Myth, Legend, and Pop Icon Idea Bank

Myth 1. a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. 2. stories or matter of this kind: realm of myth. 3. any invented story, idea, or concept: His account of the event is pure myth. 4. an imaginary or fictitious thing or person. 5. an unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution (Webster's, p. 1272).

Legend 1. a nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical. 2. the body of stories of this kind, esp. as they relate to a particular people, group, or clan: the winning of the West in American legend. 6. a collection of stories about an admirable person. 7. a person who is the center of such stories: She became a legend in her own lifetime (Webster's, p. 1098).

Pop 1. of or pertaining to popular songs: pop music; pop singers. 2. of or pertaining to pop art. 3. reflecting or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people: pop culture; pop novels (Webster's, p. 1504).

Icon 1. a picture, image, or other representation. 2. Eastern Ch. a representation of some sacred personage, as Christ or a saint or angel, painted usually on a wood surface and venerated itself as sacred. 3. a sign or representation that stands for its object by virtue of a resemblance or analogy to it (Webster's, p. 949).

Character's name (include links if available)

Country or culture of origin

Time period

Brief description of character's achievements or what made them a myth, legend, or pop icon?