Legend is a narrative that aims to explain mysterious facts and the origin of things, as well as encourage certain behaviors in people. Using real facts that make the story more credible, the legends are part of popular culture and are transmitted orally.
Myth is a fantastic narrative created by the Greeks with the aim of explaining the existence of things that people could not explain scientifically, such as, the origin of things, phenomena of nature, among others. By referring to some real facts, people were led to believe these stories.
One difference between myth and legend what stands out concerns the characters. In myths, they are usually gods and heroes, while in legends there are strange creatures and monstrous, in addition to Indians, with regard to the numerous indigenous legends that are part of our folklore.
We have selected some of the main examples of legends and myths from Brazil and the world:
1. Curupira
THE legend of Curupira, of uncertain origin, but known throughout Brazil, tells the story of a creature that guards the forest, in addition to making many mischiefs.
According to legend, Curupira has its feet turned backwards and its existence explains the disappearance of hunters.
2. Iara
THE legend of Iara comes from the North region. It tells the story of a beautiful warrior who is envied by her brothers and who, for that reason, decide to kill her. Shrewd, Iara manages to escape the brothers and it is she who kills them.
Afraid of her father, Iara runs away, but he manages to catch her and throw her into the river. Saved by the fish, Iara becomes a mermaid who seduces men and drives them crazy.
3. boto
THE legend of the boto originates in the North region. She explains the pregnancies of unmarried girls, who are seduced by a handsome and educated boy, actually the pink dolphin, who transforms on the nights of the full moon.
After taking the girl to the river and getting her pregnant, the boto leaves her, transforming itself again into an animal the next morning.
4. Werewolf
THE werewolf legend, of European origin, has several versions. One of them tells the story of a man who, by divine punishment, was condemned to change into a wolf on the nights of the full moon.
5. Headless mule
THE Headless mule is a Southeast legend used to prevent women from getting involved with priests.
It all happened when a woman who fell in love with a priest was cursed and turned into a mule with flames of fire in place of her head.
6. Saci-pererê
Saci-pererê is a legend that has its origins in the southern region. The presence of this legendary figure, known for having only one leg, explains the disappearance of small things, the exchange of flavors in food, among other mysteries.
Mischievous, Saci hides the seamstresses' thimbles, changes the salt and sugar containers to confuse the cooks, and braids the horses' tails, all to confuse people.
7. Boitatá
THE Legend of Boitatá is an indigenous legend that tells the story of a great fire serpent that protects the forests, especially in case of fire. According to legend, whoever looks at Boitatá can go blind and mad.
8. head
THE legend of cuca originates from Galician-Portuguese folklore and is known throughout Brazil. The Cuca, an alligator-headed creature, is used by parents to convince children to sleep, or else they will be taken by her.
9. water lily
THE Legend of the Victoria Regia, originally from the North region, explains how an Indian woman in love with the moon god drowned while leaning over the river to try to kiss her reflection. Moved, the god transformed India into an aquatic plant that became known as "victoria regia".
10. Caipora
Caipora, a legend known in all regions of Brazil, without knowing its origin, narrates about the creature that has the function of protecting the forest. To do so, it resorts to traps and false clues to hunters.
11. bogeyman
THE bogeyman legend, with no known origin, talks about a monster that frightens disobedient children. The same is on the roof waiting for the bad behavior to attack the children and even eat them.
12. golden mother
THE Legend of the Golden Mother it is typical of the Midwest region. She tells how a woman protects deposits of gold and treasures.
According to legend, a slave wept with sadness on the day he did not find gold to take to his master, who was very bad. Compassionate, the Golden Mother appeared showing the slave where to find gold, but on the condition that he could not reveal the location to anyone.
Thanks to the master, who had him flogged, the slave revealed the secret. After that, the boss went to the place accompanied by several slaves, where they all died buried.
13. Cassava
THE Cassava legend is a legend from the North region that explains the emergence of a nutritious root very present in Brazilian cuisine.
Mani, the chief's granddaughter, was a little Indian very dear to the tribe and who had been born without her mother knowing how she had gotten pregnant.
