- Originate from a specific region or community.
- Often related to historical events, folktales, or cultural beliefs.
- Examples:
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Washington Irving)
- The Hook (urban legend from different regions)
2. Epic Legends:
- Grand, heroic tales that involve significant events or journeys.
- Usually associated with national or cultural identity.
- Examples:
- The Epic of Gilgamesh (ancient Sumerian)
- The Iliad and Odyssey (Homer, ancient Greece)
3. Religious Legends:
- Associated with religious beliefs and traditions.
- Narrate the lives of saints, prophets, or divine figures.
- Examples:
- St. George and the Dragon (Christian legend)
- The Buddha and the Monkey (Buddhist legend)
4. Folk Legends:
- Part of oral traditions passed down through generations.
- Often feature ordinary characters in extraordinary situations.
- Examples:
- Paul Bunyan (American folklore)
- Robin Hood (English folklore)
5. Urban Legends:
- Contemporary legends shared through word-of-mouth or online.
- Usually set in modern settings and involve themes of horror, mystery, or cautionary tales.
- Examples:
- The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs
- The Vanishing Hitchhiker
6. Historical Legends:
- Blend elements of historical events with fictional or exaggerated details.
- Often involve famous historical figures or events.
- Examples:
- King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (England)
- William Tell (Switzerland)
7. Mythological Legends:
- Rooted in ancient cultures' religious or spiritual beliefs.
- Involve gods, goddesses, heroes, and other supernatural beings.
- Examples:
- Greek Mythology (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, etc.)
- Norse Mythology (Odin, Thor, Loki, etc.)
8. Trickster Legends:
- Center around clever or mischievous characters who outsmart others.
- Often serve as cautionary tales or satires.
- Examples:
- Anansi the Spider (African folklore)
- Loki (Norse mythology)