The Myth Of The Nine Mice: A Source Of Creative Inspiration

The myth of the nine mice is one of the oldest. For many, these divine beings continue to be a source of inspiration in various subjects, such as art and science. The words music and museum actually come from this word.

According to the different versions of the myth of the mice, they were the natural partners of Apollo, the god of music and art. He had a romantic relationship with all the mice, but at different times. This led to a huge consequence: many children.

The myth of the nine mice tells that they were lively and festive young women who went down to Earth to whisper creative ideas in the ears of humans. Each time humans listened to the mice’s advice, they were able to create amazing and admirable works. However, there were also some who never created anything.

The myth of the nine mice: the origin

The myth of the nine mice says that they were daughters of Zeus, the god of Olympus, and Mnemosyne, a titanite who represented memory. The last was the daughter of Gea, mother earth, and Uranus, who represented heaven. Some say that Mnemosyne and Zeus were together for nine nights, and a new muse was born every night.

Mythological stories tell that there was a river in the underworld called Mnemosyne. It was next to another named Lete. Most mortals were offered to drink from the river Lete before being reincarnated into a new being. The reason for this was because the water in the river made them forget their previous lives and start again.

On the other hand, the myth of the nine mice tells that only a select few were offered to drink from the river Mnemosyne. These could remember their past lives and became visionaries and prophets in their next incarnation.

The nine mice

Now there are stories that talk about many different mice. Classical history tells, however, that there were nine muses and that each one was responsible for some subject within knowledge or artistic creation. The myth goes that if a creator was visited by the right mouse, then they would have sudden and amazing revelations to complete their work. Here are the nine classic mice:

• Kalliope or “the one with the beautiful voice”. The mouse of eloquence and poetry and she wore a laurel wreath and a lyre. She was the girlfriend of Apollo and the mother of Orpheus, Lalemo and Reso.
• Kleio or “he who offers glory”. History Museum. Her role was to keep alive the memory of generosity and triumphs. She had a trumpet and an open book.

• Erato or “the loving”. The mouse of lyrical love poetry, and she wore a crown of roses on her head and wore a siter. She was also Apollo’s girlfriend and Tamiris’ mother.
• Evterpe or “the very nice”. The mouse of music, more specifically to the interpretation of the flute. It was a flower crown that represented her.
• Melpomene or “the melodic”. The mouse of tragedy, or rather of tragic storytelling and literary writing. She dressed lavishly and wore a tragic mask.
• Polyhymnia or “the one with many hymns”. The mouse of sacred songs and hymns. She was always dressed in white.
• Thalia or “the festive”. The Mouse of Comedy and Bucolic Poetry. She hosted banquets and festivities.
• Terpsikhore or “the one who enjoys dancing”. The mouse of dance and lyrical singing. She was wearing wreaths.

• Urania or “the heavenly”. The mouse of astronomy, teaching and exact science. She was carrying a globe and a compass.

The presence of the mice

Although the myth of the nine mice was very important to the Greeks, these creatures did not often appear in the stories of the gods. When they first did, they were just secondary characters. Despite this , all the main characters found inspiration in them for everything they had to do.

Some say that King Pierus, king of ancient Macedonia, had nine daughters who had very good singing voices. Their art was so beautiful that they decided to go where the mice lived and challenge them. The mice accepted, of course.

When the nine young women began to sing, all the birds became silent. Their song was so beautiful that everything by nature became quiet. Then it was the mice’s turn. As they sang their songs, even the stones cried. After winning the competition, the mice decided to turn the nine young girls into cutters as a punishment for their arrogance.