In our world of constant skepticism, it’s easy to believe that mythology and legends are the stuff of history, with no effects on the modern-day.
However, mythology and all its iconography continue to affect us even now. Their names, symbols, and influence are everywhere, from the brands we buy to the stories we tell, to our daily fortunes.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of all the areas in which these tales of our ancestors continue to impact our lives.
The Cultures of Mythology and Legends
Before we delve deeper into the effects these tales from the age of mythology have on the present, let’s take a look at some of the most well known mythology and legends. Your location may affect how many of these you’ve heard of before, since myths tend to be specialized by location.
- Roman or Greek Mythology: Everyone the world over has heard tales of the Olympian Gods and their mortal foibles, mostly due to the Greeks and Romans keeping thorough records
- Norse Mythology: While not quite as popularized as the Olympians, the Nordic Pantheon and its many legends still circulate, especially in comics and pagan practices
- Egyptian Mythology: Our Western fascination with these animal-headed gods and goddesses, and the hieroglyphs in which their tales get recorded, knows no bounds
- Celtic Mythology: It’s a shame these tales are not as well known as many of the above, considering their direct relation to many of Celtic descent, but you can find records of their tales through thorough research
There are myths and legends for every single culture known to mankind, but sadly, many of these tales have been lost to the sands of time, or purposefully erased from history. Only those listed above are well-known to Western audiences. Now, let’s examine their modern presence.
Subjects of Worship
Yes, you read that correctly. Whilst much of what we know of the rituals honoring these Pagan gods and goddesses has been erased, there are many who still honor them as deities in the present day. Neopaganism, and especially Neopagan Witchcraft, sets out to restore our connection to these old deities.
Some practitioners use a strict interpretation of the archaeological and anthropological data we have to reconstruct the old ways. Others prefer a looser interpretation, and believe simply honoring the old deities is sufficient. It’s up to personal preference.
Scions of the Future
Do you check your horoscope daily? If you do, you’re interacting with the echoes of mythology and legends. Every star sign has several myths associated with it, depending on which culture you look at first. From the scorpion chasing Orion the hunter to the Nemean lion, you’ll find fascinating tales behind all of them.
Not only have these myths taken their place among the stars, but they offer their wisdom in the cards as well. The Rider-Waite and Tarot de Marseilles decks hold many mythological references on their own. However, if you search, you can find tarot decks tailored to every single set of myths and legends in existence.
Divining what these ancient beings have to tell us can prove difficult. However, we have trained interpreters, should you want their aid.
Archetypes and Traditions
Did you know that our days of the week in English come mainly from Norse mythology, whilst in Romance languages, they come from Roman myths? The most obvious example of this is Thursday, or Jueves in Spanish: “Thor’s day” in English, and “Jove’s day” or “Jupiter’s day” in Spanish.
Additionally, when people say that there are no new stories, they mean it. Every tale that we can possibly tell has already been told, likely by an ancient myth. Whether it’s the classic hero’s journey, forbidden romance, half-god offspring, or death and resurrection, there’s a myth somewhere that has told the tale before.
Dragons and Manticores and Sphinxes, Oh My!
Any fantasy author worth their salt will tell you that creature creation is crucial to making a literary universe. However, many fantasy authors either repurposed or lifted wholesale beasts and beings from mythology to fill out their creature catalog.
Harpies, gorgons, manticores, and everyone’s favorite three-headed hellhound Cerberus? All from Greek myths. Giants and world-eating snakes? Thank the Norse for that. The ever-riddling sphinx and a brave griffin? Best thank the Egyptians for that one.
Faeries and elves? Don’t thank Tolkien, thank Celtic legends!
How about dragons? They appear in too many cultural myths to summarize, both Eastern and Western. The main difference between the two is their design.
Idioms and Turns of Phrase
Many turns of phrase in our language make no sense without mythological context. Have you ever heard someone whose excitement or pride made them overextend themselves get referred to as “flying too close to the sun?” That’s a reference to the myth of Icarus!
What if something is a Sisyphean task? That’s a reference to the myth of Sisyphus, punished by Hades to roll a boulder up a hill and watch it roll back down to the bottom eternally.
Have you called a weakness an Achilles’ heel? Seen a computer warning about Trojan viruses? Carried the weight of the world on your shoulders?
All of these have Greek mythological origins as well!
Curious to Learn More?
Though we regard the religions once feeding mythology and legends as dead, it is clear to see that their influence is very much alive. Whether it’s through our language, tales, traditions, or fortune-telling, we have kept these myths alive for thousands of years.
So long as we tell them over and over, we’ll keep them alive for centuries to come.
Are you curious to see what effects these legends may have on your future? Want to glimpse what the weavers of Fate have in store for you? Our gifted and trained psychics are happy to help you find your thread of life today!
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