The Myth Onion The myth onion is a concept which helps in the study and understanding of myths. It is an analogy. Think about an onion. It has layer and layers--and each layer is pungent and fragrant and spicy, and most importantly, all these factors don't lessen in strength and usability, no matter how many layers you peel. In addition, there is no core in the onion; it is all layers, and each layer is a fully-fledged whole in itself. That is exactly what a myth is--It has layer and layer upon meaning, and each layer is equally meaningful. Like an onion, a myth may not have a core, or a nucleus (some myths do), because each layer must be seen as fully-fledged. Myths have many many layers of meaning, but some of the most important that MUST be explored in all analyses and interpretation of the myth are: 1. The surface (denotational) level--which is just the story--to see the beauty of the narrative itself 2. The sociological level. What is revealed about the social structure myth dictates or reflects in a society 3. The symbolic level (connotational). What symbols are included in the myth and what deeper meaning do they explore and reveal. For example, if a myth makes reference to a tall pole reaching towards the sky, what does the pole represent? (Answer: it represents the transcendence or the aspiration to reach the divine.) 4. The spiritual (not religious) level. Since myth includes aspects of the divine (not God), it must necessarily be explored through the spiritual idea that the myth is conveying, and since the divine in myth is always a sense of transcendence— something higher, better and more evolved than our mundane existence, the spiritual level in myth is a guide for us to try to reach that transcendence. 5. The rituals practiced in a myth. Why are they practiced? What is the story behind the rituals, and what do they actually mean? How do they connect man to nature, divine, and himself. Consider the four main categories of rituals, as explained in the Definition of myth you read in Week 1: sacrifice, initiation, purification, and seasonal renewal Very important to note is that this is not a lock-step method. In other words, there is no chronology to these levels. The point is to look at all levels--the order doesn't matter. And together these (and other layers) make the myth onion. Note: The other layers are whatever you perceive, or whatever you want to explore--the historical level, the geographical level, the religio-political level. (For example, you will see that in Norse and Sumerian mythologies geography is a very important factor). Another layer that is very significant is the psychological level--to understand the psyche of the characters, which of course will give insights into the psyche of human behavior. This is what creates archetypes. Therefore, to understand the myth onion is the first step to understanding the immensity of myth. Tools to Interpret Myth Interpreting a myth is quite a bit similar to a literary analysis, because it follows the same process of a close reading of the material, annotating, asking questions, arriving at answers, and making connection. In addition, the analysis of myth requires the deciphering of its symbols. However, unlike a literary analysis, the interpretation also requires a deep understanding and examination of myth's social and cultural objectives. In other words, myth is ultimately about how we live, why we behave the way we do, and what we can learn from myth about the human experience. Therefore, no interpretation of myth can be complete without explaining how myth impacts man. To interpret myth critically and analytically, follow the process below: 1. Know the concept of the myth onion (see below) 2. Go to Module 1 and re-read the definition and purpose of myth 3. Become familiar with the symbols usually found in myths (See below and also in Module 1) 4. Understand the 'story' of the myth and determine what the myth is about--it's overall meaning 5. Consider the history of myth and the roles of the feminine divine and the male divine (from the background reading of the midterm) 6. Read the myth carefully and deeply; in other words, do a close reading, and examine its specific elements 7. Annotate as you read • o o o o o o ideas, words and phrases that appear to be symbolic events that are related to the symbols. Ask your self 'how', 'why', and 'what' questions about these events events that show a cause and effect relationship (this happened; therefore this happened) characters that populate the myth--their behaviors and actions the play of the divines--what they do, how do they do it, and what is the consequence the rituals described or implied in the myth and what they mean 1. Now find meanings for the symbolic elements (using the document on symbology and your own perspectives and understanding) 2. 3. 4. 