Myths & Legends
Explore ancient stories from around the world, discover what makes a myth different from a legend, and learn to write your own.
What Are Myths and Legends?
Myths and legends are traditional stories that have been passed down through generations. Although they share some features, they are different types of storytelling.
Myth
- • Ancient stories about gods, spirits or supernatural beings
- • Explains how things in nature came to be
- • Usually not based on real events
- • Often teaches a moral or lesson
Example: The Greek myth of how Prometheus gave fire to humans
Legend
- • Stories about heroes or extraordinary people
- • May be based on a real person or event
- • Details are exaggerated over time
- • Often celebrates bravery or cleverness
Example: The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Key Features of Myths and Legends
Even though myths and legends come from different cultures, they share many common features. Recognising these features helps you understand and write your own.
A Hero or Main Character
The story centres on a brave, clever, or powerful character who faces a great challenge. They often have special abilities or qualities.
A Quest or Challenge
The hero must complete a difficult task, defeat an enemy, or go on a dangerous journey. This is the main problem of the story.
Supernatural or Magical Elements
Myths and legends often include gods, monsters, magic objects, or impossible events that could not happen in real life.
A Moral or Lesson
Many myths and legends teach the audience something important about how to behave, such as the value of courage, honesty, or respect for nature.
Myths from Around the World
Every culture has its own myths and legends. Comparing stories from different cultures helps us see what people around the world have in common.
Aboriginal Australian
The Dreamtime stories explain how the land, animals, and people were created by ancestral spirits.
Example: The Rainbow Serpent shaped the rivers and mountains as it moved across the land.
Ancient Greek
Greek myths feature gods like Zeus and heroes like Heracles who battle monsters and complete impossible tasks.
Example: Theseus entered the labyrinth to defeat the Minotaur.
Norse (Viking)
Norse myths tell of powerful gods like Thor and Odin, giant wolves, and a great world tree called Yggdrasil.
Example: Thor used his magic hammer, Mjolnir, to protect the world from giants.
Did you know? Many cultures have a flood myth where a great flood covers the earth. This appears in Aboriginal, Greek, Hindu, and many other traditions. Comparing myths helps us understand shared human experiences.
Writing Your Own Myth or Legend
Follow these steps to plan and write your own myth or legend. Remember to include the key features you have learned about.
Choose What to Explain
Pick a natural event or feature your myth will explain, such as why the sky is blue or how the kangaroo got its pouch.
Create Your Hero
Give your hero a name, a special quality, and a reason to go on their quest.
Add a Challenge or Villain
Include a monster, riddle, or difficult task the hero must overcome.
End with a Lesson
Make sure your story teaches a moral or explains something about the natural world.
Key Vocabulary
Myth
A traditional story about gods or supernatural beings, often explaining how something in nature was created.
Legend
A traditional story that may be based on a real person or event, with details exaggerated over time.
Quest
A long journey or mission undertaken by a hero to achieve a goal or complete a task.
Moral
A lesson about right and wrong behaviour that a story teaches the reader or listener.
Worked Examples
Practise identifying features of myths and legends in these examples.
Example 1: Identifying the Type
"Long ago, the goddess of the sun grew angry and hid inside a cave. The world was plunged into darkness until the other gods tricked her into coming out."
Type: This is a myth because it features gods and explains a natural event (the return of sunlight). It is from Japanese mythology.
Example 2: Finding Key Features
"Ned Kelly, wearing his famous iron armour, stood his ground against the troopers. Though outnumbered, he refused to surrender."
Type: This is a legend because it is based on a real person (Ned Kelly) but the details have been embellished to make him seem larger than life.
Example 3: Comparing Cultures
Greek: Heracles had incredible strength and completed twelve impossible labours.
Aboriginal: Tiddalik the frog drank all the water, and the animals had to make him laugh to release it.
Comparison: Both feature a central character facing a major challenge. The Greek myth focuses on physical strength, while the Aboriginal myth values cleverness and community.
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding of myths and legends. Select the correct answer and click "Check Answer".
Question 1
What is the main difference between a myth and a legend?
Question 2
Which of these is a common feature of myths from many different cultures?
Question 3
The story of the Rainbow Serpent is best described as which type of story?
Question 4
Which of these would be the best opening for a myth?
Question 5
What is a "moral" in a myth or legend?
Key Concepts Summary
- ● Myths are ancient stories about gods or supernatural beings that explain natural events.
- ● Legends are based on real people or events, with details exaggerated over time.
- ● Key features include a hero, a quest or challenge, supernatural elements, and a moral.
- ● Every culture has its own myths — comparing them helps us understand shared human experiences.
- ● To write your own myth, choose something to explain, create a hero, add a challenge, and end with a lesson.