After having played numerous RPGs it's quite clear that developers aren't getting a lot of material from their own heads (which isn't really a bad thing). So here is a small intro to the mythology in video games and animes; some of the entries are just definitions of words (as oppossed to mythological things). I'll also give where the entry is referenced if it's something minor.
DISCLAIMER: Elements from religions are often used in a mythological manner in works of fiction. This should not be interpreted as a commentary on the validity of any religion.
Aegis goatskin Zeus used to cover his shield; he later gave it to Athena.
Aeris see Eris.
Alexander variant name of Paris, who judged that of the goddessess Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite the latter was the fairest. Aphrodite rewarded him with Helen of Sparta as his wife; however, since she was already married her abduction to Troy started the Trojan War. See also Eris.
Andvari a dwarf who cursed his treasure of red gold when Loki took it up to pay the ransom for Otter's death. Andvari was used as the name of Bart's gear in Xenogears.
Ankor Wat "palace monasty". Its construction began in 1112 AD under the King of the Khmers, King Suryavarman II. It was a celebration of Vishnu, as the King was supposed to be an incarnation of the god.
Anubis the jackal-headed Egyptian funerary god. He was the patron of embalming and guardian of the tomb.
Artemis Greek goddess of the moon, Lady of Wild Things, the Virgin Huntress.
Atropos "Inflexible". One of the three Fates, she cut the thread of a person's life when it was their time to die. Atropos was used as the name of a robot in Chrono Trigger.
Babel Tower "Tower of Confusion". It was ordered to be built by King Nimrod who was not satisfied with ruling the world and wanted to use the tower to get to Heaven and attack it. A confusion of languages prevented the construction workers from communicating and thus from completing the tower.
Beelzebub "Lord of the Flies". One source puts him as a partner of Satan, while another defines him as a health-giving divinity. This discrepancy is probably due to the fact that 'Beelzebub' is the distortion of a Canaanite god's name. The original god was probably "Lord of the House".
Behemoth the companion beast of Leviathan. It is the male of the two and lives in the desert.
Bestiary In the Middle Ages it was popular to collect materials about legendary animals, such as the Unicorn and the Cockatrice. These collections were called bestiaries.
Berserks "bear shirts". Human warriors who worked themselves into a frenzy before a battle so that they would fight madly. They went into battle wearing animal skins. Another possibility is "beer seakers"; because being mercenaries they knew they might not live so they wanted to get smashed before a battle.
Biggs and Wedge Two minor characters from Star Wars. They've been used for minor characters in Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII.
Ceres Roman agricultural goddess equated with the Greek goddess Demeter.
Cockatrice also known as a Basilisk, it is a small serpernt with venomous breath that lived alone in the desert.
Cyrus Cyrus the Great, king of the Persians, who greatly expanded his empire. 'Cyrus' was used as the name of Glenn's friend in Chrono Trigger.
Diana Roman name for moon goddess Artemis.
Eidolon a phantom, apparition; or, an image or ideal. It comes from the Greek word "eidos", form or shape. The summons in Final Fantasy IX were called Eidolons.
El highest deity of the Canaanites (a civilization geographically located between those of Egypt and Mesopotamia) father of the gods and man.
�lan enthusiastic vigor and liveliness; or, style, flair.
Endymion a mortal with whom Selene fell in love. It was granted that he would sleep forever and retain his youth. Selene would visit him every night and she bore 50 sleepy children by him.
Epyon Ronald writes in that: "epyon is the greek word for next... so it's like the next phase of gundam development...". Thanks man!
Eris "discord/quarreling", pronounced AIR-ihss or EE-rihs. One of the many children of Nyx, sister of such dark children as Doom, Misery, the Hesperides, and Nemesis. In a later myth Eris is the indirect cause of the Trojan War: since she wasn't invited to the wedding feast of Peleus and Thetis, she threw an apple inscribed "to the fairest" into the banquet of the gods, over which Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite started arguing. In these later myths she is the twin sister of war god Ares, despised by all the gods, and the daughter of Zeus and Hera.
Fenrir a wolf, the son of the Trickster Loki, who is bound and will not be released until Ragnarok, at which time he will devour Odin.
Freya The Norse goddess of love and fertility. Freya was married to Odur (or Od; his name means "roamer") but he disappeared. Freya was said to roam the earth looking for him and shedding tears that turned to pure gold. She divided the slain with Odin and was good at magic.
Gestalt a unified physical, psychological, or symbolic configuration having properties that cannot be gotten from its parts. Also Gestalt psychology. Also German for "form".
Gilgamesh a demi-god who was treated more like a human, he was the King of Uruk in Babylon and was obsessed with his mortality.
Gorgons the three sisters, Stheno, Euryale and Medusa. Medusa had at first been a beautiful girl, but was turned into a Gorgon for having slept with Poseidon. The Gorgons have snakes for hair and looking directly at them causes one to turn to stone.
Grendel a fearful monster in the epic poem Beowulf, slain by the young warrior prince Beowulf.
