Water : mythology and religion — Poseidon — Paris exhibition at Cité des sciences

Water lies at the heart of all the myths and all the religions. In Greek mythology, Poseidon, god of the sea, is one of the most important deities. Deity of the tempest and of the earthquakes, he is, contrarily to Triton, his son, the one that punishes. In monotheist religions water constitutes a link with God. In the Old Testament it is the instrument used by God to punish (the Flood) or save (the Crossing of the Red Sea).

The New Testament will return to the symbols of the ancient Scriptures. Jesus will be baptised by John in the waters of the Jordan while the episode of the Wedding at Cana and the transformation of water into wine will mark Jesus' first miracle. For the Muslems the spring in which Ismaël, son of Abraham and Agar, quenched his thirst has become a holy place.