Legend has it that a prince of Sukawati fell ill and had a vivid dream in which two maidens danced to gamelan music.

Others believe that the Legong originated with the sanghyang dedari, a ceremony involving voluntary possession of two little girls by beneficent spirits.

These dancers were regarded highly in the society and usually became wives of royal personages or wealthy merchants.

The most common is the tale of the East Javanese king of Lasem from the Malat, a collection of heroic romances.

These types included:[5] Legong is mentioned in "I've Been To Bali Too", the single by Australian folk-rock band Redgum from their 1984 album Frontline.