legends myths

Legends

What are Legends?

Legends are stories based in truth, but with unbelievable parts.

Ogier the Dane

Legend Example

Count Dracula His real name was Vlad Dracula.

He was also known as Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes in Romanian).

Legend Example 2

Camecuaro Lake Located in Mexico. Thought be have

been created by a Queen's tears.

Myths

What are Myths?

Stories, usually from old religions, that teach lessons.

They can also explain why things happen, or how things in the past happened.

Types of Myths

The Creation Tale: How the world and humans came to be.

Creation Tales

The Fourth World of the Hopi.

Each tribe given a piece of corn, symbolic of the life they would lead.

White men and the Powaka.

Creation Tales

The creation of Japan.

Izanagi and Izanami with the spear creating islands.

Three children: Amaterasu, Tsuki-yami, Susano-wo.

Types of Myths

The Hero Quest: A tale of a hero who goes through great trials to gain knowledge or power.

Gilgamesh (Babylonian)

His best friend Enkidu dies before his eyes.

Goes on a quest to find immortality.

Learns how precious life is, and dedicates his life to helping his people.

Wunzh (Ojibwa)

Goes on a rite of passage to become a man.

Encounters a spirit he must wrestle.

After killing the spirit, he gains the knowledge of farming corn.

Other Myths (Greek, Roman) Arachne boasted

she was a better weaver than Athena (Minerva).

Athena (Minerva) punished her by making her a spider.

This is why spiders make webs.