Mythology

:"Myth" redirects here. For the computer game, see Myth (computer game).

Modern mythology

Television and book series like Star Trek and Tarzan have strong mythological aspects that sometimes develop into deep and intricate philosophical systems. These items are not mythology, but contain mythic themes that, for some people, meet the same psychological needs. An excellent example is that developed by J. R. R. Tolkien in The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings.

Related Topics:
Star Trek - Tarzan - J. R. R. Tolkien - The Silmarillion - The Lord of the Rings

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Fiction, however, does not reach the level of actual mythology until people believe that it really happened. For example, some people believe that fiction author Clive Barker's Candyman was based upon a true story, and new stories have grown up around the figure. The same can be said for the Blair Witch and many other stories.

Related Topics:
Clive Barker - Candyman - Blair Witch

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Mythology is alive and well in the modern age through urban legends, New Age beliefs, certain aspects of religion and so forth. In the 1950s Roland Barthes published a series of essays examining modern myths and the process of their creation in his book Mythologies. Swiss psychologist Carl Jung (1873-1961) and his followers also tried to understand the psychology behind world myths.

Related Topics:
Urban legends - New Age - 1950s - Roland Barthes - Mythologies - Carl Jung

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