Legends & Folklore

A translucent variety of feldspar, moonstone is a highly reflective semiprecious stone. Rich in history and tradition, moonstone is associated with mystery, magic, dreams and fertility. Most...

When something as magical as a pregnancy takes place, it is only expected that magical myths would surround the subject. The biggest question in a pregnancy is whether or not the baby is a boy or...

Wyatt Earp carried the paradoxical honors of being "a man of few words" and someone who enjoyed telling stories about his past. Known for his involvement in the Tombstone, Arizona, "Gunfight at...

The Faust legend is a tale of a man, Doctor Faustus, who made a pact with the devil in order to gain knowledge. The term "Faustian" has become a popular adjective to describe a person whose quest...

Commonly called the "Blood Countess," Elizabeth Bathory was a Hungarian countess born in 1560. She is one of the most infamous serial killers in Europe and was known for carrying out methodical...

Labradorite, with its brilliance of color and rich historic and mythical lore, can be found in many countries. Originally labradorite was found in the Labrador region of Canada and was...

The birthstone for the month of August is peridot, adopted by the American National Association of jewelers in 1912. Peridot, pronounced with or without the "t," is also the gemstone associated...

Who is the boogeyman? On one level, boogeyman is the general name given to the imagined creature that lurks under every child's bed or peeks from the closet. He's an easy answer for every...

One of the most recognizable elements of most churches, old and new, is the steeple. This structure, which rises above the main building, serves several practical purposes that can be traced back...

The Confederate flag has a full history shrouded in controversy. The flag's original purpose was to provide a symbol for the newly created Confederate States of America.

Carbon arc lighting is done by using the light from an arc between two carbon electrodes. The electrodes are touched together to spark the arc, then slowly brought apart to make a small gap. The...

Flags are powerful symbols of the nations they represent. They are often rich in symbolism and are steeped in history and meaning. The American flag is no different, and given the flag's...

The Cherokee rose, also referred to as the camellia rose, is the official state flower of Georgia. The Cherokee rose has a legend attached to it pertaining to the Cherokee Indians that lived in...

Ted kennedy ws not just the youngest of the kennedy brothers, but he was a US senetor of the great state of Massachusetts and a firm democrat.He also served nine different terms in the senate and...

As another school year begins, you may wonder what the history of the school mascot is. The word is related to the French word masqu, to hide, which is fitting as many school mascots are in full...

Jewelry, as we understand it, has been around for at least 75,000 years--almost as old as humankind itself. Early humans created ornaments and figurines from the things around them: shells,...

Originating in Southeast Asia, patchouli is an herb that gets its name from the Hindustani words "patch," meaning "green," and "ilai," which means "leaf."

Everyone dreams of being blessed with riches. However, actual blessings of such riches have prompted many lottery winners to curse under their breath. Few lottery winners are endowed with the...

Many hundreds of years ago according to folklore there were vampires that roamed the earth. The vampires legend was strengthened in the 14th century Europe with the brutal deeds of Vlad Tepes...

Many families that originated in Europe will have a family crest. A family crest was created by the family and was used to differentiate and to distinguish itself from other families in a town or...

Phineas Taylor Barnum, professionally known as P.T. Barnum, was born in Bethel, Connecticut on July 5, 1810. Although P.T. Barnum, fondly known as the "Greatest Showman on Earth," traveled the...

When most people hear the word "nutcracker," they think of the ballet staged in theaters all over the United States before the Christmas holidays. They envision the colorful wooden soldier with a...

In Greek and Roman mythology, heroes were mortals who underwent great trials. After their deaths, their deeds were sung, and they were worshiped in hero cults. The deeds of the heroes continue to...

When the zombie apocalypse comes, and let’s face reality, it will come, do you want to be eating or eaten? You don’t want to be one of the last ones to jump on the gravy train, trust me. The more...

The following Talk Like A Pirate example is a sample of what you might say during national Talk Like A Pirate Day. I wrote it one year in an email, and thought it'd make a good example for others...