Later, the girl died leaving her mother very unhappy, and every day she cried in the place where she had buried her daughter.
There, the land began to open up and the mother dug in the hope of digging up her daughter alive, finding, however, a root, the cassava.
14. Negrinho from the herding
Negrinho from the herding is a legend that has its origins in the southern region and tells the story of a slave who let his master's horse escape and was cruelly punished for that.
Certain of the slave's death, the next day the boss was surprised to see the slave, uninjured, mounted on the lost horse and accompanied by Our Lady.
15. Guarana
THE Guarana legend is a legend from the North region that tells the origin of this fruit.
It all happened when the god of darkness, who was envious of a little Indian full of qualities, turned into a snake to attack the boy who was in the forest gathering fruit.
After he died, Tupã ordered the child's eyes to be planted so that a fruit would be born from them that would give people energy, which explains the fact that the guarana fruit looks like an eye.
16. big snake
THE legend of the big snake, which originates in the North, probably in the Amazon, explains the existence of large-sized snakes in the region.
According to legend, a snake impregnated an Indian woman, who had a pair of snake-like twins. Frightened by the appearance of her children, the mother threw them into the river, where the female did a lot of mischief, she having therefore been killed by her brother, who was good and suffered with the suffering that his sister caused to people.
17. Oriole
THE legend of the oriole is a Brazilian urban legend used by parents to try to convince children of the danger of talking to strangers.
The name Oriole comes from Oriole, as the man, also known as "sack man", chased children and he offered sweets in order to eat their livers, which were healthy and the only ones that could cure him of the disease that he suffered.
18. Santa Claus
O Santa Claus is a legendary figure who cheers children at Christmas by bringing gifts. His story is related to St. Nicholas of Mira, a Turkish bishop who left coins by the chimneys of poor people's homes at night.
19. Redhead beard
THE Redbeard legend, originally from the Northeast, tells the origin of the Paranaguá River, in Piauí.
According to the story, a single girl, who had a child and abandoned him in a pot next to a small creek, infuriated the Mãe d'água, who sent a flood and enchanted the waters, where the river arose Paranagua.
20. Jurupari
THE Legend of Jurupari, which originates in the North region, tells the story of an Indian woman who ate a forbidden fruit while she was in her fertile period. Having the juice of the fruit drained into her private parts, the woman conceived a son, who at birth revealed that he would bring new laws to men, which is why Jurupari is known as "the legislator".
21. screamer
O screamer it is a legend from the southern region that a man was buried with many sins to pay and was therefore returned by the earth.
22. alamoa
THE Alamoa legend is a legend from the Northeast region that explains the disappearance of fishermen.
Seduced by the beauty of the Alamoa - whose name is a reference to the word "German, because of its physical appearance - men are taken to a peak where they are imprisoned or thrown.
23. aho aho
aho aho it is a Southern legend created to convince the Indians to accompany the priests during the Missions, because otherwise, a monster, the Ahó Ahó, would appear to devour them.
24. Acutipupu
THE Legend of Acutipupu the setting is the Serra do Japó, probably Japi, actually located in the state of São Paulo.
According to this Southeast legend, a father desired his daughter, who therefore fled. Her mother was a creature, male and female at the same time.
To get revenge for his daughter's flight, her father attacked and killed everyone who lived in the tribe where she was taken in and also married.
25. Açaí
THE Açaí legend is a legend of the North region. In it, the chief's sad decision to sacrifice the tribe's children due to hunger is the cause of his own granddaughter's death.
The suffering of the dead child's mother touched Tupã, who allowed the girl to appear hugged to a tree loaded with a very nutritious fruit, the açaí. Thus, the solution was found for the provision of food for that tribe.
26. blue jay
THE blue jay is a legend from the southern region that tells how a black bird, as most birds of its species were, received a beautiful hue blue after accepting the divine mission to spread araucaria seeds throughout the territory, from which a large forest of araucaria.
