Mythology Facts & Worksheets

Mythology is a collection of myths or tales about a particular individual, group of people, culture, religion, or any other group with similar beliefs. Although most people don’t think mythology is entirely accurate, they nevertheless take it seriously.

See the fact file below for more information on Mythology, or you can download our 31-page Mythology worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DEFINITION

• The term “mythology” comes from the Greek words “mythos” for “people’s story” and “logos” for “word” or “speaking,” i.e., the “spoken story of a people.” It is the study and interpretation of myths, which are frequently sacred tales or fables of a culture. 
• Myths are a collection of tales that deal with a variety of topics related to the human condition, including good and evil, the meaning of suffering, human origins, and the origins of places.
• Mythology also tells tales about the origins of animals, cultural values and customs, the meaning of life and death, and celestial stories of the gods or a god. A particular culture’s views and ideals on these ideas are expressed in myths.
• Moreover, myths explain the origins of traditions or natural occurrences like thunder and lightning storms, the moon’s phases, the seasons, and sunrise and sunset.

ROLE OF MYTHOLOGY IN THE SOCIETY

• A culture’s mythology or belief system frequently revolves around supernatural entities or powers, justifies its religion and customs, and reflects how people interact with each other in daily life. 
• Creation or Genesis stories describe how the world came to be in its current state and frequently depict “the cultural group narrating the story” as the original or “real” people.
• These sacred tales or narratives discuss the origins of a people, the elements of their world, the purpose for existing, and their future direction. 
• In other words, a culture’s beliefs and presumptions about the role of humans in the natural and spiritual worlds, as well as their boundaries and workings, are expressed in myths and mythology.
• The arts and traditions that mythology brings are significant tools for preserving and transmitting a culture’s norms and values, strengthening social stability, and criticizing the status quo while inspiring change. 
• Poets, storytellers, authors, as well as other artists and entertainers, produce works of beauty and significance— religious or secular—and employ symbols to do so. This is done around the world in a wide variety of ways.

TYPES OF MYTHOLOGY

• Etiological Myths – Derive from the Greek word aetion, which means “reason,” it describes how something came to be or why it is the way it is. Often, an origin narrative is an example of this kind of myth.
• In essence, etiological myths arise to explain the natural world, and those that do so most successfully and in a way that is both comforting and comfortable are passed down and ingrained in society. 
• The etiology idea can be used in conjunction with arguments that myths provide an early or “primitive” form of science.
• Early people lacked reasonable explanations for the occurrence of disasters like floods, famines, plagues, diseases, and fatalities. 
• When someone asserts that myths primarily develop to address these inquiries, they are presenting myths as etiologies.
• According to Egyptian mythology, the goddess Hathor, also known as the Lady of the Sycamore, resides in the sycamore tree, which explains its appearance.
• Historical Myths – Historical myths recount an incident from the past but give it more significance than the real incident, if it even happened.
• The Iliad and the Odyssey are two examples of myths that are considered historical accounts of the Trojan War. The Trojan War did indeed take place, but it seems likely that Agamemnon, Achilles, Hector, and other well-known figures from the Iliad and Odyssey might have been fictitious.
• Some Examples: 
  • The well-known tale is that scientist Sir Isaac Newton was under a tree when an apple fell on his head. It’s a good thing he used it as inspiration for the laws of gravity. Although the myth of the apple is amusing, it probably never happened.
  • Some people think Napoleon’s passion to rule was a way for him to make up for his diminutive size. Not so. While Napoleon was known as “The Little Corporal,” he stood 5 feet, 7 inches tall, which was taller than the typical Frenchman of the eighteenth century.
• The legend of the insane Emperor Nero igniting the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD and then playing the fiddle or violin as the city burnt is well known. This, however, would not have been possible. One thing to consider is that it would be another 1,600 years before the violin was invented.
• Psychological Myths – This attempt to explain why we feel and behave the way that we do. Psychological myths do not attempt to explain one phenomenon by means of another factor.
• In this type of myth, the idea is that emotion is a divine power that may directly affect another person’s feelings. 
• For instance, the goddess Aphrodite has been compared to the power of sexual love at times. The ancient Greeks could have said that Aphrodite “made” someone say or do something that they did not want to.
• All cultures share a set of unfathomable fears, concerns, and wishes. Because of this, psychological mythologies arose, and various civilizations and cultures share certain archetypes, which are universal shapes and personalities. 
• Having a sky deity (Zeus and Tian), a sea god (Poseidon and Olokun), and an agricultural god (Isis and Demeter) are some themes shared by several cultures. These characters are examples of how people think alike when it comes to mysterious and fearful things.

MYTHOLOGY IN POPULAR CULTURE

• The relevance of myths now is no different than it was in antiquity. Myths provide well-established explanations and act as a compass for successive generations.
• People might believe that leading moral lives now means they will be rewarded with better lives in the afterlife thanks to beliefs like the lost paradise, for example.
• People believe there will be great leaders who will make their life better because of the mythology of a golden age. The hero’s journey is a role model for young people as they take on adult duties. 
• Other myths provide comfort, such as those that attribute natural phenomena to the deities rather than random occurrences of nature.
• Myths are also common in the arts and advertising. Advertising speaks to us visually in everything from movies to automobiles to cologne. 
• The same fundamental patterns have appeared throughout mythology for thousands of years, despite the fact that artists from every generation rework tales. 
• For individuals who have grown up with these myths since birth, a name, a word, or a picture based on a well-known myth might say a lot.
• Myths, unlike fairy tales, are not always uplifting. The core of myths is such that they are frequent cautions used as promises; as frequent laments and celebrations, in keeping with the way of life. 
• Several myths serve as educational resources and social norm guides, addressing cultural taboos and even modern crimes.

Mythology Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Mythology across 31 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Mythology; Mythology is a collection of myths or tales about a particular individual, group of people, culture, religion, or any other group with similar beliefs.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Mythology Facts
2. The World Map of Myths
3. Mythical Images
4. Supreme Deities
5. Mythical Origins
6. The Oldest Myth
7. Symbolism in Nature
8. Etiological Myths
9. Historical Myths
10. Psychological Myths
11. Fact or Myth?
12. Local Mythology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mythology?

Mythology refers to a collection of stories, beliefs, and traditions that explain the origins of the universe, the natural world, and human behavior. Myths often involve gods, goddesses, heroes, and supernatural creatures, and are often passed down through oral or written traditions.

What are some examples of famous mythologies?

There are many mythologies from around the world, but some of the most well-known include Greek mythology, Roman mythology, Norse mythology, Egyptian mythology, and Hindu mythology.

What is the significance of mythology in human culture?

Mythology has played an important role in human culture by helping to explain the mysteries of the world and providing a framework for understanding morality and human behavior. It has also inspired art, literature, and other forms of creative expression.

What are some common themes in mythology?

Many mythologies share common themes, such as creation stories, hero journeys, battles between good and evil, and explanations for natural phenomena like the seasons or the movement of the sun and stars.

How has mythology influenced popular culture?

Mythology has had a significant influence on popular culture, particularly in literature, film, and television. For example, characters and themes from Greek mythology have been featured in countless novels, movies, and TV shows, such as the Percy Jackson series and the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Additionally, many modern superheroes, such as Thor and Wonder Woman, have origins in mythological stories.

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