what is legend literature

Definition of Legend

Originated from Latin legendus , legend means “something which ought to be read.” According to J. A. Cuddon, a legend is “a story or narrative that lies somewhere between myth and historical fact and which, as a rule, is about a particular figure or person.” Traditionally, a legend is a narrative that focuses on a historically or geographically specific figure, and describes his exploits. Similar to a myth, a legend can provide an etymological narrative, often filling in historical gaps.

Difference Between a Legend and a Myth

There are marked differences between a legend and a myth. While legends are made up stories, myths are stories that answer questions about the working of natural phenomenon. Myths are set in olden times, even in pre-historic times. However, legends are stories about people and their actions, or deeds they perform to save their people or nations.

The people mentioned in legends might have lived in recent times, or sometime in known history. Legends are told to serve a specific purpose, and can be based on facts – but they are not completely true. People mentioned in a legend might not have really done what the story of the legend relates. In some cases, legends change the historical events.

King Arthur, Beowulf , and Queen Boadicea are some popular English legends. However, it is also important to understand that some of the stories about the Knights of the Round Table, and Merlin the Magician may not be true. The common point between a myth and a legend is that they both have been passed down from generation to generation in oral form.

Examples of Legend from Literature

Example #1: faust.

Faust is the major character in the classical German legend. According to the legend, Faust was a dissatisfied scholar. On account of his dissatisfaction, he makes a deal with the devil in exchange for his soul. The deal promises him a great deal of knowledge, and limitless pleasures of the world. However, he meets his tragic end, as the devil takes his soul after his death.

In fact, the legend of Faust presents an over-ambitious man, who surrenders his moral integrity for the achievement of worldly powers and success for a limited period of time. This kind of character teaches us the lessons of moral integrity, and the value of ethical uprightness.

Example #2: The Flying Dutchman

The Flying Dutchman is the legend of a ghost ship. According to the legend, the Flying Dutchman is cursed to never dock at a port, being doomed to sail in the oceans forever. It is likely that the legend has originated from the nautical folklore of the 17th century. The oldest surviving version of this legend dates back to the late 18th century. During the 19th and 20th centuries, there were reports of sighting the ship as a hull glowing with ghostly light. When another ship tried to make contact , the crew from the Flying Dutchman tried to send messages to land, or to people dead long ago. According to the lore, seeing the Flying Dutchman is an omen of doom.

Example #3: King Arthur

According to medieval histories, King Arthur was the British leader who led the British army against the invaders in the 5th and 6th centuries. It is mainly folklore that led to the composition of the legendary King Arthur story. Some literary inventions have been made in the story, but historical existence of King Arthur has always been questioned. There exist a few historical sources, such as the Annales Cambrige , the Historia Brittonum , and the writings of Gildas, which may be attributed as sources of the legend of King Arthur.

Function of Legend

In literature, the function of a legend is to present the story of human actions in such a way that they are perceived by the audience to be true. Actions are presented as if they have taken place within human history. For its audiences, a legend has to include happenings that are not outside the realm of possibility, but it may include miracles. Change has certainly occurred in legends over time, giving them a freshness, vitality, and a realistic taste. On the contrary, a large number of legends function in the realm of uncertainty; neither believed, nor doubted by the audiences.

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This website is dedicated to English Literature, Literary Criticism, Literary Theory, English Language and its teaching and learning.

Legends in Literature

Legends in literature serve as enduring narratives that transcend time, weaving together elements of myth, history, and cultural identity.

Legends in Literature: Introduction

Table of Contents

Legends in literature serve as enduring narratives that transcend time, weaving together elements of myth, history, and cultural identity . Rooted in the collective imagination of societies, these tales often feature heroic figures, supernatural beings, or events that shape the cultural and moral landscape. Legends function as repositories of shared wisdom, providing insights into social values, historical perspectives, and the perennial human quest for meaning.

As dynamic expressions of storytelling, legends illuminate the intersections of mythic imagination and the cultural fabric, fostering a connection between the past and the present through the artistry of literary representation.

