Mythology — Definition, Types, and Examples

Written by

Daniel Bal

February 13, 2024

Edited by

Courtney Adamo

Fact-checked by

Paul Mazzola

What is mythology?

Mythology is the study of the classic myths (stories) ancient cultures told to explain various aspects of existence, such as natural phenomena, social customs, and the human condition. Early cultures created myths to convey essential truths that helped human beings understand their role and purpose.

Though myths may seem irrational to modern readers, such ancient stories offered a way for civilizations to understand reality. They were an attempt to explain the universe, its creation, and how it works. Myths provided the origins of the moral code by which many live their lives today.

Myths provide insight into the attitudes, behaviors, values, beliefs, and identities of the culture in which they originated. They address fundamental questions that have plagued humanity for centuries:

• Who and what am I?

• Why am I here?

• How should I live?

• What is the right thing to do?

• How did “it” all begin?

The English word myth comes from the Greek mythos, which has multiple meanings like “word,” “story,” and “saying.” Current definitions of myth are expanded to include misconception as a synonym, such as the myth that the moon landing was staged.

Purpose of myths

The primary purposes of myths are mystical, cosmological, sociological, and psychological:

• Mystical myths awakened a sense of wonder and awe about the world. They attempted to connect humans with the fantastical elements of the universe and their connection to and relationship with higher forces (i.e., gods). These stories bridged the gap between the physical world and what lies beyond.

• Cosmology is the study of the nature of the universe that attempts to understand the origin of existence. Cosmological myths focus on natural phenomena such as how the world came into existence, why the sun rises and sets, the meaning of weather patterns, the presence/behavior of animals, etc. Until science provided different explanations, myths allowed cultures to rationalize the unexplainable.

• Sociological myths helped cultures develop a functioning society and maintain social order. They detailed cultures’ moral codes, creating and enforcing behavior and social mores.

• Psychological myths helped individuals proceed through their lives in a personally meaningful way. They provided a guide for how people should develop from birth to death. These myths led by example by reflecting relatable circumstances of life.

Narrative forms

Narrative forms like fables, folktales, and legends are often associated with mythological stories:

• Fables are short stories that feature anthropomorphized animals placed in simple conflicts. Their resolutions illustrate cultural morals.

• Fairy tales are stories intended for children that take place in magical realms. Characters consist of humans, otherworldly beings, and heroes placed in extreme and improbable conflicts.

• Folktales are traditional stories passed down orally. They can contain a mixture of characters (humans, animals, magical creatures, etc.). Folktales relate different aspects of a culture, but they do not always have a moral.

• Epics are long poems that narrate the adventures of heroic figures or the history of a specific region/culture (e.g., the Greek myth The Iliad).

• Legends are an early form of history featuring actual historical figures in situations that may be somewhat exaggerated (e.g., George Washington and the cherry tree).

• Parables teach lessons about spiritual or religious beliefs.

Types of myths

There are various types of myths, each of which serves its own function. Some of the more popular types include creation, trickster, and gods:

Creation myths explain the origin of the universe and its parts. These stories typically incorporated one of the following:

• Latin for “from nothing,” ex nihilo creation myths describe the universe being brought into existence by the speech, dream, breath, or pure thought of a creator.

• Chaos creation myths state that the word came from the act of bringing order from disorder.

• World parent type 1 myths say existence came about from the relationship between two deities.

• World parent type 2 myths describe creation arising from dismembered parts of a primordial entity.

• Humanity emerges from another world in emergence myths.

• In earth-diver myths, a supreme being sends an entity (usually an animal) into the primordial depths to bring back elements that help build a habitat for humanity.

• Existence lies dormant within a cosmic egg that hatches to bring forth life.

The hero’s journey myth consists of a hero progressing through stages broken up into separation, initiation, and return:

• During separation, the hero sets out on the journey.

• The hero confronts trials and tribulations in the initiation.

• The hero returns from his journey.

Trickster myths follow a god/goddess, spirit, human, or anthropomorphic animal who deceives others and disobeys social norms. They break the rules either maliciously or unintentionally, yet the stories typically end on a positive note.

Gods/goddesses myths center around gods and/or goddesses in otherworldly realms. Their interactions served as metaphors for the rationale behind occurrences in the physical world.

Contemporary myth-making tends to be a reimagining of older stories updated to make sense in the modern world. Currently, superheroes act as an evolved mythology wherein the gods of the past have been reborn. Like the mythological gods, contemporary superheroes act as a reflection of modern culture.

Elements of a myth

The key elements found in mythological stories include point of view, characters, social action, and duality:

Examples of myths

Well-known and popular myths include the following:

Creation

• Ex Nihilo: Book of Genesis (Judeo Christian)

• Chaos: Odin and Ymir (Norse)

• World Parent: Zeus and Hera (Ancient Greek)

• Emergence: Hopi (Native American)

• Earth-Diver: Cherokee (Native American)

• Cosmic Egg: Pangu (Chinese)

Hero’s Journey

• The Odyssey

• Beowulf

• Epic of Gilgamesh

Trickster

• Anansi the Spider (West Africa)

• Maui (Polynesian)

• Loki (Norse)

Gods and Goddesses

• Pandora’s Box (Greek)

• Osiris and Isis (Egyptian)

• The Mythological Cycle (Celtic)

Contemporary

• Superheroes as gods

• Urban legends

• Vampires, werewolves, zombies