Myth

Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that simply refers to a belief 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, Irina. “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.

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