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...

The third Friday the 13th of 2009 occurred in November - the maximum number of unlucky Friday the 13ths that can occur in a year. Who believes in these silly superstitions? Winston Churchill and...

Do you have an important decision to make? Are you having trouble deciding between two choices? Let a tossed coin make the decision for you. Here is the technique you should use to toss a decision...

Friday the 13th is known as a day to be superstitious. But are you? Have you crossed paths with a black cat lately or walked under a ladder? Bad luck may be coming your way. Join in the fun...

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...

PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder This used to be called "Shell Shock" and would earn you a slap from Gen. Patton. Today this is not just applicable to servicemen/women who served in a...

The fabled Eating of Crow pertains to the distasteful prospect of eating a carnivorous Bird, poorly prepared, and served to the penitent upon discovery that he/she erred badly (at best) and now...

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.

Give credit where it's due. Add image credits. Separate each credit with a commaGive credit where it's due. Add image credits. Separate each credit with a commaGive credit where it's due. Add...

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.

It's coming. The zombies will overrun our society by their huge mass of numbers. They aren't intelligent, but they will spread like wildfire. Numbers almost always defeats strategy. We can only...

The 49ers who flocked to California’s Mother Lode region in the mid-1800s found only an estimated 20% of the gold in the area. That’s a lot of gold left for the taking. Since the price of gold...

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.

Have you ever dreamed about create a family tree that could trace your ancestors as far back as you can? Have you ever wondered if there were any exciting stories ever happened to any of your...

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.

Have you ever promised yourself to write a memoir to capture either your own or a friend or a family member's life story, but always found it a daunting task, and don't even know where to start? ...

Brace yourself, winter is approaching quickly. How bad will it be? Will we suffer through multiple ice and snow storms, or will we see a mild, pleasant winter? You can ask the animals to...

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.

On February 14, it is the St. Valentine's day, the festival of in love one. This day, all in love ones are offered a small present to testify to their sincere love. Peynet, illustrator celebrates...

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.

Fairy's are Gentle Creatures, If you would like to become one, then you will have to listen, and read BETWEEN the lines... everything I am telling you has something inside of it you need to find...

Is “Knock-Knock” falling away into the wax museum of chuckle history making way for more sophisticated high-speed humor? I doubt it, but this morning on a Sacramento “Good Day” show, veteran...

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...

IT'S GAME DAY!!! For all you food and football fans out there, this is how to make the best darn taco sauce for those pre-game fixins! It’s easy, it’s delicious, it’s portable, and you can...

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...

Urban Legends are stories told with great conviction and yet they have no basis in fact, proof or real rationale. They are about people, places and things. Folklore to me is a little different...

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...

What is oral history? It is the knowledge, traditions, experiences, memories, celebrations, and customs that we or our ancestors have experienced. These experiences and living traditions provide...

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...