Legends
Once upon a time...
There are thousands and thousands of "folk stories" in the world. So, I started wondering about them.
Let's go beyond just asking where these stories come from. For the most part, there is no single origin. for the ones that do have a specific story, they're still so soaked in symbolism and age that it makes it nearly impossible to separate fact from fiction. I wanted to get into my thinking on these a little bit.
Let's start with legends. What exactly is a legend?
Let's be clear in our definition. The word "legend" is defined as "a non-historical story handed down which is generally accepted as historical." It goes further to say that it's related to a specific group, person or other being (like a deity). The word comes to us from a long time ago. The earliest roots go back before the formation of any recognized languages came about (proto-into-european). It just meant a collection, or something to be read. So, we can combine all these things into a single definition: a legend is a story or collection of stories about a small group or a person which is handed down through the ages, and which is not historically verifiable.
I am not trying to endorse, criticize or otherwise disparage anybody's beliefs. These are my opinions and thoughts on the topic, and I truly apologize if I say anything that might be offensive.
Now comes the fun part: wild speculation!
The first thing we need to realize is that there are a ton of stories that would fall into this category. For example: Japan's writing system was originally borrowed from China as early as ca. fourth century CE for use in names. It was then put into wider use among nobility and other fancy-pants people throughout the following four hundred years. Over time, it twisted and morphed into what we see today, but it's that early time before written documents (prehistory) where we get myths from. But in my opinion, legends come from a later time, when some aspects of the story can be seen in history.
An example of this (again, let me use a story from Japan) is that of Minamoto Yoshitsune. He was the brother of the first shogun (military leader) of Japan in the 1100s, and was far more popular than his brother. He had a companion—a warrior monk named Benkei—who protected him until the end, when Yoshitsune's brother had him killed. These are verifiable facts.
This is where the legend starts. Yoshitsune's life started growing in importance and grandeur after his death, as did that of Benkei. These two have reached the point where they have an entire TV drama based on the events leading up to his death. People buy plastic figures of the two characters. You can get various other merchandise with Yoshitsune and Benkei on it, too—from fans to t-shirts. There's probably an anime out there, too.
This man has become such a part of popular culture that if you mention either name in a conversation about history, you might get an earful of truth mixed with a little embellishment. Pretty much everyone knows the story.
Two other examples that will be a little more familiar are those of Robin Hood and King Arthur. But the difference between these and the story of Yoshitsune is that neither Robin Hood or King Arthur are generally accepted as historical figures. But that's where the kernel of truth comes from. There has to be something that began these stories. Robin Hood probably started with an archer with a heart of gold, who gave money to anyone in need. From that, he became the man who "robbed from the rich to give to the poor." He splits arrows. He goes up against the Sheriff of Nottingham. Woos maid Marion. Has a band of merry men out in the forest. King Arthur starts with a few stories, and then gets combined with other stories about Lancelot, a wizard named Merlin, a round table, and so forth.
My idea is this: we need these stories. As people in western cultures (any culture, really), we cling to stories like these to construct a moral and ethical framework for our lives. Robin Hood was charitable to the poor, and so should we. King Arthur was a wise king who treated his friends as equals. Yoshitsune was brave to his last breath. Jesus' apostles (except Judas) were faithful their entire lives. These legends are used, with all their embellishments, to teach us the right way to be. Myths are about moralizing, while legends are there to teach us the kind of people we should be on a practical level.
That's my thinking, anyway.
Thanks for wreading!
Jeff
There are thousands and thousands of "folk stories" in the world. So, I started wondering about them.
Let's go beyond just asking where these stories come from. For the most part, there is no single origin. for the ones that do have a specific story, they're still so soaked in symbolism and age that it makes it nearly impossible to separate fact from fiction. I wanted to get into my thinking on these a little bit.
Let's start with legends. What exactly is a legend?
Let's be clear in our definition. The word "legend" is defined as "a non-historical story handed down which is generally accepted as historical." It goes further to say that it's related to a specific group, person or other being (like a deity). The word comes to us from a long time ago. The earliest roots go back before the formation of any recognized languages came about (proto-into-european). It just meant a collection, or something to be read. So, we can combine all these things into a single definition: a legend is a story or collection of stories about a small group or a person which is handed down through the ages, and which is not historically verifiable.
I am not trying to endorse, criticize or otherwise disparage anybody's beliefs. These are my opinions and thoughts on the topic, and I truly apologize if I say anything that might be offensive.
Now comes the fun part: wild speculation!
The first thing we need to realize is that there are a ton of stories that would fall into this category. For example: Japan's writing system was originally borrowed from China as early as ca. fourth century CE for use in names. It was then put into wider use among nobility and other fancy-pants people throughout the following four hundred years. Over time, it twisted and morphed into what we see today, but it's that early time before written documents (prehistory) where we get myths from. But in my opinion, legends come from a later time, when some aspects of the story can be seen in history.
An example of this (again, let me use a story from Japan) is that of Minamoto Yoshitsune. He was the brother of the first shogun (military leader) of Japan in the 1100s, and was far more popular than his brother. He had a companion—a warrior monk named Benkei—who protected him until the end, when Yoshitsune's brother had him killed. These are verifiable facts.
This is where the legend starts. Yoshitsune's life started growing in importance and grandeur after his death, as did that of Benkei. These two have reached the point where they have an entire TV drama based on the events leading up to his death. People buy plastic figures of the two characters. You can get various other merchandise with Yoshitsune and Benkei on it, too—from fans to t-shirts. There's probably an anime out there, too.
This man has become such a part of popular culture that if you mention either name in a conversation about history, you might get an earful of truth mixed with a little embellishment. Pretty much everyone knows the story.
Two other examples that will be a little more familiar are those of Robin Hood and King Arthur. But the difference between these and the story of Yoshitsune is that neither Robin Hood or King Arthur are generally accepted as historical figures. But that's where the kernel of truth comes from. There has to be something that began these stories. Robin Hood probably started with an archer with a heart of gold, who gave money to anyone in need. From that, he became the man who "robbed from the rich to give to the poor." He splits arrows. He goes up against the Sheriff of Nottingham. Woos maid Marion. Has a band of merry men out in the forest. King Arthur starts with a few stories, and then gets combined with other stories about Lancelot, a wizard named Merlin, a round table, and so forth.
My idea is this: we need these stories. As people in western cultures (any culture, really), we cling to stories like these to construct a moral and ethical framework for our lives. Robin Hood was charitable to the poor, and so should we. King Arthur was a wise king who treated his friends as equals. Yoshitsune was brave to his last breath. Jesus' apostles (except Judas) were faithful their entire lives. These legends are used, with all their embellishments, to teach us the right way to be. Myths are about moralizing, while legends are there to teach us the kind of people we should be on a practical level.
That's my thinking, anyway.
Thanks for wreading!
Jeff
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