What can we learn from reading Mythology from around the world?
Have you noticed how we all love mythological tales, but we mostly love our own regional mythology?
Why?
It’s a deep question. Here are some reasons I can think of:
1. We only want to relate to what we know. Not expand our boundaries
2. The familiar is also easily accessible. Why should I put in the effort?
3. We are nervous about what we might learn.
I am no different. I have a deep interest in Indian Mythological tales and have for long believed in their superiority. Like many of us I also tend to believe that OUR mythology is the ORIGINAL one.
This is obviously nonsense. But how would I know?
By reading.
I listened to this 30-hour course on Audible on the world’s great mythologies. To my surprise, every popular mythological tale exists across cultures.
“Mythological Tales: Floods, Beginnings, Morality, and Renewal”
A common and misplaced perception exists that Myth means Not True. It only means not sure this is true.
Mythology is filled with amazing stories from different cultures. Many of these stories are similar, even though they come from all around the world.
Think of it like different flavours of ice cream, each with its own unique taste, but all made from the same basic ingredients — milk, sugar, and cream.
I can’t summarise a 30 hr course for you but here are some key points:
First, some famous mythologies:
1. Greek Mythology: Includes powerful gods like Zeus and brave heroes like Hercules. Considered one of the oldest
2. Norse Mythology: From the cold lands of Scandinavia and features gods like Odin and Thor
3. Egyptian Mythology: Includes gods like Ra and Osiris and fascinating symbols and rituals
4. Hindu Mythology: Includes gods like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Later epics include Ramayana and Mahabharata
5. Chinese Mythology: Think about the legendary Monkey King or the wise Jade Emperor. These tales are rooted in ancient Chinese traditions
6. Japanese Mythology: Shinto beliefs introduce us Amaterasu and Kami. Full of nature and spirits
7. Native American Mythology: Mostly tribal myths focused on nature and spirits
8. African Mythology: Rich but lesser known stories from the Yoruba, Zulu, and Egyptian civilizations
9. Celtic Mythology: Gods like Cernunnos in the British Isles
10. Aztec Mythology: Gods like Quetzalcoatl and Huitzilopochtli.
We all like to think that these mythologies are all unique. But they are NOT. If you peel the onion you find the same theme and the same stories with names and locations changed.
We all like to think that these mythologies are all unique. They are NOT.
If you peel the onion you find the same theme and the same stories with names and locations changed.
Here are 3 categories for you:
1. Stories of How Things Began:
- Creation Stories: Greek myths tell of Prometheus creating humans from clay. African myths have humans being vomited
- Cosmic Elements: Humans emerged from elements like water or the sky
- The Egyptians say the world came from chaotic waters, and Norse mythology has the world formed from a giant’s body
2. Lessons About Morality, Loyalty, and Love:
- Learning Right from Wrong: Myths teach lessons about good and bad. King Midas’s story shows how greed can lead to trouble
- Trust and Betrayal: Norse myths tell of Loki, who betrays other gods, and Greek tales like the Trojan War test people’s loyalty
- Love and Sacrifice: The tragic love of Orpheus and Eurydice in Greece and the deep love between Radha and Krishna are similar
3. Tales of Life, Death, and Starting Anew:
- The Circle of Life: Life, death, and rebirth are part of a natural cycle. In Egypt, Osiris dies and comes back to life, representing the yearly flooding of the Nile River.
- Trips to the Afterlife: Heroes often journey to the afterlife, like Orpheus in Greece or Izanagi in Japan
- Hunting for Immortality: Quests to find immortality or eternal life.
There is so much to learn from what we already know.
The big lesson from this adventure for me was that we are not as unique as we are taught to believe we are. We all come from the same group of people somewhere in Africa.
Also, why do these stories and reading them matters?
Reading mythologies from around the world is like looking through a magical window into the past and seeing the world through different eyes.
Here’s why they’re so important:
Understanding Other Cultures: These stories help us understand other cultures, their values, and how they see the world. It’s like making new friends from all over the globe.
Discovering What We Share: Even though we come from different places, these myths remind us that we’re all humans with common hopes, fears, and questions about life.
Learning Important Lessons: Myths are like ancient guides, offering wisdom about how to live, be good, and make wise choices.
Keeping Traditions Alive: These stories are like heirlooms passed down from our ancestors. They connect us to the past and show us where we come from.
There is so much to learn from what we already know.
The big lesson from this adventure for me was that we are not as unique as we are taught to believe we are. We all come from the same group of people somewhere in Africa.
So be a bit more aware of your un-uniqueness at times :)
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A shorter version of this post appeared on LinkedIn here.
