Freemasonry is a fraternal organization with roots in medieval stonemason guilds — its rituals contain esoteric symbolism.

In Greek mythology, the Fates (Moirai) spun, measured, and cut the thread of every mortal life.

Olympic weightlifters follow a precise diet and weigh in the day before competition to make their weight category.

The Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu was so offended she hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness until the other gods lured her out.

Many world mythologies feature a world tree connecting different realms — Yggdrasil in Norse myth, Ashvattha in Hinduism.

Beethoven continued composing music after becoming deaf.

Wealth inequality exists in nearly every country.

Philip Glass and Steve Reich pioneered minimalism — music based on repetitive patterns with gradual change.

The Parthenon has no straight lines — all horizontals slightly curve upward and columns lean slightly inward to appear straight to the human eye.