Legend is a type of folk narrative. In some ways, legends resemble myths. But myths typically relate events from a remote time long ago and deal with such religious subjects as gods and goddesses and the origin of the universe. Legends are set in the present or in the historical past. Although legends may have religious implications, most are not religious in nature. Legends distort the truth, but they are based on real people or events.
Every society produces legends. They constitute an unofficial or folk history by reflecting the attitudes and values of the group that creates them. In addition, legend heroes possess exaggerated attributes–positive or negative–of special significance to a society. For example, many legends tell about George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Such legends emphasize the courage and fairness of these great Presidents of the United States.
The majority of societies have both local and national legends. Local legends tell about heroes of a particular ethnic group, occupation, or region. For example, John Henry is a legendary hero of African Americans, and Casey Jones has the same rank among railroad engineers. National legends are shared by an entire people. Many British men, women, and children take pride in the achievements described in the tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Urban legends are an increasingly common form of folk narrative. They reflect the anxieties of modern urban living.
