Saga vs. Legend — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Saga and Legend
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Saga
Sagas are prose stories and histories, composed in Iceland and to a lesser extent elsewhere in Scandinavia. The most famous saga-genre is the Íslendingasögur (sagas concerning Icelanders), which feature Viking voyages, migration to Iceland, and feuds between Icelandic families.
Legend
A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions perceived or believed both by teller and listeners to have taken place within human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude.
Saga
A prose narrative usually written in Iceland between 1120 and 1400, dealing with the families that first settled Iceland and their descendants, with the histories of the kings of Norway, and with the myths and legends of early Germanic gods and heroes.
Legend
An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.
Saga
A modern prose narrative that resembles a saga.
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Legend
A body or collection of such stories.
Saga
A long detailed report
Recounted the saga of their family problems.
Legend
See urban legend.
Saga
An Old Norse (Icelandic) prose narrative, especially one dealing with family or social histories and legends.
Legend
One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame
She is a legend in her own time.
Saga
Something with the qualities of such a saga; an epic, a long story.
Legend
An inscription or title on an object, such as a coin.
Saga
Plural of sagum
Legend
An explanatory caption accompanying an illustration.
Saga
A Scandinavian legend, or heroic or mythic tradition, among the Norsemen and kindred people; a northern European popular historical or religious tale of olden time.
And then the blue-eyed Norseman toldA saga of the days of old.
Legend
An explanatory table or list of the symbols appearing on a map or chart.
Saga
A narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled Iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
Legend
An unrealistic story depicting past events.
Legend
A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.
The legend of Troy was discovered to have a historical basis.
Legend
A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.
The legend of Robin Hood
Legend
A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.
The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends. Here's the real story.
Legend
A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records.
According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.
Legend
A person related to a legend or legends.
Legend
A leading protagonist in a historical legend.
Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.
Legend
A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.
Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.
Legend
A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.
According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.
Legend
An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.
Legend
A musical composition set to a poetical story.
Legend
(naval) The design and specification of a vessel.
Legend
To tell or narrate; to recount.
Legend
That which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and in the refectories of religious houses.
Legend
A story respecting saints; especially, one of a marvelous nature.
Legend
Any wonderful story coming down from the past, but not verifiable by historical record; a myth; a fable.
And in this legend all that glorious deed Read, whilst you arm you.
Legend
An inscription, motto, or title, esp. one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon an heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.
Legend
To tell or narrate, as a legend.
Legend
A story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
Legend
Brief description accompanying an illustration
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