Jamie Doyle
Odysseus
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- Best Life Editors
- Bulls get angry when they see the color red. You're hardly alone if you believe that when matadors wave those red capes to make bulls charge at them, it's the bright color that incites their anger.
- Goldfish only have a three-second memory. Goldfish have a reputation of having bad memories. But it turns out that the idea that these orange aquatic creatures can only remember things for three seconds is a myth.
- We only use 10 percent of our brains. Many people believe that humans only use 10 percent of their brains; it's even the plot line for the 2014 film Lucy, starring Scarlett Johansson.
- George Washington had wooden teeth. It turns out our nation's first president wasn't rocking a pair of wooden chompers. The historians at the Washington Library say that while George Washington did suffer from dental problems, his dentures were composed of ivory, gold, lead, and even other human teeth—but never any wood.
- Overview
- The nature, functions, and types of myth
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myth, a symbolic narrative, usually of unknown origin and at least partly traditional, that ostensibly relates actual events and that is especially associated with religious belief. It is distinguished from symbolic behaviour (cult, ritual) and symbolic places or objects (temples, icons). Myths are specific accounts of gods or superhuman beings involved in extraordinary events or circumstances in a time that is unspecified but which is understood as existing apart from ordinary human experience. The term mythology denotes both the study of myth and the body of myths belonging to a particular religious tradition.
As with all religious symbolism, there is no attempt to justify mythic narratives or even to render them plausible. Every myth presents itself as an authoritative, factual account, no matter how much the narrated events are at variance with natural law or ordinary experience. By extension from this primary religious meaning, the word myth may also be used more loosely to refer to an ideological belief when that belief is the object of a quasi-religious faith; an example would be the Marxist eschatological myth of the withering away of the state.
While the outline of myths from a past period or from a society other than one’s own can usually be seen quite clearly, to recognize the myths that are dominant in one’s own time and society is always difficult. This is hardly surprising, because a myth has its authority not by proving itself but by presenting itself. In this sense the authority of a myth indeed “goes without saying,” and the myth can be outlined in detail only when its authority is no longer unquestioned but has been rejected or overcome in some manner by another, more comprehensive myth.
The word myth derives from the Greek mythos, which has a range of meanings from “word,” through “saying” and “story,” to “fiction”; the unquestioned validity of mythos can be contrasted with logos, the word whose validity or truth can be argued and demonstrated. Because myths narrate fantastic events with no attempt at proof, it is sometimes assumed that they are simply stories with no factual basis, and the word has become a synonym for falsehood or, at best, misconception. In the study of religion, however, it is important to distinguish between myths and stories that are merely untrue.
Myth has existed in every society. Indeed, it would seem to be a basic constituent of human culture. Because the variety is so great, it is difficult to generalize about the nature of myths. But it is clear that in their general characteristics and in their details a people’s myths reflect, express, and explore the people’s self-image. The study of myth is thus of central importance in the study both of individual societies and of human culture as a whole.
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Learn about the nature, functions, and types of myths, the symbolic narratives that relate actual events and are associated with religious belief. Explore the mythologies of different cultures and the role of animals and plants in myth.
In a religious context, myths are storied vehicles of supreme truth, the most basic and important truths of all. By them, people regulate and interpret their lives and find worth and purpose in their existence. Myths put one in touch with sacred realities, the fundamental sources of being, power, and truth.
- Greek Mythology. Greek mythology is filled with fascinating stories and characters. It centers around the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece, such as Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Aphrodite, and their interactions with mortals.
- Norse Mythology. Norse mythology is filled with thrilling stories and epic heroes. It centers around the gods and goddesses of ancient Scandinavia, such as Odin, Thor, and Freya, and their interactions with mortals and other beings.
- Egyptian Mythology. Egyptian mythology is filled with fascinating stories and powerful gods. It centers around the deities of ancient Egypt, such as Ra, Isis, and Anubis, and their interactions with the pharaohs and the people of Egypt.
- Celtic Mythology. Celtic mythology is filled with rich and fascinating stories of gods, heroes, and monsters. It centers around the myths and legends of the ancient Celtic people, who lived in what is now Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and other parts of Europe.
Mythopedia is a comprehensive online resource for exploring ancient mythology from various civilizations, such as Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse, Egyptian and more. You can discover the gods, goddesses, myths, legends, cosmology, creatures, and name generators of each pantheon.
Oct 31, 2018 · Learn about the definition, types, and functions of myths in different cultures and civilizations. Explore the stories, themes, and symbols of mythology from ancient to modern times.
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Dec 2, 2009 · Learn about the ancient Greek myths that explained the world and its origins, featuring gods, heroes and monsters. Explore the sources, themes and legacy of Greek mythology in art, literature and culture.
