What is the fundamental definition of an origin myth?

An origin myth is a specific type of myth that serves to explain the beginnings of a particular natural or social aspect of the world. These narratives provide foundational stories for various phenomena or institutions.

How do creation myths relate to origin myths?

Creation myths are considered a specific category of origin myths, as they specifically narrate the formation of the entire universe. While all creation myths are origin myths, not all origin myths are creation myths, as some explain origins within an already existing world.

What terms are used in Greco-Roman scholarship to describe myths that clarify an origin?

In Greco-Roman scholarship, the terms 'founding myth' or 'etiological myth' are occasionally used to describe a myth that clarifies an origin, particularly how an object or custom came into existence. The term 'etiological' comes from the Ancient Greek word 'aition', meaning 'cause'.

What is the primary purpose of origin myths, according to the text?

Origin myths are narratives designed to explain how a particular reality came into existence. They often function to justify the established social order by attributing its creation to sacred forces, thereby imbuing the present state of affairs with a sense of divine or supernatural legitimacy.

Is there a clear distinction between cosmogonic myths and other origin myths?

The line between cosmogonic myths, which describe the origin of the world, and other origin myths is not always clear. A myth explaining the origin of a specific part of the world inherently assumes the world's existence, often relying on a preceding cosmogonic myth. Therefore, origin myths can be seen as elaborating upon a culture's cosmogonic myths.

What is a common practice in traditional cultures regarding the recitation of origin myths?

In traditional cultures, it is common for the recitation of an origin myth to be preceded by the recitation of a cosmogonic myth. This practice establishes the foundational context of the universe before delving into the origins of specific elements within it.

How do folklorists typically define the term 'myth'?

Within academic circles, particularly among folklorists, the term 'myth' is often specifically reserved for stories that describe creation or origins. Stories that do not primarily focus on origins are generally categorized as 'legend' or 'folk tale', distinguishing them from myths.

What is Mircea Eliade's perspective on sacred stories in traditional cultures?

Historian Mircea Eliade argues that in many traditional cultures, almost every sacred story can be considered an origin myth. He suggests that traditional societies often model their behavior after sacred events and perceive their lives as a cyclical return to a mythical age, meaning nearly every sacred story establishes a new framework for human behavior and is thus a story of creation.

What social function do origin myths serve in expressing relationships?

The paradigm found in origin myths, where a first being appears and produces offspring, allows for the expression of complex relationships between different peoples, as well as the connections between humans and animals, plants, and spirits. These narratives help define a community's place in the world and its interactions with other entities.

How do origin myths justify the current state of affairs in traditional cultures?

Origin myths often function to justify the current state of affairs by attributing the universe's order to the actions of sacred entities and forces. This process imbues the existing order with an aura of sacredness, portraying the world, humanity, and life as having a supernatural origin and a significant, precious, and exemplary history.

What role do mythical gods and heroes play in shaping human behavior in many cultures?

Many cultures instill the expectation that people should take mythical gods and heroes as their role models, imitating their deeds and upholding the customs they established. This encourages adherence to traditional practices and values, reinforcing cultural norms.

What examples illustrate the adherence to ancestral commands based on origin myths?

Examples include the Australian Arunta performing ceremonies because 'the ancestors so commanded it,' the Kai of New Guinea refusing to change their ways because 'the Nemu (the Mythical Ancestors) did,' a Navaho chanter explaining a ritual detail because 'the Holy People did it that way in the first place,' and a primitive Tibetan ritual prayer stating, 'As it has been handed down from the beginning of the earth’s creation, so must we sacrifice. … As our ancestors in ancient times did—so do we now.'

How do founding myths contribute to uniting people and legitimizing rule?

Founding myths unite people by often including mystical events that make 'founders' appear more desirable and heroic. Ruling monarchs or aristocracies frequently use these myths to legitimize their control by alleging descent from mythical founders, gods, or heroes, such as Julius Caesar claiming Aeneas and the goddess Venus as ancestors.

What does the image caption 'The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune' depict in relation to founding myths?

The source material references an artwork titled 'The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune,' created around 1689 or 1706 by René-Antoine Houasse, which depicts the founding myth of the ancient Greek city of Athens. This myth explains how the city received its name and patron deity.

What are the various aspects that a founding myth or etiological myth can explain?

A founding myth or etiological myth can explain the origins of a ritual or the founding of a city, the ethnogenesis of a group presented as a genealogy with a founding father (thus the origin of a nation), or the spiritual origins of a belief, philosophy, discipline, or idea, presented as a narrative.

Can you describe the founding myth of the Zhou dynasty in China?

