuk was summoned to the king's palace. He complied, exhibiting a "fawn" response to stress, a behavior where one goes along with a situation due to fear.
• The King's Proposal: At the palace, Akinosuk, feeling out of place in his farm clothes, was informed by the king that he was to marry the princess. The king admired Akinosuk's honesty and hard work, qualities he found lacking among the palace nobility. Akinosuk and the princess got along well, and he was soon elevated to the status of a prince.
• Governing an Island: The king then tasked Akinosuk and his daughter with governing a distant island province. Akinosuk, still feeling like a simple farmer, accepted the command. They sailed to the island, and over time, Akinosuk adjusted, fell deeper in love with his wife, and they had seven children. The island prospered under their rule.
• Tragic Loss and a Mysterious Return: Years later, Akinosuk's wife fell ill and passed away. He and his children were devastated. After a grand funeral and the erection of a monument to her memory, Akinosuk received a summons from the king to return to the palace. As his ship departed, a dense mist rolled in. When Akinosuk could see again, he found himself back under the cedar tree, with his old friends chatting as if no time had passed.
• The Dream or Reality Dilemma: His friends told him he had only taken a short nap. They recounted seeing a yellow butterfly emerge from his mouth as he slept deeply, which was then pulled under the tree by ants. This led to a discussion about the connection between butterflies and souls in both Greek mythology (the word psyche meaning both) and Japanese culture.
• Unearthing the Truth: Akinosuk, suspecting his entire experience was a dream, began digging at the base of the cedar tree where the butterfly had disappeared. His friends joined him, and they uncovered a massive ant colony. The old man present suggested this colony was like the kingdom Akinosuk ruled in his dream. Akinosuk continued digging and found a smaller colony, which the elder likened to the island he governed. Beneath this smaller colony, Akinosuk discovered a tiny, smooth rock resembling the monument he built for his wife. Further digging revealed a minuscule clay box containing the body of a female ant.

Conclusion

The story of Akinosuk is presented as a tale about a human potentially entering an ant world, having ant children with an ant princess, and returning to the human world, or it could have all been a dream. This ambiguity perfectly aligns with the episode's theme of dreams and sleep mythology. The episode concludes with the theme song, wishing listeners goodnight.