Gagan | MITHRAS

[cg.ronin]

"Mithras, the sun-god, was born of a virgin in a cave on December 25, and worshipped on Sunday, the day of the conquering sun. He was a savior-god who rivaled Jesus in popularity. He died and was resurrected in order to become a messenger god, an intermediary between man and the good god of light, and the leader of the forces of righteousness against the dark forces of the god evil."
- Pagan Origins of Christmas

Mithra is an Indo-Iranian god, worshipped at least as early as 1400BC. In Hinduism he is praised as the binomial Mitra-Varuna. A hymn is also dedicated to him alone in Rig Veda (3.59). He is the Lord of Heavenly light, protector of truth, and is invoked when a contract or oath is taken.

In Persia Mithra was the protector god of the tribal society until the Zorostar’s reformation of Persian polytheism (628-55BC). Mithra like the rest of the gods and goddess of the Iranian Pantheon was stripped of his sovereignty, and all his powers and attributes were bestowed upon Ahura Mazda.

In Avesta Mithra or Mehr (trans: love, sun) is the protector of the Aryan nation, giving victory to ‘those who lie not unto Mithra’ He is the warrior deity carrying the ‘hundred knotted mace’ whom all demons flee in fear. In a Yashet 6 during a prayer to sun Mithra is mentioned again and refered to as a friend: “...I will sacrifice unto that friendship, the best of all friendships, that regins between the moon and the sun”

Mithra is also seen in Chinese mythology, where he is known as ‘The Friend’. Mithra is represented as a Military General in Chinese statues, and is considered to be the friend of man in this life and his protector against evil in the next.

In the west Mithra is best known as ‘cult of Mithras’ which had an immense popularity among the Roman Legions, From late 1BC until 4AD. During which it came under the influnece of Greek and Roman mythologies. However like other mystery traditions of that period; Eleusinian mysteries and Isis mysteries. The Mithraic cult maintained secrecy and its teaching were only reveled to initiates. Remains of Mithraic temples can be found through out the Roman empire, from Palestine across north of Africa, and across central Europe to North of England.

[gaganjain]

Nice concept.
can't wait for some SKETCH

[jerazskywalker]

very nice idea. although not completely greek nor indian. but i guess thats where ur imagination will count. i researched a bit after i saw ur comment. theres very few renditions of mithras. so i guess u have complete freedom to sketch ur own thing. waiting for sketches. good luck!!

[cg.ronin]

Mithras
The name Mithras was the Persian word for 'contract'.In the Avesta, the holy book of the religion of Zarathustra, Ahura-Mazda was said to have created Mithras in order to guarantee the authority of contracts and the keeping of promises.The divine duty of Mithras was to ensure general prosperity through good contractual relations between men. It was believed that misfortune would befall the entire land if a contract was ever broken. Ahura-Mazda was said to have created Mithras to be as great and worthy as himself. He would fight the spirits of evil to protect the creations of Ahura-Mazda and cause even Ahriman(an evil god) to tremble. Mithras was seen as the protector of just souls from demons seeking to drag them down to Hell, and the guide of these souls to Paradise. As Lord of the Sky, he took the role of psychopomp, conducting the souls of the righteous dead to paradise.Mithras gained the title of 'Judger of Souls'. He became the divine representative of Ahura-Mazda on earth, and was directed to protect the righteous from the demonic forces of Ahriman. Mithras was called omniscient, undeceivable, infallible, eternally watchful, and never-resting.


The Babylonians took the Mithraic rituals and mythology from the Persians, they thoroughly refined its theology by assimilating it with solar and astronomical associations. Mithras later was referred to by Roman worshippers as 'Sol invictus', or the invincible sun.
The sun itself was considered to be "the eye of Mithras". The Persian crown, from which all present day crowns are derived, was designed to represent the golden sun-disc sacred to Mithras.


As a deity connected with the sun and its life-giving powers, Mithras was known as 'The Lord of the Wide Pastures' who was believed to cause the plants to spring forth from the ground.In the Persian calendar, the seventh month and the sixteenth day of each month were also dedicated to Mithras.

