Myth of origins
A founding myth is an origin story, which is partly based on fictions and perceived as authentic. This kind of myth may contain both religious and political elements. The term comes from the political sociology.
Religious forms are, for example, ideas of divine revelation, chosenness and mission as well as providence and fate. Such founding myths are partly based on beliefs, without which fades its efficacy.
As a political myths founding myths are constitutive of a general self-understanding in modern nation-states. The functions of foundation myths lie in creating more consensus-oriented of meaningful values , the generation of collective notions of identity and the legitimacy of power and privilege. Even with strong value-based political parties and from farther in the past or " legendary" start-ups they can play a role.
Examples
Founding myths occupied a prominent place in Greek mythology. " Ancient Greek rituals linked with the population, and thus, each with specific places," observed Walter Burkert, who once built shrines and altars remained for all time holy places. Therefore, the Greek creation myths establish a special relationship between the deity and the local population. This led from its roots by a hero, and saw their traditional legal claims legitimized by the founding myth. The Greek creation myths often embody the justification for the continued existence of an older social and value system.
The Roman founding myth can be the founders of Rome by a wolf (symbol of the wild force) be suckled Romulus and defend his city once with all his strength. Another example is Virgil's Aeneid, where the fleeing from the burning Troy, Aeneas after many wanderings arrived in Latium, where he is the ancestor of the Romans.
The founding myth of the Mark Brandenburg ( 1157 ) is reflected in Schildhornstraße Sage.
The founding myth of the United States, that the individual as the group make their fortune against all odds and create law and order can (American Dream), in many Wild West films is designed ( dating back to the Pilgrim Fathers ). In his book, David McCullough 1776 analyzed in 2005 detailed the development of the American founding myth.
Zen Buddhism knows a story, according to which Buddha had turned in his hand before his death in front of his followers in silence a lotus flower. Since no one except Mahakashyapa have seen in a sense, this was identified as the successor. A myth that represents the incomprehensible from the start in the center.