Hades god of the Underworld. He was called Pluto, "giver of wealth", because people found the name Hades dreadful. His realm, the Underworld, is NOT the same as the Hell described in the Bible. It's closer to the Norse Hel, but still different. Hades's realm contains the Elysian Fields, where good people enjoy their afterlife.
Heimdall a god who was the son of 9 mothers. He is the watchman of the gods and will alert everyone of Ragnarok by blowing his horn. He is sometimes identified with Rig, who created the three types of man: serf, peasant and warrior, although this contradicts the notion that Odin made man. 'Heimdall' was used as the name Citan's gear in Xenogears.
Indra the Indian King of the gods, god of lightning and rain. The sword 'Lightning Sword of Indra' in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night refers to him.
Janus principal and very ancient Roman god, who has no equivalent in other mythologies. At first he was associated with water, crossings, and bridges, later with doorways, entrances, archways, etc, and with beginnings (hence the first month of our calendar is named after him). He is depicted with two or four faces. Janus is Magus' real name in Chrono Trigger.
Jormungand Midgard Serpent, another one of Loki's monstrous children. It is in the ocean, encircling Midgard, biting on its own tail.
Jupiter A corruption of "Zeus pater", meaning Zeus Father; it is the Roman name for the Greek king of the gods. His sceptre was lightinin itself. He had many, many, affairs and Hera (his wife) often acted against his lovers.
Kislav a month of the Jewish calendar corresponding roughly with the month of December in the Gregorian calendar. 'Kislav' was used as the name of a town in Xenogears.
Lamia a beautiful young woman loved by Zeus. Out of jealousy, Hera transformed her into a monster, half woman, half serpent. Said to roam the roads at night and devour travelers.
Leviathan "coiled". A female serpent of Hebrew myth. The scales of Leviathan are brighter than the sun. She lives in an abyss over water.
Loveless An album by My Bloody Valentine, released in 1991, it is considered their best work (I can tell you, it's very good, as is their other stuff). The way Cid describes the 'play' Loveless doesn't reference any song (well, maybe, it's difficult to understand what they're singing); but the poster for Loveless in Midgard does say 'My Bloody Valentine' on it's side.
Lucretia a woman who committed suicide in 510 BC after being raped by Sextus Tarquinius. This led to the end the reign of the Etruscan Kings in Rome and is the subject of a long poem by Shakespeare.
Luna spanish word for "moon".
Mars Roman name for Greek god of war Ares.
Mercury Roman name for the Greek messenger god Hermes, also a trickster and a psychopomp (guide of souls). He invented the lyre (a harp like instrument), had a pair of magical flying sandals, and carried the staff Cadeuceus, now know as the symbol of the medical profession.
Merkavah "Ma'aseh Merkavah" is when Ezekiel saw God's throne in Heaven. 'Merkavah' was used as the name of a place in Xenogears.
Midgard the middle world, the world of the humans.
Midgard Serpent see Jormungand
Minerva the Roman name for Athena.
M�rr�g�n Celtic major triune goddess of war, death and slaughter. Her name means "great queen", and her favorite shape was that of a crow or raven.
Neptune Roman name for Poseidon, god of the sea. He was also known as the Earth Shaker for he could create storms and had control over the sea; only the moon could influence its tides.
Niflheim the world of ice and darkness. Hel, the realm of the dead, lies within it. Final Fantasy VII's Cloud's hometown is named after it (even though they spell it 'Niblehiem').
Nisan a month of the Jewish lunar calendar, it was used to name a town in Xenogears.
Odin the leader of the Aesir gods. He is the god of poetry, battle, and death. He is also known as the god of the hanged and god of the spear, along with a slew of other names. He has only one eye. His horse is Sleipnir and his weapon is the magic spear Gungnir. He is the patron of the nobly born.
Opiuchus The 13th constellation, Opiuchus is the Serpent Holder. The sun is in this constellation from November 29 through December 18. In Final Fantasy IX, Opiuchus is the last coin you need in a sidequest; and in Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, the new Serpent model mobile suits are from "the 13th constellation" (which also conviniently associates them with Trieze, French for 13).
Pandora "all gifted". All the Greek gods gave her gifts to create her. Her creation was part of Zeus's plan to get revenge on Prometheus for giving man fire and to subdue man's pride.
Pegasus a winged horse sired by Poseidon (Neptune), who was born of Medusa's blood when she was beheaded by Perseus.
Pluto Variant name for Hades.
Prometheus A Titan who went against the will of the gods by giving mankind fire. Used as the real name of Robo in Chrono Trigger.
Puck derived from p�ca, a mischievous spirit who led travelers astray or to other devilments. Like that rascal in Final Fantasy IX.
Quetzal a beautiful bird with a long train of feathers (not tail feathers) behind it. It is mostly green but is guite colorful; although the female quetzal is duller in color and has a short train of feathers. It is found in southern Mexico and Central America. It is the national bird of Guatemala, and was considered sacred by the Aztecs and Mayans.
