#AtoZChallenge: Understanding Myth Origins

Artist extraordinaire James Grasdal is putting the finishing touches on the 13^th book in the Superman Duffy comic series—MYTHCONCEPTIONS. Which, you may have guessed has a little something to do with common “myths.” I love myths! So for this year’s A to Z Blogging Challenge, I’m going to “bust” as many of them as I can—every day (except Sundays) on the blog, throughout April.

Not familiar with the A to Z Challenge? Get the details here, and then hang on, because I’m about to blow your mind with my myth-inspired posts. P.S. Comment on the blogs throughout the month for a chance to WIN a complete set of the Superman Duffy comics, including lucky #13, MYTHCONCEPTIONS.

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Okay, so maybe this post is a bit of a cheat, but as hard as I searched—and I searched for a LONG time—I couldn’t find any “U” myths. There’s the Ube vegetable, which is a type of purple yam grown in the Philippines, and while you can make some pretty purple foods with it—like cake—there are no MYTHS about it that I could find. I also looked up the Umbrella Bird, which is beautiful, but not native to Alberta, and also, superstition free.

I considered busting some umbrella myths, but the only one that really sticks is that you shouldn’t open an umbrella inside or you’ll have bad luck. Those kinds of superstitions are hard to debunk.

But one of the questions or comments I keep getting when I talk about my #AtoZChallenge is this: where do these myths come from?

And so I thought, “Aha! Understanding myths” is the perfect “U” post.

The truth is, most superstitions and myths come from religious, cultural, or regional backgrounds. But some myths are formed after a single incident—like, if you’ve been hoping for rain, and then you step on a spider, and then it rains, you’re clearly onto something. Right? Sure…except that, we’ve already busted that myth (sort of).

Superstitions have been around since the start of civilization and many have been passed on from generation to generation. Even now, after I’ve spent the month busting myths, there are probably people—maybe even YOU—who secretly still believe in them. Come on, fess up: What myths will you keep believing, no matter how much science “busts” it?

Okay, I’ve gotta jet, but tomorrow I’m back with the letter “V.” I hope you spent yesterday catching up on some of the other blogs for the #AtoZChallenge! Don’t forget to comment on my posts—you could win all 13 of the Superman Duffy comics—now how LUCKY would that be?

~ Chase Superman Duffy