<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

This article defines the term "legend." For other uses see Legend (disambiguation)

A legend is a story (often involving the supernatural) that usually combines elements of history and fiction, although it may be entirely historical or completely fictional. It is closely related to myth, although myths generally derive from ancient times and feature gods and goddesses.

Contents 1 Origins 2 Examples 3 Books 4 See Also 5 References

Origins

The term originated in the 14th century with written tales of the lives of saints, or hagiographies. These combined large elements of the supernatural but at the time were viewed as historically accurate. By the 15th century the word had evolved to include oral stories. Legend gradually grew to mean primarily stories that originate in folklore.

Examples

• Arthurian legend
• Fairy tales
• Hauntings
• Mythical beasts
• Supernatural beings
• Tall tales

Books

• Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets by Mark Moran, Mark Sceurman. (2004). ISBN 978-0760750438

See Also

• Haunting
• Paranormal travel guide
• Quest Magazine
• Urban legend
• Vanishing hitchhiker

References

• Hauntings and Legends by Hal Siemer (Quest Magazine)