The genesis of modern understanding of Greek mythology is regarded by some scholars as a double reaction at the end of the eighteenth century against "the traditional attitude of Christian animosity", in which the Christian reinterpretation of myth as a "lie" or fable had been retained. يعدّ بعض الباحثين بداية الفهم للميثولوجيا الإغريقية ردة فعل في نهاية القرن الثامن عشر على "الموقف العدائي المسيحي"، الذي اعتبر الميثولوجيا "كذب" أو "حكاية رمزية".
Some elements (particularly ancient elements) were associated with Greek (or Roman or other) gods or people, in Greek mythology (or other mythology), and with planets (or other objects in the solar system), such as Mercury (mythology) – Mercury (planet) – Mercury (element), etc. Also, astrological symbols for the planets were often used as symbols for the ancient elements. عطارد - زئبق، إلخ كذلك، غالبا ما تستخدم الرموز الفلكية للكواكب كرموز للعناصر القديمة.