15 of The Most Popular Legends in the World
It’s tough to nail down 15 of the most popular legends in the world since there are so many to pick from. However, looking at a few obscure and well-known tales makes one wonder how many more there are to discover.
Nightmarchers-Hawaii
There are occasions when these spirits walk during the day, but they get their name from appearing during the night. It’s believed that to even look upon them as they’re marching is to invite a violent death unless one has an ancestor within the march that can point them out and spare their life.
Loch Ness Monster-Scottish Highlands
There have been numerous sightings over the years, as well as several movies and mentions of “Nessie” in pop culture. To date, though, this legend has been largely debunked and enjoyed as more of a myth by many people.
Yeti-Himalayas
Many people have likened Yeti to Bigfoot, which isn’t hard to believe since Bigfoot has been ‘spotted’ in many parts of the world. But this ape-like creature is said to be extremely reclusive and nearly impossible to spot.
Atlantis-Atlantic Ocean
It does make sense that Atlantis would be located in the Atlantic Ocean, but many have surmised that it might be settled around the edge of the Mediterranean. Many people have accepted that this city never existed, but plenty of believers still want to find something.
Banshee-Ireland
Pop culture has adopted many legends, especially if they deal with death in any way. The keening wail of a banshee was meant to signify the demise of a family member when it was heard.
El Dorado-South America
This type of legend, which is born by word of mouth, much as many of them are, gets out of control very quickly. The fabled ‘city of gold’ was said to be in Colombia, but after years of searching, nothing ever came of it other than insanity, death, and a lot of misinformation.
The Fountain of Youth-Bimini
This is still a popular legend since the fact that Florida, where the fountain was said to be located in the early days, is still considered a metaphorical fountain of youth. But the legend of being able to drink from the waters and turn back time is a fanciful myth that made Ponce de Leon famous for a while.
King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table-England
Many people have grown up with the legend of King Arthur and his knights; it’s been the subject of many movies, TV shows, and books throughout the years. But while there is some truth to the legends, according to historians, this tale is more of an amalgam of individuals who, throughout history, helped to form the legend.
Remus and Romulus-Rome
It’s interesting how many people have forgotten this tale since the origin of Rome. It is still a very intriguing tale. The two brothers, raised by a she-wolf after being abandoned, would eventually create one of the greatest cities ever to exist.
Pied Piper-Germany
The Pied Piper of Hamelin was thought to be a real man who led over one hundred children from the town during a time of great struggle. Today, a statue is erected to this legend, though the details are a little fuzzy.
Bloody Mary-England
This legend has slipped into notoriety due to its supposedly violent end. One might even state that the Candyman movies took their cue from the Bloody Mary legend, especially since saying her name three times while looking into a mirror is said to create a very negative result.
Paul Bunyan-Wisconsin
The legend of Paul Bunyan has spread far and wide since it’s a great story, particularly among logging communities. Granted, such a man never did exist, but he’s a great legend who entertains many people and stands out as one who can bring a profit in various ways.
Pirate Queen Ching Shih-China
Her rule only lasted nine years, but this very real individual did become a legend since nine years is nothing to scoff at when it comes to being a leader of pirates. One doesn’t get to hear many stories about a female pirate since it took a special type of person to excel in this field. But it’s still a tale that one can’t help but find impressive.
The Trojan War-Turkey
While it is still highly debatable if this war did take place on the scale told of by Homer, the legend is still one that many will hold onto for a while. With such characters as Hector, Achilles, and Paris, as well as Agamemnon, to hold up, it’s not at all surprising.
The Iron Wolf-Lithuania
This is a mild legend compared to the others, but it’s still interesting to think about. When an archduke was resting after a hunt, he dreamed of an iron wolf and was later told that this dream meant that he was to build a castle. The rest is bound up in the history behind the founding of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.
