mythology terms list

use throughout the semester

Myth

Traditional story communicating worldview of a particular culture

Mythos

Ancient Greek concept of storytelling; used to pass down cultural knowledge and values

Creation/Cosmic Myth

Explains origins of universe and its components

Theistic Myth

Stories about relationships between deities

Etiological Myth

Stories explaining origins of natural phenomena, cultural practices, or names

Foundation Myth

Stories explaining the origins of cities, nations, or peoples

Agricultural/Fertility Myth

Stories explaining or ensuring fertility of land and people

Death/Afterlife Myth

Stories explaining death and what happens after

Apocalyptic Myth

Stories about the end of the world or civilization

Trickster Myth

Stories about deceptive characters who disrupt social order

Hero's Journey/Monomyth

Pattern showing hero's transformation through:

• Departure from ordinary world

• Trials and challenges

• Return with new knowledge

Allusion

Indirect reference calling myth to mind without explanation

Symbolism:

Using objects/characters to represent deeper meanings

Motif

Recurring elements with cultural significance

Archetype

Universal character or situation patterns

Legend

Historical story with added heroic elements

Fable

Short story teaching moral lesson

Folk Tales

Cultural supernatural stories

Parable

Story using metaphor for moral teaching

Anthropology

Study of human cultures and development

Cultural Traditions

Practices passed between generations

Oral Tradition

Stories/beliefs passed down verbally

Collective Unconscious

Shared cultural memory patterns

Deity

Supernatural being with control over worldly aspects

Hero

Character showing courage and self-sacrifice

Demi-god

Offspring of deity and mortal

Ritual

Ceremonial practices tied to myths