Mythical Musings: From Demigods to the Gods

Hello Fanaticals! As we close up our first Disney Week, I want to take a dive into some mythological theories. Have you ever stopped to think about connections between mythology and Disney? Whether it's the reason a character might still be surviving crazy antics, or a possible familial relation?

What most people don’t realize is that there are plenty of Disney realms out there that have mythological connections; some are more obvious and others not so much. Today, we are going to dive into some realms that have very obvious mythology connections, but one of them just might make you stop and think.

Hei Hei is a Demigod

We all have our favourite sidekicks amongst Disney movies. Personally, mine is Pua from Moana despite the fact that they set him up to be a fantastic sidekick and instead made her sidekick a crazy chicken that even the villagers question his existence. 

However, today we will be talking about Moana’s real sidekick, the little chicken named Heihei. Heihei is the (2nd) most adorable sidekick I can think of. This crazy little chicken finds himself in the most awkward of places sometimes. I feel like I can relate to him somedays, though, as I am sure most of us can; trying to go through the motions of life and you find yourself walking off a boat right into the water.

So, how DOES a sweet little chicken that seems to not have all his marbles manage to survive falling off a boat headfirst, trying to eat a rock, swallowing the Heart of Te Fiti, being kidnapped by coconut people and more? There are many out there that say he is just lucky, which could be true. However, others speculate that he is actually a demigod. Truly, this theory does have some merit.

Heihei is adorably special, but it's obvious in some scenes that he probably shouldn't have survived life as long as he had. Like stated earlier, he tried to eat a rock, which causes a villager to ask Moana about him and cooking him while she is making her rounds to learn how to be a good Chief. Seeing all the times that he struggles to be able to actually eat, or when he falls off the boat and bobs head first in the water (which he shouldn't have survived), it makes you wonder how he actually lived through all of that.

Some speculate that Heihei is actually his own form of Demigod. This makes sense as that poor chicken shouldn't have survived half the stuff he got up to. But a Demigod (just like a god) can not be killed easily. It is speculated that Heihei only survives due to magic. As Te Fiti and Maui both seem to fall under what we consider mythology, it would make complete sense that there is another Demigod at play.

There is also the parallel that he was a Demigod sent to lead and protect Moana on her journey. This would make a lot of sense as well, considering that on their journey he seems to have things happen to him that had they happened to Moana, the outcome would have been different.

Overall, this theory has some sound backing.

Ariel and Hercules are Cousins

For those of you who have a Pagan background, or have studied Greek mythology in general, you will know that this is more than just a fan theory, but has a plausible connection.

Ariel is the daughter of Triton, who's father is Poseidon the Greek God of the Sea. Poseidon's brother is Zeus who rules over Mount Olympus. As Hercules is his son, that makes the two cousins through their fathers. Considering that both Hercules and Ariel have their own Disney realms, this means that despite the fact Ariel is not in mythology herself they are related in the land of Disney.

As you can see while some theories might be fan based, some do have real connections to mythology that are the most obvious and plausible ones. Come join our community and swap thoughts on more mythological connections in Disney! Until next time, keep finding those Fantastical Fantasies!