Legends in Literature: Examples

• The Arthurian legends, encompassing tales of the legendary King Arthur, the wizard Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table, explore themes of chivalry, honor, and the pursuit of an idealized kingdom.
• Homer’s epic poems are foundational in Western literature, presenting legendary figures like Achilles, Odysseus, and gods of Mount Olympus. These tales delve into heroism, the consequences of war, and the challenges of the heroic journey.
• An Old English epic, Beowulf narrates the heroic deeds of its eponymous protagonist as he battles monstrous creatures, embodying themes of heroism, loyalty, and the inevitable confrontation with mortality.
• An ancient Indian epic , the Ramayana recounts the adventures of Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and the monkey god Hanuman. The narrative explores duty, morality, and the cosmic battle between good and evil.
• Washington Irving’s short story introduces the iconic character Ichabod Crane and the ghostly figure of the Headless Horseman, blending folklore with a humorous and eerie depiction of the supernatural.
• A medieval French epic, The Song of Roland, recounts the heroic deeds of Charlemagne’s knight Roland and his companions in the Battle of Roncevaux. It explores themes of loyalty, honor, and the clash between Christianity and Islam.

These examples showcase the diversity of legendary narratives across different cultures and time periods, highlighting their enduring impact on literature and cultural imagination.

Legends in Literature: Foreign

• The “Popol Vuh” is a Maya-K’iche’ creation myth and legendary narrative that explores the origins of the world, humanity, and the adventures of heroic figures in the Mayan mythology.
• A collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, including “Aladdin,” “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” and “Sindbad the Sailor,” the Arabian Nights offers a rich tapestry of legendary stories from the Islamic Golden Age.
• Attributed to Wu Cheng’en, this Chinese classic follows the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong, on a journey to retrieve sacred scriptures, blending mythology, Buddhist teachings, and adventure.
• Compiled by Elias Lönnrot, the “Kalevala” is an epic poem that gathers Finnish folklore and mythology, featuring legendary heroes like Väinämöinen and Lemminkäinen and exploring themes of creation and magic.
• One of the earliest known literary works, the Epic of Gilgamesh tells the story of the legendary king Gilgamesh and his quest for immortality, offering insights into Mesopotamian mythology and the human condition.
• An epic account of the Genpei War, “The Tale of Heike” portrays legendary samurai warriors and Buddhist themes, providing a cultural and historical narrative deeply ingrained in Japanese literature.

These foreign examples exemplify the rich tapestry of legendary narratives across various cultures, offering insights into the unique perspectives, values, and mythologies of different societies.

Legends in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

• Legends are subject to close textual analysis, emphasizing elements such as symbolism, imagery, and narrative structure.
• Examining legends through a gender lens to uncover underlying power dynamics, representations of women, and the impact of cultural narratives on gender roles.
• Analyzing legends to understand how colonial histories and power imbalances are reflected, challenged, or perpetuated in literary narratives.
• Investigating legends for depictions of social class, economic structures, and power relations, highlighting the ways in which literature reflects and critiques societal inequalities.
• Exploring the psychological dimensions of legendary characters and motifs, uncovering symbolic meanings and unconscious desires within the narrative.
• Interpreting legends through a queer theoretical lens to examine representations of sexuality, gender identity, and non-normative relationships.
• Investigating how readers engage with and interpret legends, considering the impact of cultural backgrounds and personal experiences on the reading experience.
• Analyzing legends for contradictions, ambiguities, and moments of instability, aligning with deconstructive principles that challenge fixed meanings and binary oppositions.
• Using legends to explore cultural identities, examining how they contribute to the construction of national, ethnic, or regional narratives.
• Studying the structure and conventions of legends within the broader framework of narrative theory, exploring how storytelling shapes meaning and understanding.

The relevance of legends in literary theories showcases their adaptability to various critical approaches, allowing scholars to uncover layers of meaning, cultural significance, and societal implications within these timeless narratives.

