I’ve got an interesting tidbit to share!

In the famous Japanese folktale of Princess Kaguya (aka The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), the titular Kakyuu would weep when she saw the moon because it reminded her of her true home on the moon. She had to go back there as she was its Princess, and wanted to go back, but at the same time she was torn because she dearly loved her adoptive parents and knew how crushed they would be once she returned.

I’m probably overanalyzing but considering that the legend of Princess Kaguya ties in quite a bit to the series (and not just in the second movie) it wouldn’t surprise me if they added this as a nod to mythology!

In the Sera Myu musicals, there was an additional Sol System Senshi named Sailor Astarte. She is based off of (and is actually the incarnation of) the ancient Phoenician goddess Astarte, who was the goddess of fertility, sexual love, and war. She corresponds to the Babylonian and Assyrian goddess Ishtar and later became identified with the Egyptian Isis, the Greek Aphrodite, and others. 

Sailor Astarte’s attacks included Solomon Jihad and Solomon Birth. She only appeared in Kessen/Transylvania no Mori - Shin Toujou! Chibi Moon wo Mamoru Senshi-tachi and its revision, Saikyou no Kataki Dark Cain no Nazo. Sailor Astarte also seems to correspond with a minor planet that shares the same name.

(my list of already completed mythologies is here)

Who/what should I do next?

• Serenity and Selene
• Endymion
• Sailor Mercury/Hermes
• Sailor Mars/Ares
• Sailor Jupiter/Zeus
• Sailor Venus/Aphrodite
• Sailor Pluto/Hades
• Sailor Uranus/Ouranos
• Sailor Neptune/Poseidon
• Sailor Saturn/Cronus
• Phobos and Deimos
• Lethe and Mnemosyne
• Sailor Aluminum Seiren/Siren
• Sailor Lead Crow/Coronis
• Cosmos and Chaos
• Thetis
• Maenads
• The Talismans and the Imperial Regalia of Japan
• The Inner Senshi’s final attacks

In Mythology:

The Imperial Regalia of Japan, also known as the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, consist of the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙劍), the mirror Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡?), and the jewel Yasakani no Magatama (八尺瓊曲玉?). The regalia represent the three primary virtues: valor (the sword), wisdom (the mirror), and benevolence (the jewel). 

According to legend, these treasures were brought by Ninigi-no-Mikoto, legendary ancestor of the Japanese imperial line, when his grandmother, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, sent him to pacify Japan. Traditionally, they were a symbol of the emperor’s divinity as a descendant of Amaterasu, confirming his legitimacy as paramount ruler of Japan. When Amaterasu hid in a cave from her brother Susanoo, thus plunging the world in darkness, the goddess Ame-no-Uzume hung the mirror and jewels outside the cave and lured her out of the cave, at which point she saw her own reflection and was startled enough that the gods could pull her out of the cave. Susanoo later presented the sword Kusanagi to Amaterasu as a token of apology; he had obtained it from the body of an eight-headed serpent, Orochi. (via Wikipedia)

In Sailor Moon

In Sailor Moon, the talismans were three mythical items held by Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune, and Sailor Pluto. They were very powerful artifacts and acted as source of power for each respective Senshi. The three talismans were the Space Sword (Uranus), the Deep Aqua Mirror (Neptune), and the Garnet Orb (Pluto). In the anime, they were hidden in Pure Heart Crystals and the search for them was a major plot point during the first part of the S season. When brought together, they summoned the Holy Grail. In the manga, however, each Senshi was already in possession of her talisman at the start and bringing them together summoned Sailor Saturn instead of the Holy Grail.

Similarities

Of course, the similarities are obvious given that the talismans were based on the Three Sacred Treasures. The Space Sword was based off of Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the Deep Aqua Mirror was the equivalent of Yata no Kagami, and the Garnet Orb was Yasakani no Magatama. 

The attributes associated with the Sacred Treasures also seem to match with each Senshi. The sword represented valor, and Sailor Uranus has proven time and time again to be immensely courageous and fearless in the face of danger, most notably in battle. The trait associated with the mirror, wisdom, fits Sailor Neptune like a glove. She often used her mirror to see things that she cannot and to reveal truth. With wisdom comes the truth, and Neptune would often use this to her advantage in battle. And finally, the characteristic connected with the jewel, benevolence, perfectly fits Sailor Pluto. She acts as a loving protector to Chibiusa and tirelessly watches over the Door of Space-Time, ensuring that time remains safe and guarding it with her life. She also acts as a trusted ally to the Inner Senshi, even at times when her other companions didn’t.

