MYTHOLOGY, LEGENDS
AND FOLKLORE
WHAT IS MYTHOLOGY?
• Mythology can refer to the collected myths of a
group of people—their collection of stories they tell
to explain nature, history, and customs—or to the
study of such myths.
• Mythology is a vital feature of every culture.
• The study of myth dates back to ancient history.
• Mythology is now often sharply distinguished from
didactic literature such as fables, but its relationship with
other traditional stories, such as legends and folktales, is
much more vague.
• Main characters in myths are usually gods, demigods, or
supernatural humans, while legends generally feature
humans as their main characters. However, many
exceptions or combinations exist, as in the Iliad, Odyssey,
and Aeneid. Myths are often endorsed by rulers and
priests and are closely linked to religion or spirituality. In
fact, many societies group their myths, legends, and
history together, considering myths to be true accounts
of their remote past.
A myth is a story used to explain one or more of three
basic things: Natural Phenomena, Social
Customs/Tradition, and Human Behavior
TO EXPLAIN NATURAL PHENOMENA (Cosmological Function of Myth)
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Creation and extinction
Storms, weather, geological functions, the sun and moon
Agricultural/fertility cycles
The seasons
TO EXPLAIN SOCIAL SYSTEMS (Sociological Function of Myth)
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Traditions
Changes in ruler or ruling class
Dietary rules/forbidden customs
Changes in the status of particular groups (such as
women)Relationships among nations
TO EXPLAIN HUMAN BEHAVIOR (Humanistic Function of Myth)
Explains elements of human nature such as:
• Hopes, beliefs, aspirations
• Pride, envy, ambition, honor, trust, generosity, love, etc.
Two Important Elements of Myth
• SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS: Myths deal with gods and
superhuman heroes (individuals with abilities beyond those of
ordinary mortals.)Which is very important. But, in the words of a
famous Greek philosopher, “Wisdom begins with sense.” –
Aristotle
• Which simply means that as humans, our sensual experience
of the world is what defines everything! What we see, touch,
taste, hear, and smell is what allows us to understand the
world.
Two Important Elements of Myth
• ANTHROPOMORPHIC ELEMENTS -Myths explain things in away
that makes sense to humans. The supernatural is directly
involved in human experience. Even gods have human
emotions and are motivated by human desires like lust, envy,
revenge, etc.
PRIMARY TYPES OF MYTHS
• DIVINE MYTH
• In religious terms, divinity or godhead is the state of things that
come from a supernatural power or deity, such as a god,
supreme being, creator deity, or spirits, and are therefore
regarded as sacred and holy. Such things are regarded as
"divine" due to their transcendental origins or because their
attributes or qualities are superior or supreme relative to things
of the Earth.
• Divine things are regarded as eternal and based in truth, while
material things are regarded as ephemeral and based in
illusion. Such things that may qualify as "divine" are apparitions,
visions, prophecies, miracles, and in some views also the soul,
or more general things like resurrection, immortality, grace,
and salvation. Otherwise what is or is not divine may be loosely
defined, as it is used by different belief systems.
• Creation myths particularly, take place in a primordial
age when the world had not yet achieved its current
form. Other myths explain how a society's customs,
institutions, and taboos were established and sanctified.
• A separate space is created for folktales, which are not
considered true by the people who tell them. As stories
spread to other cultures or as faiths change, myths can
come to be considered folktales, sometimes even to the
point of being reinterpreted as one. Its divine characters
are recast as either as humans or demi humans such as
giants, elves, and faeries.
OTHER TYPES OF MYTHS
1. Heroic myths: Revolving around heroic figures, these myths
often narrate the adventures, challenges, and
accomplishments of legendary heroes.
Example: the myth of Hercules in Greek mythology, detailing his
twelve labors and heroic feats.
2. Cosmogonic myths: Similar to creation myths, these focus
specifically on the origins of the universe.
Example: in Hindu mythology, the Rigveda contains hymns
describing the creation of the universe, featuring the cosmic
man Purusha.
3. Aetiological myths: These myths explain the causes or
reasons behind natural phenomena, customs, or traditions.
Example: the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone explains
the changing seasons as a result of Persephone's time spent in
the underworld.
4. Trickster myths: Centered around mischievous and clever
characters who use wit and cunning to achieve their goals.
Example: the native American trickster figure coyote, known for
his cunning and often humorous antics.
5. Folktales:
Example: Aesop's Fables, such as "The Tortoise and
the Hare," are moral tales that share similarities with
myths but are typically shorter and more focused on
lessons.
6. Myths of the Gods/Divine myth:
Example: Norse mythology includes stories of the
Aesir and Vanir gods, such as Odin, Thor, and Loki,
and their interactions with each other and the world.
7. Apocalyptic Myths: Narratives about the end of the
world, often involving catastrophic events and divine
intervention.
Example: The biblical Book of Revelation describes
apocalyptic events leading to the end of the world
and the establishment of a new order.
8. Moral or Didactic Myths: Stories that convey moral
lessons or ethical teachings.
Example: The ancient Greek myth of Prometheus,
who stole fire from the gods to benefit humanity, is
often interpreted as a story about the consequences
of defying divine authority.
LEGENDS
• A legend (Latin, legenda, "things to be read") is a narrative of
human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners
to take place within human history and values to possess
certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. Legend, for its
active and passive participants, includes no happenings that
are outside the realm of "possibility" but which may include
miracles.
• Legends may be transformed over time, in order to keep it
fresh and vital, and realistic. Many legends operate within the
realm of uncertainty, never being entirely believed by the
participants, but also never being resolutely doubted.
FOLKTALES
• A folktale (also spelled folk tale) is a story
or legend forming part of an oral tradition.
Folktales are generally passed down from
one generation to another and often take
on the characteristics of the time and
place in which they are told.
• The most famous work on Filipino folktales
is Philippine Folk Tales by Mabel Cook
Cole. It is the first comprehensive popular
collection of folk tales of the islands. She
spent four years among the tribes of the
Philippines in the early 20th century while
her husband was engaged in ethnological
work for the Field Museum of Natural
History.
ELEMENTS OF A MYTH OR LEGEND
1. CHARACTER
Characters are very few, animated, inanimate, or
personified gods or humans with supernatural or
god-like traits. Also, the gods or super-heroes may
take the form of a human, but are immortal with
supernatural powers.
2. SETTING
The story typically takes place in the past, and the
setting is relevant to the culture from which it
originates.
ELEMENTS OF A MYTH OR LEGEND
3. PLOT AND THEME
The story usually involves characters facing difficult
obstacles to overcome. The characters struggle with their
fate or destiny as the story unfolds and explains a natural
phenomena, religious practice/s, or human nature. It offers
a straightforward moral or a lesson for life.
4. POINT OF VIEW
The story is written from the third person point of view. It
reflects upon a society’s culture, values, and beliefs and
the frail nature or weakness of human beings. The readers
will believe that the main characters are capable of
overcoming any obstacle in their path and succeed.
ELEMENTS OF A MYTH OR LEGEND
5. ORAL TRADITION
The story has been passed on from generation to
generation through oral tradition (prior to
printing);thus, some versions may slightly vary from
another. It is done purposely to teach a set of
values to a younger generation.