A ghost story that caused a riot: the strange case of Maude Carew
In February 1862 a riot broke out in a Suffolk churchyard over a ghost story. Margaretta Greene, the story’s author,
Yule Logs, Kissing-Bushes and Mistletoe: Christmas Greenery in Pre-Industrial England
Plants play a major part in the many customs surrounding the Christmas festivities. The Yule log for example, was essentially
The Owl of Cwm Cowlyd and the Oldest Animals in the World
In Welsh legend and myth the Owl of Cwm Cowlyd lived in the woods that once surrounded Llyn Cowlyd.
The Folklore of Gin
This articles examines the myths and legends which surround the distillation, sales and consumption of gin.
Folklore Gift Ideas for Christmas
We've started our Christmas shopping early here at #FolkloreThursday, and we thought we'd share some of the wonderful folkloric gifts
The Power of Storytelling: Diverse tales and the “refugee crisis”
In recent years, in conjunction with the steadfast advance of far-right nationalistic ideologies, the so-called ‘’refugee crisis’’ has been repeatedly
Bihar Folk Tales: The Sparrow and Her Crumbs
Nalin Verma tells one of the stories from his latest book, The Greatest Folk Tales of Bihar.
Animal Folklore: Badger Folktales From Around the World
Despite their numbers, badgers are elusive beasts thanks to their nocturnal lifestyle and underground dwellings. This has led to myths
Fire and Fur: The Many Guises of the Grimms’ Fairy-Tale Witches
The fairy-tale witch is a compelling, frightening, and reliable stock character in our contemporary society. Mention “witch” and the hag
Diving for stories – Wild Waves & Wishing Wells
If the body of Ireland is The Emerald Isle, then surely it follows that her veins are made of sapphire?
Encounters With Ajarns: My Experiences With the Rituals of Thai Lanna Buddhism
Rituals can be transformational episodes that connect the initiand with other realms and higher cosmic plains. Thai Lanna Buddhist rituals
The Werewolf Panic of the 1970s
In the autumn of 1972, numerous Swedish newspapers described how werewolves were causing people to panic in a town in
Bat Myths and Folktales from Around the World
Bats feature in many myths, legends and folklore from many diverse cultures around the world, and are often associated with
The Momo Challenge, Popular Culture, and Folklore
The image is downright disturbing, a young woman with dark hair, bulging eyes, and a chilling smile. She stares out
From The Fool to the World: The History and Folklore of Tarot Cards
When you think of tarot cards, do you picture a fortune teller predicting your untimely end in a darkened room?
Ghostland: Arthur Machen, King Arthur and ‘Goblin City’
Caerleon: The location is steeped in history and archaeology with its impressive Roman ruins, and its later associations – it’s
On Gnomes: From Alchemical Theory to a Fairy Tale Staple
Gnomes trace their origins back through alchemical theory to Greek and Roman mythology.
The 2019 Boggart Census: Surveying the Supernatural
Simon Young is gathering in material for a boggart census, a survey of the last people who grew up with
AI: The Folklore of Artificial Intelligence
This article examines the myths and legends which surround Artificial Intelligence.
Songs of the Sea: The Origins of Shanties
The life of the shanty is a fascinating example of how elements of a music genre can evolve to match
Prison or Prophecy? The Woman in the Tower
For many, the Woman in the Tower is a symbol of female oppression and repression, a highly negative image charged
Folk Tales For Bold Girls
My new book is intended to inspire all the little girls who admire women like Michelle Obama, Lucy Bronze, Malala
Michaelmas: The Day the Devil Spits on the Blackberries?
On Michaelmas Day the Devil takes possession of the blackberries and to eat one after that day would risk… well,
British Legends: The Outlaws of Inglewood and the Feminine Influence
The story of William of Cloudesly is found in a 16th century ballad, Adam Bell, Clym of the Cloughe and
English Folklore: What Cultural Values Does It Represent?
In broad terms, folklore—or rather its constituents—comprise legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales, stories, tall tales,
The Last Gleam of Sunlight: Mining Folklore on the International Frontier
alking deep into a mine, when the last gleam of sunlight is eclipsed by the next turn, reveals the overwhelming
The London Stone: Protector of the City
Deep in the heart of London, hidden away behind a protective grille, is a stone thousands of people pass by
The Mid-Autumn Festival: Mooncakes, Lanterns and Family
Of all the Chinese festivals, I love the Mooncake/Mid-Autumn Festival the most. Right after the scary Hungry Ghost Festival or
Marian of Sherwood
Mention Maid Marian and Sherwood Forest in the same breath, and most people think of Robin Hood’s lady love. The
The Writing on the Wall: Street Art and Graffiti as Folk Art
Since the dawn of mankind we have desired to leave our mark on the world around us. From grand monuments,
Bloodletting and Bleeding: The History and Legends of This Health Cure
For thousands of years, physicians relied heavily on a single treatment for hysteria, heart disease and just about every other
Mis-purrs-ecptions: Cat Folklore
Cats. It’s not just the internet that is obsessed with these (sometimes) mysterious creatures, it seems people have always been
Mark Twain’s Wild West and the Presidential Election of 1872
In a daring act, facing frightful peril, Mark Twain exploited a legend to launch his onstage comic career. With his
Bold Sisters in Fairy Tale Families
Fairy tales often focus on relationships within families — interrogating the many ways in which these can break down, but
Ship’s Cats in Folklore and Legend
Ship’s cats have been sailing the seven seas alongside humans for centuries. They were not usually taken along as
The Weardale Fairies
'The Weardale Fairies'. Extracted from English Fairy Tales and Legends by Rosalind Kerven, published by Batsford. Illustration by Arthur Rackham,
Mad Max: The Mythic Hero of the Wasteland
Mad Max Rockatansky is a folkloric character. A mythic hero of a post apocalyptic world.
Lost Mines and the Secret of Getting Rich Quick
old! The very word fuels the imagination. And when that furnace is stoked, folklore is not far behind. Legends of lost
Passing Through & Under: A Ritual Healing in England
Until the 20th century, the inadequacies of orthodox medical services left a large proportion of the population dependent upon traditional
Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum: Behind Jack and the Beanstalk
“I’ve got something a lot better to exchange for that cow though, Jack,” said the man. “Something much more valuable