Giants in Global Mythology
Stories of giants appear in the mythologies of nearly every ancient culture. In Mesopotamia, the Epic of Gilgamesh describes heroes of immense strength and size. Greek myths tell of the Titans and Gigantes, primordial beings who preceded the Olympian gods. In Norse tradition, the Jötnar were ancient giants tied to chaos and the natural world. The Bible references the Nephilim, described as mighty beings from a distant age. Similar legends appear among Native American, African, and Polynesian cultures, suggesting a shared mythic memory rather than isolated invention.
Symbolism of Giants
Giants often symbolize a primordial era when the world was wilder and less ordered. They are frequently portrayed as builders of ancient structures, guardians of forbidden knowledge, or enemies of later gods and humans. In this sense, giants may represent earlier cultures or civilizations remembered imperfectly through oral tradition.
Possible Real-World Origins
Several theories attempt to explain the widespread belief in giants. One possibility is the discovery of fossilized bones of large animals, such as mammoths or dinosaurs, which ancient people may have interpreted as human remains. Another theory suggests encounters with unusually tall individuals or populations suffering from gigantism.
Ancient Ruins and the Giant Builder Myth
Massive stone structures—megaliths, cyclopean walls, and colossal statues—often inspired legends of giant builders. The walls of Mycenae, for example, were said to be built by Cyclopes because later Greeks could not imagine ordinary humans constructing them.
Cultural Memory and Myth Preservation
Rather than literal beings, giants may reflect distorted memories of lost civilizations, social upheaval, or environmental disasters. These stories preserved the idea that humanity once lived alongside forces far greater than itself, reinforcing humility and reverence for the past.
