User:Subzerosmokerain/Contributing Cultural Material of Mortal Kombat

Contributing cultural material
The Mortal Kombat mythology borrows heavily from multiple sources, primarily Asian cultures, particularly Chinese and Japanese religions, languages, and martial arts, while also bearing close resemblance to Norse myths.

Organizations
In the fictional storyline, the clan hails from the northern part of Asia. The group has existed in the Mortal Kombat universe for centuries and work as assassins and thieves for pay. According to this storyline, its warriors are chosen from birth to be raised apart from the day to day civilizations. According to the fictional storyline, Takeda, a rogue Japanese-born Lin Kuei left the Lin Kuei and developed the art of ninjitsu. He then developed the first ninja clan in Japan called the Shirai Ryu. Members include Tremor (former member currently aligned with the Black Dragon), both Sub-Zeros, Frost, Smoke, Cyrax, Sektor, and (possibly at one time according to his UMK3 Bio) Rain.
 * The White Lotus Society to which Liu Kang belonged may have been named after the secret White Lotus Society which existed in China during the Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. A white lotus is traditionally symbolic of death as well as purity. This is also seen as a Buddhist society. Members include Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Kai.
 * The Lin Kuei assassins' clan that Sub-Zero hails from is based on the Lin Kuei, a secretive Chinese cult that was known for its espionage, thievery, and living in the island between Japan and China. They were called "Lin Kuei" or "forest demons" because they lived in the forests and were known to terrorize nearby villages in order to steal goods and items for the benefits of their clan. It was said that they were one of the causes that helped develop the art of Ninjutsu in Japan.
 * The Wu Shi Academy follows Theravada Buddhism.
 * The Black Dragon clan may be based loosely on the historical Black Dragon Society. Members include Kano, Kabal, Jarek, Kira, Tremor, No Face, Tasia, and Kobra.
 * The Red Dragon  clan is very well known rivals with the Black Dragon. Members include Mavado, Hsu Hao, and Daegon.
 * The Brotherhood of Shadow is a clan of assassins based on the Lin Kuei. Led by Noob Saibot, the clan consists of previously deceased assassins. They appear as enemies in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks in a section of the Living Forest, which is the only place they appear in MK:SM and also in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon's Konquest mode. However, Noob Saibot and Smoke are the only two members to be included on the Kombatant roster in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.

Concepts

 * The Elder Gods are taken from the concept of Buddhist Elder Gods headed by the Jade Emperor who watch over the Universe. Even the places attributed to the Elder Gods looks like those in Chinese Mythology.
 * The Netherealm, which Shinnok (loosely based on Yan Wang) rules resembles Di Yu or the Chinese picture of Hell. The prison cells almost resemble Di Yu's level where the prisoners are shredded to pieces as the Chamber of Grinding. Such a stage can also be seen in The Slaughterhouse in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Shinnok's Spire is somewhat like the chambers of Hell.
 * The Orderrealm and Chaosrealm resemble the Yin and Yang of Taoism. The Orderrealm is similar to the Heavenly Courts in Chinese Mythology, responsible for enforcing order.
 * The concept of the One Being comes from Pangu, one who the Elder Gods led by the Jade Emperor to form all of reality and form the seven artifacts of Buddhism.