Where Do Myths Come From?

A man in blue robes sits on the ground, telling a story.

Several theories have been proposed, but none are universally accepted. The following reflect some of the theories about how myths began:

Myths began as a way to explain some natural phenomenon
Myths originally served as expressions of human hope that nature would be fertile
Myths began as real events, although perhaps exaggerated

Image note: a storyteller in blue robes shares traditional stories, passed down from his ancestors. The stories told come from Mauritania, in Adrar Province, which is a land of deserts. What sorts of myths do you suppose arise in such conditions?

Oral Tradition

One thing we do know is that many of the myths we know today began in the oral tradition. In short, the oral tradition is how people would pass down information and stories. For most of mankind’s history, the majority of people couldn’t read or write, so they would talk to each other, telling stories that were important to the society and the individuals within it. The oral tradition is one of the most important forms of human communication, and it still continues today, even though now far more people can read and write.

Think about when you’re celebrating holidays with your family. Are there stories that get told time and again, stories that you could probably recite to your friends, that you might even tell your own kids one day? This would be an example of the oral tradition in your life! (Also pay attention to how those stories might evolve or how small details of them may be different depending on who is telling the story. Sometimes that’s because of exaggeration, sometimes oversight—either way, it’s important to note that with the oral tradition, the versions of the stories may vary slightly.)

Final Thought: What is Mythology?

Whether or not we believe myths, we recognize their psychological power. The stories we share and pass down are more than just flourishes; they are reflections of the values our cultures cherish and the qualities we strive for as individuals. As we continue on and learn about mythologies from different cultures, keep these ideas in mind. While you may not believe them in a literal sense, what truths can these stories reveal?

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