10 Ways To Become Immortal Based on Ancient Mythology

The dream of living forever is as old as humanity itself. Whether driven by a fear of death, a love for life, or a desire for unlimited knowledge, people across the ages have searched for ways to defy mortality. This universal quest has given birth to countless myths and legends, each offering a different path to eternal existence. From the magical elixirs of ancient alchemists to divine interventions in religious lore, the idea of immortality has taken many forms throughout history.

Ancient cultures around the world crafted their own unique approaches to achieving everlasting life, often tied to their gods, mystical creatures, or powerful artifacts. While none of these methods have proven to be real, they continue to inspire and fascinate us today. Here are 10 intriguing ways that ancient mythology suggested one could achieve immortality.

1. Japanese Mythology: Eat a Mermaid

In ancient Japanese mythology, a creature known as the ningyo was believed to hold the secret to immortality. Described as a bizarre hybrid between a monkey and a carp, ningyo were said to live in the sea, and catching one was considered bad luck, bringing storms or misfortune. However, eating the flesh of a ningyo was thought to grant eternal life—although this gift came with its own burdens.

One of the most famous stories surrounding this belief is the legend of Eight Hundred Nun. According to the myth, a man accidentally served ningyo meat to his daughter. After consuming just a bite, she was cursed with immortality. Although living forever may sound like a blessing, it soon became a curse for her. She was forced to watch her loved ones—husbands, children, friends—grow old and die while she remained unchanged. Despairing over her eternal existence, she turned to Buddhism and devoted herself to a life of meditation and service. In her old age, after hundreds of years, her prayers were answered, and she finally passed away at the age of 800.

This myth reflects the dual nature of immortality, where living forever may not always be a gift, especially when it comes with isolation and loss. While the legend of ningyo may seem fantastical, it conveys a deeper message about the emotional weight of eternal life, a theme found in many tales of immortality across cultures.

2. Christian Mythology: Taunt Jesus

In Christian mythology, one of the most unusual paths to immortality comes from a story about a Jewish man who taunted Jesus on his way to the crucifixion. According to the legend, the man struck Jesus with his shoe, mocking him and telling him to hurry up. In response, Jesus cursed the man, saying that while he would be leaving soon, this man would remain on Earth until his return.

The man, who later converted to Christianity and took the name Joseph, was doomed to live forever. This curse, however, came with many burdens. Joseph was never allowed to rest, except for one day a year—Christmas. Additionally, at the turn of every century, he would fall into a fatal seizure, only to awaken again as a 30-year-old man. Immortality for Joseph was far from a gift; it was a punishment that forced him to wander the Earth, bearing witness to the passing centuries while longing for rest.

3. Greek Mythology: Anger a God

In Greek mythology, angering a god could sometimes lead to an eternal punishment, a fate worse than death. One of the most famous examples is the story of Sisyphus. A cunning and prideful king, Sisyphus tricked and swindled the gods, going so far as to trap Thanatos, the god of death, and prevent anyone from dying. This act angered Zeus and the other gods, leading to his eternal punishment.

As retribution, Sisyphus was condemned to an afterlife of endless toil. He was forced to roll a massive boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down every time he neared the top. His punishment was to repeat this task for all eternity, a symbol of the futility of trying to defy the gods. Sisyphus’s immortality was not a gift but a never-ending cycle of struggle, reflecting the ancient Greek view that challenging divine authority always leads to disaster.

4. Taoism: Cinnabar

In Taoist mythology, cinnabar, an ore of mercury, was believed to hold the key to immortality. It was considered a primary ingredient in the fabled “elixir of immortality,” a potion that could cleanse the body of imperfections and extend life indefinitely. This potion, known as the “Reverted Elixir” or huandan, was sought by emperors and alchemists alike.

Unfortunately, many of these elixirs were toxic due to their high mercury content, and those who consumed them often suffered fatal consequences—including some Chinese emperors. Over time, Taoist beliefs evolved from external alchemy (creating physical potions) to internal practices. Instead of ingesting dangerous substances, the focus shifted to cultivating one’s natural energy or “chi” through practices like meditation and yoga. The pursuit of immortality in Taoism thus transformed into a spiritual journey, emphasizing balance and harmony within the body.