Mercury Aqua Rhapsody

• Background: Ami learned how to use this attack in episode 151. To use this attack, she materialized a harp out of water and strummed it, causing water to blast towards the enemy. In the manga, she needed the Mercury Harp to preform this attack.
• Mythological significance: The harp Mercury uses in this attack resembles a lyre, which was said to be an invention of the god Hermes, aka Mercury.

Mars Flame Sniper

• Background: Rei attains this attack in episode 152. To preform it, she summons a bow made out of fire and makes an arrow using the energy of the flames. She then shoots one or multiple arrows at the target. In the manga, she needed the Mars Arrow to use this attack. 
• Mythological significance: Mars’s bow is a reference to Mars, the god of War. He was also occasionally associated with fire. His son with Aphrodite, Cupid, also carried a bow an arrow. In addition, mikos (Shinto priestesses, which Rei is) were well-known for their archery and occasionally exorcised demons with arrows. 

Jupiter Oak Evolution

• Background: Jupiter obtained this attack in episode 154. To use this attack, Jupiter twirled around and sent leaf-shaped blasts of energy at her opponent. In the manga, she needed the Leaves of Oak to use this attack. 
• Mythological significance: In Roman mythology, the oak tree was sacred to Jupiter and one of his symbols. Jupiter also wears a crown of oak leaves to preform the attack in the manga.

Venus Love and Beauty Shock

• Background: Venus learned this attack in episode 154. To use it, she would wink and blow a kiss which then formed into a golden heart of energy. She would toss it and it multiplied into many hearts which spun around here before converging into one heart again before flying towards the target. In the manga, Venus needed the Love Whip to utilize this attack.
• Mythological significance: Venus was the Roman goddess of love and beauty. She was so beautiful that any man who saw her (and some women) would fall hopelessly in love with her, so in a sense they were immobilized by love, which is what Minako’s attack does. Hearts are also the universal symbol of love so it’s fitting they would be used in this attack.

In ancient Greek mythology, Chaos was the abyss, the confusing nothingness that was the only thing in the universe before the gods and Titans emerged from it. This Chaos was neither good nor evil, rather it was just the ultimate expression of nothingness and the antithesis of Cosmos. Cosmos was used to refer to order, hierarchy, and symmetry; the antithesis of Chaos.

In the final chapter of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, we are introduced to two new characters; Chaos, the embodiment and cause of all of the suffering, disorder, and despair throughout the galaxy, and Sailor Cosmos, the future Sailor Moon who spends her life fighting against it.

In Greek Mythology

DEIMOS (or Deimus) was the god (daimon) of fear, dread and terror, and his twin-brother PHOBOS (Phobus) of panic fear, flight and battlefield rout. They were sons of the god Ares, who accompanied their father into battle, driving his chariot and spreading fear in their wake. As sons of Aphrodite, goddess of love, the twins also represented the fear of loss. (via)

In Sailor Moon

We are introduced to Phobos and Deimos in Rei’s very first appearance. They are two crows she has an affinity for and who live with at Hikawa Shrine. It’s apparent that Phobos and Deimos are more than your average crows from the get go; they are able to detect evil (and attack it) and protect Rei when she is in danger. Rei is shown to love the crows very much, having known them since her childhood (in the manga, it’s revealed that soon after Rei went to live with her grandfather, two crows appeared to her and “told” her their names were Phobos and Deimos) and they were often her only source of companionship before meeting the rest of the Senshi (as seen in the R movie). Their role stops here in the anime, but in the manga, it is revealed that Phobos and Deimos are in actuality two (very cute) sprites from the planet Coronis (also home of Sailor Lead Crow) who can freely switch their forms between humanoid sprites and crows. They are the guardians of Princess Mars (Rei’s Princess form).

Similarities 

Unfortunately, there are few similarities to be found between the Phobos and Deimos of Sailor Moon and Greek Myth, because Takeuchi in all likelihood named the duo after Mars’s moons and not after the mythological figures themselves. However, the mythological Phobos and Deimos often accompanied their father Ares (AKA Mars) into battle and were very loyal to him. Likewise, Rei’s guardians, Phobos and Deimos, are extremely loyal to their Princess (Mars) and are always with her under the guise of crows.

silvermoon424:

In Greek/Roman myth:

Venus was a Roman goddess principally associated with love, beauty and fertility, who played a key role in many Roman religious festivals and myths. Venus is the equivalent of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. she was born when Saturn cut off Uranus’ genitals and threw them into the sea, and from the sea foam arose Venus.  Myrtles, doves, sparrows, horses, and swans are sacred to her. (Taken from Wikipedia)

She was perhaps the most beautiful goddess of all and was desired by all. She was married to Vulcan (Hephaestus), but carried out countless affairs, most notably with Mars (Ares), the passionate god of war. Although she was very beautiful and sought to help many with their love lives, Venus was also very petty and jealous goddess who refused to let any other woman be as beautiful as her. 

