Legends and folktales have been a part of human society since ancient times. From the Greek myths of yore to the fairytales of old, they have been used to illuminate our understanding of the world. But while these tales have remained unchanged for generations, the world around us is constantly evolving. And, as change is inevitable, so will the way we tell our stories. Tomorrow will bring new folklore and legends, tales crafted in the image of the future. So let us explore these tales of tomorrow; a peek into a brand new world of folklore and legends.
I. Exploring the Possibilities of Tomorrow’s Folklore
The world of tomorrow is an ever-changing landscape—one that is always in flux and never made the same. In the face of this constant metamorphosis, how does one maintain a connection to the values and beliefs of their ancestors? How do those of us living in the 21st century make sense of the folktales of days past?
Throughout time, stories have provided us with a pathway to understand our past. They offer us a way to consider the past, present, and future. Tomorrow’s folklore is a reflection of the intimacy and complexity of cultures as a whole. As such, exploring the possibilities of this genre is an exciting journey.
- Adaptability: With new technology and advances in communication, folklorists of today are able to make tales more accessible and responsive to any audience. Folklorists can take popular tales and reimagine them so that they are more relevant to people living in the modern world.
- Collaboration: People today can work together to share and propagate their stories and beliefs. By collaborating, people from different generations and cultures can create new interpretations of their traditional lore.
- Celebration: On the other hand, modern folklorists can still honor traditionally told stories, preserving and celebrating old narratives in new ways. With digital storytelling, folklorists can pass down tales that have been passed down for generations before.
Exploring the possibilities of tomorrow’s folklore is a great way to bridge traditions with modernity. We can learn from the past and apply these lessons to the present. By doing so, we can gain a greater appreciation of our heritage and create a better understanding between generations.
Folklore can be a powerful tool for us to reflect on the past, while also looking forward to the future. Whether it is through collaboration, adaptation, or celebration, engaging with this genre can be a beautiful experience. And by doing so, we can ensure that these stories live on in the hearts of those who come after us.
II. Examining the Patterns and Themes of Emerging Legends
Examining the Patterns and Themes of Emerging Legends
The emergence of legends in various areas of the world often display similar patterns and themes. From predictions of foretold champions, to those who rose from humble means to ascend to greatness, some common elements can be found that bridge across multiple cultures.
A key concept of a legend is a hero narrative, a protagonist who the audience can generally relate to. This makes them powerful stories, as they create a feeling of inspiration and a sense of possibility to listeners or readers, believing that they too could triumph against all odds.
Many of the greatest legends feature the role of a mentor or patron to the hero. Such characters often share in a sage or master-pupil relationship, imparting wisdom and assisting the hero in unimaginable ways.
The themes of transformation or elevation are key elements in emerging legends. Characters such as Cinderella or Aladdin come from simple backgrounds, never expecting or hoping to experience great fortune. However, their fortunes are changed due to fulfilling their destinies with character, courage, and quick thinking.
The presence of unusual or supernatural elements are also common themes in emerging legends. Whether the hero receives magical weapons or assistance from mysterious creatures, these demonstrate the power of the protagonist and make them more relatable while highlighting their abilities.
The presence of magic and mystery, the power of transformation, and the relationship between a hero and their mentor are some of the distinguishing patterns and themes of emerging legends.
III. Ancient Myths in a Modern World
In this day and age, ancient myths still often influence our lives. While the tales of heroes, villains, and gods may seem far removed from our modern day experiences, they continue to shape our perceptions and attitudes towards each other and the world around us.
Heroes and Villains
Every culture has its stories of heroes and villains. These myths usually feature characters of extraordinary power, often with skills or powers beyond those of mere mortals. As humans, we continue to look for and celebrate heroic figures who emulate these mythical figures, while simultaneously shunning those who show villainous tendencies.
Gods and Morality
In myths from many cultures, the gods are seen as the ultimate source of morality. While the actual codes of ethics can vary from culture to culture, generally gods are seen as the ultimate arbiters of right and wrong. We can still see this today in our legal systems, where punishments and rewards are based on codes of behavior often based on ancient religious texts.
Nature in Mythology
- Myths often rely on the idea of nature as an omnipresent force. Many gods are associated with natural phenomena and are thought to hold sway over earth, sea, sun, moon, and wind.
- Nature is often seen as a protagonist in many of these myths, with humans more as a minor supporting cast. This idea can still be seen in contemporary stories, where nature is often seen as a force to be reckoned with and respected.
- Many ancient myths also feature intricate and complex cosmologies about the relationship between the gods and humankind, and how this affects our lives today. By extension, these stories often explore the idea of fate and destiny, which continues to be relevant to us today.
Symbolic Tales
At their core, many ancient myths are symbolic tales of good and evil, reward and punishment, and other moral lessons. These lessons can serve to remind us of the importance of virtue and justice, while also helping us to understand our place in the world. By connecting with these stories, we can understand our own values and motivations and work to create a better future for everyone.
IV. Discovering Our Own Story-Telling Traditions
Folklore isn’t just for enchanted tales of distant lands – there’s plenty to uncover in our own cultures and backyards. Through investigating our own storytelling traditions, we can discover a powerful connection to our roots – and indeed, the wider world.
Unearth the past through an exploration of oral storytelling passed down through generations, stories that symbolise values and interests of our ancestors. Research local events and festivals – such as the diverse pantheon of stories celebrated each Mid-Autumn Festival in many countries of East Asia. From poignant stories of communal gatherings and celebrations to personal accounts of family and home, these tales offer deep insight into the heart of a culture.
Local music and language can also contribute to a culture’s storytelling legacy. Songs may be associated with specific locations or contain traditional stories from times gone by. Meanwhile, language developed within geographical regions – such as dialects – can help create a unique cultural connection, and enrich the narrative legacy of a people.
Not all stories have been documented, and only unique organisations like museums, archives and libraries have access to these unfinished chapters of our collective histories. In order to find the true spirit of our culture’s stories, we must look to archives, libraries and even museums. These often contain rare, unique fragments of stories, connecting to the tales passed down in living memory.
For a deeper dive into a culture’s storytelling heritage, look to sources like theatre, film, television, dance, performance – all of which offer the opportunity to explore the ways narratives are intertwined with a culture’s past and present. From traditional theatre forms such as Chinese opera to modern film works in Japan, these forms provide an embodied connection to the joy of storytelling in the present.
Grab the chance to discover our own story-telling traditions – the paths to the past are many, but each can unlock something new.
As our world moves forward and changes with time, so does the folklore and legends that have stayed with us through the years. While we may no longer believe in some of the tales and stories from long ago, the age-old tradition of storytelling will remain. And with it, always comes a little bit of excitement – at the idea of what other much-loved tales tomorrow might bring.