What Is a Myth? A Myth Is...

Myths are stories that use emotional and sensory images to help people make sense of the world around them — especially the origins of nature, life, and the unknown.

The most common myths include those about the creation of the world and humanity, the lives and deeds of gods, natural phenomena, and heroic adventures. The word "myth" comes from the Greek *mythos*, meaning tale, story, message, or word.

What’s most fascinating is that across different parts of the world, cultures and civilizations independently created myths that are remarkably similar. And it’s not always because one borrowed from another — although that did happen — but because humans perceived the world in similar ways. They saw divinity in nature and instinctively chose similar figures to represent supreme power.

One of the clearest examples is the **thunder god** archetype found across many mythologies. Such deities were often regarded as the most powerful and placed at the top of the divine hierarchy: Zeus in Greek mythology, Thor in Norse mythology, Perun in Slavic mythology, Jupiter in Roman tradition, Taranis in Celtic belief, and Indra in Hinduism.

In the eyes of ancient people, nothing was more fearsome or awe-inspiring than thunder and lightning.

Other Questions About Mythology

• What is a legend?
• What is mythology?

Myths from World Mythologies

Go to the Slavic Myths and Legends

Slavic Myths and Legends

Go to the Egyptian Myths and Legends

Egyptian Myths and Legends

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Greek Myths and Legends

Go to the Roman Myths and Legends

Roman Myths and Legends

Go to the Norse Myths and Legends

Norse Myths and Legends

Go to the Celtic Myths and Legends

Celtic Myths and Legends