The chewing gum business is one of the biggest industries in the United States. It has infiltrated every facet of society. Its history can be traced back to human beginnings, but gum only became...

Known for their magnificent brilliance, diamonds are the most highly valued of all the gemstones. The diamond is also the hardest mineral on earth. Since ancient times, diamonds have been prized...

There is a well-known adage that exists among those who believe in the practices of self healing and alternative health. It states, "health exists when body, mind and spirit work in harmony." This...

Astrology is the study of how the position of planets and stars as related to one's birth can influence a person's life. This kind of divination has been around for thousands of years, with some...

First of all let’s determine what “superstition” is. Superstition is a belief or perception, not based on reason or knowledge. Some superstitions originated as religious practices, however...

One thing all ranchers and cowboys hold dear are their traditions, especially those that uphold the Western culture. One such tradition is that of putting their old boots up on fence posts.

In spring of 2008, news agencies began to question if body toxins could be released through the feet by investigating claims made by marketers of detox food pads and foot baths. After exposes on...

Hand gestures are a quick and quiet way for people of all cultures to express, both negatively and positively, a particular feeling or word. Even though every culture has its own gestures, they do...

Urban myths run amok on the Internet, which allows cautionary tales and sentimental stories to circulate freely until they're eventually revealed as a hoax. Some of the more inventive urban...

"Six Flags, more Fun!" The phrase is now the byline for one of America's premier entertainment parks--Six Flags over Texas at Arlington. The park was the idea of Agnus G. Wynne, Jr. and was the...

Are you tired of living a ho-hum life? Do you find yourself wishing you could do more to help others? Do you often look at the stars or into the horizon, wondering if you have a grander purpose?...

It's about how to love someone, some place, or something so much, to where you can still let go without being hurt or damage. Can you love someone, really love someone and not be hurt or damage....

Circular headgear has been used in various cultures since at least 3000 B.C. to confer special status on the wearer and to set him or her apart as an extraordinary (often divine) being with a...

A barber's pole is the oldest distinguishable mark of any profession or craft. The helix of red, white and blue stripes is a most recognized symbol in many corners of the world. This line of...

Hold an empty seashell up to your ear, and you can hear a noise that sounds very similar to ocean waves crashing on the shore. However, this phenomenon has nothing to do with where the seashell...

this article was written to tell the most underlying truth about wealth--it starts by SAVING. No matter what anyone tells you--saving money/combined with time=wealth. Read this article to help...

Claddaghs are beautiful and filled with meaning, especially for lucky young couples in love.

You know we have to kill a chicken before it is in the pot. RIGHT! I don't know how the factories do it, but this is our old fashioned way of getting ready for our Sunday Dinner meal. Chicken...

The Big Dipper is an asterism, a group of stars that isn't officially a constellation. It's entirely visible only to those living in the Northern Hemisphere. The Big Dipper has seven bright stars....

According to a July 22, 2009 Boston Globe article, the classic tall, white chef's hat, or toque, may have originated in mid-seventh century B.C. Assyria, where royal household cooks "wore pleated...

Emblems are a powerful visual representation of groups or organizations, and one emblem that is widely recognized is that of the United States Marine Corps. Officially known as the Marine Corps...

The Tarot is a set of 78 cards divided into the Major and Minor Arcana. The cards of the Minor Arcana, sometimes called pips, are divided into four suits, usually wands, cupsor hearts, pentacles...

In working Real Magic tools are useful. They are mainly used to focus our energy and awareness. In practice they themselves gather energy from the user. Though wands can be bought, and there are...

The use of essential oils dates back to ancient times. Essential oils were used for healing as well as mystical rituals and religious ceremonies. Oils such as sandalwood and myrrh were used for...

There are 21 species of storks spread over all the continents except Antarctica. These large birds are considered a symbol of hope, life and prosperity in many cultures.