Wolves

So I said to my mother, "Mother," I said, "Mother. what should I do a blog post on?"
And she said to me, she said, "Wolves."
The previous night we'd watch the first episode of Game of Thrones on my new Blu Ray box set and so wolves were on the brain.

Nymeria from the Television series Game of Thrones

The wolf is a prominent part of human myth and legend. Primarily they appear as adversaries or villains but in some cases as nurturers, companions or helpers. The later seems to be more popular today as seen in Game of Thrones.

Tyr and Fenrir by John Bauer.

Fenrir is a son of the trickster god Loki. The wolf is one of three creatures responsible for Ragnarok (the end of the world) when he will kill the god Odin. Tyr placed his hand in the mouth of Fenrir allowing to other gods to bind him. They were successful but Tyr lost his hand.

Lycaon becoming a wolf by Bernard Picart

Lycaon was the king of Arcadia but he foolishly sought to deceive Zeus, king of the gods, by serving him the flesh of his own son. As punishment Zeus turned Lycaon into a wolf creating the first lycanthrope or werewolf.

Moonlight Wolf by Frederic Remington

Shepherd Wolf by Gustave Doré

An interpretation of the saying "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" which comes from the line in the bible (New Testament), "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7.15).

Red Riding Hood and Wolf by Trina Schart Hyman

And of course there's the menacing wolf from the well know fairy tale Red Riding Hood.

Catherine's Wolf by Adrienne Segur

Now this seems to be our first picture of a benevolent wolf, however, something about the way he's looking at her is a little suss to me. Maybe I've just been brainwashed by all the red riding hood propaganda.

Spirit Wolf by Miskis (Source)

Much of Native American culture consider the wolf to be a teacher or brother, who shows the way beyond death. This is quite similar to the role of the Dire Wolves in Game of Thrones in which the wolves are companions and protectors to the Stark children.

Angua by Paul Kidby

Another werewolf but this time a character from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Angua may be a werewolf but she's also a Sergeant of the Watch aka she's a cop.

The Four Horsemen

Today I asked my brother for a post topic and he said, “Lucifer playing a mandolin.” To which I said “Pick another topic.” He then said “Sacrificial ritual.” And I said “I want something easy.” And then both he and my mother told me off for be lazy, said to pick my own topic and left the room.

So which topic did I decide to go with…The title kind of gives it away doesn't it.


The Four Horsemen first appear in the New Testament, Book of Revelation... and here's the quote;

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as with a voice of thunder, “Come!”

And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

                When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”

And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another; and he was given a great sword.

                When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!”

And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and its rider had a balance in his hand; and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A  quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not harm oil and wine!”

                When he opened the fourth seal, I heard a voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”

And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him; and they were given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

Revelation 6:1-6

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Viktor Vasnetsov, 1887.

Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Matt Verges aka Scumbugg.

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Edward Jakob Von Steinle.

The Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Albrecht Dürer, 1497-98.

The Four Horsemen by Paul Kidby.

In this case it’s the Four Horsemen of the Apocralypse from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series.

P.S. My brother just came in and said my next post has to be about religion and broomsticks.


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