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Here's a question that won't result in a massive flame war.
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:53 am
by Keavy
Well, I hope it won't, anyways.
So here it is. My friend asked and I couldn't come up with an answer so I ask you all: What kind of cat is a Mithra anyways? Like, is the cat part Cougar, Lion, Bobcat?
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:58 am
by Pheonixhawk
GAAAAHHHHH *FLAME FLAME TROLL FLAME*
j/k
I have no clue, seeing as not all mithra look the same...
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 4:13 am
by Keavy
Another question that has repeatedly come up is: Where exactly does a Mithra's tail start? I always have said the posterior of Lumbar region of the spine is the base of the tail with the tail consisting of the Sacral and Coccyx regions of the spine.
Speaking in human anatomical terms, of course. I am not familiar with animal anatomy and I imagine that human anatomy would better fit since the Mithra is human-like.
P.S. Coccyx is the correct use of the term because their is no plural form since the Coccyx is a single piece forming the terminal end of the human spine.
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 4:37 am
by Alya Mizar (Tsybil)
In which cat speices do the young start out with tufty tails then loose the tufts?
That would be the closest one.
But we are not related to any earth cat speices. None have our truly abysmal male / female ratio. It is easier to find an unattached male in Washington DC than to find a male mithra. And finding an unattached male in Washington DC is HARD.
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 4:56 am
by Eviticus
That's an interesting point. Mithra children have a bit of a tuft at the end, like a lion. But adult mithra lack that little fuzz on the end of the tail, more like a domestic housecat.
And in other news, Gobbue have 192 visible teeth.
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 10:58 am
by Sugami
I don't think SE made mithra with any particular cat in mind
I didn't think it was actual bones in the tail but I was wrong
Looking at the skeleton of a cat it seems like the tail is an extention of the vertibrae, which is connected to the ilium (connects to the legs).
Comparing that to the human skeleton, our vertibrae connects to the pelvis, much the same way a cat's connects to the ilium, one could assume the vertibrea can be extended out and made into a tail.
If we look at a monkey's skeleton can see their tail extends out from the base of their spine just like a cat's and we are (arguably) descendants from monkeys.
Dr. Su has spoken
the tail starts where the spine ends
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:27 pm
by Tianshii
Seeing as how I am bored at work I thought I would look into this...
On the tail subject:
The tail consists of a varying number of vertebrae called “caudal” vertebrae, voluntary muscle, and ligaments and tendon to hold it all together. The tail attaches to the body at an area called “the tail head.” The first caudal vertebra attaches to a special backbone called “the sacrum” which connects the tail and lower back (“lumbar”) vertebrae.
The spinal cord itself does not extend down this far (it typically ends at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra) so that injuries to the tail do not damage the spinal cord.
For complete information on the above, check here:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ca ... tails.html
That got me curious on how SE made the cat/Mithra connection...
Doing a quick search using "Mithra", the common image is:
Doesn't look like a kitty
I believe this is Mithra sacrificing a bull.
More hunting got me this:
Etymology
The proto-Indo-Iranian word *mitra- could mean either "covenant, contract, oath, or treaty", or "friend". A general meaning of "alliance" might adequately explain both alternatives.
In Zoroastrianism, Mithra came into increased prominence as a major entity in the hierarchy of Angels as one of the protectors of human welfare.
While in older Zoroastrianism Mithra is seen as a creation of Ahura Mazda, in later Persian culture, Mithra evolved to be an incarnation of Ahura Mazda [citation needed], and in his role as 'Judge of Souls' as the rewarder of good and annihilator of the bad. Mithra was seen as omniscient, undeceivable, infallible, eternally watchful, and never-resting.
This got me giggling:
Popular culture
'Mithra' are also a race of cat-people found in the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI.
for the complete info the above, check here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra
I haven't been able to link Mithra with cat... but I swear I once saw a painting of Mithra being depicted as a tiger-type. I'll keep searching!!
Meantime, I the information I found was pretty interesting at least
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 10:05 pm
by Sakino
The god Mithra has been protrayed with a head of a lion. I guess that's where SE made the connection. Mithra is the god of light and truth.
In fact, one of the most famous examples of this motif is a Mithraic stone carving showing the so-called "lion-headed god," whose image is often found in Mithraic temples, standing on a globe that is marked with the cross representing the two circles of the zodiac and the celestial equator.
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:07 am
by Keavy
Shiva is a male in Hindu (If memory serves) culture so SE isn't always dead-on.
As for the cat's tail I believe the same is true with the Coccyx.
Sorry, I'm in Anatomy and Physiology and I'm looking for any opportunity to use my knowledge. Which is why I love CSI:
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:09 am
by Alya Mizar (Tsybil)
In Roman times Mithraism was the most common religon in the legions. It is said by many historians, that were Roman Mithraism NOT limited to males only, it could easily be the dominant religon today instead of Christanity.
Despite a BA in History, I know little else about Roman Mithraism.
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:47 am
by Sugami
Tsybil wrote:
Despite a BA in History, I know little else about Roman Mithraism.
Well I have a BSc in Comp Sci and I know sweet FA about programming
That's quite interesting about the mithra original, maybe if you looked up "misura" or "misra" you might find something as that's the literal translation and pronounciation (respectively) in Japanese.
Re: Here's a question that won't result in a massive flame war.
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:44 am
by xaresity
Re: Here's a question that won't result in a massive flame war.
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:31 am
by xaresity