Mircea Eliade's definition of myth

Problems and suggestions taking the Finnish tradition as a counterpoint

Authors

  • Victor Hugo Sampaio Alves UFPB - Universidade Federal da Paraíba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22478/ufpb.1982-6605.2026v23n1.76537

Abstract

Mircea Eliade was an extremely prolific scholar in the field of Religious Studies. The Romanian author proposed the analysis of different religions to reach for the religious phenomenon’s essence, the sacred. The present study’s objective is to offer a critical balance of his definition of myth. In order to do so, we are going to contrast it with Finnish mythological tradition, demonstrating how Eliade’s presumptions hold problems and lead us to speculations which deviate us from the historic and cultural context. We highlight above all the problems derived from assuming the myth has an etiological and narrative property. As a conclusion we point to the inherent difficulties in taking the myth in generalist and universal terms.

Author Biography

  • Victor Hugo Sampaio Alves, UFPB - Universidade Federal da Paraíba
    Mestrando em Ciências das Religiões pela UFPB

Published

27/02/2026

Issue

Section

Artigos livres

How to Cite

ALVES, V. H. S. Mircea Eliade’s definition of myth: Problems and suggestions taking the Finnish tradition as a counterpoint. Religare, v. 23, n. 1, 27 Feb.2026.