Legends in Literature: Relevant Terms

This table provides a concise overview of key terms relevant to the study and understanding of legends in literature.

Legends in Literature: Suggested Readings

• Tolkien, J.R.R. The Silmarillion. Houghton Mifflin, 1977.
• Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Grand Central Publishing, 2011.
• Gaiman, Neil. Norse Mythology. W. W. Norton & Company, 2017.
• Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte d’Arthur. Oxford University Press, 2010.
• Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. Disney Hyperion, 2005-2009.
• Chretien de Troyes. Arthurian Romances . Penguin Classics, 1991.
• Bulfinch, Thomas. Bulfinch’s Mythology. Modern Library, 1998.
• Garcia Marquez, Gabriel. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harper & Row, 1970.
• Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter series. Scholastic, 1997-2007.

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Definition of Legend

Originated from Latin legendus , legend means “something which ought to be read.” According to J. A. Cuddon, a legend is “a story or narrative that lies somewhere between myth and historical fact and which, as a rule, is about a particular figure or person.” Traditionally, a legend is a narrative that focuses on a historically or geographically specific figure, and describes his exploits. Similar to a myth , a legend can provide an etymological narrative , often filling in historical gaps.

Difference Between a Legend and a Myth

There are marked differences between a legend and a myth . While legends are made up stories, myths are stories that answer questions about the working of natural phenomenon. Myths are set in olden times, even in pre-historic times. However, legends are stories about people and their actions, or deeds they perform to save their people or nations.

The people mentioned in legends might have lived in recent times, or sometime in known history. Legends are told to serve a specific purpose, and can be based on facts – but they are not completely true. People mentioned in a legend might not have really done what the story of the legend relates. In some cases, legends change the historical events.

King Arthur, Beowulf, and Queen Boadicea are some popular English legends. However, it is also important to understand that some of the stories about the Knights of the Round Table, and Merlin the Magician may not be true. The common point between a myth and a legend is that they both have been passed down from generation to generation in oral form.

Examples of Legend from Literature

Example #1: faust.

Faust is the major character in the classical German legend. According to the legend, Faust was a dissatisfied scholar. On account of his dissatisfaction, he makes a deal with the devil in exchange for his soul. The deal promises him a great deal of knowledge, and limitless pleasures of the world. However, he meets his tragic end, as the devil takes his soul after his death.

In fact, the legend of Faust presents an over-ambitious man, who surrenders his moral integrity for the achievement of worldly powers and success for a limited period of time. This kind of character teaches us the lessons of moral integrity, and the value of ethical uprightness.

Example #2: The Flying Dutchman

The Flying Dutchman is the legend of a ghost ship. According to the legend, the Flying Dutchman is cursed to never dock at a port, being doomed to sail in the oceans forever. It is likely that the legend has originated from the nautical folklore of the 17th century. The oldest surviving version of this legend dates back to the late 18th century. During the 19th and 20th centuries, there were reports of sighting the ship as a hull glowing with ghostly light. When another ship tried to make contact, the crew from the Flying Dutchman tried to send messages to land, or to people dead long ago. According to the lore, seeing the Flying Dutchman is an omen of doom.

Example #3: King Arthur

According to medieval histories, King Arthur was the British leader who led the British army against the invaders in the 5th and 6th centuries. It is mainly folklore that led to the composition of the legendary King Arthur story. Some literary inventions have been made in the story, but historical existence of King Arthur has always been questioned. There exist a few historical sources, such as the Annales Cambrige , the Historia Brittonum , and the writings of Gildas, which may be attributed as sources of the legend of King Arthur.

Function of Legend

In literature, the function of a legend is to present the story of human actions in such a way that they are perceived by the audience to be true. Actions are presented as if they have taken place within human history. For its audiences, a legend has to include happenings that are not outside the realm of possibility, but it may include miracles. Change has certainly occurred in legends over time, giving them a freshness, vitality, and a realistic taste. On the contrary, a large number of legends function in the realm of uncertainty; neither believed, nor doubted by the audiences.