In Sailor Moon:

Sailor Venus, aka Minako Aino, was the fifth and final addition to the Inner Sailor Team, although she was actually the very first to awaken. Sailor Venus uses light and energy based powers, many of which connected to love. Minako awakened a full year before Usagi and fought crime under the codename, Sailor V and even starred in her own series before Sailor Moon. Her parter is the cat Artemis. Even though Minako is fun-loving, hyper and a bit scatter-brained, she never fails to lead the other senshi in a crisis.

Similarities:

*whistles* In my opinion, out of all the mythological references for the Senshi, Minako takes the cake. Here are just a few examples of references found in the series, most of which from Codename: Sailor V:

This is just the references I could find on short notice! Codename: Sailor V seems to actually imply that she is the incarnation, or avatar, of Venus herself. Minako often refers to herself as the “goddess of love”, but this may very well be just a saying or catchphrase she has developed, not actually naming herself Venus. 

Venus was incredibly beautiful and was stated to have long blond hair. Minako is also very beautiful and is blond. Venus had a myriad of affairs and love interests, and Minako has had countless crushes, probably as a reference to this myth. Venus had a long-lasting affair with a youth named Adonis. In Codename: Sailor V, a youth named Adonis was in love with Sailor Venus. Venus was the goddess of love and beauty, and one of Sailor Venus’s titles is “Soldier of Love and Beauty.” Also, Sailor Venus’s final and most powerful attack “Venus Love and Beauty Shock” is a reference to this. Another thing I picked up that might be mythology related is the fact that Minako and Rei are best friends in the manga; perhaps this is in reference to the love between Venus and Mars.

silvermoon424:

In Greek/Roman Myth:

Mars was the Roman god of war and also an agricultural guardian, a combination characteristic of early Rome. He was second in importance only to Jupiter, and he was the most prominent of the military gods worshipped by the Roman legions. 

Under the influence of Greek culture, Mars was identified with the Greek god Ares, whose myths were reinterpreted in Roman literature and art under the name of Mars. But the character and dignity of Mars differed in fundamental ways from that of his Greek counterpart, who is often treated with contempt and revulsion in Greek literature. Mars was a part of the Archaic Triad along with Jupiter and Quirinus, the latter of whom as a guardian of the Roman people had no Greek equivalent. 

Although Ares was viewed primarily as a destructive and destabilizing force, Mars represented military power as a way to secure peace, and was a father (pater) of the Roman people. In the mythic genealogy and founding myths of Rome, Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus with Rhea Silvia. His love affair with Venus symbolically reconciled the two different traditions of Rome’s founding; Venus was the divine mother of the hero Aeneas, celebrated as the Trojan refugee who “founded” Rome several generations before Romulus laid out the city walls. Mars also is deeply connected with passion. (Taken from Wikipedia.)

In Sailor Moon:

Sailor Mars, aka Rei Hino, was the third addition to the Sailor Team. Her powers are creating and manipulating fire and heat. She also a miko (priestess) and displays very acute psychic powers even when untransformed. Rei is very passionate and outspoken, and is fearless when facing enemies. 

Similarities: 

There are a few obvious similarities that can be drawn from Mars and Sailor Mars. Mars is the god of war, and one of Sailor Mars’s titles is “Soldier of War”, referencing this. Also, just as Mars was portrayed as a very passionate god, Sailor Mars shows passion in everything that she does and is even referred to as the “Soldier of Passion.” In addition, perhaps Rei and Minako’s very close friendship is a reference to the affair between Mars and Venus.

silvermoon424:

(from the Sailor Moon S: Kotaete Moon Call! game)

This is actually an awesome subtle reference to mythology! (I have no idea if it’s intentional, however… XD)

The Greek goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite (otherwise known as the equivalent of Venus), was often referred to as “Lady of the Doves” and had the dove as her avian symbol. It’s no wonder Sailor Venus would be skilled at finding doves! ;)

(from the Sailor Moon S: Kotaete Moon Call! game)

This is actually an awesome subtle reference to mythology! (I have no idea if it’s intentional, however… XD)

The Greek goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite (otherwise known as the equivalent of Venus), was often referred to as “Lady of the Doves” and had the dove as her avian symbol. It’s no wonder Sailor Venus would be skilled at finding doves! ;)

silvermoon424:

In Asian Culture:

