1. Myths…
What are they and where do they come from?

2. Myths are:
Stories based on tradition
◦ Some factual
◦ Some completely fictional
Sacred tales that explain the world and man’s
experience
Attempted answers to the timeless questions
Sometimes merely reassurance for the
unexplainable natural phenomenon

3. What do Myths discuss?
Universalconcern of mankind
throughout history:
 Birth
 Death
 The afterlife
 The origin of man
 The origin of the world
 Good and evil
 The nature of man himself

4. Myths Across Cultures
Interesting point:
“A myth taps into a universal cultural narrative,
the collective wisdom of man” (www.pbs.org).
This is why we can find similar archetypal themes!

5. Similar what!?!?!?!??!
Archetype:
◦ Model, original-a very typical example
 Ex: father, mother, paradise, hero, women of power
Theme:
◦ Moral or lesson in a story
Archetypal Theme:
Typical morals or lessons found in myths,
stories, etc. no matter where it originated
ex: great floods, the afterlife, virgin births

6. Not always sunshine and roses!!!

7. Often act as warnings
◦ A guide to social norms
◦ Addressing cultural taboos such as:
 Incest
 Fratricide
 Greed

8. Are myths relevant to your life
today?
YES!
Artistsof every generation tweak the
myths, but the same basic pattern has
shown for thousands of years!
Example:
◦ Hero’s Journey: Star Wars, Last of the
Mohicians, Clash of the Titans, Harry Potter,
Adventures of Robin Hood

9. So…
What are creation myths?

10. A story of how the Universe, Earth, and life
came to be!
Represent moral, religious, and spiritual
beliefs of individual cultures