Mythology and Folklore – Study Guide Flashcards

A comprehensive set of practice questions covering key concepts from Mythology and Folklore, including definitions, major themes, and mythologies from Greek, Mesopotamian, Japanese, and Norse traditions.

What is mythology?

A collection of myths from a culture or the study of those myths.

What is a myth?

A story about gods, supernatural beings, or heroes from a long-past era that explains events or phenomena.

What is folklore?

Traditions, customs, proverbs, and everyday stories passed down orally from one generation to the next.

What are the three main types of myths?

Pure Myth; Saga or Legend; Fairytale.

Define Pure Myth.

A form of primitive science or religion that explains natural phenomena or origins and prescribes behavior toward the gods.

Define Saga or Legend.

Like primitive history with a core of factual events that has been embellished.

Define Fairytale.

A type of primitive fiction told for entertainment, often featuring supernatural beings and magic.

What is a major theme about Creation in mythology?

Creation myths describe a creator deity bringing the world into existence; Earth is often the mother and Sky the father (e.g., Gaia and Uranus).

How are gods and goddesses typically portrayed in myths?

As ideal beings with human characteristics who justify power and leadership.

Who are Heroic Figures in mythology?

Semi-divine beings with superhuman abilities, often from divine parentage or gained through deeds, with help from deities or magic.

What are Monsters and Demons in mythologies?

Deformed or hideous beings that defy divine order and are defeated by heroes.

What is the Underworld theme in many myths?

A realm associated with burial and the afterlife; often has a dual nature where the Earth both consumes the dead and yields wealth.

What are Journeys, Quests, and Trials in myths?

Tests of mythic figures; quests (including to the underworld) to retrieve loved ones are common.

What is the Afterlife in different mythologies?

A concept that varies by culture; can be a paradise, or a place of judgment and punishment.

What does 'Instruction, Sin, and Consequence' refer to in myths?

Creation myths often include an order from the creator, a sin by the creation, and a consequence that brings pain or evil.

Name a Mesopotamian deity mentioned in the notes.

Anu (sky), Enlil (storm), Ishtar (fertility) were listed as examples.

Name some Greek deities and their domains mentioned in the notes.

Zeus (sky/thunder), Poseidon (sea); others include Athena (wisdom) and Apollo (arts).

What is Enuma Elish?

A Babylonian epic about creation and Marduk’s rise to kingship, including Apsu, Tiamat, Quingu, and Ea.

What is Marduk’s role in Enuma Elish?

Marduk defeats Tiamat, becomes king of the gods, and together with Ea creates the heavens and earth; humans are made to serve the gods.

What is Kojiki?

The first book written in Japan that describes creation, and is integral to Shinto.

Who are Izanagi and Izanami in Japanese myth?

Male and female creation deities who create the land of Japan and the eight great islands.

What caused Izanami’s death in the Kojiki creation story?

Giving birth to Kagutsuchi, the fire deity.

What is Yomi in Japanese myth?

The underworld, the land of the dead, which Izanagi visits to retrieve Izanami.

What is Misogi in Japanese myth?

A purification ritual performed by Izanagi after returning from the underworld.

What are Ame-no-Nuboko, Onogoro-shima, and Ame-no-mihashira?

Ame-no-Nuboko: the jeweled spear used to create the first island; Onogoro-shima: the first island; Ame-no-mihashira: the heavenly pillar—the axis of the world.

Who is Amaterasu and how was she born?

The sun goddess, born from Izanagi’s left eye during purification.

Who are Tsukuyomi and Susanoo?

Tsukuyomi is the moon god (born from Izanagi’s right eye); Susanoo is the storm god (born from Izanagi’s nose).