[HPforGrownups] The Stag in Mythology

[Ebony Elizabeth Thomas]

No: HPFGUIDX 20304

>Devika:
>
> >>BTW, I've been trying to figure out the significance
>of the stag in
>mythology, but I haven't had much luck.  Could someone
>point me in the
>right
>direction or tell me what they came up with?  I read
>someone's post
>about the
>stag being an enemy of the serpent, but I would like
>to be able to find
> >>something more detailed.
>

Nethilia:
>I remember a myth: the White Stag of Greek Mythology.
>The fourth of Hercules's (or Heracles, if I must use
>the Greek name) twelve tasks was to catch the White
>stag. It was a sacred beast to the Godess Artemis
>(goddess of the moon, hunting, childbirth, virginity,
>and unmarried young women). Herculese hunted it down
>and was about to catch it when Artemis appeared and
>threatened to kill him for hunting in her forests.
>When he explained, however, she allowed him to take
>the stag as long as he took it unharmed. He did as
>such and took the stag to the King (who had one of
>those long annoying names I can't remember). Chalk up
>another for Hercie.
>
>He did also kill the Nemean lion. Hmm....
>


Isn't there also a white stag associated with Arthurian legend?  I seem to 
recall the Knights of the Round Table hunting a white stag in association 
with Arthur and Guinevere's wedding... but the book I read this in is over 
my grandmother's house across town.  Can anyone else  confirm this?

--Ebony AKA AngieJ
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