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A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated. This sense dates from the early 17th century; in Middle English, the word was used to denote the story of a saint's life, and came via Old French from medieval Latin legenda ‘things to be read’.

a legend in their own lifetime a very famous or notorious person; someone whose fame is comparable to that of a hero of legend or about whom similar stories are told.

From:   legend   in  The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable »

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Legend: Literary Genre

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A legend is a story coming down from the past, especially one popularly regarded as historical and true, although not verifiable.

Legend Definition

Legends are stories or groups of stories about people, or groups of people, that have been passed on throughout history. Legends may include supernatural beings or some elements of mythology, but they are generally told as a matter of history about a person or a place. Although legends are supposedly at least semi-true stories, they are often transformed over time in order to keep them interesting and relevant. Local legends often travel and change depending on where they are told.

In the English language, the term “legend” dates back to the early 1500s as a narrative story, usually about a saint. About one hundred years later, English-speaking Protestants began using it to imply that an event or person was not real.

Teaching about legends in the classroom gives students the opportunity to learn about how other countries tell stories, and how they are passed on and changed over many years. One activity in a writing unit could be to have students research well known legends, explain the elements of a legend, and then write their own. Another way to use legends in the classroom is to take an existing legend and change it in a new and creative way.

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Legend examples.

• King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
• Kamehameha and the Naha Stone

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The Meaning of Myths, Folklore, Legends, and Fairy Tales

They cannot all be lumped together as mere fanciful tales

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The terms myth , folklore , legend , and fairy tale are often used interchangeably, leading to the misconception that they mean the same thing: fanciful tales. Although it's true that these terms may refer to bodies of writing that answer some of life's basic questions or present commentary on morality, each type presents a distinct reader experience. They've all stood the test of time, which speaks volumes about their ongoing hold on our imaginations.

A myth is a traditional story that may answer life's overarching questions, such as the origins of the world (the creation myth ) or of a people. A myth can also be an attempt to explain mysteries, supernatural events, and cultural traditions. Sometimes sacred in nature, a myth can involve gods or other creatures. It presents reality in dramatic ways.

Many cultures have their own versions of common myths that contain archetypal images and themes. One common myth that spans multiple cultures is that of a great flood. Myth criticism is used to analyze these threads in literature. A prominent name in myth criticism is that of the literary critic, professor, and editor Northrop Frye.

Folklore and Folktale

Whereas myth has at its core the origins of a people and is often sacred, folklore is a collection of fictional tales about people or animals. Superstitions and unfounded beliefs are important elements in the folklore tradition. Both myths and folklore were originally circulated orally.

Folktales describe how the main character copes with the events of everyday life, and the tale may involve crisis or conflict. These stories may teach people how to cope with life (or dying) and also have themes common among cultures worldwide. The study of folklore is called folkloristics. 

A legend is a story that's purported to be historical in nature but that is without substantiation. Prominent examples include King Arthur, Blackbeard , and Robin Hood. Where evidence of historical figures, such as  King Richard , actually exists, figures such as King Arthur are legends due in large part to the many stories that have been created about them.

Legend also refers to anything that inspires a body of stories or anything of lasting importance or fame. The story is handed down orally but continues to evolve with time. Much of early literature began as legend told and retold in epic poems that were passed down orally originally, then at some point written down. These include masterpieces such as the Greek Homeric Poems ("The Iliad" and "The Odyssey"), circa 800 BCE, to the French "Chanson de Roland," circa 1100 CE.

A fairy tale may involve fairies, giants, dragons, elves, goblins, dwarves, and other fanciful and fantastic forces. Although originally not written for children, in the most recent century, many old fairy tales have been "Disneyfied" to be less sinister and to appeal to kids. These stories have taken on lives of their own. In fact, many classic and contemporary books, such as "Cinderella," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Snow White," are based on fairy tales. But read the original Grimm brothers' fairy tales , for example, and you'll be surprised at the endings and how they differ from the versions that you may have grown up with. 