5. Sumerian Mythology: An Unknown Plant

The ancient Sumerian epic The Epic of Gilgamesh tells the story of Gilgamesh, a hero-king who embarks on a quest for immortality after the death of his close friend, Enkidu. His journey leads him to Utnapishtim, a man who was granted eternal life after surviving a divine flood, similar to the biblical Noah. Utnapishtim reveals the existence of a mysterious plant that holds the secret to immortality.

Gilgamesh finds the plant, which is described as being similar to a boxthorn, and is excited to use it to achieve eternal life. However, before he can consume the plant, it is stolen by a snake, symbolizing the elusiveness of immortality. This myth suggests that even though immortality might be within reach, it can slip away as quickly as it appears, leaving humans to grapple with the inevitability of death.

6. Chinese Mythology: Peaches

In Chinese mythology, the gods relied on magical peaches for their immortality. The peaches grew in a celestial orchard, and consuming them would grant 1,000 years of life. Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, was appointed as the Protector of Peaches, but he couldn’t resist eating one of these precious fruits himself. His act of rebellion not only extended his life but also made him indestructible.

Sun Wukong’s defiance led to chaos, and after consuming the peaches, he went on to steal the Pills of Immortality from the gods. Even when captured and sentenced to death, he was unable to be killed. Eventually, Buddha trapped Sun Wukong under a mountain for 500 years as punishment for his misdeeds. This myth reflects the lengths one might go to secure eternal life and the consequences that follow.

7. Hinduism: Amrita

In Hindu mythology, the gods (Devas) once lost their immortality due to a curse. In a desperate attempt to regain their divine power, they formed an uneasy alliance with their enemies, the Asuras, to churn the Ocean of Milk. The goal was to create amrita, a nectar of immortality. As the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean, various treasures and divine beings emerged, including the amrita.

However, the gods tricked the Asuras and managed to drink the amrita themselves, restoring their immortality. It is said that in their haste to keep the amrita away from the Asuras, some of it spilled onto Earth. To this day, some yoga practitioners believe that the remnants of amrita can be accessed through certain meditative practices, unlocking spiritual and physical longevity.

8. Norse Mythology: The Golden Apples

In Norse mythology, the gods relied on golden apples to maintain their youth and immortality. These apples were kept by Idun, the goddess of spring, who guarded the orchard where the apples grew. One day, Loki, the trickster god, lured Idun away and delivered her and the apples to the giant Thiassi. Without access to the golden apples, the Norse gods began to age rapidly, losing their strength and vitality.

Realizing their fate, the gods forced Loki to retrieve Idun and the apples. Using his shapeshifting abilities, Loki transformed into a falcon, rescued Idun, and returned the apples to the gods, restoring their power and immortality. This myth highlights the importance of divine intervention and the fragile balance that must be maintained to preserve immortality.

9. Greek Mythology: Ambrosia

In Greek mythology, ambrosia was the food or drink of the gods on Mount Olympus. It was said to taste like honey and grant immortality to those who consumed it. While ambrosia was reserved for the gods, there were instances where mortals were allowed to partake in it. Hercules, for example, was granted ambrosia when he became a god.

However, not all mortals were so lucky. Some, like Tantalus, tried to steal ambrosia from the gods and were severely punished. Tantalus was condemned to an eternal torment where he stood in a pool of water with fruit hanging above him, but he could never reach either the water or the fruit. This tale emphasizes the idea that immortality is not meant for mortals, and those who try to take it face dire consequences.

10. Christian Mythology: The Holy Grail

The Holy Grail, one of the most famous objects in Christian mythology, is believed to be the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. According to legend, it also caught his blood as he was crucified. The Grail was thought to grant eternal life to whoever possessed it, making it the ultimate prize in various tales, particularly those of King Arthur and his knights.

Only the purest souls could find or even touch the Grail. Sir Galahad, the noblest and purest of King Arthur’s knights, is said to have achieved immortality after successfully finding and drinking from the Grail. The legend of the Holy Grail has inspired countless quests, each seeking the promise of eternal life through spiritual purity.