In the founding myth of the Zhou dynasty, Lady Yuan conceives a child after performing a ritual sacrifice and stepping into the footprint of the King of Heaven. She gives birth to a son, Hou Ji, who is miraculously protected by animals and woodcutters after being left in dangerous places. Recognizing his supernatural nature, she raises him. As an adult, Hou Ji becomes the Master of Horses for Emperor Yao and excels at growing grains, gourds, and beans, eventually founding the Zhou dynasty by overthrowing the evil ruler of Shang.

What is the Scythian founding myth, according to the text?

The Scythians claimed descent from the son of the god of heaven. Their founding myth tells of the daughter of the Dnieper River god, who stole a young man's horses and forced him to lie with her. She bore three sons, and when they came of age, their father's greatbow was presented to them. Only the youngest son, Scythes, could draw the bow. During his attempt, three golden objects—a plow and yoke, a sword, and a cup—fell from the sky, and fire prevented his elder brothers from touching them. Thus, Scythes became king, and his people were known as Scythians.

What is the significance of the Torah as a founding myth for Israel?

The Torah, comprising the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), serves as the charter myth of Israel. It narrates the people's origins and the foundations of their culture and institutions, establishing the fundamental principle in Judaism that the relationship between God and his chosen people was set out on Mount Sinai through the Torah.

How was the myth of Ixion used as an exemplum in Greek culture?

The myth of Ixion served as a primary exemplum, or moral example, in Greek culture. It was the original Greek example of a murderer rendered unclean by his crime, illustrating the need for cleansing, or catharsis, from impurity after committing such an act.

What did Walter Burkert observe about Greek founding myths and rituals?

Walter Burkert observed that ancient Greek rituals were closely tied to prominent local groups and specific localities, particularly the sanctuaries and altars that had been established for all time. This highlights the deep connection between myth, ritual, and geographical place in Greek culture.

How did Greek and Hebrew founding myths establish a special relationship between a deity and local people?

Greek and Hebrew founding myths established a special relationship between a deity and local people by tracing the people's origins from a hero. These myths authenticated ancestral rights through the founding narrative, reinforcing the unique bond between the community and its divine or heroic progenitors.

What justifications did Greek founding myths often embody?

Greek founding myths often embodied a justification for the ancient overturning of an older, archaic order. They reformulated historical events, anchoring them in the social and natural world to valorize current community practices, creating symbolic narratives of 'collective importance' enriched with metaphor to account for traditional chronologies, and constructing an etiology considered plausible by those with a cultural investment.

How did the Greek view perceive the mythic past in relation to historic time?

In the Greek view, the mythic past had deep roots in historic time, with its legends often treated as facts. Heroic protagonists in these myths were seen as crucial links between the 'age of origins' and the mortal, everyday world that followed, bridging the gap between the divine and human realms.

What did Peter Green note about the *aitia* embedded in Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*?

Peter Green, a modern translator of Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*, noted that the many *aitia* (explanations of origins) embedded as digressions in the Hellenistic epic were crucial for social stability. These myths provided explanations, authorization, or empowerment for the present in terms of origins, applying not only to foundations or charter myths and genealogical trees (supporting family or territorial claims) but also to personal moral choices.

How does Simon Goldhill describe the layering of meaning in Apollonius' poetry?

Simon Goldhill uses the metaphor of 'sedimentation' to describe Apollonius' method of laying down layers of meaning in his poetry. He suggests that each object, cult, ritual, or name in the narrative can be 'opened' into a story of origination, and conversely, each narrative or event can lead to a cult, ritual, name, or monument, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected origins.

What is a notable example of a Roman founding myth, and how was it expanded?

A notable example is the myth of the foundation of Rome, which tells the tale of Romulus and Remus. Virgil later broadened this narrative in his *Aeneid* by incorporating the odyssey of Aeneas, his razing of Lavinium, and his son Iulus's subsequent relocation and rule of Alba Longa, the birthplace of the famous twins. This expansion integrated the twins' descent from Iulus's royal line, fitting into the established canon of events.

How does the Old Testament's story of the Exodus function as a founding myth?

The Old Testament's story of the Exodus serves as the founding myth for the community of Israel. It recounts how God delivered the Israelites from slavery, establishing their belonging to him through the Covenant of Mount Sinai. This narrative defines their identity, their relationship with God, and the basis of their laws and traditions.

What role did founding myths play in the medieval communes of northern Italy?

During the Middle Ages, founding myths of the medieval communes in northern Italy reflected the increasing self-confidence of the urban population and their desire to establish a Roman origin, even if tenuous or legendary. For instance, in 13th-century Padua, a legend attributed its foundation to the Trojan Antenor, as communes sought Roman founders or invented them if none were readily available.

