17 replies to this topic

[Lethe]

I really enjoy folklore and mythology and supernatural creatures. They're endlessly fascinating. So I read and learn as much as I can.

But not everyone gets my references. But I just assume that everyone knows about this stuff, I guess. Sorta like, how everyone has a pretty general idea of what Santa Clause is, you know?

I have conversations and I reference things like harpies or changelings, and people are just like, "What in the world?" Recently I referenced the "brownies" (helpful spirits) and the person I was talking to had absolutely no idea what they were.

It's probably always been like that, but I've only really noticed recently that all this isn't exactly common knowledge. I really love you, Darkness, because you (a lot of you) know about all this stuff. A lot of you know more about it than I do!

[Kaddam]

I've questioned this myself. I do not know many mythologies or fairytales, but I meet people who you think would know the basics and their like "what?" And I'm like seriously, you never even heard of it?

Then again Japanese mythical origins set them as children of the sun goddess. The Vietnamese were birthed as a dragon deity impregnated a fairy deity.

[KellyScarletRakoczy]

In high school, Bullfinch's Mythology was required reading. I loved mythology but have forgotten a lot of it.

As far as the spirits and goblins, etc., of folklore/mythology, I don't think there is a reason most people would be knowledgeable. People who are interested in those things are probably more of a subculture.

I write about vampires but how many people outside of the goth/vampire culture realize the cultures exist?

Also, we have the bible belts here in the US, who tend to be puritannical and don't allow their children to read Harry Potter or much fantasy. So, people don't necessarily have the exposure when their young.

[Bright One]

Maybe people have become disconnected from their rustic folk roots? It's possible that certain events, like people migrating to cities, and emerging philosophies and scientific practices might have been an influence. I'm under the impression that these were once common beliefs and maybe over time people lost their beliefs in such things and then generally kind of forgot.

[Clearwitch]

Where are they from, the ones you've talked to? Mythology is different everywhere, so it all depends on their background what they'd be familiar with.

[Nim]

There are many commonalities in the mythologies of many different cultures. It's very interesting to sit down and make note of when two different groups of people on opposite sides of the world have the same mythological histories, often times there will be small differences here and there because of embellishment caused because the stories were passed orally from generation to generation. The sheer number of cultures, for example, that talk about a great flood is overwhelming!
It makes me very depressed when ideas become misrepresented and become the basis of popular culture. Tinkerbell has nothing to do with the Sidhe, Genies from Aladdin or 'I dream of Genie' have nothing to do with middle eastern folklore regarding the Djinn. I find it quite outrageous that most people have no basic knowledge of pre-Christian religion or history other than what is perverted in DIsney movies.

Edited by Nim, 02 September 2010 - 06:25 PM.

[8LKPHX]

I've always been interested in, and excited by, mythology of all sorts, from different cultures. And i thought i was pretty knowledgeable about these - at least i am among my cirecle. But since coming to Darkness i realised how much there is still to learn and how knowledgeable the members here are.

But Holi, you've opened my eyes to concepts i've never even heard of before - naturally this is waht keeps me coming back here. There is so much to learn and so many of you who can teach. It's like a second home, only we are like minded in this one.

In general people aren't really concerned with that which does not affect them directly or can present a tangible result. I agree with Kelly that the common interest which brings us together is a sub-culture within the 'normal' world. And i also agree with Nim that as the populations of the world migrated from rural to urban living; as science developed and took over more of our lives; and as philosophies and other modern concerns took prominance in people's live - more and more humanity has forgotten the rich past cultures and fascinating knowledge we are seeking for so hungrily.

apologies for the atrocious spelling in my post - it's almost time to leave work and start the weekend

[Ridcully]

As usual, i blame Hollywood, and TV. People know about vampires (or rather, they know what the current cool version of vampires is), and they know as much about, say, werewolves or witches as they'll know from whatever the current cool TV show is. And of course, when fairies (sic) become the next big thing, then they'll be cool & sexy, needless to say, with all of the less sexy & shiny aspects polished out. That these shows themselves draw on the reservoir of folklore and mythhology, of course, goes right over their heads. Since, therefore, common knowledge of all these areas makes them sanitised and glossy and shiny, I think that anyone who does a bit more about them should look down their noses at the common masses, and smile at them, enigmatically.

