Legends & Folklore

You may have heard such phrases as animal spirit, spirit guide and spirit animal. For those raised within more conventional spiritual structures, the idea of animal spirits may be a relatively...

The genie is a character known internationally as a result of popular stories, films and televisions shows. The origins of the genie myth are much more serious.

We all receive emails warning us not to do this and to watch out for that. Sometimes we receive emails that tell fantastical stories, apparently designed to entertain and shock us. When we...

Its about how one can be truthful to win the battle of life? How truth alone triumph ?

Vampire bats are nocturnal, flying mammals that feed on blood. They are seen mainly in Mexico and Latin America. Like all animals, they have a purpose in our ecosystem, but due to their feeding...

"Pandora's box" is a term used to describe anything that can lead to unforeseen and possibly unfixable troubles. If you do something extremely risky that has possible widespread consequences that...

In the 1992 movie "A Few Good Men, " young Navy lawyer Tom Cruise confronts crusty Marine Col. Jack Nicholson, who is a key witness in the court martial of two enlisted men charged with murder....

Folk remedies, also known as traditional, indigenous or folk medicine, are the healing techniques prescribed by the traditions that have grown up within a particular region or culture. Depending...

Herbs and spices have been used for medicinal purposes and to flavor food since before the written word. Historically, they were expensive and scarce commodities that were not generally used by...

Legends tell of weapons that can be used against the wiles of vampires. There are several tactics that can be used against the vampires evil ways.

If you would like to have a better understanding of why vampires are still so popular in this modern age, then read these few explanations. Vampires are mystical and intriguing.

Grigori Rasputin was one of the most influential figures at the end of Tsarist Russia. Heralded as a holy man, mystic, political figure and decadent sinner, Rasputin's story is as colorful and...

Don Juan was a fictional character whose legend has appeared in many forms since it first came on the scene in the 1600s. He is known as Don Juan in Spanish and Don Giovanni in Italian, but what...

Children often will imitate their favorite superhero. The world of superheroes comes alive in books and movies. Among some of the most famous are Superman, Batman and Spiderman. Zorro can also be...

The quest for the Holy Grail, the Knights Templar and the Illuminati are all shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The Illuminati have been portrayed in movies and books as a mystical organization...

Buffalo Bill is a historical figure who has come to represent the Old West. He made his fortune through his stage extravaganza, which showcased life on the frontier. It featured cowboys,...

Myths regarding the Fountain of Youth go back at least 3,000 years and span cultures and continents. It has been placed in the Americas, Asia and Ethiopia, and was once a name for the Amazon...

Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy, rises to 10,688 feet and is the highest peak in Los Angeles County. Mount Baldy, which also is known by its formal name Mount San Antonio, is part of the San Gabriel...

Meanings assigned semiprecious stones, or "gemstone lore", developed from mankind's need to influence surroundings, protect against illness and understand the world beyond tribe, hamlet, village...

Though the old wives' tale suggests that ringing ears is a sign of someone talking about you, no evidence backs up this superstition. There is, however, concern with persistent ringing of the...

The set of numbers 777 is associated with luck, religion and the fight between good and evil. But what is the real meaning of 777? Contrary to popular horror movies and speculation, there is no...

Iron tipped plows have been around for centuries. For nearly as long as humans have known how to use and manipulate iron they have done so for their agricultural instruments. It is not until the...

Honeybees have been going through a tumultuous time this past 3-5 years. Since 2006, colonies of bees watched over by beekeepers have begun to disappear. Even in a more distant past, colonies of...

Labradorite is a mineral that can be mainly found in Canada. It is reputed for its capability to display a wide range of colors, as well as allegedly having mystical or medicinal powers.

Chaste tree is a plant that can be grown to enhance your garden as well as your health. For health purposes it is commonly used to help cure symptoms of menopause. Its therapeutic qualities were...

The Druids were members of an ancient and mysterious society that inhabited northwestern Europe starting around 2300 BC. Often associated with wizardry and occult religious practices, the Druids...

