Timeless Stories: From Mythology to Modern Masterpieces

In a training session, the instructor said, “Don’t hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind, no matter how crazy or difficult they may seem; the answer will come to you.” Taking this very literally, my mind has been asking a lot of questions ever since, delving into the subconscious and the way we perceive our surroundings. I didn’t even realize that I had found the answers to many of them, perhaps sometimes much later.

I asked to myself in one of my old articles:

“Why don’t we see stories today that are as timeless and influential as mythological tales that still affect us today? In our ever-changing world, perhaps learning from the past and drawing inspiration from its time-tested stories is important.”

While reading the book “The Power of Myth” by Joseph Campbell, a sentence I had taken notes on resonated in my mind while editing the English version of the “Procrustean Bed” article:

“We don’t have the stillness today that’s required for a myth to form. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Myth is moss.” Joseph Campbell

Ironically, I had actually written the answer to the question in my notebook months before I even asked it. So maybe the question came to me because of the answer. I decided to think a little more about this topic that took me on a complex journey through time. :)

The Time of Myths: The Echo of Ancient Stories in the Modern World

Mythological stories have a power that transcends time. Since ancient times, humanity has expressed its fears, hopes, and dreams through these stories. But why are stories like mythological stories that are still relevant and impressive today not being created anymore? The answer, as Joseph Campbell says, may be that the modern world lacks stillness: “A rolling stone gathers no moss. Myth is moss.”

The secret to the enduring power of mythological stories lies in their universal themes. These ancient stories explore the fundamental building blocks of the human experience, such as love, betrayal, courage, and jealousy. These themes are valid across cultures and times. The fact that we can still draw lessons from these stories in current events is a testament to their enduring relevance.

However, the world today is changing rapidly. Technology and globalization allow for the mixing of cultures and instant access to information. Every day we are bombarded with new stories, movies, novels, and music. These works are often produced for instant gratification, offering a momentary thrill without leaving a lasting impression.

Where Does the Power of Mythology Come From?

Universal Themes: Mythological stories deal with universal themes such as love, death, war, and heroism. These themes resonate with every human being and resonate regardless of time.

Symbolism: Mythological stories are full of symbols. These symbols add depth to the stories and are open to different interpretations. In mythology, everything has a meaning. Characters, objects, and events represent something more than just what they are. Different people can interpret symbols in different ways, which makes the stories timeless and universal.

Hero Archetypes: Mythological stories offer hero archetypes. These archetypes represent different aspects of the human psyche, and we can see them in ourselves and others. This helps us to better understand ourselves and find our place in the world.

Lessons from the Past: Mythological stories allow us to learn from the past. We can learn from the mistakes and successes of our ancestors and adapt them to our own lives.

Modern Mythology: Groundhog Day and Universal Themes

Even today, works that approach mythological stories can emerge. There are examples that we are all affected by, learn from, and change our perspective. For example, the movie “Groundhog Day” can have a similar effect to a modern interpretation of a mythological story, telling the story of a man who lives the same day over and over again, facing his mistakes and changing his approach and perspective, how he transforms his life. This movie explores the human journey of self-discovery and change, around a universal theme like mythological stories, while giving us the opportunity to experience the “Hero’s Endless Journey.”

Stories: A Bridge Between Past, Present, and Future

Stories are one of the oldest and most powerful traditions of humanity. Through them, we connect with each other, learn from the past, and nurture hopes for the future. When I had a chance to think about it a little more, I was able to remember many such impressive examples. And when I compared these examples to mythological stories, I found common features such as shedding light on people’s problems, universalizing by reflecting common joy, happiness and sorrow, and providing people with the opportunity to face their own emotions through character archetypes.

And actually, I found a better answer to my own question:

Maybe the stones are still gathering moss, but we make it too easy to clean them from our minds.

I would love it if you could share works that you think are timeless in the comments below :)

What are some of your favorite stories?

How do you think stories can help us to create a better future?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Thank you for reading!