What is Mythology

Myths are stories that narrate the structure and origins of a culture. While the figures and deeds that myths portray may seem fanciful or bizarre, myths reveal the symbols, meanings and values that make up the foundations of a culture. The term mythology can describe a body of myths, as in those of the Romans, Greeks, Native Americans http://indy4.fdl.cc.mn.us/~isk/stories/myths.html, or Egyptians. Mythology also means the study of myths
.
When myths are studied, researchers may seek to understand the characters and actions within the myths, or they may examine why the myths were necessary to the cultures that created them. Myths are often considered to be the expression of the human psyche and the response of a society to the unknown, therefore they reveal much of a culture or society's foundations.
Myths are often classified by the dominant theme of the story. The four most important themes found in myths are:
The story of creation;
The beginning of the gods;
Rebirth and renewal, as shown in the cycles of nature;
The afterlife.
Myths of Creation
Egyptian Creation Myth
In the beginning was Nu, the waters of chaos that covered all. By strength of thought and will Atum created himself and rose from the waters. Where Atum stood, a hill formed beneath him, which was the beginning of the fertile earth. Having within him both male and female, Atum united with his shadow and created a son and a daughter. His son, Shu, represented the air and his daughter, Tefnut, was goddess of moisture. Together Shu and Tefnut created the social order. Shu gave Egypt the principles of life and Tefnut offered the principles of order. Shu and Tefnut became separated from Atum and were lost in the waters of Nu. Atum took out his eye and sent it to find them. When they returned safely, Atum cried tears of joy and each drop that hit the earth became a human being. The stories of the creation of the earth and its peoples are considered to be a culture's most important myths. There are almost as many variations of creation myths as there are cultures, yet many common themes flow through them. In some cultures, the universe <http://Kosmoi.com/Space/Universe/> is seen as being created by a deity (god) out of nothingness or from the midst of chaos. Another common theme attributes creation to wars between the gods. Sometimes a god, or even a human being, is said to have dived deep into a massive ocean covering the planet and brought up a piece of earth, on which life could develop. Another myth holds that creation was born from a cosmic egg created by the gods.
Creation, or cosmogonic (relating to the origin of the universe) myths often portray creation as a break or separation of humans from their gods - whether through ignorance or disobedience on the part of the humans. Many rituals and religious practices seek to repair that breach and bring individuals back into connection with the gods. Creation myths are also said to set the tone and characteristics of a society's beliefs and its symbolic meanings.
Myths of the Origin of Deities
Gods take on many forms in mythology and their roles are varied. Some deities are a part of the creation myths - like those who create the cosmic egg or those who engage in violent battles. Often these creation deities are symbolized as earth http://Kosmoi.com/Space/Planets/Earth/ .and sky and their coming together creates life http://Kosmoi.com/Life/
Other deities have their origins in the aspects of nature, where lightning, rain, wind and other natural phenomena are said to be the physical manifestation of the gods http://www.windows.umich.edu/cgi-bin/tour_def/mythology/mythology.html. Other gods are said to live in nature itself - in trees, springs, mountains and vegetation.
Although representing a common aspect of nature, each culture had its own personification of a deity. The underworld was usually represented by gods, such as the Hades (Greek), Pluto (Roman), and Osiris (Egyptian). The Norse, however, decided the underworld was ruled by a goddess, Hel.
Many cultures also used the concepts of deities to symbolize order, representing at times both the social order and the rhythms of day and night. Deities were also said to have taught humans the techniques and skills vital to survival, like how to build fires, how to plant and harvest crops, how to weave - even how to communicate through writing.
Myths of Renewal and Rebirth
Cyclic Myth of Greece
The maiden Kore (also known as Persephone), daughter of Demeter, was walking in search of flowers when she was suddenly abducted by Hades, the lord of death, who took her to the underworld to be his wife. Demeter, who was mother of the earth and the goddess of the crops, was heartbroken at the loss of her daughter - until she learned that Kore had been kidnapped. She then became furious and held back the rains, allowing the earth to become dry and barren. The gods of Olympus were frightened by her wrath and by the prospect of famine on the earth. Together they convinced Hades to return Kore to her mother. Hades relented, but not until he had tricked Kore into eating four pomegranate seeds. Kore didn't realize that for each seed eaten, she would have to return to the underworld for a full month. When mother and daughter were reunited, Demeter let the rains fall and the crops sprang back up from the earth. But each year, when Kore descends into the underworld for four months, Demeter allows the crops to wither and die until she returns. In most ancient societies, time was considered to be cyclical - meaning that it moved in cycles with clear beginnings and ending of intervals. The rhythm of nature, from the new life of spring through the dying away of winter, created distinct intervals of time. Rituals and specified behavior often took place during certain points of the cycle to ensure that time would continue to move forward - that winter would indeed give way to spring the same as night would always end again in day. Rituals such as these were especially important to agricultural societies, which depended on their crops rising again from apparently dead fields.
Myths of the Afterlife
The cyclical view of time led ancient cultures to develop myths about the afterlife - of being born again, perhaps into another world or realm, or to reestablish their connection with their gods. Witnessing the rebirth of nature each year, people created myths to explain what would happen after they themselves died.
The ancient Egyptians left perhaps the most visible evidence of belief in the afterlife with the massive pyramids and intricate tombs that they built for their rulers. The tombs were filled with treasures and representations of the gods, but they also held food, clothing and common utensils that the dead would need in the afterlife http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2691/death.htm .In Mesopotamia, the tombs were sometimes filled with the bodies of servants who were killed just so they could see to the needs of their rulers in the next life.
The study of mythology has given scholars a better understanding of the origins of culture and language and has revealed much of the history of modern religions. Understanding myths also enables us to gain a sense of the lives and beliefs of even the most ancient societies.

Mythology