What Are Myths?

Myths are very old stories that try to explain how the world works and why certain things happen.

How Do We Know a Story Is a Myth?

Here are some of the key features of myths.

Helps to explain mysteries
• How the world began
• Weather phenomenon
• Causes of natural disasters

Setting
• Ancient times: before recorded history
• Imaginary worlds

Characters involved
• Gods & goddesses
• Magical creatures
• Supernatural beings
• Powerful heroes

Other teaching moments
• Connected to certain cultural beliefs
• Considered sacred in some cases

2 myths are presented. The first one is the Norse myth “Thor and his hammer Mjolnir.” Thor protects humans against giants. When he uses his magical hammer, it creates thunder and lightning. It offers an explanation about where thunder and lightning come from. The second is the Indigenous American myth of Turtle Island. A long time ago, there was only water. When a woman fell from the sky, a giant turtle offered its back as a safe place for her to land. This place grew into the Earth we know today. It offers

Are Myths, Legends, Fables & Folktales Different?

Similarities

Often, myths, legends, fables and folktales can be mistaken for one another because of their similarities.
Here are some examples of the key features they all share.

Story structure
• They all use characters and settings to tell their stories.
• All their plots have a beginning, middle and end.

Oral tradition origins
• People told these stories for a long time before they were written down.
• This is why there are many variations of similar stories told all over the world.

Teach and entertain
• They often have teaching moments that include morals, cultural values, beliefs, historical facts or traditions.
• They are engaging and very imaginative.

The deeper meaning of the Icarus myth: listening to advice and the dangers of pride. The deeper meaning of The Flying Canoe: keeping promises and being careful of what you wish for. The deeper meaning of The Tortoise and the Hare fable: slow and steady wins the race. The deeper meaning of the Jack and the Beanstalk folktale: taking chances and the dangers of greed.

Differences

Here are examples of some key features that differentiate myths, legends, fables and folktales.

Myths explain how the world works, tell stories of gods and magic and take place in ancient times & imaginary worlds. Legends are partially based on something real, tell stories of brave heroes and take place in a recognizable past. Fables teach a clear moral or lesson, feature talking animal characters and take place in familiar symbolic places. Folktales tell stories of adventures and excitement, feature regular people as characters and take place “Once upon a time.”

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What Are Myths?

How Do We Know a Story Is a Myth?

Are Myths, Legends, Fables & Folktales Different?

Similarities

Differences

See Also