Dragons, as mythological creatures embodying the evil, were present in many of the legends throughout cultures. In our ancestors’ minds, they represented more than natural forces of destruction, therefore fighting them was a purpose in itself, but in the same time a way in which the hero could develop. But evil was also embodied by other creatures, such as devils or even sorceresses. In the Romanian legend “The Dragon Garden”, not only the male hero fights the dragons, but even one of the maidens manages to turn the beasts into stone, thus completing the quest. Petrification is also presented in legends such as “Lake Misurina and Mount Sorapiss”, “Belogradchik Rocks” and “Rhodopa”. The confrontation between heroes and dragons is described in legends such as “Saint George and the Dragon”, “Legend about Neringa” and “Legend about Wawel Dragon” and fights with other evil forces are presented in “The Devil‘s Column” (devil), “Bies and Czady” (evil creatures similar to men), “Legend of Mount Ślęża”(devils).

The idea of human sacrifice goes back in history. One of the most common reasons why people performed human sacrifice was to win gods’ or other supernatural powers’ favour. Immurement of a human (especially if they are closely related to the master builder) in an edifice under construction was thought to ensure its permanence. In the Romanian legend “Mesterul Manole – The master builder Manole” the construction is a monastery and the master’s wife is the one who has to be sacrificed. In the Bulgarian legend “Devil’s Bridge” – version 1, the masterpiece whose strength had to be ensured was a bridge and the master builder would have had to sacrifice his soul and his wife’s. Version 2 presents not a physical immurement but of a shadow (symbolising the soul of the builder’s wife). The Italian legend “Lake Misurina and Mount Sorapiss” depicts another type of human sacrifice, the one made out of love. King Sorapiss willingly accepted to be turned into a mountain for the sake of his spoiled daughter. 

Love and tragedy are often intertwined in legends. The emotions conveyed by a tragic story in which a young girl dies is even intensified if the death is linked to a love story. Both versions of the Romanian legend “The bride’s Cave” depict the suicide of young girls who are forced to marry men they do not love.  Version 2 of the Bulgarian legend “Belogradchik Rocks” presents the story of a young woman who is eventually turned into stone after a lot of tragic twists and turns. The story in the Bulgarian legend “Devil’s Throat Cave” is famous and it deals with the tragic love story between the most talented player of ancient times, Orpheus and his beloved Eurydice. A different type of sad story is developed in the Italian legend “Beautiful Alda”, in which the young maiden died out of vanity and for monetary gain. 

Dragons, as mythological creatures embodying the evil, were present in many of the legends throughout cultures. In our ancestors’ minds, they represented more than natural forces of destruction, therefore fighting them was a purpose in itself, but in the same time a way in which the hero could develop. But evil was also embodied by other creatures, such as devils or even sorceresses. In the Romanian legend “The Dragon Garden”, not only the male hero fights the dragons, but even one of the maidens manages to turn the beasts into stone, thus completing the quest. Petrification is also presented in legends such as “Lake Misurina and Mount Sorapiss”, “Belogradchik Rocks” and “Rhodopa”. The confrontation between heroes and dragons is described in legends such as “Saint George and the Dragon”, “Legend about Neringa” and “Legend about Wawel Dragon” and fights with other evil forces are presented in “The Devil‘s Column” (devil), “Bies and Czady” (evil creatures similar to men), “Legend of Mount Ślęża”(devils).

Female mythical creatures that appear in legends have supernatural powers which they use to dominate mortals. Whether they are creatures similar to fairies, like the Romanian Iele or they are mermaids, like in “Legend of Warsaw Mermaid”, they use art in their desire of enchanting humans. Mermaids sing to hypnotise sailors and lure them to death. The Romanian mythical creatures can similarly use their beautiful voices to charm their listeners, but they also dance their ritual Hora, a circular dance. In both legends, these beautiful creatures can be either evil, mischievous, agents of revenge or they can show mercy towards mortals.  

Evil forces always fight against people from various reasons: either because they are greedy and envious of the qualities, wealth or the success of human beings, or sometimes for no reason. In the Romanian legend “The Lady’s Rocks”, the evil forces are either mythological – the Devils – or real characters – Turk soldiers. The first version of the legend presents only the fact that the evil done by the devil causes its destruction, without any apparent intervention from divinity. The second version of the legend depicts the actual fight between good and evil. What seems to be just the forces of nature that kill the soldiers, they are in fact the divine help asked by Princess Elena and her daughter. The same providential help from divinity is offered to Alda, in the Italian legend “Beautiful Alda”. In the Polish legend “Legend of Mount Ślęża”, the help comes from angels, who are moved by the great moral qualities of the villagers and their sufferance.  

If people today enjoy the beauty of famous buildings or live in old and full of history capitals, it is because of some important historical figures who either contributed to the foundation of such places or did something extraordinary that linked that place to their name forever. Although the Romanian ruler Vlad Tepes is allegedly considered to have lived in the famous Bran Castle, millions of tourists come to Romania every year to visit the wonderful building because of the fame of the character of Dracula. In Lithuanian legends “Legend about the establishment of Trakai Castle”, “Legend about Vilnius city foundation” and “Legend about Kaunas city foundation”, the capital, the city and the castle were founded by historical figures. Rome, the wonderful European capital, will always be related to the legend of the two founders, Romolo and Remo.