User:EGMichaels/Myth

This is the sandbox for drafting a proposal to rewrite the guideline on use of the term "Myth".

The goal is a simple guide that does not confuse the editors who wish to use it -- as the existing guide does.

In simplest terms, a myth is a metaphor that can stand on its own. Although the informal meaning is "false" the formal meaning is "symbol."

Evidence for the use of myth as symbol

 * Robert Graves, The Greek Myths, volume 1 (Easton Press edition), page 12: "True myth may be defined as the reduction to narrative shorthand of ritual mime performed on public festivals, and in many cases recorded pictorially on temple walls, vases, seals, bowls, mirrors, chests, shielfs, tapestries, and the like."
 * Margaret E. Noble and Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, Myths of the Hidus and Biddhists (Easton Press edition), page 4: "in India mythology is not a mere subject of antiquarian research and disquisition; here it still permeates the whole life of he prople as a controlling influence. And it is the living mythology which, passing through the stages of representation of successive cosmic processes and assuming definite shape thereafter, has become a power factor in the everyday life of the people."  Also page 8, describing the Mythical Origin of Caste: "This myth is true in an allegorical sense."
 * Lewis Spence, Myths of the North American Indians (Easton Press edition), page 81 on Totemism: "In each of these attributes the several animals to whom they belonged appeared to the savage as more gifted than himself, and so deeply was he influenced by this seeming superiority that if he coveted a certain quality he would place himself under the protection of the animal or bird which symbolized it."
 * Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Commemorative Edition), pages 17-18: "The archetypes to be discovered and assimilated are precisely those that have inspired, throughout the annals of human culture, the basic images of ritual, mythology, and vision. These 'Eternal Ones of the Dream' are not to be confused with the personally modified symbolic figures that appear in nightmare and madness to the still tormented individual.  Dream is the personalized myth, myth the depersonalized dream; both myth and dream are symbolic in the same general way of the dynamics of the psyche.  But in the dream the forms are quirked by the peculiar troubles of the dreamer, whereas in myth the problems and solution shown are directly valid for all mankind." (Here Campbell is contrasting the personal unconscious of dream with the Jungian collective unconscious of myth, with mythology forming archetypes from shared symbolic touchstones hardwired into all humans).

Myth and legend
Myth has a range of formal meanings in different fields. It can be defined as a story of forgotten or vague origin, religious or supernatural in nature, which seeks to explain or rationalise one or more aspects of the world or a society. All myths are, at some stage, actually believed to be true by the peoples of the societies that originated or used the myth. In less formal contexts, it may be used to refer to a false belief or a fictitious story, person or thing.

Formal use of the word is commonplace in scholarly works, and Wikipedia is no exception. However, except in rare cases, informal use of the word should be avoided, and should not be assumed. For instance, avoid using the word to refer to propaganda or to mean something that is commonly believed but untrue.

When using myth in a sentence in one of its formal senses, use care to word the sentence to avoid implying that it is being used informally, for instance by establishing the context of sociology, mythology or religion. Furthermore, be consistent; referring to "Christian beliefs" and "Hindu myths" in a similar context may give the impression that the word myth is being used informally.

A legendary person can mean These meanings are easily confused, and so it is best to avoid the word. Use "fictional" to describe a non-existent person.
 * a fictitious person about whom legends and myths are written.
 * a person who is so celebrated that they have taken on the nature of a legend.

The phrase "legend has it that..." should be avoided.

Proposed Wording
A Myth is a type of narrative that is not literally true.
 * In formal contexts, the focus is on a story that is not literal; it is symbolic.
 * In informal contexts, the focus is on a story that is not true; it is false.

Except in rare cases, informal use of the word should be avoided, and should not be assumed. For instance, avoid using the word to refer to propaganda or to mean something that is commonly believed but untrue.

When using myth in a sentence in one of its formal senses, use care to word the sentence to avoid implying that it is being used informally, for instance by establishing the context of sociology, mythology or religion. Furthermore, be consistent; referring to "Christian beliefs" and "Hindu myths" in a similar context may give the impression that the word myth is being used informally.

If there is a question about whether the informal or formal meaning is implied, test the sentence to see if myth is being used as a synonym for "symbol" or for "false." If the sentence is still unclear, consider substituting the appropriate synonym.

A legendary person can mean These meanings are easily confused, and so it is best to avoid the word. Use "fictional" to describe a non-existent person.
 * a fictitious person about whom legends and myths are written.
 * a person who is so celebrated that they have taken on the nature of a legend.

The phrase "legend has it that..." should be avoided.