Myth

Myth is a genre of folklore or theology consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. For folklorists, historians, philosophers or theologians this is very different from the use of "myth" which simply meaning something that is not true. Instead, the truth value of a myth is not a defining criterion.[1]

Myths are often endorsed by secular and religious authorities and are closely linked to religion or spirituality.[2] Many societies group their myths, legends, and history together, considering myths and legends to be true accounts of their remote past.[2][3][4][5] In particular, creation myths take place in a primordial age when the world had not achieved its later form.[2][6][7][8] Other myths explain how a society's customs, institutions, and taboos were established and sanctified.[2][7] There is a complex relationship between recital of myths and the enactment of rituals.

  1. ^ Deretic Irena. Why are myths true: Plato on the veracity of myths. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Philosophy and Conflict Studies, 2020, vol. 36, issue 3, pp. 441–451.
  2. ^ a b c d Bascom 1965, p. 9.
  3. ^ Simpson, Jacqueline, and Steve Roud, eds. 2003. "Myths." In A Dictionary of English Folklore. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0191726644.
  4. ^ Eliade 1998, p. 23.
  5. ^ Pettazzoni 1984, p. 102.
  6. ^ Dundes 1984, p. 1.
  7. ^ a b Eliade 1998, p. 6.
  8. ^ Leeming, David Adams, and David Adams. A dictionary of creation myths. Oxford University Press, 1994.