5. NOTE: keep in mind that myth can employ both universal symbols and culture-specific symbols See if you can connect the meanings to the events and the characters (Note: often the events and characters themselves are symbolic. Figure out why and how) Draw an analysis about how these meanings can be connected to social norms, rituals, cultural practices, human behaviors and man's connection to the divine, geography (elements of the myth onion) In sum, your interpretation should include possible meanings of the symbolic elements, possible connections of these meanings and of the narrative to the myth's culture and society, and a possible explanation of the divines and their behaviors portrayed in the myth--how these reflect man divine relationships Put it all together and develop an analysis about what the myth is about and how each of its elements reveals its meaning. Symbols used in Myth To understand the metaphors (that mythologists talk about), it is very important to recognize the symbols inherent in all layers of myth. These are what help us interpret the myth and connect the simple story to the human experience. Many of these symbols are universally recognized--in art, narrative, or other mediums. These are also reflected in our social behaviors and in our inherent (sometimes unrecognized) need for transcendence. Some of these symbols appear to be singular in meaning, but they are really multi-symbolic. Often, the context of the myth will dictate their meaning; however, be warned that sometimes one symbol can represent many meanings, and all are relevant, and they all take myth to a whole new dimension. For example, the serpent in the Adam & Eve myth can represent a force of darkness, or the unrealized form of consciousness; however, the serpent is also a Great Goddess symbol representing the wisdom and secret knowledge of regeneration. It also represents Ego and man’s recognition of his place in the world. If you look at the myth (that uses this symbol), from all these perspective, then you will be able to uncover many layers of meaning--all of which are relevant. The following are just a few symbols—a small fraction of the wealth inherent in myths. As students of mythology, you must continue to seek beyond these symbols and their meaning, exploring various perspectives of the ones listed here, and others that you will discover for yourself. They are often inter-textual and have common interpretations. However, sometimes specific symbols have different meanings in different cultures. Most importantly, the study of myth is also an individual experience. Myth touches everyone differently; therefore don’t be afraid to add your own interpretations. • The gods On an elemental level: Elements of nature and scientific phenomena; such as the Greek god Zeus, the god of thunder and lightening, and his equivalent, Thor, in Norse mythology, whose chariot wheels rumble like thunder and create lightening. On a spiritual level: The forces of light and of realization. They represent man’s subconscious godliness—the conscience, the latent divine powers within him. • The dark forces: the devils, the giants, the demons On an elemental level they represent natural forces that challenge man’s survival; such as floods, earthquakes, etc. For example, the Kur dragon of the underworld in many Sumerian myths, or the Midgard serpent, Inormungandr, that Thor destroys at the end of the world in Norse mythology. Ironically after killing the serpent, he too falls in the pool of venom and perishes. On a spiritual level they are base matter, as opposed to the gods’ wisdom. However, they are not ‘bad’ or evil. They carry within their baseness the potential for elevation. • Human need for transcendence to a higher level of consciousness On a physical plane all structures that “rise” towards the sky, such trees, temples, ziggurats, poles, towers. For examples, the people of Sumer created tall Ziggurats-- temples that attempted to reach the heavens. Worship to the gods was offered in the top-most floor. The Biblical myth of the Tower of Babel is another great example, where a united humanity builds a tower to reach the heavens, but God corrupts their language in such a way that each one seems to be babbling to each other; hence, the tower is destroyed. This, of course, is an example of man’s arrogance, thinking he is equal to God, but on a deeper level it is a valiant effort of man to aspire towards a higher consciousness, the divine. His failure is simply a depiction of the daunting nature of his quest. On the plane of wisdom and knowledge: The greatest examples of these are the Tree of Life, Yggdrasil, in Norse mythology. This tree is fed by three streams, the stream of Urd, which carries within it secrets of the future, the stream of experience, and a stream that contains within it 'all rivers of life.' Thus, this tree represents a totality of life. Another example is the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, the fruits of which Adam and Eve are forbidden to eat. Yet another example is the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha came into his Realization. • The Primeval: the Void, the Waters, the Nothingness. The beginnings of all creations use this metaphor of undifferentiated matter, where the atoms are motionless and there is no potential for life. The catalysts of energy must be added to set the atoms in motion to begin creation--a conflict/battle of sorts. However, in order for creation to be intelligent, the important ingredient of intellect, wisdom, pure consciousness must be present; hence the gods battle the demons, who are the baser principles of matter and energy. • Weapons The apparent violence inherent in this symbol is only a surface definition. Weapons in mythology, such as Odin's spear, Enlil’s pickax; Arjuna’s arrows, Zeus’ thunderbolt are symbols of epiphany--that moment when one is suddenly struck--by a shaft or ray of knowledge. That moment of revelation is painful (as is the nature of violence), because it pierces through our metaphoric thick skin of ignorance. • The Naked Self This symbol means stripping away all the material trappings