In Japanese mythology lives a giant catfish, Namazu. For thousands of years he swum around in the underground rivers and lakes that ran beneath the earth, but… Read more “Catfish and Earthquake Predictions; the Mythology of Namazu.”
Category: Folktales
Dancing for the Queen of the Fairies: Doamna Zînelor and the Călușari
Romania is home to many a folk creature; vampires, werewolves, wizards and dragons have all been known to haunt the Romanian countryside. Not to mention fairies, and… Read more “Dancing for the Queen of the Fairies: Doamna Zînelor and the Călușari”
Out of the Water, Into the Woods: 2 more Tales of Longnu, the Dragon King’s Daughter
As we saw the last time, Longnü made her first appearance in a Buddhist Sutra, the Lotus Flower. In that text, she was transformed by the Buddha… Read more “Out of the Water, Into the Woods: 2 more Tales of Longnu, the Dragon King’s Daughter”
The Dragon King’s Daughter: 3 Tales of Longnü, Story 1
Longnü is a character that makes three notable appearances in Buddhism; the first is in a defining Buddhist text, the Lotus Sutra, while the other two come… Read more “The Dragon King’s Daughter: 3 Tales of Longnü, Story 1”
Heads Will Roll: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
Before turning our attention to England’s shortest ruling monarch, let’s look at what the U.S. has to offer: William Henry Harrison managed to be President of the… Read more “Heads Will Roll: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary”
Lady Triệu – A Legend of the Vietnamese Resistance Movement
Triệu Thị Trinh was born in the Nông Cống district of Vietnam in 225, a time where the Chinese occupied much of Vietnam, persecuting the native inhabitants… Read more “Lady Triệu – A Legend of the Vietnamese Resistance Movement”
The Blue Band: Stith Thompson and the Folklore Index.
I’m more of a mythologist than a folklorist; my wife (and sole collaborator on this blog) is the inverse. As a result I get to hear more… Read more “The Blue Band: Stith Thompson and the Folklore Index.”
Anansi: Weaver of Stories
Imagine this: the Sky God, Nyame, has possession of all of the stories in the world. You, however, are a trickster by nature; stories are your essential… Read more “Anansi: Weaver of Stories”
The Woman With The Laughing Skull: A Siberian Tale
Imagine leading a semi-nomadic life in Siberia, traveling in small groups that either tracked reindeer or hunted sea mammals. Life would be harsh, especially in the Winter.… Read more “The Woman With The Laughing Skull: A Siberian Tale”
The Dead of Winter: the Wendigo is Hungry
While cannibalism has occurred ritualistically in temperate climes and cultures, the idea of being driven to eating human flesh because one is stuck in the freezing cold… Read more “The Dead of Winter: the Wendigo is Hungry”