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What Is a Legend? Definition & 20+ Examples

Have you ever been captivated by the tales of legendary heroes, supernatural beings, and lost cities?

For centuries, legends have played a pivotal role in shaping human culture and society, leaving their mark on our collective imagination. These narratives are a unique form of storytelling that often contain a kernel of truth but are typically infused with supernatural, fantastical, or extraordinary elements.

Legends captivate our attention and resonate with our innate curiosity and thirst for adventure. In this article, we will look into the complex and fascinating world of legends by uncovering their origins, purposes, and the various forms they take.

Table of Contents

What Are Legends?

A legend can be defined as a traditional story or narrative about a historical event, person, or place, which may involve miraculous or supernatural occurrences. These stories are passed down through generations and often serve to teach moral lessons, explain natural phenomena, or entertain.

Examples of legendary figures include King Arthur, Robin Hood, and Davy Crockett, while legendary events may encompass tales of epic battles, mystical settings, and heroic quests.

Characteristics of Legends

Legends possess several unique characteristics that differentiate them from other forms of folklore, such as myths, fables, and folktales.

Difference from Other Forms of Folklore

Understanding the differences between legends and other types of folklore is essential in determining the nature of a specific narrative. The primary distinctions among these forms are as follows:

This clear distinction between the various forms of folklore can help in identifying and categorizing traditional narratives and understanding their significance within a specific cultural context.

Legend vs. Myth

Although legends and myths share similarities, they differ in several key aspects. Legends are grounded in some historical truth, while myths are purely fictional narratives focusing on cosmogony or the supernatural.

Unlike myths, which primarily deal with divine beings and supernatural forces, legends tend to be rooted in the real world and focus on mortal heroes or remarkable events.

Some of the main characteristics that differentiate legends and myths include:

Legends often involve heroic figures, like King Arthur or Robin Hood. Although these characters might be based on real individuals, their stories become exaggerated over time, incorporating elements of fantasy and supernatural occurrences. Myths, on the other hand, revolve around divine entities and cosmic events, such as creation myths and stories about gods and goddesses.

When interpreting legends and myths, it’s essential to acknowledge the cultural context within which they originated, as both types of narratives are vehicles for transmitting values, beliefs, and ideas across generations.

Types of Legends

Legends can be classified into various categories based on their origin, content, and purpose. Some common types include:

• Folk Legends: These are stories passed down through generations, usually by word of mouth, and centered around ordinary people, animals, or supernatural beings. They often contain moral or cultural lessons.
• Historical Legends: These are accounts of events or people in history, often embellished or altered to make them more memorable or appealing. Historical legends can offer insights into the values and beliefs of the time in which they were created.
• Urban Legends: Contemporary legends that usually involve bizarre, humorous, or frightening events happening in modern-day settings. Many urban legends have their roots in popular culture, and some are created or spread via the internet.
• Mythical Legends: These are stories that involve gods, goddesses, or other supernatural beings, usually connected to a particular culture or religious system. Mythical legends often play a role in explaining natural phenomena, cultural practices, or the origins of a people.

In addition to these broad categories, there are many subtypes of legends, including:

While these categories help in understanding different types of legends, many stories share elements from multiple types and can be challenging to classify neatly. Nonetheless, they all contribute to the rich tapestry of human storytelling.

Examples of Legends

Legends come in various forms and often serve to educate, entertain or convey a particular belief or moral lesson. Below are some of the many examples of legends:

Historical Legends

Historical legends are stories that revolve around real events or people but are often embellished or distorted over time. These legends present a mix of fact and fiction that might have existed in the past.

• King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
• Robin Hood and his Merry Men
• Joan of Arc and her visions

National or Cultural Legends

National or cultural legends are stories that embody the values, beliefs, and identity of a particular nation or culture. They often include heroes, great achievements, and moments of national pride.

• The American legend of Paul Bunyan

Mythical Legends

Mythological legends involve gods and goddesses, usually from ancient cultures, and their interactions with humans. These legends often explain the origins of cultural practices or natural phenomena.

