What if your children met ancient gods at snack time? Chimeras and heroes emerging between games? Dive with them into the fascinating world of mythology, where ancient tales and childlike imagination intertwine to fuel curiosity, imagination, and understanding of the world.
What is mythology?
Mythology is a collection of stories and legends passed down through generations. These tales reflect the beliefs and values of a civilization, while attempting to explain the mysteries of the world. Populated by powerful gods, courageous heroes, and extraordinary creatures, these legends have shaped our culture and still inspire our modern stories.
Born from the collective imagination of a people, myths address fundamental questions : Why do we exist? What happens after death? What is love? These are all questions that children ask themselves as they grow up.
Stories passed down since antiquity
Myths feature heroic battles and fearsome monsters (such as the Titans), but also teach the importance of bravery, intelligence, fear, love, pleasure, and the distinction between good and evil.
Greek, Egyptian, and Roman mythologies remain the most well-known, each exploring the human condition through strengths and weaknesses.
Among the most famous texts:
- The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer (8th century BC) — Greek mythology
- The Works of Hesiod (c. 700 BC) — Greek mythology
- Virgil's Aeneid (1st century BC) — Roman mythology
- The Pyramid Texts : Related to Pharaohs and Gods (c. 2400–2300 BC) — Egyptian mythology
- Papyri about the gods Osiris, Isis, Horus — Egyptian mythology
Why mythology fascinates children so much
Children are captivated by stories of the supernatural , magic, metamorphosis, fantastic creatures , great adventures ... We find all these elements in mythology, but also themes like transgression, taboo and even horror, which are all fascinating for children.
The questions children ask today are the same as those they did 2,000 years ago , which makes these stories perfectly timeless. They offer a safe haven for exploring emotions and fears: confronting an imaginary monster means taming one's own fears; hearing about jealous or proud heroes means recognizing feelings they experience on a daily basis.
Why introduce children to mythology
A myth features characters who embody human values and relationships: friendship, compassion, generosity, etc. It is therefore a rich narrative framework for children to understand the world. Identifying with heroes helps them grow, overcome challenges, and demonstrate ingenuity and courage in the face of challenges.
All cultures have developed myths to answer the big questions about the origins of the world, the afterlife, or natural phenomena. Telling these stories and discussing their symbolism as a family enriches our collective vision.
From ancient myths to modern tales
Myths have profoundly influenced our popular culture . Many modern stories draw inspiration from and incorporate mythological themes and characters.
Superheroes: Modern Gods
The Marvel Universe draws heavily on Norse mythology with Thor, Loki , and Odin. Wonder Woman , for her part, draws on Greek legends, originating from the Amazons linked to the gods of Olympus.
They were born in the 20th century with Superman, but these pillars of our modern imagination draw almost all of their powers from myths with ancient roots. These adaptations introduce a whole new generation to ancient deities.
💡 Did you know? The "Harry Potter" saga reinterprets the myth of the Chosen One and the prophecy. "The Lord of the Rings" recycles the archetype of the cursed ring, a legacy of Germanic and Celtic legends.
Intergenerational transmission of myths
Telling myths is much more than sharing a story: it's passing on a cultural heritage between generations. Parents and grandparents share memories and interpretations, adapting the legends to the children's sensibilities. By discussing these universal themes, each family enriches their shared imagination and creates moments of connection.
Discover mythology through narrative play
At Comme des Pirates, we believe in the power of myths to fuel the imagination. That's why we select games and toys that bring these legendary stories to life:
- Figurines and small world play : characters and settings to recreate or reinvent the adventures of gods and heroes.
- Djeco's Arty Toys range : artistic and characterful figurines bringing mythical characters from the medieval era to life in a unique contemporary style.
- Storytellers : lamps and story boxes that offer captivating stories about mythology, adapted to different ages, to help discover these worlds through the power of storytelling.
Ready to take your children on a journey through the ages? Give them the chance to marvel at timeless tales, reinvent legends, and become the heroes of their own stories .
Explore our online store now to discover carefully curated treasures that will bring the mythological spirit to your home.
