Welcome to the Mythology Index!
February 2024
Welcome to the Mythology Index Project, a pioneering initiative dedicated to the systematic classification of world mythology. Inspired by the Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) index, which revolutionized the study of folktales by providing a comprehensive categorization framework, this project aims to achieve a similar feat for the rich and diverse world of myths in a contemporary system of organization for the 21st century.
While the ATU index meticulously catalogs folk narratives, offering insightful lenses into cultural motifs and storytelling archetypes, mythology, with its deep roots in religious, cultural, and historical contexts, has long eluded such a universally recognized classification system. Existing methods, including motif analysis and thematic categorization, have provided valuable insights but often focus on specific aspects or regions. Our project endeavors to create a new, holistic system for organizing human mythology, facilitating unprecedented comparative studies and deeper understanding of the shared human experience as reflected in our most ancient and enduring stories.
