Legends & Folklore

Typhoid Mary has been dubbed "The Most Dangerous Woman in America" for her role in spreading typhoid in early twentieth century New York City. The historical figure infected many people and spent...

A katana is a Japanese sword that dates back to the ancient samurai. It is a long, curved sword with one sharp edge.

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...

Firefighters are emergency technicians trained to assist in almost any emergency, from their namesake fires, to car accidents, to natural disaster evacuation and control, to neutralizing hazardous...

New Jersey has a place to celebrate everything from the lazy days of summer to savoring a glass of wine on a crisp fall day. It is a state where you can take a step back into history and...

Though people had been using swords as a means of combat for centuries, the techniques practiced in the Middle Ages (the 15th century) did much to significantly impact the art of sword fighting....

Historically, the Masonic symbolism in the design of the confederate flag is nothing more than coincidence. A brief examination of the flag's history shows its design was mainly influenced by...

In 2008, many late-night couch dwellers were treated to the persuasive sales pitch in infomercials for Kinoki Detox Foot Pads: "the incredible detox system that naturally captures toxins from your...

Fairies are popular today as ornaments and characters in children's stories, but at one time were believed to be common visitors to homes and farms and a part of everyday life. Fairy legends...

The "compass rose" has appeared on charts and maps as a design representing compass directions since the 14th century. The term "rose" comes from the emblem's resemblance to the petals of a rose...

Urban exploration (urbex) has been around for as long as there have been abandoned places to explore. But the urban exploration movement has come into its own as a worldwide subculture and is a...

The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a collection of ancient manuscripts that has been controversial since its discovery and deciphering. The earliest versions date back to the 16th century B.C.

Excalibur is the famed sword used by legendary sixth-century British ruler King Arthur, whose existence is debated by historians and scholars.

Weavers make Navajo rugs in two basic styles: traditional and pictorial. Only the designs on pictorial-style rugs---adapted, but never copied, from sand paintings---have symbolic meanings.

People have used talismans and good luck charms throughout the ages. The objects can be as simple as a rock or feather, but the real magic may be in the mind of the believer.

When given as gifts or portrayed in artwork, flowers served as silent messengers throughout the Medieval period. Their messages can still be understood and enjoyed today.

Cowboy boots with spurs are an iconic symbol of the American Frontier. They bring to mind a historical population--cowboys--and remain a fashionable staple even today.

Wicker Man was a Druidic effigy built out wood and straw, then covered with grass to form a giant man. Legend states that the Druids packed the hollow statues with humans and animals and set them...

Hypnotism is a process that is often misunderstood. One common misconception is that hypnotism can be used to "brainwash" people into doing things against their will. However, hypnotism can be...

Ring games have been in existence for at least 200 years. The origins of such games are the subject of debate among folklorists.

Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto. In Greek mythology, he's the god of medicine, healing, truth, archery and light, among other things. His twin sister, Artemis, is the goddess of hunting.

The list of the Seven Wonders of the World was created by historians during the Middle Ages. This list of man-made structures is meant to inspire awe and beauty. More recently, a list entitled the...

Seamlessly woven into everyday life, superstitions outlast culture after culture. For centuries, passers-by have avoided walking under ladders for fear of attracting bad luck. This superstition...

The word "Oriental" is typically meant to describe something originating in the area to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. Thus it describes a vast area including China, Japan, India, Russia, and...

As one of the most prominent Greek deities, Hermes (known as Mercury to the Romans) fulfilled numerous duties, but was most widely acknowledged as the messenger of the gods and the guide of the...

Japanese lanterns are a familiar site outside and inside of Japanese restaurants, in gardens during parties and in homes as decorations. Nowadays Japanese lanterns are mostly used to light...

The pagan Celts revered the sun as an extremely powerful symbol, associated with healing, fertility and a source of life. In the days of ancient Britain, where the weather was harsh and survival...

Across many cultures around the world, dice are used in games of chance or gambling. In an instant, the random toss of dice determines the unpredictable outcome of a game or wager. The symbol of a...

Laurus nobilis, commonly referred to as a bay laurel or a daphne, grows as a tree that produces fresh bay leaves, often used in cooking. Mysticism surrounding this tree extends back to ancient Greece.

According to legend, Joseph Peavey was standing on the banks of the Penobscot River in Upper Stillwater, Maine, observing the yearly log drive when he had a revelation. The tools the log drivers...

The thumb ring is deeply rooted in history. It was used by medieval archers for protection from their bows and Chinese military officials to determine rank. Today, it has become more of a fashion...

Fate can be both a liberating and terrifying prospect for many. The concept goes back to ancient times and has been used as a justification for many events.

Lemuria is a mythical "lost land" or sunken continent held by some to have existed in the Indian ocean and others in the Pacific. The idea, first offered in the 19th century, is now considered...

The bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a large shrub that is native to the Mediterranean area. It has numerous historical and present uses.

For centuries the paper from birch trees has been used to decorate everything from candles and crafts to collecting and storing food. Native American tribesman lined their canoes and wigwams with...

Saltpeter, or potassium nitrate, is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is used as a fertilizer and explosive, according to Princeton's WordNetWeb online.

Stories of the Old West are among the most-compelling aspects of American folklore. Because the United States shares a common border with Mexico, our histories are intertwined, and the...

The Rider Tarot deck, also known as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, has established itself as one of the more recognizable mass-produced tarot decks. First designed and distributed in 1909, the deck...

Everyone can use a little luck in their lives. Luckily for them, there are special lucky numbers that can be calculated for every person based on either their birthdays or their names. The...

Should you see a doorway with a water-filled plastic bag hung over it, you should know that flies are not likely to be inside. Flies, it seems, don't go where the water bags hang. So if you want...

The fabled phoenix was an awe-inspiring bird of extraordinary beauty and strength. The phoenix has been depicted in numerous ancient cultures, first referenced by Hesiod in the eighth century B.C....

Every Scorpio you meet will be slightly different. Just because two people are both Scorpios does not mean they will be exactly the same. However, there could be similar qualities that each...

Soma is a quasi-mythical beverage and ritual sacrament, which is the subject of 200 hymns in the ninth and oldest section of the ancient Indo-European text, the Rigveda. Its exact composition,...

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson invited Merriwether Lewis and William Clark to map the Missouri River. The famed Lewis and Clark expedition mapped over 1,000 uncharted miles beginning in Kentucky.

Mythology dates back centuries and recounted the firm religious beliefs of many cultures. For early Greek and Romans, Thule was a place of mystery and religious significance.

Tattoos and body art have a deep history in the South Pacific. Tattoo art from Hawaii is rich and varied in its presentation.

The study of world history is a way to understand the growth and evolution of humanity. It enables us to learn from our past and teaches us ways to build a better future. History is more than just...

Widely considered one of the greatest and most famous American patriots, a near mystique has gathered around Paul Revere. With his active involvement in the American Revolutionary War, Revere's...

World history is a wide ranging subject that encompasses many different topics and disciplines. Archaeologists, anthropologists, biologists and historians each contribute to this subject as they...

Mysterious. Absurd. Maybe threatening. Shoes on power lines have been rumored to mean anything from a gang sign for owned turf to helpful objects meant to warn low-flying aircraft pilots of power...