MYTHOLOGICAL LEGENDS IN THE CONTEXT OF MYTH: GENRE BOUNDARIES AND CULTURAL FUNCTIONS
Abstract
This paper explores mythological legends and examines their relationship with myths within the system of folklore genres. The study aims to identify the main similarities and differences between myths and mythological legends by analyzing their narrative structure, themes, characters, and social functions. Myths are generally regarded as sacred narratives explaining the origin of the world, natural phenomena, and divine beings, while mythological legends combine supernatural elements with more localized, semi-historical settings and human-centered plots. The research highlights their shared mythopoetic foundations and symbolic imagery, which reflect collective folk consciousness and oral tradition. At the same time, important distinctions are revealed in terms of sacred status, degree of belief, narrative purpose, and connection to historical reality. The findings demonstrate that mythological legends function as an intermediate genre, preserving archaic mythic motifs while adapting them to evolving cultural and social contexts. This comparative approach contributes to a clearer understanding of genre classification and the development of traditional narrative forms.