According to Persian mythology, Mithras was born of a virgin given the title 'Mother of God'. The God remained celibate throughout his life, and valued self-control, renunciation and resistance to sensuality among his worshippers. Mithras represented a system of ethics in which brotherhood was encouraged in order to unify against the forces of evil.

The Persians called Mithras 'The Mediator' since he was believed to stand between the light of Ahura-Mazda and the darkness of Ahriman. He was said to have 1000 eyes, expressing the conviction that no man could conceal his wrongdoing from the god. Mithras was known as the God of Truth, and Lord of Heavenly Light, and said to have stated "I am a star which goes with thee and shines out of the depths".

Mithras was worshipped as guardian of arms, and patron of soldiers and armies. The handshake was developed by those who worshipped him as a token of friendship and as a gesture to show that you were unarmed. When Mithras later became the Roman god of contracts, the handshake gesture was imported throughout the Mediterranean and Europe by Roman soldiers.

As 'God of Truth and Integrity', Mithras was invoked in solemn oaths to pledge the fulfillment of contracts and punish liars. He was believed to maintain peace, wisdom, honour, prosperity, and cause harmony to reign among all his worshippers. According to the Avesta, Mithras could decide when different periods of world history were completed. He would judge mortal souls at death and brandish his mace over hell three times each day so that demons would not inflict greater punishment on sinners than they deserved.


I have decided to show "Mithras" before his ascending to the heavens in Sun’s chariot.Mithra's ascension to heaven was said to have occurred in 208 B.C., 64 years after his birth.

Work will come soon...

[jerazskywalker]

thats pretty informative. i'm a zoroastrian myself, and i have never heard of Mithras! so thats pretty thats good research there.
but again, u r getting into persian territory. i believe u should stick to indian or greek mythology. before getting into serious work, i suggest u confirm ur ideas with mr. thomasphoenix or some other senior.

[cg.ronin]

Thx for your suggestion buddy, But Mithras was worshipped universally throught the world in all the civilizations. The above information is regarding his history & origin. But the scene which i want to make is from the greek mythology when Mithras ascended to heaven. But still i'll confirm Mr. Phoenix.
Regards

[sagiarts]

hi nice concept and research work there!!!!!!!!!!
But pls change your thread name inthe rules its been told that you have to post your real name and not your community name.

[thomasphoenix]

I believe this character is valid as far as the guidelines go for original sculpture.
Greek and Indian Mytho was mentioned as a base for those who want to follow it!

[cg.ronin]

Just started yesterday.Initial mesh in maya.

[cg.ronin]

Complete mesh in maya & posed with the mace.

[cg.ronin]

Mace modeled in maya + zbrush.

[cg.ronin]

Detailing face in zbrush. I want this character to look more humanly, a mediator b/w Gods & men. The age is around early thirties.

[divij]

waiting for update ...keep up...

[cg.ronin]

Thank you Divij.

Here is the almost complete head with all hair details done by mouse. No projections used.

I have added the clothes & mace to the pose. Its close to the finalised pose. Just need to add a couple of props & other details. The skirt is not subdivided cos i want it to look like hard material or metal.

& Thank you Abhishek for changing the name.

[divij]

look out for the balance of the pose and the weight shift in the body...keep up...

[cg.ronin]

Thanks Divij.
Using Zbrush first time, so had to really struggle through the pipeline of mayazbrush....but i guess this is the case with most of the participents here.
But managing diff. props & regulating the polycount increased my misery.

So here is Mithras. Before ascending to heaven preaching the "Contractual Law".The scroll in his right hand urges the people to abide by their promises & invokes in them the pledge to fulfillment of contracts.


His leg on the demon skull symbolises that being the protector of just souls, he also decides the fate of the demons.

Being the intermediary b/w Gods & humans he is represented in human form so that humnas can see in him more of a friend than a deity.

The mace in his right hand signifies him being the warrior deity, has the strength & power to fight spirits of evil.

He poses an athletic body, & is aged in late twenties/early thirties. His hair style & clothing is a Greco-Roman representation.

Regards

[cg.ronin]

rest of them....

[cg.ronin]

And the rest.....