THE 4 GARMENTS THAT MYTHS WEAR.

The word "Myth"itself has multiple definitions. In general, myth is the traditional way in which stories of ostensibly historical events unfold part of the world view of the people or explain a practical belief or natural phenomenon. Myth is compared to a garment that covers many stories. Here are four garments that myth may take.
- Metaphysical Myths help explain the origins of existence. They tell of the world's beginning or the start of man. They mention gods and mystical beings personifications, such as night and day personified, talking animals, and living dreams. Supernatural action in many forms appear, including natural phenomena, magical arts, alchemy, witchcraft and so on.
- Cosmological Myths emphasize that all components of the universe are part of a single picture. They tell of journeys of enlightenment, of discovery and reaching final goals. They join the pieces together in a meaningful whole. They mention all-powerful entities or mysterious forces that envelop and create unity.
- Sociological Myths maintain social order by authorizing a social code for a culture to follow. They mention those individuals who stray from the straight and narrow path of social conformance and the terrible woes that befall them. They also mention tales of conquest and rebellion, of uprising and how people working together can move mountains.
- Psychological Myths provides models for personal conduct. Their heroes embody social rules, seeking always to do good. They have clear personal values that align with ideal social norms. In contrast to the good heroes, there are bad villains who have no values and embody all that is wrong.
Aristotle (384-322 BC) speaks very appreciatively about the Myths: "Lovers of stories that were in a way lovers of wisdom, since stories were composed of such wonders that make man start to philosophize. Those wonders were mainly astronomical and cosmological ones."
Aristotle describes the birth of mythology in closer detail and in connection to his discussion on "how many primal movers and movements there can be, related to the personification of a multitude of gods."
Aristotle said that 'tradition' needs to be considered in this way: "From old -and indeed extremely ancient- times there has been handed down to our later age intimations of a mythical character to the effect that the stars are gods and that the divine embraces the whole of nature." "Further details were added in the manner of myths with the sole purpose of 'persuasion of the masses' and general legislative and political expediency"
Aristotle suggests to discard the embroidered details, but to recognize that in mythical perspectives the primary substances were beings identified as gods -a claim he calls 'inspired,' pointing out also that though many other arts and doctrines may have perished through time, "these ancient cosmologies have been preserved, like holy relics, right up to the present day."