27. Mate herb
The yerba mate legend, which originates in the southern region, explains the emergence of the yerba mate plant which, according to the narrative, was offered by Tupã to an old Indian.
Without the strength to fight, the Indian welcomed travelers. Thus, without knowing his identity, he received Tupã with all possible honors. Grateful, Tupã offered the Indian an herb that would give him back his physical energy, the mate.
28. guinea fowl legend
The Legend of the guinea fowl is an African legend that talks about the origin of this species. According to the story, birds envied the appearance of the most beautiful bird, and he promised to make the birds beautiful if they would obey him.
But not everyone obeyed, so, in annoyance, the beautiful bird transformed the disobedient birds giving them the characteristics that have the well-known guinea fowl.
29. Matinta Perera
the legend of Matinta Perera, also known as Matinta Pereira, originated in the North region. She says that every night a witch turns into a bird, and with her weird whistle, she annoys and scares people, who promise offerings if you leave them alone.
The next day, looking like an old woman, Matinta Perera goes to get her offers, taking revenge on those who promise but leave her nothing.
30. Diamond
The Legend of the Diamond is indigenous and tells how the tears of the Indian Potira gave rise to diamonds.
According to legend, the couple Itagibá and Potira lived very happy. One day, Itagibá left for combat, but he did not return. Such was the sadness of his beloved that she wept bitterly.
Compassionate with her sadness, the god Tupã turned the tears of India into diamonds, which could only be discovered hidden in the river.
31. Ubuntu
Legend Ubuntu is African and teaches the importance of cooperation, through a game proposed by an anthropologist to a group of children from a tribe in Africa.
The game consisted of running to pick up a basket of fruit that had been left under a tree; the fastest would have the basket.
But, at the start, the children started to run hand in hand and, when asked the reason for this behavior, they said "Ubuntu", which means "I am who I am because we are all of us", and they explained that no one could be happy while others were sad.
32. Comadre Fulozinha
The Legend of Comadre Fulozinha, typical of the Northeast region, tells of a cabocla who lives in the forest to protect plants and animals.
Amiable woman, she can be very mean to hunters, who get lost in the forest after being disturbed by Fulozinha's whistle.
33. Amazons
The Legend of the Amazons, from the North region, tells the origin of the warrior women known as “amazons”.
In a tribe where only women lived, every year there was a party where they received men with the intention of mating. The following year, at the time of the party, they delivered the male babies they had conceived to their parents and stayed with the girls.
These Indians used the bow and arrow as no man did. To do so, they removed their breasts to facilitate the handling of these instruments. Hence the name a-Mazon, which means "woman without breasts"
34. Rufous Hornero
The legend of João-de-barro, which originates in the southern region, reveals the origin of this species of bird, known for its nest that resembles a clay oven.
According to legend, an Indian asked for the hand of the most beautiful Indian woman in the tribe in marriage. The girl's father demanded proof of the boy's love, to which he said he would fast for nine days.
So, to prevent the Indian from eating or drinking, he was tied in a hide, and it was unwound nine days later.
The other Indians thought they would find him dead, but when he removed the hide, the Indian came out singing to his beloved and turned into a bird. The same happened to India who, together and happily, built a beautiful house to live.
35. House of 365 Windows
The Legend of the House of 365 Windows, from the Midwest region, tells about a very rich man who had a mansion built with the best materials, with several rooms and with 365 windows.
When the man died, leaving no heirs, the city's inhabitants invaded the mansion in search of riches, from where they took glasses, pieces of flooring and even the famous windows.
According to the legend, there are many houses in Goiás with pieces of that mansion, which would explain the fact of hearing the footsteps of the deceased owner of the house from the 365 windows through the streets, who keeps looking for the pieces of his housing.
36. old satanic
The Legend of the Satanic Old Man is an urban legend that tells about an evil old man who lived alone in a very distant place, with no neighbors around, and according to what is said, practiced satanic acts.
After dying mysteriously, the people - who did not like the man, invaded his house breaking what was in it. Later, strange things started to happen, such as furniture moving from one side to another and strange noises coming from the house, things that happen in the place until today.
