mythopoeia

American  

[mith-uh-pee-uh] / ˌmɪθ əˈpi ə /

noun

1. a mythopoeic act, circumstance, characteristic, etc.

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mythopoeia British  

/ ˌmɪθəpəʊˈiːsɪs, ˌmɪθəʊˈpiːə /

noun

1. the composition or making of myths

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Etymology

Origin of mythopoeia

1955–60; < Late Latin < Greek mȳthopoiía making of fables, invention, equivalent to mȳtho- mytho- + -poiia ( poi ( eîn ) to make + -ia noun suffix)

Explanation

Every culture engages in mythopoeia, the process of coming up with shared stories to explain the mysteries of life and the universe and express important values. These stories are often about gods and made-up, legendary heroes. Modern myths are different from ancient ones and may be hard to recognize. They often take the form of literature that helps us make sense of things. Mythopoeia is a style of storytelling that feels like traditional myth, but it's newly created. Think of fantasy works by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien even wrote a poem titled Mythopoeia, defending the idea of creative myth-making. The word comes from two Greek roots: mythos, meaning "story" or "myth," and poiein, "to make."

Example Sentences

For mythopoeia is just this, the incarnating the spirit of natural fact; and the generic name of that power is Art.

From Earthwork out of Tuscany Being Impressions and Translations of Maurice Hewlett by Hewlett, Maurice Henry

HE has reached a stage of culture where such mythopoeia has become impossible.

From The Invention of a New Religion by Chamberlain, Basil Hall