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”
Category: Folktales
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”
A Ukrainian Folk-song About Love, Murder and Ghosts: Karchata
Somewhere in my web meanderings, I came across a music video from a band I’d never heard. Called Folknery, I pulled this self description off of their… Read more “A Ukrainian Folk-song About Love, Murder and Ghosts: Karchata”
Hebrew Folk Magic and Lilith
Even if you casually read the first few pages of the Biblical book of Genesis, you’ll notice something. There isn’t just one creation account – there are… Read more “Hebrew Folk Magic and Lilith”
Werewolves Versus Witches: the Peculiar Trial of Theiss of Kaltenbrun
Imagine this: the year is 1691, and you are a judge for the Swedish town of Jürgensburg. Recently, there was a theft from the local Lutheran Church,… Read more “Werewolves Versus Witches: the Peculiar Trial of Theiss of Kaltenbrun”
Myth Crafts 