Introduction to Mythology and Folklore

Mythology and Folklore is a humanities subject that invites students to explore the
imaginative and symbolic world of traditional stories from around the globe. These
narratives—myths, legends, folktales, fables, and epics—serve as mirrors of cultural
identity, social values, and human experiences. Rooted in oral tradition and passed
down through generations, these stories explain natural phenomena, convey moral
lessons, and offer insight into the hopes, fears, and beliefs of a people.

Mythology, typically associated with the sacred and the divine, includes narratives
about gods, creation, the afterlife, and the supernatural. Through myths, ancient
societies sought to answer profound questions about the origins of the universe, the
nature of life and death, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. Greek,
Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and Hindu mythologies, among others, will be studied and
compared, highlighting universal themes such as the hero’s journey, fate and free will,
love and betrayal, and the struggle between good and evil.

Folklore, on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of cultural expressions,

including fairy tales, legends, proverbs, riddles, songs, and rituals. These reflect the
everyday life of ordinary people and preserve community values, humor, and wisdom.
Folklore not only entertains but also educates, reinforces identity, and builds a sense
of belonging within a group or society.

Throughout the course, students will read and analyze stories from various regions
and time periods, engage in discussions, and reflect on the relevance of these
narratives in the modern world. The course encourages students to draw connections
between traditional stories and contemporary media, literature, and cultural practices.
Students will also be given opportunities to explore the folklore of their own
communities, fostering appreciation and pride in their cultural heritage.

By the end of the course, students will have developed a deeper understanding of the
power of storytelling across cultures and time. They will be equipped to analyze
myths and folktales not just as entertainment, but as meaningful cultural artifacts that
continue to shape individual and collective identities.
 Introduction to Creation Myth

Throughout history, cultures around the world have developed creation myths—
traditional stories meant to explain how the world, nature, and humanity came to be.
These narratives are not necessarily factual accounts, but rather reflections of how
ancient peoples made sense of their surroundings, expressed their beliefs, and passed
on values and traditions. Each myth offers insight into a particular culture’s
worldview and its understanding of existence.

This compilation explores a range of creation myths from different regions. In Greek
and Roman mythology, Gaea represents the Earth and the origin of life. The Norse
myth of Yggdrasil centers on a cosmic tree that connects different realms of the
universe. Shintoism, Japan’s native belief system, includes creation stories involving
divine beings who shaped the islands. In Chinese mythology, the story of the Dragon
and the Egg explains the formation of the universe through symbolic forces.
Brahmanism, an early form of Hindu philosophy, presents a more abstract and
spiritual concept of creation through the eternal Brahman. Filipino culture also offers
rich mythological stories such as Malakas and Maganda, symbolizing the birth of the
Filipino people, and Tungkung Langit at si Alunsina, which explores themes of
creation, love, and separation.

These stories are presented not as literal truths, but as meaningful parts of cultural
heritage that reveal how different societies have attempted to answer life’s most
fundamental questions in their own unique ways.
 Introduction to “The Pantheons and Their Counterparts”

Across many cultures, mythologies developed complex systems of gods and

goddesses—collectively known as pantheons—to explain natural phenomena, moral
values, and aspects of human life. These deities were often assigned specific roles,
powers, and domains, forming intricate family trees and interacting with one another
in stories that conveyed cultural identity and worldview. While each culture’s
pantheon is unique, many share surprising similarities in structure, symbolism, and
function.

This compilation explores various pantheons and their divine counterparts from
different mythological traditions. In Greek mythology, the pantheon includes the
ancient Titans, the powerful Olympians, and the many children of Zeus, including
demi-gods born from unions with mortals. The Roman pantheon, though heavily
influenced by the Greek, features its own hierarchy of gods such as Saturn and
Jupiter, along with a host of lesser deities. The Norse pantheon centers on Odin, his
children like Thor and Balder, and numerous other divine beings tied to war, fate, and
nature.

In Japanese mythology, the story begins with Izanami and Izanagi, the creator deities
whose children became the gods of the land. Chinese mythology presents a vast
spiritual structure of gods ruling over heaven, earth, and the underworld. Hinduism
introduces a deeply philosophical system with the Trimurti—Brahma, Vishnu, and
Shiva—as the principal gods, alongside countless lesser deities representing different
aspects of existence. Lastly, Filipino mythology features Bathala, the supreme god,
along with other deities who govern various elements of life and nature.

These pantheons, though rooted in different cultures, reflect shared human attempts to
understand the mysteries of the world, the divine, and the human experience. They
serve as cultural treasures that continue to inspire art, literature, and storytelling to
this day.
 Introduction to Myths Derived from Scripture

Throughout history, stories have been shared across cultures, sometimes taking on
new forms while preserving familiar themes and moral lessons. In some cases,
mythological tales show notable similarities to narratives found in religious scriptures.
While not identical, these parallels suggest how human experiences, beliefs, and
values can transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. Such stories often reflect
universal themes like divine judgment, redemption, strength, obedience, and
compassion.

