Myths and Legends: History and Resources

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As a human race we are always interested in how things were formed, where they came from, what we have seen or thought we saw, or how we came to be the civilization we are today. These questions have many roots in both facts, and myths and legends that we pass down from generation to generation in an attempt to explain our existence and the existence of the world around us. Below you will find some common myths and legends from around the world and from different time periods that attempt to explain many aspects of life.

Animal Legends

The Unicorn is one of the most mystical creatures ever imagined with a single horn on its head. It is the stuff of folklore and legend, and has now become a symbol of fantasy for people all over the world. The Chinese first spoke about the unicorn and said that it was a good sign that came to humans, others believed that the unicorn was present at the Garden of Eden. In Japan, the unicorn had a shaggy beard at its chin, while the Western version is a strong white horse.

In Scotland, a famous legend has come to surface. This mythological creature is known as the Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie as the natives prefer to call it. Many people living in the Scottish Highlands have claimed to see this huge green creature living the water in Loch Ness. In 1934, a supposed photo of Nessie surfaced, bringing her worldwide attention.

In the woods of North America, a legendary creature has been lurking for decades. Bigfoot sightings have been reported all over areas of thick woods and mountains. This huge hairy creature has never been captured, but many people claim to have seen him in action. The truth has never really been revealed as to whether Bigfoot is just a tall tale, or if there really are sasquatch out there walking amongst nature.

Creation Stories

The story of how the heavens and earth were created have always been up for debate, but those of Hebrew faith believe that Yaweh, or God, was responsible for its creation. The Garden of Eden is a very important factor that demonstrates how man was formed from Yaweh’s work of forming clay from the earth. Woman were supposedly created later, out of a rib from man.

The Japanese have many myths as to how their nation was formed, but one of these sprang from a character called Izanagi and Izanami, two Gods who helped to form the island of Japan. This happened because Izanagi wanted to know what lurked beneath the ocean. He thrust his staff into the water and as it rose, large chunks of mud and earth fell below. According to legend, this is how the islands of Japan came to be.

The Iroquois Indians also have a myth about how the world was created. The legend says that people used to live in the sky and not on the earth. One day, a woman fell through a hole, tumbling towards the earth. The animals that lived in the water came to her aid, and placed her on the back of a giant turtle, which carried her to North America on its back. When the woman walked on the land, she sprinkled dust which helped to create stars and had children who then represented trees and fire.

The Environment

The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most spectacular wonders. Although scientists know how it was formed, before we were able to discover geological anomalies, the Native American tribes of the Grand Canyon region told a legend as to how it was formed. Two Gods were battling for control of the earth, and one decided to flood the world. When the floods subsided, mountains were revealed, along with the huge caverns that are now know as the Grand Canyon.

The Australian Aborigines have a legend that says the sky was not as high above us as it is now. They believe that people used to crawl around on the ground and stay low down like a snake. It was not until mankind learned how to walk tall and upright that the sky raised up along with them.

Other Stories

The idea of UFO’s, or unidentified flying objects, has long been the stuff of legend. Americans believed that the US government had been aware of alien life forms for some time, and that they had been testing and using alien space ships. Any time a mysterious light or object appears in the sky, many people think it is some kind of UFO.

The poinsettia is a beautiful red flower that is often displayed at Christmas time. This flower was once a Mexican legend. A young, poor girl named Pepita was kneeling down beside an altar, when suddenly her bouquet of weeds magically transformed into lovely red flowers. These were then called poinsettias, and came to represent the love and thankfulness felt during the Christmas season.

Resource by T.Price

I am a mom of 2 boys who loves to spend time with them doing fun things outdoors. In my spare time I have my own things I enjoy doing such as gardening, reading old books, and being a closet history buff.

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