Myths and Legends

Myths and legends are types of stories and often with folk tales and fairy tales make up a civilization and culture of the peoples of the world.

A myth gives an explanation for something unknown: or how the world or a particular custom began. Myths or a cycle of myths may have a chronology; but for the most part is timeless and the events are sometimes symbolic. Myths are considered a religion in certain parts of the world.

Some anthropologists and scholars of religion came have ascertained that certain Christian stories shared many of the features of myth, and could be called myths.

A legend is a story which is told as a historical event. The legend may be version of a historical event in which the participants have become larger than life. Examples of legends are the legends of which are set in a definite period, the reign of Richard I of England (1189-99), or about King Arthur which may be based on facts. These legends have a definite time period.

 Myths and legends may be passed down orally or in writing, from generation to generation their origin or author is unknown.

The concept of a myth is that it is a belief or religion of a culture and has its basis in an attempt to explain natural events such as Creation myths.

Along the same line the Great Flood myths appear in many cultural myths as an event which caused a renewal of a civilization through a great catastrophe.

Myths reinforce the beliefs of a culture and sets and example for what is often consider to morally and symbolizes the purpose to strive for in ones life.

Myths are examples of the sophisticated stories attempting to rationalize the world around the people and to gain insight into what is in the realm of the unknown.