müüdid

Müüdid are traditional narratives that belong to the mythic layer of a culture. They typically explain how the world came to be, why natural phenomena occur, and how humans relate to gods, ancestors, and the environment. Myths often address fundamental questions about origin, meaning, and fate, and they can inform rituals, social norms, and collective identity. In Estonian usage, müüüdid denotes these myths.

Müüdid are usually transmitted orally and can exist in various versions within a community. They frequently feature supernatural beings, divine beings, heroes, and cosmological events. Many myths are etiological, offering explanations for the origin of a custom, a place-name, or a natural feature. They differ from legends, which are often anchored in claimed or distant historical events, and from fairy tales, which emphasize magical or fantastical events without sacred significance.

Across cultures, myths share common functions. They provide cosmologies, establish moral and social codes, justify political authority or ritual practices, and reinforce communal values. Myths also serve as reservoirs of symbolic language, enabling communities to express complex ideas about life, death, and the unknown. In modern times, myths are studied in anthropology, literary studies, and cultural history, and they continue to influence literature, film, and national folklore.

Notable examples include creation myths, flood narratives, hero cycles, and trickster tales from many regions. In Estonia, müüüdid contribute to national cultural heritage through works like the Estonian epic Kalevipoeg, which embodies mythic elements and a sense of collective history.