Difference between myth and legend

Difference between myth and legend

A myth It is a fabulous narrative that explains the origin of the world or extraordinary events that are linked to gods and supernatural or fantastic beings. A legendOn the other hand, it is a popular story that tells a real, natural or historical fact, and that is adorned with fantastic or wonderful elements.

Many times, the terms "myth" and "legend" are used interchangeably. This may be due to the fact that they share many characteristics and that both are the collective expression of the beliefs of a certain people and are kept as living narratives in their memory.

Among the particularities they share, it should be noted that they are usually by unknown author, since They were originally transmitted from generation to generation orally and then they were recorded by written. In addition, they go back to the distant past and both genres combine elements of reality with other wonderful ones such as gods, fantastic animals, witches, goblins, and others.

Despite these similarities, myths and legends have their own characteristics that distinguish them as genres.

Particular characteristics of myths

Some of the most prominent characteristics of the myth genre are:

Characteristics of the legends

Some of the most prominent characteristics of the legend genre are:

Examples of myths

1. Pandora's box (Greek mythology).
2. Theseus and the Minotaur (Greek mythology).
3. Amalivaca and the creation of the world (Venezuelan mythology).
4. The Seven Legendary Monsters (Guaraní mythology).
5. The Carretón de la Otra Vida (Bolivian mythology).
6. El Alicanto (Chilean mythology).
7. La Pachamama (Inca mythology).
8. El Colocolo (Mapuche mythology).
9. Noah's Ark (Judeo-Christian mythology).
10. Moses and the forty years in the desert (Judeo-Christian mythology).

Examples of legends

1. The perseverance of Princess Savitrí (Indian legend).
2. The Battle of Mag Tured and the Magic Harp (Irish Legend).
3. The Loch Ness Monster (Scottish legend).
4. The great battle of Trentren and Caicai (Mapuche legend).
5. The two friendly caciques, Neuquén and Limay (Mapuche legend).
6. Ceibo legend (Guaraní legend).
7. The curse of the Virgin of Tilcara (Argentine legend).
8. La llorona (Mexican legend).
9. El Cadejo (Nicaraguan legend).
10. The Yacuruna (Peruvian legend).

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