Module 2: Section 1

Introduction to Myths

A myth is a traditional story. Mythology plays a significant role in many cultures. Myths were a way for cultures to explain a natural or social phenomenon, such as the changing of the seasons, or how a body of water or rock formation was created. Some myths involve supernatural beings or events. Many myths are stories that hold religious or ideological meaning for believers.

A myth may be best considered a traditional story of historical events that serve to reveal at least a part of the world view of a people and to explain a belief which those people hold as vital.

Myths often tell the story of ancestors, supernatural beings, heroes, gods, or goddesses with special powers. Sometimes myths try to describe aspects of customs or explain natural events such as the sun or lightning. These stories may contain mythical characters such as mermaids, unicorns, or dragons. All cultures have some type of myth regarding creation.

In this module, we will examine a variety of creation stories from around the world and examine elements that they share in addition to their unique elements. You may find that some of the stories are familiar or resemble stories from your own faith or culture!