• The Greek myths of Zeus, Hercules, and other gods
• The Norse myths featuring Odin, Thor, and Loki
• The Egyptian myths of Ra, Isis, and Osiris

Supernatural Legends

Supernatural legends often involve creatures or events that defy the laws of nature or defy scientific explanation. They typically include ghosts, monsters, or unexplained occurrences.

• The Irish legend of the Banshee
• The Loch Ness monster in Scotland
• The Bermuda Triangle and its mysterious disappearances

Urban Legends

Urban legends are modern stories that circulate primarily through word of mouth, social media, and popular culture. They often prey on fear, curiosity, or skepticism and usually have a twist or shocking ending.

• The legend of Bloody Mary
• The vanishing hitchhiker
• The story of the hooked man on Lover’s Lane

The Purpose of Legends

Legends serve various purposes in societies throughout history. They often provide an insight into the values, beliefs, and morals of a specific culture. Legends are also used to entertain, educate, and sometimes preserve historical events.

Some of the primary purposes of legends include:

• Moral lessons: Legends frequently portray a moral message, emphasizing the consequences of right and wrong behavior. These stories may involve heroes overcoming obstacles or villains receiving punishment for their misdeeds.
• To explain the unknown: In the past, scientific knowledge was limited, and legends helped people make sense of natural phenomena such as severe weather or unusual events. These stories attempted to provide explanations for events beyond human comprehension.
• To express cultural identity: Legends often reflect the customs, traditions, and beliefs of a specific group of people. They can reveal a society’s values, creating a shared identity among members.
• Pedagogical tool: Legends can be used as a means to teach life lessons, history, and cultural practices. They have been an integral part of oral traditions and passing knowledge down through generations.

Legends are a valuable resource for understanding the past and present societies. Although they may contain embellishments or inaccuracies, they provide a glimpse into the worldview and identity of a particular culture.

The Evolution of Legends

Legends have evolved over time as they are passed down through generations and adapted to different cultures. They often originated as oral traditions, with stories being told and retold in various settings, such as around a campfire or during a community gathering.

With the invention of writing, legends were recorded in texts, which allowed for greater preservation and dissemination. The stories could then be shared with a wider audience, enabling them to become ingrained in the collective memory of society.

As societies progressed, legends continued to evolve alongside advancements in technology and communication. The printing press played a significant role in this evolution, as it allowed for mass production of written works, leading to even greater dissemination of legendary tales.

Furthermore, the rise of mass media, such as newspapers, radio, and television, provided new ways for legends to spread.

Today, the internet and social media play a crucial role in the evolution of legends. The ease at which stories can be shared across the globe has increased the potential for legendary tales to reach new audiences and adapt to different cultural contexts.

Legends in Popular Culture

Legends have always captured people’s imaginations and continue to influence popular culture in various forms of media.

Many literary works are inspired by or based on legends from different cultures. Books like J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series have drawn from mythical elements and creatures.

Modern retellings and adaptations such as Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” that incorporates Greek mythology also contribute to the presence of legends in literature.

Motion pictures have frequently been a medium to bring legends to life.

Films such as “Excalibur,” which depicts the Arthurian legend, and “Troy,” which dramatizes the Trojan War, allow audiences to experience legendary tales on the big screen. Directors and screenwriters often adapt and reinterpret these stories to suit modern audiences while staying true to the original essence.

Television and Streaming Series

Television and streaming services have also embraced legends in their content.

Popular series like “Game of Thrones,” influenced by British folklore and medieval history, and “American Gods,” which combines mythology from various cultures in a modern setting, showcase the power of legends to captivate audiences episodically.

Video Games

Video games have also found success in incorporating legends into their storytelling. Games like “The Legend of Zelda,” “God of War,” and “Assassin’s Creed” draw from legendary figures, events, or myths to create immersive worlds for players to explore.

Graphic Novels

Similarly, graphic novels such as Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman” series and Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy” have integrated legendary elements and characters within their narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can legends be proven true or false.

