In February 1862 a riot broke out in a Suffolk churchyard over a ghost story. Margaretta Greene, the story’s author,

Plants play a major part in the many customs surrounding the Christmas festivities. The Yule log for example, was essentially

In Welsh legend and myth the Owl of Cwm Cowlyd lived in the woods that once surrounded Llyn Cowlyd.

This articles examines the myths and legends which surround the distillation, sales and consumption of gin.

We've started our Christmas shopping early here at #FolkloreThursday, and we thought we'd share some of the wonderful folkloric gifts

In recent years, in conjunction with the steadfast advance of far-right nationalistic ideologies, the so-called ‘’refugee crisis’’ has been repeatedly

Nalin Verma tells one of the stories from his latest book, The Greatest Folk Tales of Bihar.

Despite their numbers, badgers are elusive beasts thanks to their nocturnal lifestyle and underground dwellings. This has led to myths

The fairy-tale witch is a compelling, frightening, and reliable stock character in our contemporary society. Mention “witch” and the hag

If the body of Ireland is The Emerald Isle, then surely it follows that her veins are made of sapphire?

Rituals can be transformational episodes that connect the initiand with other realms and higher cosmic plains. Thai Lanna Buddhist rituals

In the autumn of 1972, numerous Swedish newspapers described how werewolves were causing people to panic in a town in

Bats feature in many myths, legends and folklore from many diverse cultures around the world, and are often associated with

The image is downright disturbing, a young woman with dark hair, bulging eyes, and a chilling smile. She stares out

When you think of tarot cards, do you picture a fortune teller predicting your untimely end in a darkened room?

Caerleon: The location is steeped in history and archaeology with its impressive Roman ruins, and its later associations – it’s

Gnomes trace their origins back through alchemical theory to Greek and Roman mythology.

Simon Young is gathering in material for a boggart census, a survey of the last people who grew up with

This article examines the myths and legends which surround Artificial Intelligence.

The life of the shanty is a fascinating example of how elements of a music genre can evolve to match

For many, the Woman in the Tower is a symbol of female oppression and repression, a highly negative image charged

My new book is intended to inspire all the little girls who admire women like Michelle Obama, Lucy Bronze, Malala

On Michaelmas Day the Devil takes possession of the blackberries and to eat one after that day would risk… well,

The story of William of Cloudesly is found in a 16th century ballad, Adam Bell, Clym of the Cloughe and

In broad terms, folklore—or rather its constituents—comprise legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales, stories, tall tales,

alking deep into a mine, when the last gleam of sunlight is eclipsed by the next turn, reveals the overwhelming

Deep in the heart of London, hidden away behind a protective grille, is a stone thousands of people pass by

Of all the Chinese festivals, I love the Mooncake/Mid-Autumn Festival the most. Right after the scary Hungry Ghost Festival or

Mention Maid Marian and Sherwood Forest in the same breath, and most people think of Robin Hood’s lady love. The

Since the dawn of mankind we have desired to leave our mark on the world around us. From grand monuments,

For thousands of years, physicians relied heavily on a single treatment for hysteria, heart disease and just about every other

Cats. It’s not just the internet that is obsessed with these (sometimes) mysterious creatures, it seems people have always been

In a daring act, facing frightful peril, Mark Twain exploited a legend to launch his onstage comic career. With his

Fairy tales often focus on relationships within families — interrogating the many ways in which these can break down, but

Ship’s cats have been sailing the seven seas alongside humans for centuries. They were not usually taken along as

'The Weardale Fairies'. Extracted from English Fairy Tales and Legends by Rosalind Kerven, published by Batsford. Illustration by Arthur Rackham,

Mad Max  Rockatansky is a folkloric character. A mythic hero of a post apocalyptic world.

old! The very word fuels the imagination. And when that furnace is stoked, folklore is not far behind. Legends of lost

Until the 20th century, the inadequacies of orthodox medical services left a large proportion of the population dependent upon traditional

“I’ve got something a lot better to exchange for that cow though, Jack,” said the man. “Something much more valuable