légende

Légende is a French noun with several related meanings. In the traditional sense, a légende is a narrative, often transmitted orally, that recounts events about heroes, saints, or local places. Legends blend elements of history with embellishment or the miraculous, and are usually set in a plausible real-world setting. This distinguishes them from pure myths or fairy tales. In folklore and literary studies, legende cycles may serve to explain origins, justify local customs, or reinforce communal identity.

The term also designates a caption accompanying an illustration, map, diagram, or photograph, explaining symbols, colors, or actions shown. In this usage, the légende functions as a key or legend, guiding interpretation of the visual material.

Etymology and historical usage: légende comes from Latin legenda, “things to be read,” via Old French legende. The medieval period produced many legendaries, especially collections of saints’ lives, such as the Legenda aurea (Golden Legend), which significantly shaped Christian hagiography and popular piety.

Modern usage: in literature, légende can refer to traditional local narratives or folkloric motifs that persist in a community’s storytelling. In cartography and design, the légende remains the essential guide to map symbols and visual codes; in publishing and museums, captions and display labels are often described as légendes.