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Folklore

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A bowl of picked elderflowers.*
mountains

The Long Tradition of Folk Healing Among Southern Appalachian Women

Whether their practices are rooted in the Bible, Mother Nature, or common sense, there’s no denying that there’s something enchanted in it.
Beth Ward November 21, 2017
The headstone at the grave of Little John.
Hathersage, England

Little John's Grave

A headstone notes where the most famous of Robin Hood's legendary Merry Men is reportedly buried.
Bass Reeves, wearing his iconic push broom mustache.
crime

The Best Trick U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves Ever Pulled on a Criminal

A particularly glorious example of "fake it 'til you make it."
Eric Grundhauser August 8, 2017
Lindwurm.
Klagenfurt, Austria

Lindwurmbrunnen

The medieval "dragon" on an Austrian city's coat-of-arms comes to life in a fountain.
The coolest village sign in the UK?
Gotham, England

The Original Gotham

The storied English village that pretended to be insane inspired NYC's nickname and the fictional namesake in the DC Comics universe.
200-year-old skeleton of The King of All Whales
An Hải, Vietnam

Lang Tan Temple (Temple of the Whale)

Home to what locals claim is the largest whale skeleton in Southeast Asia, which is worshiped yearly.
It contains museums, a market, and a number of exhibits celebrating Russian art.
Moscow, Russia

Izmailovo Kremlin

Moscow's other, lesser known kremlin is a fairytale-like cultural complex modeled after Old Russia.
Tanuki figurines.
Tatebayashi-shi, Japan

Morin-ji Temple

This temple is steeped in local folklore involving a teakettle and a raccoon dog.
Huck Finn, Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone in action.
politics

A Popular '40s Map of American Folklore Was Destroyed by Fears of Communism

The government saw Red when looking at William Gropper's painting of the United States.
Kyle Carsten Wyatt March 27, 2017
The lovers in happier times.
mythology

Medieval Europe Couldn't Quit This Story About a Woman Eating Her Lover's Heart

Her husband tricks her into eating it.
Sarah Laskow February 14, 2017
Is your home haunted by a household god?
mythology

How to Appease Household Spirits Across the World

Quit playing games with my hearth.
Eric Grundhauser December 14, 2016
The new tower, just like the old one
Gmina, Poland

Zabytkowa Dzwonnica (Cloud Demon Repelling Tower)

This tower in a small Polish village uses the power of a sacred bell to ward off mischievous weather spirits.
Woman Hollering Creek.
Saint Hedwig, Texas

Woman Hollering Creek

A tiny waterway named after a ghost story.
<em>Onjishi</em>, Yusutani, Seiyo, Ehime Prefecture.
31 days of halloween

Photographing the Incredible Costumes of Japan's Supernatural Festivals

Bringing folklore to life with capes and masks.
Anika Burgess October 14, 2016
The owl figure is found on north side of of Notre Dame de Dijon
Dijon, France

The Magic Owl of Dijon

For over 300 years this little carving has been the city’s good luck charm.
Footprints
Kgatleng, Botswana

Matsieng Footprints

Local legend has it that the first humans were created in the pools here, leaving their footprints behind in the rock.
legends

How a Mythical Imp that Snuck Up People's Large Intestines Became a Symbol of Japan

The kappa may be adorable, but it has very few boundaries.
Abigail Walthausen July 19, 2016
at iceland's christmas house
holidays

Iceland's Yule Lads Are Like 13 Demented Santas and They Are Amazing

Before they were mischievous but friendly characters who came to lick your spoons, they were terrors.
Jaya Saxena December 9, 2015