What is a 'Creation myth'?

A Creation myth is a symbolic narrative that explains how the world began, often detailing the formation of the universe and everything within it. It is a specific type of origin myth.

What is 'Etiology' in the context of myths?

Etiology, in the context of myths, refers to the study of causation or origination, specifically how myths explain the causes or beginnings of phenomena, customs, or institutions. It focuses on the 'why' and 'how' things came to be.

What is a 'Just-so story'?

A 'Just-so story' is an unverifiable narrative explanation, often whimsical or simplistic, that accounts for why something is the way it is. These stories are typically fictional and not meant to be taken as factual accounts.

What is a 'Mythomoteur'?

A 'Mythomoteur' is defined as the constitutive myth of an ethnic group, serving as a core narrative that shapes its identity, values, and collective memory. It is a foundational story that helps define who a group is.

What is a 'National myth'?

A 'National myth' is an inspiring narrative about a nation's past, often used to foster a sense of national identity, unity, and purpose. These myths may highlight heroic figures, significant events, or foundational values.

What is an 'Origin story'?

An 'Origin story' is a plot device used in narratives to explain how a character, group, or phenomenon acquired its distinctive characteristics or powers. It provides background information on their beginnings.

What is a 'Pourquoi story'?

A 'Pourquoi story' is a narrative that explains why something is the way it is, generally fabulous or mythical in nature. These stories often answer questions about natural phenomena or animal characteristics, such as 'why the leopard has spots'.

Origin Myth Wiki: Echoes of Creation: Unveiling the Tapestry of Origin Myths

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Defining Origin Myths

Explaining Beginnings

An origin myth serves as a narrative framework that elucidates the genesis of a particular natural or social phenomenon within the world. While creation myths specifically detail the formation of the universe, origin myths often unfold subsequent to this initial cosmic event, focusing on the emergence of specific natural elements or human institutions within an already established world. In classical Greco-Roman scholarship, these narratives are frequently termed "founding myths" or "etiological myths," derived from the Ancient Greek word aition, meaning 'cause', to denote their function in clarifying how an object, custom, or practice came into being.

Myth, Legend, and Folktale

Within academic discourse, particularly among folklorists, the term 'myth' is often reserved for narratives that specifically address creation or origins. Stories that do not primarily center on these foundational beginnings are typically classified as 'legends' or 'folktales', thereby distinguishing them from myths in a categorical sense. However, the historian Mircea Eliade posits that in numerous traditional cultures, nearly every sacred narrative can be considered an origin myth. This perspective arises from the observation that traditional societies frequently model their behaviors after sacred events, perceiving their lives as a cyclical return to a mythical age. Consequently, almost every sacred story, by establishing a new paradigm for human conduct, functions as a narrative of creation.

Modern Interpretations

In contemporary political discourse, terms such as "founding myth" or "foundational myth" are often employed critically. They refer to official or widely accepted narratives concerning the origins or early history of a nation, society, or culture. This usage highlights how these narratives, while deeply ingrained, may be subject to scrutiny regarding their historical accuracy or their role in shaping collective identity and political legitimacy.

The Essence of Origin Narratives

Reality's Genesis

Origin myths are fundamentally narratives that articulate how a particular reality came into existence. They frequently serve to legitimize the prevailing social order by attributing its establishment to sacred, primordial forces. The distinction between cosmogonic myths, which describe the origin of the entire world, and more specific origin myths is often fluid. A myth explaining the origin of a specific element within the world inherently presupposes the world's existence, often drawing upon a preceding cosmogonic narrative. Thus, origin myths can be understood as elaborating upon and building upon the foundational cosmogonic myths of their respective cultures. In traditional societies, it is a common practice for the recitation of an origin myth to be ceremonially preceded by the recitation of a cosmogonic myth, reinforcing this hierarchical relationship.

Cyclical Return to the Sacred

Mircea Eliade further emphasizes that in many traditional cultures, the sacred stories are not merely historical accounts but rather blueprints for existence. These societies often structure their lives and rituals as a "cyclical return" to a mythical age, where the foundational events occurred. This perspective implies that nearly every sacred narrative, by portraying events that establish a new framework for human behavior, functions as an origin myth. It is through the reenactment and remembrance of these primordial events that individuals and communities connect with the sacred and derive meaning for their present actions.

