Folklore

The elwedritsche is a fictitious animal that was supposed to inhabit the Rhineland region of Germany. It has become a cultural symbol. The Elwedritsche Fountain of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse...

If you're interested in astrology, finding out your sun sign may give you more insight into your personality and emotional makeup. The sun sign is easy to determine and could help you to make...

The Mayan civilization flourished in what is now the southern part of Mexico and in countries such as Guatemala and Belize. With observatories in many of their cities, the Mayans used astronomy...

I am sure by now, you have heard the hype about 2012. If you answered no, then I would not worry about it. If you answered yes, then read on. In 2012, there is supposed to be a Solar Flare that...

The many forms of the Celtic sun symbol has been used in paintings, tattoos and other various designs. Like many symbols of ancient design, however, the Celtic sun is not just pretty image. It...

This information that I am providing has been collected by me for 30 some years and I decided to let some of the eHow members and researchers know a little. Most likely you never think about...

Vampires are well known as the mythical blood sucking beings. They suck the blood of living creatures, most especially humans. They have the power to hypnotize their victims before they lure them...

St. Patrick's Day is one of the least commercialized holidays. It is a great opportunity to make it uniquely yours. Here are some ideas-some secular, some religious.

Adjustment is always needed since our environment constantly changes. Thus, it affects both the emotional and physical aspects of the person creating either negative or positive feelings. This...

These three steps are the foundation for the Law of Attraction. Whether we realize it or not, the Law is always working. Positive attracting positive and negative attracting negative. Therefore...

Many people think of covered bridges as romantic additions to the American countryside, but few of us stop to wonder what the purpose of these bridges was.

When you give roses to someone it is good to know that the color of the roses you choose carries significance. Similarly, the number of roses you give carries a meaning with it as well.

You are looking at vintage quilts through a museum glass case, or are examining a vintage quilt stretched over your kitchen table that you just bought at an estate sale or auction. As well as...

There are many beliefs worldwide. The umbilical cord of a first born boy have been said to possess special healing powers. In the quest to curb or stop alcoholism there is a common but taboo...

Throughout time, the hummingbird has taken on special meaning for different people and cultures.

Weathervanes are the instruments mounted on top of barns and other structures in order to determine the direction of the wind. Weathervanes are often decorative, taking the shape of a variety of...

You have seen them in the movies and read about them in books, those gallant knights in shining armor. We've all heard the tales of the brave knights who fought for maiden fair in armor that...

According to Arabian folklore, a genie's lamp held a magical spirit (a djinn or genie) which could help or hinder those who encountered it. The best known tale involving a genie lamp is that of...

Many people assume that every surname has a specific crest, and that if they share that surname, the crest represents their family line. This is a myth. Coats of arms and family crests can vary,...

The mountain dulcimer has enjoyed a renaissance in folk music. Originating in the Appalachian Mountains in the 18th century, the instrument has traditionally been hand-built by artisans and...

The Claddagh is an old Irish ring that friends and loved ones give to someone special. While the definition of an authentic Claddagh ring is not universal, there are a few generally agreed-upon...

Whether you're becoming a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) or you've landed a job at a Renaissance Faire, you will need to create a detailed medieval character. You can't be...

Moqui marbles have fascinated laymen and geologists alike for centuries. These naturally occurring spheres are found both on Earth and Mars, and are thought to have metaphysical aspects that are...

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "gravy train" as a noun that refers to a much exploited source of easy money. Considered a slang term, gravy train can be used to describe an occupation,...

The coat of arms was originally painted on warriors' shields during the Middle Ages, according to HenryChiles.com. These distinctive markings helped prevent soldiers from killing their comrades....

A creative home environment just takes a bit of imagination and resources to make your visions into a reality. You can hire a professional home decorator, but if you want to personalize it your...

Candles in windows have a long history. Different cultures use the candles to mean different things. The candles can be religious in nature or secular.

Wood turpentine has been used by Americans and Europeans throughout history. According to Merriam-Webster.com, turpentine is the brown semifluid oleoresin that exudes from conifers, or pine sap....

The sun sign Gemini is positioned third in the series of astrological signs of the Zodiac. Gemini covers people born between May 22 and June 21.

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman's life. It can be difficult to wait an entire 40 weeks to find out the gender of the baby. Many find it hard to wait for the standard ultrasound given at...

The Priory of Sion is a religious organization made famous by books and novels, including Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" in 2003. In Brown's novel, members of the Priory of Sion are responsible...

"By the light of the moon." A gentle, source of light in the sky that over looks the earth. One of natures wonders that shines through the darkness of the night. The moon has been...

Totems can consist of anything from animals, stones, insects and plants and are used to bring us spirituality and guidance. Native to South America, the hummingbird is a common totem animal that...

Black obsidian is a type of natural glass. Obsidian forms when hot volcanic lava becomes submerged in water. It is composed of silica dioxide and has a glassy appearance. Of the "New Age" stones,...

Oklahoma native Carl C. Magee is the person generally credited with inventing the parking meter. Thought of conversely as a nuisance to many automobile owners and as a good source of revenue by...

Chicago's longtime nickname, the Windy City, has a few stories about its origin. It is not as simple as being "windy" in the sense of weather; there is much history to the nickname.

The signs of the zodiac, derived from the teachings of Astrology, are assigned to individuals based on their date of birth. Astrology further groups the signs of the Zodiac into four elemental...

In a world that it is so important that we call believe in SOMEthing, it is equally important that we instill happiness in a child by allowing them to believe in something - even if we dont. When...

It is always a great thing to be able to recite a poem or a speech from a play. I'm sure that most of us can remember one or more of these from our childhood. I was fortunate enough to have most...

Chinese New Year is filled with celebration and the wish of Luck for the New Year. Follow these time honored steps to ensure you bring good fortune to your family!

The first Bowie knife was crafted in 1827 for frontiersman Jim Bowie by his brother Rezin. Bowie required a combination defensive weapon and everyday tool, and he was dissatisfied with what was...

Flowers play an important role in mythology. As they morph from bud to bloom to faded and wilted petals, they assume various meanings linked to youth, life and death. They are associated with...

Mandrake root has a long history in folk medicine, dating back to the Bible. Mandrake is a long brown root of the plant Atropa mandragora, also called Mandrake or Satan's apple. It is in the...

Water sprites are fantastical creatures that inhabit water. Water sprites appear in the folklore and mythology of many cultures.

The Mayan Aztec calendar ends on 2012 so many believe that December 21, 2012 will be the earth's last day. Some suggest that the earth will end due to a giant solar flare, a reversal of the...

Dragons have fueled the imagination of people for centuries. The typical image of a dragon for most people relates to a European dragon. However, in Asian cultures such as the Chinese culture, the...

Nature has a way of letting us know what kind of weather is making its way toward us if we just understand the signs. Our farmer forefathers knew all of this, of course, but we have lost this...

Siobhan, pronounced "shuh-VAHN", is an Irish name. It's another form of Joan in English or Jeanne (ZHAN) in French. Siobhan is a very popular name for girls in Ireland, though it wasn't always...

Hummingbirds are tiny nectar-drinking birds found in the Americas from Alaska to Chile. The name refers to the humming sound made by the bird's rapidly beating wings. The jewel-like hummingbird...