Legend are narrative of actions performed by humans sometime in history; it is an historical account of events and people from ancient times.
Myths are stories or tales that have been rooted in religion or folk beliefs of that time.
Legend, derived from Latin word ‘legenda’ meaning “things to be read”, is a narrative of actions performed by humans sometime in history; it an historical account of events and people from ancient times.
Myths, derived from the Greek word ‘mythos’ meaning “thought, story, or speech”, are stories or tales that have been rooted in religion or folk beliefs of that time.
Comparison chart
 |
Legend | Myth |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence that events occurred / people existed? | Yes, but evidence may be insubstantial. | No |
| When and where did it happen? | Typically in more recent historical past. Usually from a specific culture. | Usually the ancient past from a specific culture. |
| Is it fact or fiction? | Facts are distorted or exaggerated. Some fiction. | No evidence to prove it as fact. Fictional stories explaining how “the world was created” or some type of natural situation that occurred on Earth. |
| Who are they about? | Notable people from history. | Gods, supernatural realm. |
| What are they about? | Often about heroic deeds, overcoming obstacles, but may also be about evildoing. | Traditional narrative that explains natural phenomena through symbolism and metaphor — often involves the gods of ancient cultures. |
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