Societal Impact of Myths

Forging Connections and Justifying Order

The paradigmatic structure inherent in origin myths, often featuring a primordial being who generates offspring, facilitates the articulation of complex relationships: between different peoples, and between humans and the animal kingdom, plant life, and spiritual entities. These myths are dynamic, evolving narratives that frequently function to validate the prevailing societal structures and power dynamics. In traditional cultures, the entities and forces depicted in origin myths are imbued with sacred significance. Consequently, by attributing the current state of the universe and society to the actions of these sacred beings and forces, origin myths bestow an aura of sacredness upon the established order. As Eliade notes, "myths reveal that the World, man, and life have a supernatural origin and history, and that this history is significant, precious, and exemplary."

Role Models and Cultural Perpetuation

Many cultures actively cultivate the expectation that individuals should emulate mythical gods and heroes, striving to replicate their deeds and uphold the customs they instituted. This is evident in various traditional societies:

When asked why certain ceremonies were performed, the Australian Arunta consistently replied, "Because the ancestors so commanded it."
The Kai of New Guinea resisted altering their way of life, explaining, "It was thus that the Nemu (the Mythical Ancestors) did, and we do likewise."
A Navaho chanter, when questioned about a specific ceremonial detail, responded, "Because the Holy People did it that way in the first place."
A primitive Tibetan ritual prayer echoes this sentiment: "As it has been handed down from the beginning of the earth’s creation, so must we sacrifice. … As our ancestors in ancient times did—so do we now."

This demonstrates how origin myths provide a moral and behavioral compass, ensuring the continuity of cultural practices and values across generations.

Legitimizing Authority

Founding myths play a crucial role in uniting people and often incorporate mystical events to elevate the status of "founders" to desirable and heroic figures. Ruling monarchs or aristocracies frequently assert their lineage from mythical founders, gods, or heroes as a means to legitimize their authority and control. A prominent example is Julius Caesar and his family, who claimed direct descent from Aeneas, and through Aeneas, from the goddess Venus, thereby imbuing their rule with divine sanction and ancient prestige.

The Founding Myth: A Deeper Dive

A founding myth, often synonymous with an etiological myth, specifically explains the genesis of a particular entity or concept. This can manifest in several forms:

The origins of a ritual or the establishment of a city.
The ethnogenesis of a group, presented as a genealogy tracing back to a founding father, thereby explaining the origin of a nation (from natio, meaning 'birth').
The spiritual origins of a belief system, philosophy, academic discipline, or abstract idea, articulated through a narrative.

From prehistoric eras, numerous civilizations and kingdoms have embraced heroic national origin myths. This tradition spans across diverse historical periods and geographies, including the Hittites and Zhou dynasty in the Bronze Age; the Scythians, Wusun, Romans, and Goguryeo in antiquity; the Turks and Mongols during the Middle Ages; and the Dzungar Khanate in the early modern period. These narratives served to solidify collective identity and provide a shared historical consciousness.

Greek Etiological Narratives

Founding myths are particularly prominent in Greek mythology. As Walter Burkert observed, "Ancient Greek rituals were bound to prominent local groups and hence to specific localities," such as sanctuaries and altars established for all time. Greek and Hebrew founding myths thus forged a special relationship between a deity and local populations, who traced their ancestry from a hero and validated their ancestral rights through these foundational narratives. Greek founding myths often rationalize the ancient overthrow of an older, archaic order, reinterpreting historical events to valorize contemporary community practices. These narratives, rich with metaphor, construct plausible etiologies that account for traditional chronologies and hold significant cultural investment. The mythic past, in the Greek view, was deeply rooted in historic time, with legends treated as facts and heroic protagonists serving as vital links between the "age of origins" and the subsequent mortal world.

In the Hellenistic period, Greek poetry, notably Callimachus's Aitia, was replete with founding myths. Simon Goldhill describes Apollonius of Rhodes' Argonautica as laying down layers where "each object, cult, ritual, name, may be opened... into a narrative of origination, and where each narrative, each event, may lead to a cult, ritual, name, monument." This illustrates the pervasive nature of etiological storytelling in ancient Greek culture.

Illustrative Case Studies

The Zhou Dynasty of China

The founding myth of the Zhou dynasty in China narrates the extraordinary birth and rise of Hou Ji. Lady Yuan, after performing a ritual sacrifice, becomes pregnant upon stepping into the footprint of the King of Heaven. She gives birth to Hou Ji, whom she initially abandons in perilous locations. However, he is miraculously protected by animals like sheep, cattle, and birds, as well as by woodcutters. Convinced of his supernatural nature, she reclaims and raises him. Upon reaching adulthood, Hou Ji excels as the Master of Horses in Emperor Yao's court and demonstrates remarkable success in cultivating grains, gourds, and beans. According to legend, he ultimately establishes the Zhou dynasty by overthrowing the malevolent ruler of Shang, thus providing a divine and heroic origin for the imperial line.

