Myths

Myths are traditional narratives that articulate a culture’s beliefs, values, and explanations for the world. They are often built around gods, demigods, heroes, and sacred events, and they address questions of origin, purpose, and meaning. Myths are usually transmitted orally and later recorded in written forms, though many communities preserve them in ritual practice, poetry, or art.

The functions of myths are diverse. They provide etiologies that explain natural phenomena and human origins, justify social institutions and norms, and establish shared identities and sacred histories. Myths can also guide moral choices, rituals, and calendars, creating cohesion within a community by linking present life to a larger cosmology.

Forms and scope vary widely across cultures. Common types include creation myths, which describe how the world and humanity came into being; flood myths, which recount cataclysmic resets; and hero myths, which follow exceptional individuals through trials. Myths are not simply “false stories”; in scholarly contexts they are understood as meaningful narratives that reflect how a culture understands reality. They are often distinguished from legends (which claim historical basis) and fables (which emphasize moral lessons with animals or personified figures).

In modern contexts, myths continue to influence religion, literature, and art, while scholars study them to understand belief systems, symbolic language, and how societies construct meaning. The term “myth” can carry different connotations in everyday speech, ranging from sacred truth to literary or metaphorical significance.