Mythology and the body 

The human body is essential to human myths and storytelling because it is the first point of reference, the original source of sensation and insight that leads to all questions and all attempts to answer them. Some popular and long-established metaphors and symbols used to understand and express human beliefs and situations, such as Achilles' heel and Adam's rib, are taken from body-related myths.

             Achilles' heel

Achilles' father was Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, and his mother was Thetis, a sea nymph. After Achilles was born, his mother wanted to protect him from harm. She held him by the heel and dipped him into the river Styx. In Greek Mythology, the river Styx was located in the Underworld and had special powers. Achilles became invulnerable everywhere but at his heel where his mother held him. Because Achilles was a half-god, he was very strong and soon became a great warrior. However, he was also half human and wasn't immortal like his mother. He would get old and die someday and he could also be killed. When Helen, the wife of the Greek King Menelaus, was taken by the Trojan Prince Paris, the Greeks went to war to get her back. Achilles joined the battle and brought along a group of powerful soldiers called the Myrmidons. During the Trojan War, Achilles was unstoppable. He killed many of Troy's greatest warriors. However, the battle raged on for years. Many of the Greek gods were involved, some helping the Greeks and others helping the Trojans. At one point during the war, Achilles captured a beautiful princess named Briseis and fell in love with her. However, the leader of the Greek army, Agamemnon, became angry with Achilles and took Briseis from him. Achilles became depressed and refused to fight. With Achilles not fighting, the Greeks began to lose the battle. The greatest warrior of Troy was Hector and no one could stop him. Achilles' best friend was a soldier named Patroclus. Patroclus convinced Achilles to lend him his armor. Patroclus entered the battle dressed as Achilles. Thinking that Achilles was back, the Greek army was inspired and began to fight harder. Just when things were improving for the Greeks, Patroclus met up with Hector. The two warriors engaged in battle. With the help of the god Apollo, Hector killed Patroclus and took Achilles' armor. Achilles then rejoined the battle in order to avenge his friend's death. He met Hector on the battlefield and, after a long fight, defeated him. Achilles continued to battle the Trojans and it seemed like he could not be killed. However, the Greek god Apollo knew his weakness. When Paris of Troy shot an arrow at Achilles, Apollo guided it so that it struck Achilles on the heel. Achilles eventually died from the wound. Today, the term "Achilles' heel" is used to describe a point of weakness that could lead to ones' downfall.

                  Adam's rib

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Genesis 2.21–2

How ill did hee his Grammar skan

that call'd a Woman woe to man?

For (contrary) who doth not know,

Women from men receive their woe?

Yet love men too: but what's their gaines?

Poore Soules! But travaile for their paines:

Then let them all (in this) agree:

'Tis woe from man; if woe it bee

                Philtrum

The dimple above our lips is called the ‘philtrum’, from the Greek for ‘charm’ or ‘love potion’. According to ancient folklore, it is the mark left by the touch of an angel’s finger.

In the movie Mr. Nobody, the angels overlook Nemo and forget to mark him. And when Nemo comes to the world, he comes to know everything that will happen and the life that he will be shaped by the choices he makes. 

                           Birthmark

One myth is that the placement of a birthmark could indicate where one was fatally wounded in a past life. A knife, dragger, or sword-shaped mark could indicate a stabbing that ended your life. A circular birthmark was recently supposedly proven to be the sign of death by bullet-hole in a previous lifetime.