If you know a being's real name, why do you have power over it?

Question

Ex. A very big example is Rumpelstilskin. This concept seems to have very deep origins way back to early civilizations.

Answer 1

That is a very interesting question,I only hope my answer is equally so.
I believe it is a lot like fear,in that the only way that we can overcome our fear is to know what frightens us,so in a sense once we name our fear we can then take the necessary steps in order to overcome that fear,destroy it if you will,so in a sense "naming" it gives you a tremendous amount of power.

Answer 2

You have power over the one you name because - as someone already said - it identifies and is part of that being. There is intent - there is Will - there is a label - when you know a name. When you say a name it brings to mind the image of the thing being named.

Example - you could be standing in a crowed store and call out "Mom!" and a bunch of women will turn their heads and look at you. At that moment you have the attention and the power over those women but if you call out a particular name "Lorraine!" Your power has now only been focused on one woman. You now have Will to direct her to do what you desire.

Answer 3

To know a being's Real Name is to have an overall(the Name as a whole) and analytically correct understanding of said Named Being (the particular letters, their order, even the peculiar calligraphy associated with the Real Writing of the Name, let alone its Correct Pronunciation).

Does that explain the use of Language in this case? And why you might have power over it?

Answer 4

A number of cultures have stories involving the power of words. For instance the Celtic mythologies, that is to say, those of the British Isles, hold that bards are extremely powerful, and can accomplish much through their powers of language alone.

Answer 5

To Know A THINGS true name is to Undo it's creation
Isis Backmailed Ahmut Ra by poison to learn the secret of LIFE in order to resurect her broter/husband Osiris and then taut this to her son Hourus to protect hinm from Set

Answer 6

You have power over it because you are able to draw its attention everytime you speak its name. It's the same when you're in a party or a crowded room and someone says your name. You almost always hear it over the noise. It captured your attention, and to the early people, that their soul was caught. Plus, I imagine, in a time where people fought with one another, they didn't want an enemy or their king knowing their name.

Answer 7

alot were already stated, but I think the biggest reason is especially with mythical beings many are supposed to be heavily honorbound, so if you know their true name, and they swear upon it, if they go back, it affects everything they are negitively.

if they swore on the name of say a god, it would reflect badly on the followers of that god, if they swore on their name, all the blame rests entirely on them.

then
it tells about who you are
it has the ability to draw your attention
Are the next important ones

Answer 8

All words have meanings that add flavor to our language, and names are no different. A being's name was a key to its nature. If you knew a being's true name, maybe that gave you knowledge about its true nature, as well, and you may have known its strengths as well as weaknesses.....

Answer 9

i guess because our names are supposed to define us and they are an important part of our identity.

Even when people change their names (ie: Tori Amos, Tina Turner, etc) they often retain their birth name and are referred to by it by family and close friends. Why? Because our names are important to us.

in the movie spirited away, when chiro loses her name to Ubaba, she becomes the witch's slave and has no power.