The Scythian Lineage

The Scythians, like many ancient civilizations, claimed descent from a divine progenitor—specifically, the son of the god of heaven. Their founding myth recounts an encounter between this divine son and the daughter of the Dnieper River god. She steals his horses while he herds his cattle, compelling him to lie with her before returning them. From this union, she conceives three sons. Upon their coming of age, she presents them with their father's formidable greatbow, decreeing that the son capable of drawing it would become king. Only the youngest son succeeds. During his attempt, three golden objects—a plow and yoke, a sword, and a cup—descend from the sky. When his elder brothers attempt to retrieve them, fire repels them. Consequently, the youngest son, Scythes, is chosen as king, and his people are forever known as Scythians, linking their identity to this divine test and sacred artifacts.

The Roman Foundation

A quintessential example of a founding myth is the narrative of Rome's establishment, centered on the legendary twins Romulus and Remus. Virgil, in his epic Aeneid, expands upon this by detailing the odyssey of Aeneas. Aeneas, after razing Lavinium, establishes a lineage through his son Iulus, who later relocates and rules Alba Longa, the birthplace of the famous twins. This narrative seamlessly integrates Romulus and Remus into a grander, divinely sanctioned royal line, thereby providing a comprehensive and heroic origin story for the Roman people and their empire. Similarly, the Old Testament's account of the Exodus functions as the charter myth for the community of Israel, recounting how God liberated the Israelites from bondage and established a covenant with them at Mount Sinai, thereby defining their identity and their relationship with the divine.

Medieval Urban Origins

During the Middle Ages, the burgeoning medieval communes of northern Italy developed their own founding myths, reflecting the growing self-confidence of their urban populations and a desire to establish a connection, however tenuous or legendary, to Roman origins. In 13th-century Padua, for instance, where each commune sought or invented a Roman founder, a popular legend attributed the city's foundation to the Trojan hero Antenor. These myths served not only to provide a sense of ancient lineage and prestige but also to solidify the collective identity and historical legitimacy of these emerging city-states.

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References

Anthony D. Smith, Myths and Memories of the Nation

Herwig Wolfram, The History of the Goths, Thomas J. Dunlap, tr., especially "Gothic history as historical ethnography", 1988:1â18.

Brillante, "Myth and history: the historical interpretation of myth" in L. Edmunds, Approaches to Greek Myth (1991, pp. 91â140.

Kenton L. Sparkes, Genre Criticism, in Thomas Dozeman (ed), "Methods for Exodus", CUP, 2010, p. 73.

Roberto Weiss, The Renaissance Discovery of Classical Antiquity (Oxford: Blackwell) 1973:18.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Origin myth Wikipedia page

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This is not definitive academic scholarship. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for rigorous academic research, critical analysis, or consultation with primary sources and expert scholars in mythology, anthropology, history, or religious studies. Always refer to peer-reviewed literature and consult with qualified professionals for in-depth understanding and specific research needs. Never disregard established academic methodologies or expert opinions because of something you have read on this website.

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Echoes of Creation: Unveiling the Tapestry of Origin Myths

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining Origin Myths 💡

📖 Explaining Beginnings

🗣️ Myth, Legend, and Folktale

🌐 Modern Interpretations

The Essence of Origin Narratives 📜

🌌 Reality's Genesis

🔄 Cyclical Return to the Sacred

Societal Impact of Myths 🏛️

🤝 Forging Connections and Justifying Order

🎭 Role Models and Cultural Perpetuation

👑 Legitimizing Authority

The Founding Myth: A Deeper Dive 🌍

Defining Founding Myths

📜 Greek Etiological Narratives

Illustrative Case Studies 📚

🐉 The Zhou Dynasty of China

🏹 The Scythian Lineage

🏛️ The Roman Foundation

🏰 Medieval Urban Origins

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

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References

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining Origin Myths

Explaining Beginnings

Myth, Legend, and Folktale

Modern Interpretations

The Essence of Origin Narratives

Reality's Genesis

Cyclical Return to the Sacred

Societal Impact of Myths

Forging Connections and Justifying Order

Role Models and Cultural Perpetuation

Legitimizing Authority

The Founding Myth: A Deeper Dive

Greek Etiological Narratives

Illustrative Case Studies

The Zhou Dynasty of China

The Scythian Lineage

The Roman Foundation

Medieval Urban Origins

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice