The etiological myth is one that tries to explain the origin of something, be it the universe, the world, a supernatural being, an object or an animal. Like all myths, it does so from a fantastic and unreal point of view. The etiological term comes from the Greek word etios, which means "cause" or "origin."
The topics covered in this type of myth are related to the origin or the cause of certain natural phenomena or things in the physical world. Etiological myths are part of the oral traditions of peoples and serve to explain the properties of a present phenomenon.
Myth of the origin of the Laurel tree
Through these myths the peoples constructed answers for what did not have a logical explanation. They constitute in themselves the fantastic origin of a religious, social or political institution.
They are traditional stories referring to fantastic and prodigious events, always carried out by supernatural beings, such as gods, fantasy characters, monsters and heroes who seek to explain a specific phenomenon or event.
characteristics
- The etiological myth has as its main characteristic that it deals only with what is related to the origin of the universe, world or all beings and objects that inhabit it; that is, animals, plants, fish, rocks, mountains, rivers, seas, etc.
- It has elements in common with the other myths; for example, the attempt to respond to existential phenomena, such as the creation of the Earth, birth, death, among others.
- They try to explain events in life or nature that are inexplicable, like certain customs, the origin of a race, a civilization or tribe or meteorological phenomena.
- They are dichotomous in nature and involve characters that represent contrary and irreconcilable positions. For example, life versus death, creation versus destruction, good and evil or gods versus men.
- In this class of myths the reconciliation of the opposite poles is also offered as a way to mitigate the anguish they generate.
- Within the etiological myths there is also an implicit morality; however, its primary purpose is not to impose it but to persuade through common sense.
- They try to explain aspects of existence that are not quantifiable, which deal equally with human daily life and supernatural phenomena. For mythology, in addition to the earthly world in which we live there are others, inhabited by gods or demons.
- Often, physical phenomena such as birth can also be treated as a supernatural event (for example, a reincarnation).
- They do not necessarily have to be structured as a coherent set of ideas. In addition, they often seem like fables, because they belong to a popular belief system or fantastic cosmogony.
- Through etiological myths, mysteries of nature are explained: from very simple or everyday things such as rain, light or wind; even a cataclysm or lightning that might be harder to understand.
- As with other myths, the etiological ones may involve a playful dimension to explain certain mysteries of the physical world.
Examples
Next we will see several examples of etiological myths, which are common in different cultures around the world. Each of these examples refers to the origins of phenomena and events.
Pandora's box
This Greek myth is related to the origin of the evils of the world. As the main character, Pandora is mentioned, who was the first woman created by Hephaestus.
According to the myth, the god Zeus ordered the creation of Pandora because he wanted revenge on Prometheus. Zeus was upset that Prometheus, after stealing the fire, handed it over to humans.
Epimetheus (Prometheus' brother) and Pandora were introduced by Zeus; at the time they were married. Pandora received as a wedding present a mysterious pithos (an oval jar) with the instruction that she could not open it. Today a box is mentioned and not a jar, as is related in the original myth.
Pandora was endowed by the gods with great curiosity and could not bear the desire to open the jar (box) to find out what it contained. In doing so she let out all the evils of the world that were locked inside her.
When he was able to close it again, he only managed to retain Elpis, the deity or spirit of hope. From this myth comes the phrase: "hope is the last thing to be lost." Currently, the myth of Pandora's box alludes to an action full of surprises that can generate serious consequences.
Origin of the laurel tree
This myth is about Daphne, the tree nymph whom Apollo persecuted. Eros shot Apollo an arrow to make him fall in love with Daphne, but she managed to flee from Apollo because the arrow that Eros had shot was tipped with lead and this metal caused disdain and contempt.
While being pursued, Daphne implored Peneus, river god and Daphne's father, for help. Then he transformed her into a laurel tree. From that moment on this tree became sacred to Apollo.
According to myth, this is why laurel trees are so resistant to the effects of the strong Mediterranean sun, and their leaves offer good shade to humans.
full moon
According to this myth, the full moon has certain effects on some people, although why and how this effect occurs is unknown.
One of the myths derived from the full moon is the transformation of the werewolf, which usually appears in this phase. Another myth of the full moon is the mental alteration it causes in certain people.
Myth of the cave
The myth of the cave is a metaphor of a philosophical nature used by Plato to explain the process by which human beings obtain knowledge. Through this, the Greek philosopher illustrates to what extent what the individual perceives of society is simply fiction.
References
- Myths as Instructions from Ancestors: The Example of Oedipus. Retrieved June 2, 2018 from onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- The etiological myths. Consulted of wikisabio.com
- Etiological myth: Origin of the laurel tree. Consulted of classesdemitos.blogspot.com
- Pandora's box. Consulted of es.wikipedia.org
- The myth of Plato's cave. Consulted of psicologiaymente.net
- Etiological myth. Consulted of examplede.com