We often talk about myth or legend taking them as synonyms. However, although both terms are related and have common elements, they are two different manifestations that serve to explain historical or religious aspects of a certain community or population. Do you want to know exactly what is the difference between myth and legend?, at OneHowTo.com we explain it to you.
Steps to follow:
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Both in myth as the legend they are part of the oral tradition of the peoples. These are narratives that serve to tell or explain certain episodes from generation to generation, so their cultural value is always highlighted.
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However, there is a difference between myth and legend.
The legend It is a folk tale created with fictional elements that may be based on some historical event, but that over the years has been enriched with fanciful characteristics. It usually serves to explain some historical or community event.
A characteristic element of the legend is that over time it is fed by word of mouth, that is why the same legend can be different between one population and another, since it adapts to the circumstances of each community. The legend usually also has a literary character, so it is possible to buy books with this type of story.
A good, fairly universal example is the legend of the Trojan horse.
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For his part the myth It is also a wonderful narrative, usually starring supernatural and heroic characters, but instead of trying to narrate a historical event, they seek to explain the origin of the world, natural phenomena or certain religious aspects linked to that community or civilization.
The mythology it is in charge of grouping all the myths of a certain community or civilization. Among the most famous mythologies we find the Greek, Roman or Scandinavian.
Among the most popular myths we can mention the Pandora’s box belonging to Greek mythology, the myth of Excalibur the famous sword of King Arthur or the myth of the creation of the world of the Popol Vuh that corresponds to the Mayans.
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Once we have defined each gender, the differences between myth and legend are:
- The legend is based on a historical event although over time it has been enriched with elements of fantasy. The myth has no real or historical basis, being only a fanciful narrative.
- The legend tries to narrate, in a folkloric way and fed by word of mouth, a historical event. The myth for its part tries to explain the origin of the world, explain natural conditions or events that are beyond our understanding.
- The legend makes mention of characters that have existed, historical figures. The myth is starred by fantasy and heroic characters.
- The legend can have a literary character, while the myths, although they can be collected in a book, are not under the literary genre.
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