Myth vs. Folklore — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 21, 2024
Myth often explains phenomena or origins through divine stories, focusing on gods and creation; folklore includes broader cultural tales, legends, and practices that shape social values.
Difference Between Myth and Folklore
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Myth typically involves narratives about gods, supernatural beings, or ancestral heroes that are foundational to a culture's worldview, often explaining the creation of the world or natural phenomena. On the other hand, folklore encompasses a wider range of traditional beliefs, customs, stories, and practices passed through generations, often orally.
Myths are usually revered texts or oral traditions that hold religious or sacred significance and are often associated with rituals or religious practice. Whereas folklore can include myths but also encompasses folktales, proverbs, songs, and folklore arts, which may not have any sacred status but are important for cultural identity and teaching societal norms.
In myth, the truth value is not based on factual accuracy but on deeper truths or morals it conveys to its believers, often linked to spirituality or moral lessons. On the other hand, folklore might not aim to convey moral lessons but focuses on entertainment, cultural preservation, and communal identity.
Myths are often static and formal in their structure, reflecting the unchanging divine laws and cosmic order they depict. Folklore, however, is dynamic and adaptable, reflecting changes in society over time and often incorporating humor and practical wisdom.
While myths primarily deal with the metaphysical and explain the 'why' of existence, folklore often deals with the 'how' of social interactions and survival, illustrating practical life lessons through simpler, more relatable stories.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Stories about gods or supernatural events
Traditional beliefs, stories, and customs
Scope
Cosmic, fundamental questions about existence
Social, cultural identity, and practices
Significance
Religious, sacred
Cultural, sometimes secular
Function
Explain origins, teach moral or spiritual lessons
Preserve cultural identity, entertain
Form
Often formal and unchanging
Dynamic, adaptable, includes various forms
Compare with Definitions
Myth
A traditional story concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, typically involving supernatural beings.
The Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone explains the seasons.
Folklore
The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth.
American folklore is rich with tales of Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan.
Myth
A misrepresentation of the truth.
It’s a myth that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Folklore
Cultural activities, practices, and material objects that are passed down within a culture.
Quilting is a craft that is a significant part of rural American folklore.
Myth
An allegory or parable.
Plato used myths to illustrate complex philosophical ideas.
Folklore
Non-scientific interpretations and explanations of natural phenomena.
Rainbows are often featured in the folklore of many cultures as bridges to the heavens.
Myth
A widely held but false belief or idea.
The myth of the overnight success often overlooks years of effort.
Folklore
Oral tradition and tales common to a particular population.
Folklore in many cultures includes stories of a great flood.
Myth
A fictitious or imaginary thing or person.
In his speech, he referred to the economic plan as a myth.
Folklore
A body of popular myths or beliefs relating to a particular place, activity, or group of people.
The folklore of sailors includes many superstitions about the sea.
Myth
A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology.
Folklore
Folklore is the expressive body of culture shared by a particular group of people; it encompasses the traditions common to that culture, subculture or group. This includes oral traditions such as tales, proverbs and jokes.
Myth
Myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. The main characters in myths are usually non-humans, such as gods, demigods, and other supernatural figures.
Folklore
The traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally.
Myth
A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society
The myth of Eros and Psyche.
A creation myth.
Folklore
The comparative study of folk knowledge and culture. Also called folkloristics.
Myth
Such stories considered as a group
The realm of myth.
Folklore
A body of widely accepted but usually spurious notions about a place, group, or institution
Rumors of their antics became part of the folklore of Hollywood.
Myth
A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal
A star whose fame turned her into a myth.
The pioneer myth of suburbia.
Folklore
A popular but unfounded belief.
Myth
A fictitious story, person, or thing
"German artillery superiority on the Western Front was a myth" (Leon Wolff).
Folklore
The tales, legends, superstitions, and traditions of a particular ethnic population.
Myth
A traditional story which embodies a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; a sacred narrative regarding a god, a hero, the origin of the world or of a people, etc.
Folklore
(by extension) The tales, superstitions etc. of any particular group or community.
Myth
(uncountable) Such stories as a genre.
Myth was the product of man's emotion and imagination, acted upon by his surroundings. (E. Clodd, Myths & Dreams (1885), 7, cited after OED)
Folklore
The collective of proofs or techniques which are widely known among mathematicians, but have never been formally published.
Myth
A commonly-held but false belief, a common misconception; a fictitious or imaginary person or thing; a popular conception about a real person or event which exaggerates or idealizes reality.
Scientists debunk the myth that gum stays in the human stomach for seven years.
Folklore
Tales, legends, or superstitions long current among the people; the unwritten literature of a culture, such as stories, proverbs, riddles and songs.
Myth
A person or thing held in excessive or quasi-religious awe or admiration based on popular legend
Father Flanagan was legendary, his institution an American myth. (Tucson (Arizona) Citizen, 20 September 1979, 5A/3, cited after OED)
Folklore
The unwritten literature (stories and proverbs and riddles and songs) of a culture
Myth
A person or thing existing only in imagination, or whose actual existence is not verifiable.
Myth
An invented story, theory, or concept.
Myth
A story of great but unknown age which originally embodied a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; an ancient legend of a god, a hero, the origin of a race, etc.; a wonder story of prehistoric origin; a popular fable which is, or has been, received as historical.
Myth
A person or thing existing only in imagination, or whose actual existence is not verifiable.
As for Mrs. Primmins's bones, they had been myths these twenty years.
Myth
A traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
Common Curiosities
What defines a myth?
A myth is a story involving supernatural elements, often explaining natural or cosmic phenomena, deeply embedded in cultural or religious beliefs.
What is the main purpose of myths?
Myths primarily aim to explain the origins of the world, natural phenomena, and foundational societal laws through narratives involving supernatural elements.
How does folklore differ from myths?
Folklore encompasses a broader range of cultural expressions including tales, customs, and practices, not necessarily linked to religious beliefs like myths often are.
Can folklore include myths?
Yes, folklore can include myths but also includes other non-religious traditions and cultural practices.
Do myths have any basis in history?
Some myths may be based on historical events or figures but are embellished with supernatural details and moral teachings.
What role do myths play in religion?
Myths often form the backbone of religious traditions, explaining the beliefs, rituals, and moral codes of a community.
Are myths true?
Myths may not be factually true but are considered true in a cultural or spiritual sense, providing moral and existential truths.
How can folklore be preserved?
Through academic study, community practices, and modern retellings in media and literature, folklore can be preserved and adapted.
How is folklore transmitted?
Folklore is primarily transmitted orally through generations but can also be propagated through festivals, arts, and daily practices.
Why is folklore important to cultures?
Folklore helps preserve cultural heritage, instills a sense of community and identity, and passes on traditional knowledge and morals through generations.
How do myths and folklore affect modern culture?
Both influence literature, cinema, art, and popular culture, reflecting and shaping societal values and norms.
How does folklore reflect a society’s values?
Folklore often includes lessons and values important to a culture, reflecting its moral and social priorities.
What types of stories are included in folklore?
Folktales, legends, ghost stories, fables, and proverbs are all types of stories included in folklore.
Can understanding folklore help in understanding a culture’s history?
Yes, folklore provides insights into historical events, social structures, and the cultural context of a society.
What is an example of a myth influencing modern life?
The concept of a "hero's journey," foundational in many myths, influences modern storytelling in books and movies.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
