The Hero Pattern

This pattern is based upon The Hero: A study in Tradition, Myth and Dreams by Lord Raglan

First identified by Otto Rank in 1914 and elaborated by Lord Fitzroy Raglan in 1936.

Otto Rank’s basic model for mythic heroes can be summarized is 6 steps:

1. Prophecy surrounds birth
2. Divine, aristocratic, or royal parents
3. Abandoned, given or sent away, separated
4. Rescue or reared by foster parents or surrogates
5. Return to the land of father, proves his worthiness
6. Claims royal birthright and wins honors

Incidents which occur with regularity in hero-myths of all cultures:

1. Hero’s mother is a royal virgin;
2. His father is a king, and
3. Often a near relative of his mother, but
4. The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and
5. He is also reputed to be the son of a god.
6. At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grand father to kill him, but
7. he is spirited away, and
8. Reared by foster -parents in a far country.
9. We are told nothing of his childhood, but
10. On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future Kingdom.
11. After a victory over the king and/or a giant, dragon, or wild beast,
12. He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor and
13. And becomes king.
14. For a time he reigns uneventfully and
15. Prescribes laws, but
16. Later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and
17. Is driven from the throne and city, after which
18. He meets with a mysterious death,
19. Often at the top of a hill,
20. His children, if any do not succeed him.
21. His body is not buried, but nevertheless
22. He has one or more holy sepulchres.

See the names of gods and where they fit the pattern here

also see 5 Reasons to Suspect Jesus Never Existed

Excel doc of the hero pattern as it relates to Jesus.