Determining the integrity of legends can be complex due to the intricate blend of fact and fiction, the passage of time, and the influence of cultural and personal biases. While some legends may have a grain of truth, others are purely fictional.

Researchers often use historical, archaeological, and linguistic evidence to investigate the origins and authenticity of legends. Still, definitive proof or disproof can remain elusive, allowing these stories to maintain their mystique and enduring appeal.

Are legends unique to specific cultures?

Although legends often originate within a specific culture or region and reflect that society’s unique beliefs, values, and experiences, many legends share similar themes and motifs across different cultures.

These common elements, such as heroic journeys, supernatural encounters , or moral lessons , indicate that legends tap into universal human experiences and concerns.

As a result, legends can transcend cultural boundaries, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to connect with and appreciate stories from other cultures, fostering a sense of shared humanity.

In summary, legends are fascinating narratives that capture the imagination and often serve to explain historical events, natural phenomena, or cultural practices. They typically have a basis in truth, yet are embellished with fictional elements that attract the interest of listeners and readers.

Although they may not be entirely factual, legends provide invaluable insights into how societies perceive and process their past.

As we explore more legends and their origins, it’s essential to approach them with a critical mind, acknowledging the mixture of fact and fiction that often characterizes these stories.

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Myths and Legends

Myths are considered truthful accounts of nature, gods or, demons of long ago.  They tell about the origin of the world and humans.  The characters can be human or animal, and they usually take place in an earlier or another world.   

Legends have been handed down for generations, and they can be delivered in the epic form.  Legends are usually about humans and not supernatural beings. The heroes are generally good,  and they are overcoming some evil within the world. 

(Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children's Literature   by Donna E. Norton)

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Meaning of legend in English

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legend noun ( STORY )

• In the case of King Arthur, legend and truth are often inextricable .
• Her appetite for shopping became the stuff of legend.
• Their legends were passed from generation to generation .
• He collects Norse legends.
• The opera is based on an Icelandic legend.
• anti-narrative
• be another story idiom
• bodice-ripper
• cautionary tale
• horror story
• in medias res
• reminiscence
• running commentary phrase
• semi-legendary
• write something up

legend noun ( PERSON )

• celebrity The magazine is all about the lives of celebrities.
• celeb Which celeb recently spent $60,000 on an engagement ring?
• sleb UK She was last spotted interviewing a minor sleb on the red carpet.
• star Her ambition was always to become a movie star.
• superstar Rock superstar Elton John grew up working class in England.
• legend He became a legend in his own lifetime.
• She was a legend on Broadway.
• Miles Davis was a jazz legend.
• He was a legend among actors .
• Singing legend Shirley Bassey performed here.
• He was a legend in his own lifetime .
• Hippocrates
• household name
• Julius Caesar
• personality
• public figure

legend noun ( EXPLANATION )

• creative writing
• intertextual
• intertextuality
• intertextually
• self-portrait
• thought piece
• uncaptioned
• versification

legend | American Dictionary

Legend noun ( fame ), examples of legend, translations of legend.

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any of the rods that join the edge of a wheel to its centre, so giving the wheel its strength

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• legend (STORY)
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Definition of legend

Examples of legend in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English legende , from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French legende , from Medieval Latin legenda , from Latin, feminine of legendus , gerundive of legere to gather, select, read; akin to Greek legein to gather, say, logos speech, word, reason

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing legend

• a legend in one's own time
• living legend
• the stuff of legend
• urban legend

Articles Related to legend

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Dictionary entries near legend, cite this entry.

“Legend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legend. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of legend.

Middle English legende "a legend," derived from Latin legenda "something to be read," derived from earlier legere "to gather, read"

More from Merriam-Webster on legend

Nglish: Translation of legend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of legend for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legend

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At first, audiences didn’t realize that the film wasn’t actually based on real events—in fact, it was completely fictitious and created by the director, but people thought that the footage was real. The “found footage” was a movie with actors, filmed by the director in documentary style to make it seem like it could be real recorded content.