Long before the advent of circus clowns, mimes trapped in glass boxes and stand-up comedians, there were harlequins--colorfully costumed tricksters whose role in theater productions and amusements...

The Golden Nugget Theory is the brainchild of the acclaimed Princeton philosophy professor Kwame Anthony Appiah. It is the answer to a loaded question that has become more and more pressing in...

The Sphinx is most often associated with Egypt, though in reality, it was the Greeks who gave it a name. The word "sphinx" means "strangler" and was given by the Greeks (see References below). The...

What is the best way to keep a secret safe: tell no one, or tell everyone? Area 51 is just that kind of secret. Officially--that is, according to the government--there is no such place. However,...

As the moon grows from dark to full and back again, each phase has magical attributes assigned to it. Moon signs represent the moon as it passes through each zodiac sign in the sky and are grouped...

Among the Native American people, the Sioux were known for their quillwork, beadwork and buffalo hide painting. They were also known to practice other native crafts, including pottery, parfleche...

A chastity belt is a locking device worn by a person as prevention from engaging in sexual intercourse, physical contact of the genitals or masturbation. Many stories exist about chastity belts,...

Although contemporary physicians consider many medieval practices obsolete, alternative healers and a number of medical doctors view herbal healing as viable treatment. According to Mostly...

Birthmarks are unusual marks on the skin of a child when he is born. Birthmarks are usually harmless, although you may check with your health-care provider to make sure the birthmark is not a...

The history of tribal tattoos can be credited to a great many people spanning hundreds of thousands of years--Native American, Indigenous, African, Egyptian, Oceanic, Oriental, Buddhist, Tibetan,...

People understand that the huge skeletons on display in our natural history museums are the fossilized remains of real creatures that walked the Earth millions of years ago. Likewise, to ancient...

The Battle of Shiloh was the first major battle in the Western Campaign during the American Civil War. It was fought in the area surrounding Tennessee's Shiloh United Methodist Church, a small log...

The Greek thinker Pythagoras left a permanent mark on mathematics, music, philosophy and astronomy. He related almost everything to the field of mathematics and is sometimes called the first pure...

Jesters held a special place in medieval history. They were considered "insiders" in the court, chosen for their sense of humor or sense of the absurd to provide entertainment for their king and...

Jesse James was an American outlaw mostly associated with bank and train robberies following the Civil War. During the war, he was a pro-Confederate bushwhacker who rode with notorious Union-hater...

In Japan, like most Asian countries, dragons are an important part of the folklore and religion. Dragon artwork and statues found all over Japan are an example of how well integrated they are...

The Dead Sea was discovered by the Israelis sometime around 323 B.C. Located in the Judean Desert area, the Dead Sea is between Jordan and Israel. The weather here is typically sunny and dry...

Juan Ponce de Leon was said to have found the Fountain of Youth in the early 16th century. The Fountain of Youth is a legend pertaining to a spring that was said to have "restorative powers,"...

The history of the United States, although short compared with much of the world, is still a rich time span filled with many amazing people. The man known as Johnny Appleseed is one such...

The red and white barber pole was an international sign long before the need for such symbolism was recognized. Like the pawnbroker's three golden balls, the barber pole traces its origins back to...

Swiss lore tells of the legend of William Tell, a "rebel" of either the 13th or 14th century who refused to honor an unfit authority. Despite a historical dispute as to the existence of this...

The history of the sword Excalibur is steeped in legend and folklore. Several different accounts of its origin and eventual fate exist, as do many tales about how the legendary King Arthur...

Every civilization, it seems, has its own collection of elf and fairy myths. The notion of tiny human-like creatures with magical powers roaming the earth unseen appears to have universal appeal....

Black opals can be dark grey, dark blue, dark green, red or gray-black. Whatever the hue, gemstone healers and Wiccans prize black opals for their mystical, healing and magical properties. Black...