An etiological myth, or origin myth, is a myth intended to explain the origins of cult practices, natural phenomena, proper names and the like, or create a mythic history for a place or family. For example, the name Delphi and its associated deity, Apollon Delphinios, are explained in the Homeric Hymn which tells of how Apollo carried Cretans over the sea in the shape of a dolphin () to make them his priests.
An etiological myth, or origin myth, is a story designed to explain the origins of religious practices, natural occurrences, names, or create a mythical history for an area or family. For instance, the name Delphi and its associated deity, Apollon Delphinios, are elucidated in the Homeric Hymn that narrates how Apollo transported Cretans across the sea as a dolphin to make them his priests.