that bind us to ignorance and then rising in our bareness towards greater wisdom. This symbol is often the stuff of dream time. For example, one of the most common terrifying dreams teenagers relate is finding themselves naked in school in front of all their peers and teachers. The tendency of the naked self in the dream (and in real life) is to hide. Naturally. Nakedness is a terrifying concept. We are stripped of all our material trappings down to our true, bare selves-dispossessed--but these are the very trappings that prevent our potential of wisdom. These trappings weigh our minds down with ignorance. In order to rise to a higher level, we must strip ourselves naked and allow ourselves to shed the weight of the material world. (The dream is then the teenager’s aspiration to rise from ignorance to a plane of learning. To gain knowledge is a daunting endeavor; hence the terror.) • Animals All mythologies abound with animal symbols. These should be interpreted according to the function and metaphoric potential of the animal. For example, birds fly and have the potential of reaching that higher plane (heaven) to which humans aspire. Eagles, such as Zeus’ eagle, is not only a participant in divine wisdom, but it is also a symbol of pride. Similarly, ravens are all-knowing and all-seeing. It is they who travel to the farthest reaches of the nine worlds and report their findings to Thor. But a raven is also a symbol of darkness and violence. For example, the Celtic war goddess, Morrigan's most common zoomorphic (animal) form is that of a raven. Perhaps, the most powerful animal symbol is that of a snake. It has the ability to change its skin (regeneration); it also has the ability to burrow deep into the dark recesses of the earth (the underworld) and to reappear on the earth (with the wisdom of the underworld/death). It is also a symbols man’s ego, his self, arrogant in its powers. Additionally, it is a symbol for the Great Goddess of a time before the male god became supreme; hence, it represent the female creative energy of the world. (You will read about this in a module for the midterm exam.) Animals such as wolves are predatory and indiscriminate in their prey. They are bestial and destructive forces that can devour both demon and divine. • Secrets of the Netherworld All mythologies have their heroes and heroines who have made a trip to this world of shadows. Those who emerge are suffused with the wisdom of death (death of the being is metaphoric, because the next step is rebirth into a more evolved consciousness, but one has to ‘die’ to realize this evolvement). Great examples are Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. Innana in Sumerian mythology, Nachiketa from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. • Fruits & Flowers As the words themselves suggest, the symbols from the world of flora almost always represent fruition--a flowering. Fruits: For example, the apple in the Garden of Eden denotes realization. Similarly, the gods in Norse mythology eat the apples of experience, which are guarded closely by the goddess Idun. In Homer’s Iliad , the cause of the Trojan War is the golden apple that the dark goddess, Strife throws before the other goddesses. Whichever goddess lays claim to it is the fairest of the goddesses. Three goddesses, Athena, Hera and Aphrodite battle to claim it, and this battle becomes the catalyst for the Trojan war on earth, which in itself is the eternal battle (as all mythological battles are) that rages within each of us. In this battle we fight our bestial self with our divine. (We try to find our fairest selves) Who wins is a matter of our free will--whether we choose ignorance or knowledge. Similarly, Persephone eats the Pomegranate seed and evolves from a naive girl to the maturity of married woman. Flowers: are almost always representative of the feminine principle in the cosmos. For example: the lotus in Hindu mythology is a very important symbol. In the beginning a thousand-petalled lotus appears on the elemental waters and seated in this is Brahma, the creator. Therefore, the lotus represents the opening up, the elemental womb—absolute creative energy. In fact, in Hindu mythology all the other significant male divines are also portrayed sitting or standing in a lotus, which symbolizes the feminine foundation of their divinity and connotes their creational attribute. • Natural Elements--Water and Fire These elements are the most common in myth and their symbols are also often used in art, literature, etc. For myth, too, the symbolic meaning remains the same. For example, both water and fire are purifying, rejuvenating, and baptismal. They can also be used as trial and tests to help an evolvement. However, it is important to remember that both these elements (along with other natural elements) can be creative and destructive, but even in the destruction, there is always the potential for a rejuvenation. • Colors are mostly cultural in their symbology—they have different significance in different cultures. However, some colors can be seen as universal in their meaning. For example, red is life-giving and lifesustaining. Blue is the color of expansiveness and infinity, as of the sky and the ocean. White is the color of purity. Black means void, ignorance, death, etc. But, once again, remember none of these meanings of black are wholly negative; they simply mean that there are unrealized potential. 
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