THE MYTH OF ATLANTIS

What is a myth? It is a story which speaks of truth in fictional terms. It is a metaphor. There are grains of literal truth in many, but not all, myths.

Myths often are written by many unconnected people who pick up on the truth to be told and elaborate on the theme, building a metaphor that over time is often confused with actual history. The creators of the myth often come to believe it is literally true, and in doing so may fail to perceive the real truth being told.

Myth is often interpreted as a widely held but false story. The facts may be false, but the essence of the story may carry profound truth. A myth is like a parable.

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The myth of Atlantis is interesting and powerful. Most people hearing the story have little doubt of its factual truth, and search the world over for the drowned ruins of that advanced civilization which many think planted its seeds around the world.

Some will rebel against my labeling this well know story as myth, clinging to the preferred conviction that it is true in every detail.

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Here I present my case:

First, what are the characteristics of myth?

What are the differences between “myth” and “legend”? For me, it is that myth carries certain characteristics that are generally not contained in legend.

Legends are stories that usually present a person or group that are exceptional in some particular manner…