This document provides an introduction to mythology, including definitions and key characteristics of myths. Myths are ancient stories that were originally passed down orally and aim to explain natural phenomena and events through supernatural narratives. They typically feature supernatural elements and are not about real historical events. The document distinguishes myths from legends and folktales, and discusses creation myths, nature myths, and bee myths from various cultures. It also covers hero myths and provides criteria for common elements of hero myths like Theseus and the Minotaur.

1. MYTHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION

2. WHAT IS A MYTH?
• Comes from the Greek word ‘mythos’ which means
to ‘tell a story’
• They are usually very old stories which were passed
on by the spoken word before they were written
down.
• Most cultures have myths that are centuries old and
have been passed down.
• Myths are stories with a message used to explain
how life began and how the world of nature
behaved.

3. SPECIAL FEATURES OF A MYTH
• Usually a myth has one or many of the following
characteristics:
• It explains how life started, or explains natural events
• It involves some supernatural power
• The story is not about a real event

4. MYTHS, LEGENDS AND FOLKTALES
• What is the difference between myths, legends and
folktales?
• Legends are not true but are usually based on fact, such
as a real person, a place or an event.
• Hero Myths are the most like legends but legendary
heroes like Robin Hood usually have historical roots
• Legends focus on the adventure plot rather than the
message
• Folktales tend to be about ordinary people and animals
• Folktales can be like nature myths but the purpose of
folktales is more for entertainment

5. MYTHS: TRUE OR FALSE?
• Popular definition is that it has been made up
• The problems is that often the myth is believed to
be true by the people who tell it
• It may offend them to say it is a false because some
myths are the basis of beliefs and religions
• Myths can contain wisdom which is a kind of truth
• A myth may also contain historical elements
• Flood myths might explain why real floods happened

6. CREATION MYTHS
• Get into groups are read over the 5 creation myth
stories (Norse, Hawaiian, Chinese, Australian and
Egyptian)
• Answer the following for each creation myth:
• How was the earth and/or humanity created?
• How do the stories link to the environment around them?
• After you read all five:
• Are there any common themes that you found when
reading the creation myths?

7. NATURE MYTHS
• Nature Myths tell stories that explain how nature
works.
• They can use mythological characters or Gods to
explain natural phenomena
• They can also use stories about animals to teach
lessons
• Here are three Greek Myths relating to Nature:
• The Myth of Persephone
• Echo & Narcissus
• Helios
• http://vimeo.com/24786672

8. BEE MYTHS
• About 20,000 years ago people started hunting for
honey, then 3,000 years ago they made hives for
bees to live in.
• The following ancient myths about honey bees are
from different cultures.
• Each one explains something different about honey
bees and beekeeping.
• Read the following bee myths and after each one
write what real life facts it explains and what
message it conveys.

9. BRAZIL
• "In the beginning, honey was found in huge pots on
the ground, and people ate as much as they liked.
The gods looked down and were greatly
displeased. “Those humans are becoming fat and
lazy,” they said. The gods commanded the bees to
build honey comb high in the tall jungle trees. Now
people had to work hard to climb up and get the
honey.“
• What did you learn?
• Honey bees make their nests high up in hollow trees, and
high on cliff faces.

10. THAILAND
• "Long, long ago, elephants did not have trunks. One day
a terrible forest fire swept over the land. To escape the
smoke, the honey bees hid inside the elephants’ mouths.
The elephants trumpeted angrily, but the bees would not
come out. The elephants blew so hard, their mouths
stretched out into trunks. In desperation, the elephants
breathed in the stinging smoke and the bees finally
buzzed off. Since then, bees have always built
honeycomb in hollow trees, because it reminds them of
elephant trunks.“
• What did you learn?
• Smoke is used to control bees; and elephants are scared of
bees.

11. AUSTRALIA
• "Two Numerji brothers went on walkabout. They came
across some bees collecting the sweet nectar from
flowers. The brothers wondered how they could follow
the bees back to their nest. The older brother had a
bright idea. He attached a thread of sticky spider web
to a bee. This made the bee easy to follow, and the
younger brother ran after it. He tracked the bee to a
hollow tree. There he found a delicious honeycomb – or
sugar bag as Aboriginal Australians still call it today.“
• What did you learn?
• Honey hunters in Australia glued a small feather to a bee and
followed it to the hive.

12. AFRICA
• "Bee was a kindly creature. One night, Mantis needed to
cross a great, flooded river to reach his family, and
asked Bee for help. Bee offered to carry Mantis on her
back. She flew over the raging waters but was beaten
down by a strong wind. Bee was dangerously close to
the waves when she saw a magnificent flower floating
on the water. Bee dropped Mantis onto the flower, fell
beside her, and died of exhaustion. When the sun rose,
curled up on the flower was the first human being –
bee’s sacrifice.“
• What did you learn?
• Honey bees live for about 40 days and then they die of
exhaustion after so much flying.

13. HERO MYTHS
• Hero Myths involve a male or female protagonist
• Most have a hero who is brave, strong or clever
• Some examples are Perseus, Jason and Helen
• The hero brings important gifts to his people and is a
role model of right behaviour and is greatly
admired.

14. HERO MYTH CRITERIA
• Has a special birth
• Has unusual skills as a child
• Is tested as a young man
• Goes on a journey or quest to find something
• Has difficult tasks to do
• Has one weakness
• Is rewarded for their effort
• Dies a special death

15. THESEUS AND THE MINOTAUR
• Read ‘Theseus and the Minotaur’ and see how
much of the criteria applies
• Most Greek heroes have many stories about them
so not all of the aspects will be in this story

16. SOURCES
• Myth Lesson Plans by Raymond Huber