Quetzalcoatl the feathered serpent god of the Aztecs. A god of the winds who was also related with the sun, he created people when he sprinkled his blood over bones he had gotten from the land of the dead. In real life history, Quetzalcoatl was the King of the Toltecs, the first tribe [known] to engage in human sacrifice. The Aztecs considered themselves the followers of the Toltecs and continued their example of human sacrifice on a much larger scale, and awaited the return of Quetzalcoatl. The Guardian Force in Final Fantasy VIII is named after him; I assume they spelled it wrong for lack of space.
Ragnarok "Destruction of the Powers". The final battle between the gods, giants and monsters, in which the 9 worlds and almost all life (including the gods) is destroyed.
Satrun Roman name for Cronus, father of Zeus (known to the Romans as Jupiter). Cronus swallowed all of his childrn except for Zeus; because his wife Rhea wrapped a stone in baby's clothing to fool Cronus.
Scylla a beautiful sea nymph who was turned into a sea monster by Circe. The lower part of her body was transformed into 6 mad dogs.
Selene variant name for moon goddess Artemis. Selene was actually a moon goddess in her own right before the emergence of the Olympians as the top gods; but when Artemis came along their two personas were merged into one (i.e. Selene's stories became those of Artemis).
Sephirot There are 10 sephirot, and each is part of En Soph, the whole god. Each sephira is an increasingly material manifestation of the whole, and although there are 10, there is only one. Evil actions by mankind prevent the restoration of harmony; that is, the union of the male and female aspects of the divine, Tiferet and Shekhinah, who are sephirot. (NOTE: To fully understand these concepts, it is necessary to read more on the teachings of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition.)
Shebat a month of the Jewish lunar calendar. Used as the name of a city in Xenogears.
Shiva a Hindu god who represents the cycles of dissolution and regeneration and is the destroyer of the world before each dissolution. He has 4 arms, 4 faces, and 3 eyes. He has many different aspects: as Bhairava, he is the destroyer, "the joyous devourer", while as Nataraja, he performs the cosmic dance to relieve the suffering of his followers.
Sigurd The Norse counterpart of the great German hero Siegfried. Fafnir kills his own father Hreidmar to get Andvari's gold which had been put as ransom for his brother Otter's death. He then turns himself into a dragon. Meanwhile, his other brother Regin adopts Sigurd and tells him to kill Fafnir and get the gold, planning to kill Sigurd afterwards. But Sigurd discovers the plan and kills Regin after slaying Fafnir.
Sirens three sisters who were half human and half bird. Their song so enchanted passing sailors, they would turn their ships towards them only to crash against their rocks.
Sleipnir Loki turned himself into a mare to distract the stallion Svadilfari who was helping a giant in disguise build Asgard's wall to ensure he would lose the wager. The product of their union was the 8-legged horse Sleipnir, the fastest horse of all, which Loki gave to Odin. In Final Fantasy VII, he appears to have only 6 legs.
Tantalus a disobedient son of Zeus who, for killing his own son and serving him to Zeus as mutton, was punished to be eternally hungry and thirsty while food and water were kept near but out of his reach. The word 'tantalize' comes from this. It was the name of the theater company Zidane belonged to in Final Fantasy IX.
Tiamat a Babylonian she-dragon who existed before the creation in the chaos salt water ocean. She owned the tupsimati, the tablets of destiny, on which were written the universal laws. She was the mother of the gods and was slain by Marduk who created the universe from her body and took the tupsimati for himself. She appears as a boss in Final Fantasy VIII.
Thor Norse god who had a mighty hammer, Mjollnir, that was a symbol of destruction, fertility and resurection. He is the god of thunder and lightning, and the patron of the common man, although he's Odin's son.
Tyrfing one of the Berserks, an ancestor of Freyja's lover Ottar. There is a sword in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night named for him.
Uranus Father of Cronus, who was known to the Romans as Saturn. Although his name means "king of the mountain" he is a sky god. His mate was Gaia, who he drove to desperate measures because he would not let their children be born. Gaia devised a plan which was carried out by Cronus. Cronus castrates his father and takes his place as king of the gods (until he is overthrown by Zeus/Jupiter).
Valkyries "Choosers of the Slain". Beautiful maidens who chose which men who died in battle would go to Valhalla, the Hall of the Slain. Their names were Shaker, Mist, Axe Time, Raging, Warrior, Might, Shrieking, Host Fetter, Screaming, Spear Bearer, Shield Bearer, Wrecker of Plans, and Kin of the Gods.
Venus Roman name for Greek goddess of love Aphrodite.
Vierge French for "virgin". It is the name of Elly's gear in Xenogears.
Vivi From the Latin word 'vividus' meaning full of life, lifelike.
Walk�ren See Valkyries
Yggdrasil "The Terrible One's Horse". The world tree. It was an ash tree that linked and sheltered the 9 worlds. (Odin was known as The Terrible One, among other things. He hung from Yggdrasil for 9 nights, pierced by a spear, to obtain the wisdom of the dead.)
Zephyr the West Wind. In Greek mythology, he was the kindest of the four winds and came in the springtime.