In Western cultures, we see a “man in he moon” when we look up to the full moon. In some Asian cultures, however, a rabbit is seen in the moon. In Japan, the image of the rabbit is pounding mochi (rice cakes). Mochi is a very important food in Japan, which is traditionally eaten during the New Year festival. It is made by putting steamed rice into a mortar and pouding it with a wooden mallet. In ancient Japan, rice was a very valuable food used only for special occasions. According to the Shinto tradition, each grain of rice symbolizes a human soul, so mochi represents millions of souls. The rabbit pounding mochi is also a play on words… the word mochitsuki describes the act of pounding mochi, while the word mochizuki refers to the full moon. (Taken from The Oracle)

In Sailor Moon/Similarities:

This legend is incredibly apparent in Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon! We can see from the Japaneses characters in Sailor Moon’s name, Tsukino Usagi, that it literally means Moon Field Rabbit. When spoken, however, it sounds exactly like the Japanese phrase meaning Rabbit of the Moon. Usagi is related to both rabbits and the moon in several ways. She is, of course, the Princess of the Moon, who lived on the moon during the Silver Millenium. She wears her hair in long pigtails which seem almost like a rabbit’s ears. Her bedroom and many of her posessions are covered with rabbits. Other small jokes exist, such as the fact that her least favorite food is carrots, and that according the anime, she’d like to have a rabbit. In several translations of the Sailor Moon anime and manga, Usagi is given the name Bunny. 

silvermoon424:

Deities/Monsters/Myth Characters:

Endymion

Selene

Mercury/Hermes

Mars/Ares

Jupiter/Zeus

Venus/Aphrodite

Pluto/Hades

Neptune/Poseidon

Uranus/

Saturn/Cronus

Ceres/Demeter

Vesta/Hestia

Pallas/Athena

Juno/Hera

Artemis/Luna/Diana

Lethe

Mnemosyne

Helios

Pegasus

Lemures

Daimon

Sirens 

Thetis

Adonis

Coronis

Nemesis

Minotaur

Gemology:

Garnet:

Pearl:

Astrology:

Cancer:

Virgo:

Aries

Sagittarius

Libra

Scorpio

Pisces

Aquarius

Capricorn

Leo

Misc:

Elysian 

Endymion and Selene

Castor and Pollux 

Princess Kaguya and the Legend of the Bamboo Cutter

Cosmos

Chaos

The Rabbit on the Moon

The Three Lights (Shinto and Hindu beliefs)

EDITS:

Phobos and Deimos (Thanks, Britchan!)

The Three Imperial Treasures from the Founding of Japan (Thank you, be-my-pyajamas!)

Beryl (Thanks, pudinzinho9!)

~~~~~~~~~~

This list is still a work in progress. I plan on writing about each and every one of these! Anyway, if I’m leaving something out, or you’d like me to write about it, just leave a reply!

I’ve crossed out the ones I’ve already done, so this way you can get an idea of what’s to come regarding Sailor Moon Mythology.

silvermoon424:

In Greek/Roman Mythology:

In ancient Roman religion and myth, Jupiter or Jove was the king of the gods, and the god of sky and thunder. He is the equivalent of Zeus in the Greek pantheon. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak. (Taken from Wikipedia)

He was the brother of Vesta (Hestia), Ceres (Demeter), Juno (Hera), Pluto (Hades), and Neptune (Poseidon), and the son of Saturn (Cronus) and Ops (Rhea). Saturn had swallowed all of his children, save for Jupiter whom Ops had hid, in fear that they might one day overthrow his position as king. Jupiter grew up, rescued his siblings, overthrew the Titans, and became king of the gods with Juno as his queen. He sired many illegitimate children, much to the dismay of Juno.

In Sailor Moon:

Sailor Jupiter, aka Makoto Kino (Mako-chan to her friends), was the fourth addition to the Sailor Team. Her powers are nature-based, and she is able to manipulate lightning and use some plant-based powers. She is the “muscle” of the group and by far the most physically strong. Mako is simultaneously the most masculine and the most feminine of the group. She is tall, strong, and can beat almost anybody up, but is also an excellent cook and likes “girly” things.

Similarities:

The similarities between the two are very obvious here! Almost all of Sailor Jupiter’s powers are taken from the myths about Jupiter being the god of lightning. Also, Sailor Jupiter’s final attack, “Jupiter Oak Evolution”, is a reference to one of Jupiter’s symbols, the Oak. Perhaps, much like Jupiter was a father to many daughters and sons, Makoto acts as the mother figure of the inner senshi and is very protective of her friends. Jupiter was known for his countless affairs with beautiful women, and, in the anime particularly, Mako has many crushes.