Emese

According to old chronicles, Emese [eh-meh-sheh] was the name of the mother of Álmos [ahl-mowsh] (from the root álom=dream), the father of Árpád, the founder of the Árpád Dynasty, Hungary's first royal family after the Settlement (around 896 AD). The mythical turul bird, one of the Hungarians' totem animals, appeared to Emese in a dream and announced to her the coming of her son, Álmos, from whom a mighty people would descend.

This is an example of a myth. Myths are often a set of symbols that a people hold in common, and are themselves neither true nor untrue. They are part of a common heritage with whom the people to whom it has been given identifies. White Americans, being a young nation, have no similar myths, but the oldest inhabitants of the land, the Native Americans or Indians, certainly do. That people need to identify with such myths may explain the inordinate fascination of currently younger Americans with Celtic legends and beliefs, or with Germanic paganism.

Many myth-motifs are universal, or nearly so - that is, they are found in all parts of the world. That does not make identifying with particular versions any less valid for a given people. Mothers' dreams of mighty sons, announced by mythical messengers may be legion - but Emese belongs only to the Magyars (as do Álmos and Árpád, who are both also historical).