37. Legend of the Invisible Horse
The Legend of the Invisible Horse is a legend from the Southeast region that tries to convince people of the importance of repeating the time of Lent.
So, in order to frighten the unbelievers, a horse gallops past near your windows, as if it were carrying a message from God.
People look down the street trying to spot the horse, but no one has ever been able to see it, which is why they say it is invisible.
38. dry body
dry body is a legend known in several regions of Brazil that tries to convince people not to have unforgivable attitudes, such as mistreating parents or children, and making promises to saints and not fulfilling them.
With these attitudes, after they die, the spirit of these people is not accepted by God, nor by the devil and, thus, they are wandering at night, in a body with a dry appearance - in skin and bones. The opposite happens with good people, who after dying, keep their bodies preserved.
39. Narcissus
the myth of Narcissus, of Greek origin, explains the concept of the psychology of Narcissism, which refers to the love that a person can acquire for himself.
When he was born, the oracle said that Narcissus would be beautiful and would live quite long, but for that he would not be able to see his own face. Rejected by a nymph who was in love with him, the nymph cast a spell on him causing Narcissus to stay leaning on the river admiring his beauty to death.
40. Oedipus King
the greek myth of Oedipus explains the Oedipus Complex, the phase of the male child in which he feels attraction to his mother.
According to the story, Oedipus was destined to kill his father, the king of Thebes, and marry his own mother. Warned by the oracle, he is abandoned by his baby father, who is raised by the King of Corinth as his own son.
Years later, Oedipus also consults the oracle and is aware of this revelation, which makes him flee. In his escape, he unknowingly meets his real father and kills him in a conflict. He arrives in Thebes, where he manages to save the people from the terror caused by the Sphinx and as a prize is named king, marrying the widow of the man he had killed, his mother.
41. ha, sun god
According to Egyptian mythology, the god Ra it is responsible for the creation of the world, including men and women.
The story tells that his father Nun had given him the difficult task of creating the universe and, at the end of it, tired of the work of creation, Ra sweated a lot and cried. Her sweat and tears brought out the man and the woman.
42. persephone
the nail myth of persephone explains the changing seasons. According to the story, food and fields were filled with sadness after Persephone, the goddess of the harvest, was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld.
After being found, Hades made it possible for her to return to earth on condition that she spend a third of the year in her company, which happened in the winter months, when the fields were once again sad without the presence of her goddess.
43. Eros
Eros, the god of passion in Greek mythology, united people by the feeling of love shooting his arrows. One day, by mistake, he shot an arrow at Psyche and another at himself. From this relationship, scholars believe that human spirituality emerged, as Psyche represented the soul.
44. Achilles
the greek myth of Achilles gives rise to the term "Achilles' heel", which indicates someone's weakness.
According to the story, to make Achilles immortal, his mother plunged him into a river that bathes hell, but the fact that she held him by the heel made that part of her body vulnerable. Thus, in the Trojan War, Achilles died when he was hit by an arrow in the heel area.
45. Phoenix
the myth of Phoenix, of Egyptian origin, represents the beginning and hope. The story tells that the Phoenix was a very beautiful bird that burned in flames and reappeared from the ashes just as beautiful.
46. Hercules
Hercules is a Greek mythological character known for his strength. Bewitched by the jealous Juno, Hercules kills his wife and children and, to redeem himself, is given difficult tasks, which became known as The Twelve Works of Hercules.
47. Venus
Venus, goddess of love and beauty in Roman mythology, represents the ideal of female beauty. For this reason, her symbol, which is the female symbol, represents a mirror, in reference to vanity.
48. Odin
Odin he is the main deity of Norse mythology, god of life and death. After taking the liquid from Mimir's magic well, he understood several secrets and acquired several abilities, such as: healing, calming winds and storms, and making an invincible warrior.
49. osiris
osiris, the Egyptian god of judgment, he judged people weighing their hearts. Killed by the brother who envied him, his wife manages to resurrect him, having later conceived a son who avenged his father's death.
