A myth is a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation.
To help you understand the main differences between these two concepts you can use the following questionnaire:
- Is there evidence that the event occurred?
- Legend: There may be proof to support the story as it reportedly happened during a specific historical time period.
- Myth: There is no evidence or time frame to support that the people were real or the events in the myth actually occurred.
- When and where did it happen?
- Legend: Past time or historical. Usually from a specific culture.
- Myth: Past time and historical. Within a specific time period, usually ancient.
- Is it fact or fiction?
- Legend: Facts are distorted or exaggerated. Some fiction.
- Myth: There is no evidence to prove it was fact. Fictional stories explaining how "the world was created" or some type of natural situation that occurred on Earth.
- Who do they talk about?
- Legend: Actual heroes or people who do admirable or heroic deeds.
- Myth: Gods of ancient cultures.
- What are they about?
- Legend: Legends feature an actual cultural hero, but includes imaginative elements.
- Myth: Traditional narrative that explains natural phenomena through symbolism. Often involves the gods of ancient cultures.
- What element is used?
- Legend: Imaginative element is used to help explain or tell the story.
- Myth: Symbolism is used to explain or demonstrate the natural "situation or event" that the story is about.
Examples of myths are those related to Greek Gods (Zeus, Prometheus, Heracles...) whilst some examples of legends could be those of Robin Hood or King Arthur.
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