The Discovery Channel series Mythbusters tries to debunk popular urban legends by recreating the scenarios behind the stories and using science experiments. In this episode, they test the well-known urban legend that if you drop a penny from a skyscraper, it can kill someone on the ground below:

In this episode, they disprove the urban legend. However, in many episodes their results are inconclusive, leaving the legends to continue circulating!

Many films feature an urban legend that is not believed but actually turns out to be true (in the story). In the horror film The Ring , there’s an urban legend that everyone who watches a certain video tape dies after seeing it. Of course, no one believes it…in this clip, two friends talk about the urban legend:

The legend says that after watching the tape you’ll get a phone call, and within one week you will die. As it turns out, there’s more to the urban legend—if you pass on the legend by making others watch the film, you won’t die. This creates an endless cycle that assures the legend will live on.

VII. Related terms

An urban myth is basically the same as an urban legend, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. However, the word “myth” implies the story includes supernatural or “mythical” details that make it less believable. So, urban myths are usually seen as overtly untrue.

VIII. Conclusion

In all, urban legends are interesting and ever-changing parts of popular culture that work as today’s folklore. As communication and the sharing of information become easier, the easier it is to spread stories. Just like storytelling and folklore will always be a part of history and culture, so will urban legends!

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
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In Ancient European Folklore Lies The Legend Of The Basilisk, A Monster That's Said To Strike Its Victims Dead With Just One Look

Originating in European folklore, the basilisk is a fearsome monster that can strike its victims dead with just one look.

The legend of the basilisk dates back to ancient times and has been referenced in Greek and Roman literature. Since then, it has appeared in several stories throughout history and even shows up in popular culture today.

The earliest known mention of the basilisk comes from Pliny the Elder in Natural History , an encyclopedic work that he published in 79 C.E.

He described it as a small, serpent-like creature about “twelve fingers in length.” It had the ability to kill by sight alone, but its deadly powers didn’t stop there. Pliny claimed that the basilisk could wreak havoc on the surrounding landscape just by its mere presence.

“It destroys all shrubs, not only by its contact, but those even that it has breathed upon; it burns up all the grass, too, and breaks the stones, so tremendous is its noxious influence. It was formerly a general belief that if a man on horseback killed one of these animals with a spear, the poison would run up the weapon and kill not only the rider but the horse as well,” Pliny wrote.

The Romans believed that basilisks transformed the once-lush Sahara into desert. The basilisk had just one weakness, which happened to be a weasel. When a weasel is thrown into the hole of a basilisk, the animal’s odor kills the serpent. However, the weasel also dies in the process.

Medieval interpretations of the monster differ slightly. During the Middle Ages, the legend of the basilisk evolved.

It was depicted as a hybrid creature called the cockatrice, part snake and part rooster. It also had a whole new set of powers. The cockatrice was thought to be born from a rooster’s egg and incubated by a serpent.

At that time, the basilisk’s toxic odor was blamed for starting a plague in Rome and spreading a fainting sickness around Vienna. Across Europe, people slaughtered roosters that were found laying eggs.

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Today, experts speculate that the roosters were actually hens with unbalanced hormones, resulting in them having male traits.

In 1587, the basilisk terrorized a town called Warsaw. It lived in a crumbling castle and emerged from the ruins at night to steal livestock, demolish buildings, and turn its victims to stone.

When a tailor named Jan Ślazak was falsely accused of murder, one of the townspeople who had lost a child to the basilisk suggested that he could clear his name if he could put an end to the basilisk. So, Ślazak brought a mirror to the castle. When the beast saw itself in the reflection, it turned to stone.

Another version of the legend involved two young girls who had disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Eventually, their bodies were discovered in an old house. Locals realized the girls were killed by a basilisk. A man named Johann Faurer was sent to kill the monster. He covered his body with mirrors and forced the serpent into the sunlight.

Luckily, the basilisk only lives in legend. It has continued to remain a symbol of lethal danger and highlights human beings’ capacity to overcome evil.