In the past, folklore was passed down through oral traditions, telling the stories and lessons of a culture. These tales provided insight into the values, struggles, and beliefs of societies long before written history. Fast-forward to today, and we see the digital age birthing a new form of folklore—memes. Though memes started as humorous images meant to generate a quick laugh, they have evolved into much more. Memes have become a way for communities to communicate, teach, and share their collective experiences, forming a new kind of mythology for the internet age.
The Anatomy of Memes and Folklore
At first glance, folklore and memes might seem worlds apart. Folklore typically encompasses myths, legends, fairy tales, and proverbs, while memes are often brief and humorous. However, if you look closely, you'll find that they share a common thread—both are reflections of societal values, passed on from one person to another, reshaping themselves with each retelling.
Much like how myths were retold and modified to suit the changing needs of a society, memes are constantly being edited, remixed, and repurposed. An image of a distracted boyfriend or a galaxy-brain meme can be adapted to address any number of cultural, political, or personal themes. In this way, memes function as the modern iteration of folklore, capturing the shared experiences and evolving values of internet communities.
Memes as Symbols and Archetypes
One key feature of traditional folklore is its reliance on archetypes—universal symbols or characters that represent common human experiences. Memes, too, have developed their own set of symbols and archetypes that resonate with users across cultures.
Take, for example, the "This Is Fine" dog meme, which shows a cartoon dog sitting calmly in a burning room, saying, "This is fine." This meme has become a symbol of people’s collective coping mechanism for chaotic or stressful situations. Like folklore characters who embody universal fears, desires, or dilemmas, meme archetypes tap into widespread emotional truths.
Memes such as “Woman Yelling at a Cat,” “Surprised Pikachu,” or “Pepe the Frog” have gained symbolic status, representing different emotional or societal reactions. Just as ancient myths told of gods and heroes that embodied human characteristics, memes create their own pantheon of symbolic figures that reflect and critique modern life.
Digital Storytelling Through Memes
In traditional folklore, stories were told around campfires, passed down through generations, changing slightly with each retelling. Today, memes follow a similar pattern of digital storytelling. What starts as a single image with a specific meaning can be shared, edited, and reshaped by countless individuals, creating a new context or narrative each time.
The process of meme generation can be seen as an act of collaborative storytelling. Just as oral traditions relied on communal participation, memes thrive on collective creativity. A meme may start as a commentary on a specific event, but as it spreads, new layers of meaning and humor are added. This process is akin to how folktales evolved over time, adapting to different cultural contexts.
For example, the "Doge" meme started as a simple image of a Shiba Inu dog with broken English phrases like “such wow” and “much amaze.” Over time, it became a vehicle for expressing internet absurdity and evolved into the currency symbol for the Dogecoin cryptocurrency. The Doge meme went from a humorous image to a symbol of internet culture’s ability to upend traditional finance—a modern-day legend of its own.
Memes as Moral Lessons
Folklore often carried moral lessons or cautionary tales. Whether it was the story of Icarus flying too close to the sun or Aesop's fables warning of greed and deceit, these tales sought to impart wisdom. Memes, in their own irreverent way, serve a similar function, albeit with humor as the primary vehicle.
For instance, "Expectation vs. Reality" memes highlight the pitfalls of modern consumer culture and unrealistic expectations, offering a satirical take on disappointment. Memes that feature “NPCs” (non-player characters) as stand-ins for people who mindlessly follow social trends reflect a cultural critique about the loss of individuality in modern society. Like folktales of old, these memes carry a message about human behavior, albeit with a touch of irony.
Similarly, memes like "Normalize This" and “We Live in a Society” call attention to societal expectations and injustices, often suggesting an alternative or pointing out hypocrisy. Just as folktales provided moral guidance or societal critique, memes function as quick lessons in cultural awareness, urging us to reflect on our own behavior or the state of the world around us.
The Democratization of Myth-Making
One of the most fascinating aspects of memes as modern folklore is the democratization of myth-making. In ancient societies, myths were often created by cultural elites or religious figures. In contrast, memes allow anyone with an internet connection to participate in creating and sharing their own slice of modern mythology.
The rapid spread of memes, coupled with the ease of their creation, has led to a rich and diverse digital culture where new myths are created daily. Whether it’s the viral rise of the “Among Us” meme as a symbol of suspicion and deception or the resurgence of “Shrek” as an anti-hero figure in meme culture, today’s myth-makers are everyday internet users.
This democratization means that memes can reflect a wider range of voices and perspectives, allowing subcultures and marginalized groups to craft their own digital folklore. Internet slang, niche references, and in-jokes become part of the modern mythos, offering a glimpse into the diversity of experiences within online communities.
Conclusion
As memes continue to evolve, it’s becoming clear that they are more than just fleeting jokes or visual soundbites. They are the modern version of folklore, capturing the essence of our shared experiences and evolving cultural values. Whether used as symbols, moral lessons, or tools of communal storytelling, memes are creating a new mythology that speaks to the complexities of life in the digital age.
In years to come, scholars may look back on the meme era as a defining moment in the way we create and share culture, just as they now study ancient myths and legends. For now, though, we continue to scroll, laugh, and share—unwitting participants in the creation of modern folklore.
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