7 Unusual Ways Ancient People Shared Myths and Legends

Storytelling has been one of the oldest practices in human history, in which people have been joined together. In ancient days, people used various novel, creative, and sometimes strange ways to propagate the myths and legends. Instead of entertainment, people, in those days, used them to preserve their culture, beliefs, and values. What sounds almost unbelievable in today's age was very natural at that time and effective enough.

Today, we are going to talk about some surprising, strange, and unique storytelling methods of different ancient world societies. Let's hope they surprise you and show us the best appreciation of imagination that our ancestors left behind.

Symbols and stone engraved symbols

Symbols and symbols inscribed on stone were the tools of spreading myths back in the day. Rock paintings have survived time and continue to tell ancient tales even today.

Stone carvings of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt

Mesopotamians and Egyptians recorded the crucial aspects of history and gods-goddesses' tales etched as symbols on rocks. In Egyptian pyramids, Osiris, Isis, and Horus mythological tales are etched on inner walls. There were much detail in carvings and much rich in view; however the symbols etched showed views of tales and history.

How legends propagated through symbols

The Egyptians told stories of the gods not only through symbols but in a manner that these stories are part of their everyday lives and religious beliefs. They believed these symbols held special power; they transmitted history and religious ideas to generations yet to come.

Cave Paintings: Telling Stories Through Pictures

Cave paintings or wall paintings were used by the people from ancient times to depict some stories. There are even several myths and legends within these paintings.

The Story of Altamira cave paintings

All the paintings of animals and hunting discovered in Altamira Caves of Spain are of mythical or legendary animals. These images tell us that people had earlier used to narrate stories of animals and natures around them by sketching. From these pictures, they could reveal to their lives and symbols of hope with reality.

Secret Images of Lascaux Caves of France

The Lascaux cave paintings in France are also examples of a new form of storytelling. Here, the ancient people have depicted images of hunting scenes, from which it can be gathered which animals they used to hunt and what techniques they used in hunting. These images, apart from being a part of their lifestyle, through these images they spread ancient myths and stories of power.

Metal Artifacts: Storytelling Through Copper and Bronze

Ancient people used to store various legends and stories in copper and bronze artifacts. The spiritual and historical ideas of the people at that time are preserved through metal artifacts.

Epic stories in copper signs

Some of the items from India's Mahabharata and Ramayana were created as copper and bronze statues. Legends enshrined on copper jars, lamps and other utilities were once a part of a person's life as well. These vessels handed down symbols, myths, and stories of heroism to the next generation. In ancient Hindu society these copper artifacts carried a deep impact on daily life and religious life.

Epic descriptions of Greek mythology

In Greece, images of Apollo, Heracles and other hero-gods were inscribed with epic stories from their lives. Through these idols they used to express their valour and morality. Even these idols were of immense importance in informing people about the morality and power of the gods.

Storytelling through dance and drama

In ancient times, mythology came alive through drama and dance. Dance-drama happened to be an extremely popular means of passing on mythology, especially in ancient Greece, India and China.

Dramas and myths about the gods of olden Greece

In Greece, stories of gods are propagated through different drama types. For example, in honour of Dionysus, plays were held in which various powers of the Greek gods and their influences on human life were projected. Besides that, the stories of heroes and heroines were enacted that inspired the audience and made a debut in their culture.

Kathakali and Bharatanatyam of India

Kathakali and Bharatanatyam were two such dances that reflected legends and mythological stories in southern India. Every dance scene in Kathakali was a story in itself, and it helped to bring the feeling of divine power among the viewers. The masks, costumes, and ornaments used in the dances seemed to have had a special power and dignity that made the stories appear great.

Genealogical songs and poems as narration

This was also very much a relatively novel process for the diffusion of older legends through poetry and songs. People in older communities would memorize and orally narrate them across successive generations.

Oral tradition stories from Homer and Odyssey

The epic was, in ancient Greece, orally transmitted. The poems were sung repeatedly and created long-lasting memories in the mind of every listener. It was not only entertainment but through it the ethics, spiritual strength and valour of the Greeks. The outer consciousness was revealed.

Stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata spread through poetry

In ancient India, Ramayana and Mahabharata were sung in verse. These stories are sung in poetry to highlight heroism, religion, and morality of each character that teach people to think of them as part of their spiritual life.

Stories spread through tattoos and oaths

To back up the myths, ancient times adopted a quite strange and novel approach- tattoos and oaths. Some societies used tattoos and oaths to commemorate certain special events.

Tattoos and stories about Māori society

In the Māori society, tattoos were not only beautiful but also told their family history, bravery, and heritage. Each tattoo had a special story, which would be a history for generations to come. Every tattoo in the Māori society is commemorating the history of a family and personal identity.

Oaths and Storytelling in Greek Society

They swore oaths for ancient myths. In the ancient Greeks, oaths were taken through the names of various gods and the story consisted of these oaths. Thus, through this oath, the people portrayed their faithfulness and loyalty towards gods. This was followed throughout ages and was historically relevant, also.

Magic and Tantra-Mantra

Magic and tantra-mantra were also applied in ancient times for the propagation of myths. The different societies of Egypt and India performed various magic spells that provided the basis for myths and legends.

Stories of the Mysterious Incantations and Gods of Egypt

In the ancient society of Egypt, there were many mystic spells and myths of gods and goddesses. People believed that these mantras were a special power from the gods that would bring good to people. These mantras were not only for prayers but were a part of the story of the gods and goddesses.

Tantras and Legends of India

In ancient Indian society, Tantra was used to propagate stories of gods and goddesses. People believed that through tantras and mantras they could gain the blessings and power of the gods. These tantras were regarded not only as mantras but also as a kind of legend.

Last words: the art of telling ancient stories

These weird and strange methods of olden times prove how creative and imaginative people were in storytelling. These methods were not only used to propagate myths in ancient societies but also became an integral part of human life. These stories have reached us even today and are an immense example of the imagination and creativity of ancient people.

Today's generation can learn something new from these ancient methods of storytelling. Though we have come forward with the change of time, these stories reveal an important aspect of the rituals, beliefs, and human qualities of our ancestors. These stories of ancient myths and legends live on as memories of ancient people, and we can read them to better understand the lives of ancient people.