50. Pandora's box
the myth of Pandora's box she explains the origin of the first woman and the emergence of all the evils in the world.
According to the story, Zeus ordered Athena, goddess of justice, to create the first woman, Pandora. Zeus wants revenge for the fact that Prometheus stole his fire and gave it to mortals.
Pandora had several qualities and, before being sent to Earth, she received a box that could not be opened as per her recommendation. The box contained all the evils in the world, but it also had hope.
Pandora did not obey Zeus and, curious, opened the box, which caused several evils to be spread across the Earth. Repentant, she closed the box and left hope trapped inside.
51. Prometheus in chains
the myth of Prometheus in chains tells how Zeus punished Prometheus after he stole fire from the gods and offered it to mortals. Fire represents intellectuality, which enlightens people as it makes them more aware.
Zeus had Prometheus chained to a rock. Over the years, he sent an eagle every day to eat the liver of Prometheus who, however, if he regenerated every night, until one day he was saved by the god Chiron, who conceived his immortality.
52. King Arthur
the history of King Arthur it is of British origin, not being possible to confirm its existence, can be considered a myth. It is known that in his court, the brotherhood of the Round Table was created, which was given the mission to locate the chalice that Jesus Christ would have used in the Last Supper, known as the Holy Grail.
53. Unicorn
O Unicorn, which has oriental origins, was a mythological animal coveted for its healing properties. The task of catching it, however, was only possible with the help of a virgin, who, thanks to her purity, managed to attract the unicorn.
54. Thor
Thor, god of Norse mythology, is a brave warrior son of the god Odin. Known to be generally accompanied by his hammer, with it Thor was able to reduce a mountain to dust.
55. centaurs
You centaurs, mythical beings from Greek mythology, explain why humans have irrational attitudes. Thus, the body of these creatures is formed by a part similar to a man and another part similar to a horse.
56. Romulus and Remus
The myth of the twin brothers Romulus and Remus tells the story of the founding of Rome. Sons of Mars, or Ares, with the mortal Rhea, daughter of the king, were thrown into the Tigris River by order of their uncle Amulius, who longed for the throne.
So, both were fed by a wolf and raised by a couple of shepherds. On the banks of the river where they were thrown and grew up, they founded Rome, which arose in a place inhabited by shepherds.
57. Jellyfish
O Myth of Medusa reveals how the beautiful Medusa was transformed into a monster capable of petrifying someone with a single glance.
Medusa was a priestess of the temple of the goddess Athena, where upon being seduced, she was married by Poseidon. Indignant at the disrespect in her temple, Athena turned Medusa's hair into snakes and cursed her, causing everyone who looked at her to turn to stone.
58. echo
The myth of Echo explains the origin of echo, repetition of a sound.
According to mythology, Echo is a nymph who loved to talk and always have the last word. With his conversation, he distracted Hera-protector of marriages-so that she wouldn't be suspicious of her husband Zeus' romantic encounters with other nymphs.
Until one day she was discovered and thus cursed by Hera, saying that Eco would always have the last word, but would just repeat what others said.
59. Minotaur
the myth of Minotaur explains the origin of the well-known creature that has half the appearance of a man and the other half of a bull, the minotaur.
Minos wanted to be king of Crete, so he asked Poseidon for help. Poseidon promised to help, but said that to do so, Minos would have to sacrifice a bull sent from the seas, in his offering.
Enchanted by the animal's beauty, Minos was unable to sacrifice it. As punishment, Poseidon made his wife fall in love with the sea bull, with whom he had a son, the Minotaur.
60. Midas
The Midas myth is about greed.
Midas was a king of peasant origin, whose kingship had been obtained through the prophecy of an oracle.
When, by way of thanks, the god Bacchus granted a request to Midas for taking care of his father, Midas asked for the ability to turn everything he touched into gold.
After satisfying his wish, Midas could no longer feed himself, as everything turned to gold. So Midas repented of his greed and left the kingdom.
From this myth, the expression “touch of midas” arises, which means the ability of someone's intervention to make something prosper.
Which legend or myth is missing from our list? Tell us!