This section explores myths from classical mythology that appear to echo certain
stories found in religious scripture. The tale of Baucis and Philemon, a humble couple
rewarded for their hospitality by the gods, closely resembles the biblical account of
Abraham and Sarah, who showed kindness to divine visitors and were blessed in
return. The myth of Deucalion and Pyrrha, survivors of a great flood sent to cleanse
the earth, parallels the story of Noah’s Ark, where Noah and his family are spared
from destruction due to their righteousness. The legend of Orion, particularly his
encounter with a giant sea creature, shares thematic elements with the story of Jonah
and the Whale, involving divine punishment and transformation. Lastly, the heroic
feats in The Labors of Hercules echo the biblical figure of Samson, both known for
their superhuman strength and the trials they endured in service of a higher cause.

While these myths and scripture stories come from different traditions, their thematic
similarities highlight the shared moral and spiritual questions that have shaped human
storytelling across time. This section aims to present these narratives side by side—
not as direct adaptations, but as reflections of humanity’s ongoing search for meaning
through story.
 Introduction to Legendary Personages in Myths and History

Many ancient myths are woven around legendary figures whose stories lie at the
intersection of myth and history. These individuals—whether entirely fictional or
loosely based on historical people—have left a lasting impact on literature, culture,
and identity. Their tales are not only heroic and dramatic, but also reflective of the
values, struggles, and ideals of the societies that created them. While the lines
between fact and fiction are often blurred, these stories continue to shape our
understanding of heroism, leadership, and human endurance.

This section explores key legendary personages whose names echo through both
mythological tradition and historical imagination. The epic saga of The Trojan War,
sparked by love and pride, stands as one of the most enduring legends of ancient
Greece. Following the Fall of Troy, stories about the Return of the Greeks and the
wanderings of surviving heroes—particularly Odysseus—highlight themes of
perseverance, fate, and homecoming. The journey of Aeneas, a Trojan survivor who is
said to have played a foundational role in the rise of Rome, bridges Greek and Roman
mythologies and reflects Rome’s cultural ties to the ancient world.

Other figures such as Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, represent powerful female
warriors in a world often dominated by male heroes. Though her existence remains
legendary, the Amazonian myth challenges traditional gender roles and continues to
inspire modern interpretations. Lastly, Pythagoras, while historically known as a
philosopher and mathematician, has also been mythologized through stories
attributing supernatural wisdom and mystical abilities to him, blending fact with
legend.

By examining these legendary personages, we gain insight into how myths can
elevate individuals into cultural icons and how storytelling preserves their legacy
across generations.
Introduction to Myth as Explanations of Natural Phenomena (Greek Mythology)

Before the rise of scientific understanding, ancient civilizations often turned to

mythology to explain the natural world around them. Myths served as early attempts
to make sense of the mysteries of nature—such as the changing seasons, the creation
of plants and animals, and the behavior of celestial bodies. In Greek mythology, many
stories are centered on the actions and emotions of gods and mortals, which were
believed to directly influence natural events. These narratives, while symbolic, reflect
the ancient Greeks' deep desire to understand and relate to their environment.

This section focuses on Greek myths that offer imaginative explanations for natural
phenomena. The tale of Apollo and Daphne explains the origin of the laurel tree, with
Daphne transformed to escape Apollo’s pursuit. Juno and her rivals, including her
jealous punishments and transformations, are tied to the creation of various animals
and flowers, often symbolizing emotional consequences in nature. The story of
Persephone, who spends part of the year in the underworld, was used to explain the
changing seasons—her return to Earth signaling spring and her descent marking the
start of autumn and winter.

The tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe, ending in their deaths beneath a
mulberry tree, was said to explain why mulberry fruits turn dark red. Similarly, the
myth of Cephalus and Procris connects human love and loss to the winds and the
dawn, highlighting how emotion and nature were deeply intertwined in mythic
thinking.

These stories reveal the ancient Greeks’ creative efforts to link human experience
with the natural world, offering poetic explanations for phenomena that we now
understand through science.
 Introduction to Myths and Allegories

Myths often serve not only as stories about gods and heroes but also as allegories—
symbolic narratives that convey deeper moral, psychological, or philosophical
meanings. Through allegory, ancient myths explore complex human emotions,
virtues, and dilemmas, offering lessons about love, sacrifice, courage, and identity.
These stories invite readers to look beyond the surface and consider broader truths
about the human condition.

This section examines several well-known myths that function as allegories. The story
of Pygmaleon and Galatea explores themes of idealized love and the power of
creation and transformation through art and desire. The myth of Adonis and
Aphrodite symbolizes the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, often interpreted as an
allegory for nature’s changing seasons and the fragility of beauty. In Cupid and
Psyche, the journey of love and trust highlights the challenges of overcoming fear and
doubt to achieve true unity.

The tale of Perseus and Medusa can be seen as an allegory of overcoming fear and
chaos through bravery and intelligence, while the story of Achilles and Penelope
touches on themes of loyalty, heroism, and the tension between war and home. Each
myth uses symbolism and metaphor to communicate timeless human experiences,
making them relevant across cultures and generations.

Through these allegories, myths offer insights into the values and struggles of ancient
societies, while continuing to inspire reflection on life’s deeper meanings today.