[Acrosstheforest]

This is an interesting thread, indeed.

I spent nine months in Transylvania gathering the folklore of the vampire, werewolf and forest spirits. They call them strigoi, varcolaci/pricolici and mama/fata padurii there. I filmed villager accounts of their experiences with these creatures for my documentary Across the Forest. You can find a slideshow and trailer here: www.acrosstheforest.com

What I found is that the beliefs are strongest in the countryside for sure. They are also stronger amongst the older generation, the people who didn't grow up with television or modern communications.

So, I would be interviewing a person about how they had encountered a werewolf and in the other room the grandchildren were watching MTV on satellite. This in a village with dirt roads, in the mountains with nothing around but forests.

I might suggest Joseph Campbell for reading in mythology, also Carl Jung.

--Justin

[Nim]

Cool man, thanks for the leads! I've never looked into Jung's theories on mythology, but I have heard alot about his archetypes and it sounds very interesting.
It's always the 'less sophisticated' societies that hold on to their cultural beliefs. People from Morocco to Saudi Arabia still consider the djinn to very real, and many rural people in northern Ireland still believe strongly in the Sidhe.

[Acrosstheforest]

Nim,

You are right that these beliefs tend to be found in rural and undeveloped areas.

I was just in Ireland in May, but I didn't get a chance to explore the beliefs there much. Went out the west coast, drank Guiness. It was a good time.

It's complicated, but I think while these ideas might be found in poorer or undeveloped areas, it doesn't mean there isn't some deeper truth to the stories.

If you are interested, you should check out The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell.

And of course, if you want to check out the movie I made, Across the Forest, to find out more about vampire mythology/folklore you can find that here:

www.acrosstheforest.com

Good point about flood myths being widespread. They are really found everywhere around the world. Some people think it is based on an actual historical event, others think it is just a symbol that humankind seems to share.

[Nim]

In return, I suggest checking out pretty much anything written by Robert Curran.

[Xarixian]

I find a lot of the people I talk to about this stuff know all about it, but then that's probably because the people I associate with are in my literature classes or are into the same shows and stuff as I am.

Although I do assume that most people know about serial killers and stuff like that and then they're like 'wait, who?'. It's not as though I even know anything too obscure.

To be honest I don't even talk about this stuff a lot unless with certain people. Somehow it just doesn't come up, but yeah. I can see some people being like 'what?'. Like I figure it's common knowledge that most know Lucifer and Satan aren't the same person in mythology and stuff like that, but they don't. Although it is the basic thing that anyone vaguely into angels and demons will know (I think).

[vegaspiper]

you should check out monstropedia, i read a lot of it.
http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

[Niceven]

I have a powerful belief in mythology all types but I specialize I Celtic especially the tuatha de dannan I know a lot of their history and unfortunately it was humans who drove them in their mounds and then the disbelief in them was supposed to have diminished them in size which I don't believe I believe they left a world that was undeserving and unappreciative of the beauties they had in all the arts and if impressed with humans they would bestow gifts don't get me wrong there is dark faries that are myschevious and deadly if provoked but just like nature there is bad in good and good in bad

[KellyScarletRakoczy]

Niceven, on 12 December 2010 - 05:35 PM, said:

I have a powerful belief in mythology all types but I specialize I Celtic especially the tuatha de dannan I know a lot of their history and unfortunately it was humans who drove them in their mounds and then the disbelief in them was supposed to have diminished them in size which I don't believe I believe they left a world that was undeserving and unappreciative of the beauties they had in all the arts and if impressed with humans they would bestow gifts don't get me wrong there is dark faries that are myschevious and deadly if provoked but just like nature there is bad in good and good in bad

Welcome to the board, Niceven. The tuatha de dannan are certainly interesting folk!

Kelly

[Etu_Malku]

Tuatha Dé Danann are part of Irish Mythology, they never really existed.

[KellyScarletRakoczy]

Etu_Malku, on 12 December 2010 - 06:31 PM, said:

Tuatha Dé Danann are part of Irish Mythology, they never really existed.

Lol.

*blows faery dust in your general direction*

Faery dust is very fine glitter