Longevity myths are traditions about long-lived people, either as individuals or groups of people, and practices that have been believed to confer longevity, but which current scientific evidence does not support, nor the reasons for the claims. While literal interpretations of such myths may appear to indicate extraordinarily long lifespans, experts believe such figures may be the result of incorrect translations of number systems through various languages, coupled along with the cultural and symbolic significance of certain numbers.
Jurōjin, the Japanese god of longevity, one of the Seven Lucky Gods
Bronze mirror, with Chinese character of "Longevity" and dragons and clouds decoration. Capital Museum, Beijing, China
A woodblock print of Emperor Jimmu, part of Famous Generals of Japan by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Methuselah was a biblical patriarch and a figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He is claimed to have lived the longest life, dying at 969 years of age. According to the Book of Genesis, Methuselah was the son of Enoch, the father of Lamech, and the grandfather of Noah. Elsewhere in the Bible, Methuselah is mentioned in genealogies in 1 Chronicles and the Gospel of Luke.
Stained glass window of Methuselah from the southwest transept of Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, England
A depiction of Methuselah at the Church of San Juan Bautista in Carbonero el Mayor, Segovia Province, Spain
Bartolomé Bermejo, Christ Leading the Patriarchs to Paradise, c. 1480. In this depiction of the Harrowing of Hell, Methuselah is portrayed as leading the procession of the righteous behind Jesus, along with Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, and Adam and Eve.
The tree Methuselah
