"Urashima Taro"

The occurrence of similarities different in themes mythologies from different groups of people may sometimes be as a result of the myths having the same origin but have been interpreted differently because of the geographical distances between groups of people who once shared the same culture. A good example of such case is the case of the Japanese, Chinese, Thais and Koreans who all have myths about a rabbit in the moon but they each have a different interpretation of what the rabbit is doing in the moon. These interpretations are shaped by the culture and the economic activity of the group which makes them different from other groups. However, there is always still a shared feature in such myths indicating that there is still existence of similarities in some of the aspects of culture in the different groups. For example in the above case, there is still a common feature in all of the different myths in the different cultures. In all of them there is a common understanding of the tools that the rabbit in the moon is using. All the cultures agree that the rabbit uses mortar and pestle in accomplishing its task (Ashkenazi, 2003).

Another common theme in myths is the existence of extra ordinary beings which have features of both animals and humans. Such beings in the myths have both physical features of humans and animals and also accomplish some actions that other animals can’t such talking. Also such beings are depicted to have supernatural strengths. Examples of such creatures are centaurs which occur in the myths of Cameroon, and Greece, mermaids present in myths of Cameroon, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and India. Other creatures present in many myths from different places are the shape shifters. These are creatures which have the capability of changing their physical appearance to any creature that they which to be like. They also are capable of mimicking any of the features of the creature that they have assumed. For example they may change to humans and be able to talk, change to a lion and be able to roar. Such creatures exist in myths in cultures of Japan, China, Vietnam, Brazil and Peru. There is also another theme on supernatural beings which feature in myths from different cultures such as Cameroon, Peru, Indonesia and Japan. Such myths claim that there is underwater civilization which competes with human civilizations. A good example of such case is the Japanese legend of Urashima Taro where a turtle carries a boy to underwater world where he meets creatures with extra ordinary abilities. He returns an old man. Peruvian and Brazilian lore also suggest the existence of shape shifting creatures which live underwater world called Encante. The shape shifters can take human form and marry humans (Ashkenazi, 2003). Both stories suggest that the underwater world is similar to the human world but it is much more superior and especially the inhabitants who have supernatural powers.

Another common theme in many mythologies is the existence of heroes and legends. Almost every culture has a hero or legends who are individuals who gave all they could in the fight of righteousness in the society.