Typical characteristics

The main characters in myths are usually gods, supernatural heroes and humans.^[9][10][11] As sacred stories, myths are often endorsed by rulers and priests and closely linked to religion or spirituality.^[9] In the society in which it is told, a myth is usually regarded as a true account of the remote past.^{[9][10][12][13]} In fact, many societies have two categories of traditional narrative, "true stories" or myths, and "false stories" or fables.^[14] Myths generally take place in a primordial age, when the world had not yet achieved its current form,^[9] and explain how the world gained its current form^{[3][4][5][15]} and how customs, institutions and taboos were established.^[9][15]