Mana

Mana, usually, refers to a supernatural force said to exist within all things (similar to bioelectricity of living creatures), sometimes associated with maternal and lunar magic in mythology. The word's usages, in modern times, stems from anthropologist's understanding of the word mana in Polynesian religion.

Table of contents

1 Cultures 2 Fiction 3 Other 4 See also

Cultures

Mana has been, in various cultures, the power of magic. It was embedded into all talismans and fetishes, whether devoted to ancient gods, Roman Catholic saint relics, the spirits of the ancestors, or the underlying element that makes up the universe and all life within it. Mana has been used in various cultures for sacrifices, as the lives or blood of sacrificial victims contain supernatural powers whose offering would please a diety.

The mythological concept include:

• Polynesian mythology : mana
• Egyptian mythology : ka
• Greek mythology : ichor
• Hindu mythology : maya, rta
• Inuit mythology : inua, sila
• ''Leni Lenape mythology : manetuwak
• Yoruba mythology : oloddumare

Also related are the philosophical concepts of:

• Chinese philosophy : qi (or chi), Tao
• European alchemy and philosophy : aether, (or ether), quintessence

Mana in the Hebrew language is translated to mean "what is it". When Jews "consecrated" some object to make them holy and endow the items with special religious virtue, they gave it mana.

Mana in the spanish language is translated to mean "it flows".

In Maori culture, "Mana" is analogous to Respect, but it combines elements of respect, authority, and prestige.

Fiction

In some fantasy settings and games (in particular role-playing games), mana is a natural energy resource which is used or channeled by wizards to cast spells. This use of the term was coined by Larry Niven in his 1978 novella "The Magic Goes Away", which deals with mana as a limited natural resource, becoming depleted.

Mana in this sense has been used in numerous role-playing games and computer role-playing games (e.g., GURPS and Diablo series), trading card games (Magic: The Gathering), MUDs and MMORPGs (EverQuest), and strategy games (StarCraft and Warcraft series).

In the Tolkien universe, mana is a word for "upon what" .

Other

A famous mexican music group was named "Maná". They reached fame during the 1990s.

Mana is also the name of a rather expensive 'hi-fi' equipment rack.

See also

• Mythology and religion : Inua, Rta, Sila, Magic Polynesian mythology, Honor, Animatism, Egyptian soul, Ark of the Covenant, Ten Commandments, Elemental, Sacrifice, Great Apostasy, Oloddumare, Sacred fire of Vesta
• List of game topics : EverQuest, Trading card game,
• Latin music in the United States : Pop culture in Puerto Rico, 1990s music groups, MTV Unplugged, List of rock and roll performers
• Other : New Zealand English, Waikato River