Theft of fire

Prometheus Brings Fire to Mankind (1817) by Heinrich Füger

The theft of fire for the benefit of humanity is a theme that recurs in many world mythologies. Examples include:

In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus steals the heavenly fire for humanity, enabling the progress of civilization.
According to the Rig Veda (3:9.5), the hero Mātariśvan recovered fire, which had been hidden from humanity.
In the Book of Enoch, the fallen angels and Azazel teach early humanity to use tools and fire.
In Polynesian myth, Māui stole fire from the Mudhens.^[1]
In Cherokee myth, after Possum and Buzzard had failed to steal fire, Grandmother Spider used her web to sneak into the land of light. She stole fire, hiding it in a clay pot.^[2]
Among various Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest and First Nations, fire was stolen and given to humans by Coyote, Beaver or Dog.^[3]
According to some Yukon First Nations people, Crow stole fire from a volcano in the middle of the water.^[4]
According to the Creek Native Americans, Rabbit stole fire from the Weasels.^[5]
In Algonquin myth, Rabbit stole fire from an old man and his two daughters.^[6]
In Ojibwa myth, Nanabozho the hare stole fire and gave it to humans.
In one of the versions of Georgian myth, Amirani stole fire from metalsmiths, who refused to share it - and knowledge of creating it - with other humans.

References

↑ Westervelt 1910, Ch. 5.
↑ Erdoes/Ortiz 1984.
↑ Judson 1912.
↑ Janke, Daniel (2008). "How People Got Fire (animated short)" (DVD). National Film Board of Canada. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
↑ Swanton 1929.
↑ Alexander 1916.

Alexander, Hartley Burr. The Mythology of All Races. Vol 10: North American. Boston, 1916.
Erdoes, Richard and Alfonso Ortiz, eds. American Indian Myths and Legends. New York, 1984.
Judson, Katharine B. Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest. Chicago, 1912.
Swanton, John. "Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians." Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 88: 1929.
Westervelt, W.D. Legends of Maui – a Demigod of Polynesia, and of His Mother Hina. Honolulu, 1910.

O fogo e as chamas dos mitos (text in Portuguese) by Betty Mindlin Essay about the origin of fire, stealing of fire, keeping of fire in different South-American indigenous cultures

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