"The myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths."
Folklore stories that involve supernatural beings, gods or heroes and are often used to explain natural phenomena or cultural origins.
Creation myths: Stories that explain how the world was created, often involving gods and other supernatural beings.
Hero myths: Stories that focus on a hero who goes on a quest or journey and overcomes obstacles to achieve a noble goal.
Trickster myths: Stories that feature a trickster character who uses wit and cleverness to outsmart others.
Myths of origin: Stories that explain the origins of cultural traditions, beliefs, and customs.
Mythical creatures: Stories that feature fantastical creatures like dragons, centaurs, and unicorns.
Supernatural beings: Stories that feature gods, angels, spirits, and other supernatural entities.
Folktales: Traditional stories passed down through generations, often with a moral or lesson.
Legends: Stories that are based on historical events and figures, often with supernatural or exaggerated elements added.
Fairy tales: Stories that often feature magical or enchanted elements, like talking animals or objects, and usually end with a happy ending.
Mythological symbolism: The study of symbols and metaphors in myths and stories that represent deeper meanings and beliefs.
Mythological archetypes: Common characters and motifs that appear across different cultures and time periods, like the hero's journey and the wise old man.
Myth and ritual: The relationship between myths and religious or cultural rituals, and how they reinforce social and spiritual meanings.
Oral tradition and storytelling techniques: The methods and strategies used to effectively tell and remember myths and stories, including repetition, imagery, and performance.
Analysis of myths and legends: The critical approaches and theories used to analyze myths and legends, including structuralism, feminism, and psychology.
Creation Myths: These myths attempt to explain the origins of the world, nature, and the cosmos. They often feature gods or supernatural beings who created the universe, the earth, and human beings.
Hero Myths: These myths feature a hero or protagonist who undergoes a journey or quest, usually involving battles with supernatural beings or challenges that test their strengths and abilities. The hero often has a special power or skill that helps them achieve their goal.
Trickster Myths: These myths feature a cunning, devious character who often challenges authority or tradition and delights in playing tricks or practical jokes on others. They may also represent chaos and disorder in the natural world.
Nature Myths: These myths explain the natural phenomena such as thunder, lightning, earthquakes, and storms. They often feature gods or supernatural beings who personify the natural forces and are responsible for maintaining the balance of nature.
Folktales: These are stories that have been passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition. They often feature ordinary people, animals, or supernatural beings in ordinary or extraordinary situations, teaching a moral lesson or offering entertainment.
Legend: These are stories based on real historic figures or events, often embellished with supernatural elements or miraculous occurrences. They are usually set in the past and may involve heroic deeds or tragic events.
Mythical Creatures: These are creatures that feature in myths, legends, and folklore around the world. They include dragons, unicorns, griffins, mermaids, and giant beings, among others.
"Myths play a fundamental role in society..."
"Myths are often endorsed by secular and religious authorities..."
"Myths are closely linked to religion or spirituality."
"Many societies group their myths, legends, and history together..."
"Myths are sometimes distinguished from legends in that myths deal with gods..."
"The main characters in myths are usually non-humans, such as gods, demigods, and other supernatural figures."
"Others include humans, animals, or combinations in their classification of myth."
"Stories of everyday humans, although often of leaders of some type, are usually contained in legends, as opposed to myths."
"Myths are set in a world of the remote past, very different from that of the present."
"Creation myths take place in a primordial age when the world had not achieved its later form."
"Other myths explain how a society's customs, institutions, and taboos were established and sanctified."
"There is a complex relationship between the recital of myths and the enactment of rituals."
"Myths... usually have no historical basis..."
"Foundational tales or origin myths play a fundamental role in a society..."
"The main characters in myths are usually non-humans..."
"Myths are often endorsed by secular and religious authorities..."
"Myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society..."
"Many societies group their myths, legends, and history together, considering myths and legends to be true accounts of their remote past."
"Myths are set in a world of the remote past, very different from that of the present."