The Wisdom of Myth and Folklore: Why Stories Keep Society Alive

When we think of myths and folklore, the first images that come to mind may be of fairytales—stories often viewed as entertaining, yet untrue, or perhaps quaint, as though they belong to grandmothers sharing old wisdom by the fireside. In our technology-driven world, these ancient tales are fading from our collective memory. Yet, myths and folklore hold essential wisdom, exploring themes of mystery, love, and courage that our ancestors lived by.

But why do we still need these stories in our modern age? Can they teach us anything relevant, or guide us in ways science and technology cannot? To understand their significance, let’s first explore what myths and folklore are, and then dive into why these ancient tales still matter.

What Are Myths?

Myths are traditional stories that provide insight into life’s fundamental questions—questions about the creation of the world, life, death, and nature's cycles. Before logical explanations existed, myths helped early humans make sense of the world. Every ancient culture has its own mythology, filled with gods, heroes, and moral adventures that modeled behaviors, often portraying ideals and cautionary tales.

Yet, mythology is about more than just heroic quests. Myths reflect archetypal images and patterns—universal themes that transcend culture and time. Archetypes serve as models of behavior, offering ideals that people can look up to and follow. For our ancestors, myths were not only stories; they were truths that shaped their worldview and behavior, laying the foundation of their societies.

What Are Folklore Tales?

Folktales, in contrast, are usually fictional narratives about people or animals, often carrying superstitions and moral lessons. Unlike myths, which grapple with grand themes, folktales are grounded in everyday experiences, showing characters facing crises or conflicts that must be overcome to restore balance.

Both myths and folktales were passed down orally, transcending generations and cultures. Remarkably, similar stories appear across the globe, such as the “Great Flood” narrative, found in cultures as diverse as the biblical Old Testament, Native American lore, and Chinese legend. This shared theme of a catastrophic flood points to a common human experience: a way to process collective fears and prepare for survival.

Why Myths and Folktales Still Matter in Modern Society

With digital media dominating our lives, myths and folktales are often reduced to movie adaptations, stripped of their depth and communal significance. And while we no longer rely on myths to explain natural phenomena, these stories still offer vital benefits.

Preserving Cultural Identity and Collective Memory

One reason for preserving myths and folktales is cultural continuity. These stories are integral to our history and help us understand our roots. But myths do more than connect us to the past; they bridge us to the present. Stories allow us to empathize with our ancestors, seeing that they faced similar hopes, fears, and challenges. They struggled with unrequited love, jealousy, and self-discovery, just as we do today.

Folklore and myths make history tangible, reminding us that, despite advancements in science and technology, our emotional core remains largely unchanged. They bring us closer to our ancestors, providing a shared cultural foundation.

Myths Reconnect Us to Our True Selves

Myths are also timeless guides, reconnecting us to our deepest selves and the collective spirit of humanity. Stories touch our hearts and awaken a primal part of us that facts and data cannot reach. In an era marked by political tension and environmental crisis, these tales serve as reminders that we are all interconnected and interdependent.

Stories remind us that we are more than our daily roles or routines. They allow us to feel awe and wonder in a world increasingly defined by rationality and data. Through these tales, we rediscover parts of ourselves we may have neglected or forgotten.

As the writer Clarissa Pinkola Estés describes, “Stories that rise from deep suffering can provide the most potent remedies for past, present, and even future ills.” By tapping into the wisdom of ancient myths and folklore, we can find tools for healing, transformation, and release from deep-seated emotions and ancestral patterns.

Reviving the Art of Storytelling to Build Community

In 1936, German philosopher Walter Benjamin claimed that storytelling was a dying art, citing the fast pace of change and information overload as contributing factors. Nearly a century later, his words hold even more weight. We are “connected” digitally, yet many of us feel a profound sense of isolation.

Storytelling was once a communal act, practiced around fires and gatherings, where elders shared tales with younger generations. Through these shared narratives, communities formed a sense of identity and belonging. The loss of storytelling is also a loss of this essential human connection. By preserving and retelling ancient myths, we cultivate a sense of unity, creating bonds that strengthen social structures.