Paul Bunyan, the Loch Ness monster, Bloody Mary. These are all examples of folklore: the body of traditional beliefs, customs and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth. Myths, legends and fairytales are all types of folklore, created by communities around the world. Despite the fact that most historical folklore is endemic to a certain area, stories’ central themes, morals and general outlines tend to be universal. For example, both Ireland and China have myths of dragons.
Though the ancient and oral nature of most folklore makes it difficult for experts to pinpoint its roots and the reason for its widespread concurrence, there are two supported explanations. First is the idea that many legends and myths are rationalizations, stories that people came up with to explain what they couldn’t understand. The myth of mermaids, for instance, is suspected to be borne from drunk sailors misidentifying marine mammals.
The second possible explanation for the origin of such stories, which also addresses their similarities, is that they were created as a way to commemorate aspects universal to the human experience and to transfer life lessons in a simple, useful form. An example is the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare,” which warns against overconfidence.
Folklore was spread because stories are effective tools for passing down ideals, values and social norms, especially to children. Lessons like honesty or humility became easier to understand when framed through memorable characters and consequences. Psychologically, stories are more engaging than direct instruction; they evoke emotion and imagery, which helps people retain information and internalize the message rather than simply hearing it.
That same psychological appeal explains their persistence today. Even in modern societies, people rely on familiar narrative patterns to interpret experiences. Folklore provides recognizable archetypes and moral frameworks that simplify complex situations, offering comfort and a sense of order in an unpredictable world.
Culturally, these stories continue to reinforce shared identity. Retelling them connects generations and preserves what a community considers important, while the similarities between tales across cultures reveal common human concerns.
More than concerns, these stories remain a way to discuss humanity’s shared existential questions. Shannon Andres, FHS world literature and story & style teacher, explains that folklore often explores themes of how and why humans came to be and their relationship to everything around them.
“I don’t think that [those questions] ever go away,” Andres said. “I think that when everything feels really tenuous, [people might be] grasping for something that feels solid.”
Ultimately, folklore fulfills both emotional and social needs: teaching, connecting and explaining. It remains entrenched in how societies communicate, ensuring its relevance long after its origins.
