NATIONAL DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF EASTERN AND WESTERN LEGENDS

Abstract

This article explores the national and cultural distinctive features of Eastern and Western legends through a comparative literary and folkloristic analysis. Legends, as an important component of oral and written cultural heritage, reflect the worldview, moral values, historical memory, and spiritual traditions of different societies. Eastern legends are characterized by philosophical depth, didactic orientation, collective values, and symbolic representation of harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. In contrast, Western legends tend to emphasize individualism, heroism, conflict, and linear narrative development, often focusing on personal destiny and moral struggle. The study applies descriptive, comparative, and contextual analysis methods to identify similarities and differences in thematic structure, character representation, narrative strategies, and ideological content. The findings demonstrate that despite universal mythological motifs, Eastern and Western legends preserve strong national specificity shaped by religious beliefs, social systems, and historical experience. The article contributes to cross-cultural literary studies by highlighting the role of legends in preserving national identity and cultural continuity.