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- Dictionarymyth/mɪθ/
noun
- 1. a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events: "ancient Celtic myths" Similar
- 2. a widely held but false belief or idea: "the belief that evening primrose oil helps to cure eczema is a myth, according to dermatologists"
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A myth is an ancient story or set of stories, especially explaining the early history of a group of people or about natural events and facts. It can also be a commonly believed but false idea. Learn more about the meaning, pronunciation and translations of myth.
A myth is a traditional story that plays a fundamental role in a society, often involving supernatural beings or events. Learn about the etymology, structure, and functions of myths, as well as the different types and sources of mythology from around the world.
Sep 23, 2011 · Learn the meaning of myth as a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out the difference between myth and urban myth, and explore related words and phrases.
- Overview
- The nature, functions, and types of myth
myth, a symbolic narrative, usually of unknown origin and at least partly traditional, that ostensibly relates actual events and that is especially associated with religious belief. It is distinguished from symbolic behaviour (cult, ritual) and symbolic places or objects (temples, icons). Myths are specific accounts of gods or superhuman beings involved in extraordinary events or circumstances in a time that is unspecified but which is understood as existing apart from ordinary human experience. The term mythology denotes both the study of myth and the body of myths belonging to a particular religious tradition.
As with all religious symbolism, there is no attempt to justify mythic narratives or even to render them plausible. Every myth presents itself as an authoritative, factual account, no matter how much the narrated events are at variance with natural law or ordinary experience. By extension from this primary religious meaning, the word myth may also be used more loosely to refer to an ideological belief when that belief is the object of a quasi-religious faith; an example would be the Marxist eschatological myth of the withering away of the state.
While the outline of myths from a past period or from a society other than one’s own can usually be seen quite clearly, to recognize the myths that are dominant in one’s own time and society is always difficult. This is hardly surprising, because a myth has its authority not by proving itself but by presenting itself. In this sense the authority of a myth indeed “goes without saying,” and the myth can be outlined in detail only when its authority is no longer unquestioned but has been rejected or overcome in some manner by another, more comprehensive myth.
The word myth derives from the Greek mythos, which has a range of meanings from “word,” through “saying” and “story,” to “fiction”; the unquestioned validity of mythos can be contrasted with logos, the word whose validity or truth can be argued and demonstrated. Because myths narrate fantastic events with no attempt at proof, it is sometimes assumed that they are simply stories with no factual basis, and the word has become a synonym for falsehood or, at best, misconception. In the study of religion, however, it is important to distinguish between myths and stories that are merely untrue.
Myth has existed in every society. Indeed, it would seem to be a basic constituent of human culture. Because the variety is so great, it is difficult to generalize about the nature of myths. But it is clear that in their general characteristics and in their details a people’s myths reflect, express, and explore the people’s self-image. The study of myth is thus of central importance in the study both of individual societies and of human culture as a whole.
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A myth is a legendary story that explains mysteries of nature, existence, or the universe with no true basis in fact. Learn about the origins, types, and importance of myths, and see how they are used in literature and culture.
A myth is a traditional or legendary story about superhuman beings or events, often with a religious or cultural significance. Learn more about the origin, history, and usage of the word myth, and see synonyms and examples from literature and media.
Oct 31, 2018 · Myths are sacred tales or fables of a culture that explain natural phenomena, human origins, and the meaning of life and death. Learn about the definition, purpose, and types of myths from different civilizations and cultures.
