A classification of story patterns and characteristics commonly found across world mythologies.
Overview
Mythological Archetypes
Mythological archetypes are systematic classifications of narrative patterns, themes, and character traits that commonly appear in myths from around the world. Even mythologies that developed independently in different cultures and regions often share similar structures and elements, and these universal patterns are important subjects of study in comparative mythology and narratology. Research on mythological archetypes, including Jung's archetype theory and Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, has influenced many fields such as literature, psychology, and cultural anthropology.
mythology
narratology
comparative mythology
archetype
folklore
| code | slug | name | description |
|---|---|---|---|
| aarne-thompson | aarne-thompson-type-index | Aarne-Thompson Type Index | An international indexing system for classifying folktales. |
| andromeda-type | andromeda-type-myth | Andromeda-type Myth | A myth type where a hero rescues a princess offered as sacrifice to a monster. |
| miraculous-birth | miraculous-birth-tale | Miraculous Birth Tale | Stories of heroes or deities born through extraordinary means. |
| animal-marriage | animal-marriage-tale | Animal Marriage Tale | Stories depicting marriage between humans and beings of different species. |
| golden-age | golden-age | Golden Age | The concept of an ideal era said to have existed at the beginning of human history. |
| task-marriage | task-marriage | Task Marriage | A narrative type where marriage is achieved by suitors completing difficult tasks. |
| conception-myth | conception-myth | Miraculous Conception Legend | Legends of conception through natural phenomena or divine power. |
| noble-exile | noble-exile-tale | Noble Exile Tale | Stories of nobly-born protagonists who return after a wandering journey. |
| archetype | archetype | Archetype | Universal patterns and symbols existing in the collective unconscious of humanity. |
| foundation-myth | foundation-myth | Foundation Myth | Myths explaining the origins of nations or ethnic groups. |
| flood-sibling-ancestor | flood-sibling-ancestor-myth | Flood-Type Sibling Ancestor Myth | Myths where siblings who survive a great flood become ancestors of humanity. |
| mortality-origin | mortality-origin | Origin of Mortality | Myths explaining why humans became mortal. |
| dying-rising-god | dying-and-rising-god | Dying-and-Rising God | A mythological archetype of deities who die and are resurrected. |
| virgin-birth | virgin-birth | Virgin Birth | A mythological motif of virgins conceiving without sexual intercourse. |
| sacred-sword | sacred-sword | Sacred Sword | Legendary swords possessing divine power. |
| world-tree | world-tree | World Tree | A giant tree connecting heaven and earth as the cosmic axis. |
| petrification | petrification | Petrification | A mythological motif of living beings turned to stone. |
| foundation-legend | foundation-legend | Foundation Legend | Myths explaining the establishment of cities or institutions. |
| creation-myth | creation-myth | Creation Myth | Myths explaining the origins of the world or humanity. |
| great-flood | great-flood | Great Flood | Myths of worldwide floods destroying or purifying humanity. |
| wealthy-man-legend | wealthy-man-legend | Wealthy Man Legend | Legends depicting the prosperity and downfall of wealthy men. |
| dema-deity | dema-deity | Dema Deity | Primordial beings whose death brings forth food plants. |
| reincarnation-tale | reincarnation-tale | Reincarnation Tale | Stories of rebirth as another being after death. |
| dragonslayer | dragonslayer | Dragonslayer | Stories of heroes who slay dragons or great serpents. |
| trickster | trickster | Trickster | Characters who deviate from social norms and achieve goals through cunning means. |
| rainbow-serpent | rainbow-serpent | Rainbow Serpent | A creator deity appearing in Australian Aboriginal mythology. |
| hainuwele-type | hainuwele-type-myth | Hainuwele-type Myth | Myths where food plants emerge from the body of a slain being. |
| swan-maiden | swan-maiden-legend | Swan Maiden Legend | Stories of men who hide a celestial maiden's feathered robe to marry her. |
| youngest-child-success | youngest-child-success-tale | Youngest Child Success Tale | Stories where the youngest child achieves success surpassing older siblings. |
| banana-type | banana-type-myth | Banana-type Myth | Myths explaining why humans became mortal instead of immortal. |
| demigod | demigod | Demigod | Beings born between gods and humans. |
| hero | hero | Hero | A person who accomplishes great deeds through extraordinary courage or ability. |
| heros-journey | heros-journey | Hero's Journey | A universal narrative structure where heroes transform through adventure. |
| comparative-mythology | comparative-mythology | Comparative Mythology | An academic field comparing myths across different cultures. |
| immortality | immortality | Immortality | The concept of eternal life without aging or death. |
| culture-hero | culture-hero | Culture Hero | Mythological beings who brought civilization or technology to humanity. |
| forbidden-gaze | forbidden-gaze-taboo | Forbidden Gaze Taboo | A narrative type where looking at forbidden things brings misfortune. |
| king-in-mountain | king-asleep-in-mountain | King Asleep in Mountain | A legendary king sleeping in a mountain who will awaken in times of crisis. |
| bowl-lending | bowl-lending-legend | Bowl-Lending Legend | Legends of curses from failing to return borrowed bowls from otherworldly beings. |