The “curse” of the Wooden Man of Egeskov Castle
We are on the Danish island of Funen (Fyn), near Odense. Hidden among the dusty rafters beneath Egeskov Castle spire is a curious wooden doll. No one knows to whom […]
Voergaard Castle: a Danish castle supposedly haunted by a woman too independent to not be a witch….
In short, it is said that the lady of this Renaissance castle had the architect thrown into the moat and left to drown, so that he could never build another […]
The Carmentalia
The name “Carmentalia” indicates the festivals in honor of Carmenta and her nymphs, the Camene, called Antevorta and Postvorta, in reference to their ability to see the past and the […]
The curious background of Tombland Alley
Once known as the central marketplace of Norwich, England, the name of this historic alley, Tombland, is a bit misleading, as it has nothing to do with the burying of […]
January 2: Berchtoldstag
In some areas of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Berchtold Day, or locally Berchtoldstag, is celebrated on this day, January 2. The name of the Alemannic tradition does not refer to a […]
How the wren became the King of the Birds
Many years ago, all the birds of the world gathered to decide which of them would be their king. After many days of debate, they decided that they would hold […]
22# History of the tradition of Christmas Elves
Uncertain, lost in fantasy and popular tales, is the concept of Christmas elves. Most modern folks think of elves as Santa’s helpers, often in the form of little people who […]
17# The curious story of Zwarte Piet
Before elves and reindeer, St. Nicholas had a much more eerie assistant, such a Black Peter and, interestingly, the physical opposite of St. Nicholas himself! Tall and gaunt with a […]
14# Iceland’s Yule Lads: like 13 small amazing Santas
If you arent’t lucky enough to have been born in Iceland, or not have visited the island through a Christmas season, you probably won’t have never heard of the Yule […]
13# The terrifying tradition of the Mari Lwyd
Wales is often known for having a rich and interesting history, full of iconic folklore and strange traditions. However, one the weirdest part of the regional tradition involves a creepy […]
12# Wassailing: a very ancient custom in past centuries
The tradition of wassailing is a very ancient custom: in centuries past, so-called wassailers went from door to door, singing (and drinking) to the health of their neighbors. This concept […]
11# What’s behind the holiday tradition of hanging socks on the fireplace?
Of course, the history of Christmas stockings is based in myth and legend. Exactly where the custom came from is debatable, but cultures around the world include the stocking in […]
10# A spider for Christmas?
Long, long ago, on one Christmas Eve, the spiders were banished from homes as they were cleaned for Christmas and their webs were broken. They just managed to survive, and […]
Fairy Rock, the place where according to local legends fairies used to dance in the moonlight and invite handsome young men into their grottoes ~
The ancient engine house of Saltom Pit is the first large-scale mine ever sunk below sea level. It sits at the base of Fairy Rock on the coast of Whitehaven, […]
9# The legend of sage plant
Christmas is one of the most popularly celebrated festivals around the world and is observed in really lot ways and, as any other holiday, it is also associated with lots […]
8# The legend of Christmas Robin
The little red-breasted, cheerful robins, often called also the Christmas robins, indicate the season of sun and spring. This rather ordinary bird holds such tremendous importance to Christmas that probably […]
7# The long and curious tale of Poinsettia
Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, especially an area of southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon where they flower during the winter. The ancient Aztecs called them “cuetlaxochitl”, […]
6# Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?
Kissing under sprigs of mistletoe, one of the most famous symbols of Christmas, is a well-known holiday tradition. However, this little plant’s history as a symbolic herb dates back thousands […]
5# The legend of the noble evergreen trees
It is Christmas time: fresh Christmas trees are just about on every street corner, or waiting to be cut, taken home and dressed in holiday sparkle. But how did evergreen […]
4# The legend of Madelon and the Christmas rose
Christmas is the season of giving gifts showing love towards one another (well, more or less). But this does not mean that the gifts are the sole expression of your […]
3# The story of Babushka and the three kings
For many, Christmas is a time of merry making and gift giving, of bonding with friends and family and of spending time in the warm glow of love. And, of […]
The legend of the ghost playing the bagpipe at Edinburgh Castle
Every self-respecting Scottish castle has its own ghost, whether scary or melancholy, based on the history of each individual manor. In Edinburgh Castle, the best known in Scotland, a ghost […]
2# The legend of Candy Cane
Along with candles, wreaths, stars, bells and mistletoes, there is another ubiquitous decorative item for Christmas, one of the favorite for children: the candy cane. In fact, it is so […]
1# The myths and legends behind Christmas
Christmas is usually considered a Christian festival, but it’s probably the most syncretized holiday on the calendar. The Puritans banned it in England during Cromwell’s dictatorship, from 1647 to 1660, […]
La Patasola: the vengeful protector of the Andes
Colombia is full of magic and mystery and there is a single village in the country that does not boast its own spirit or superstition, often passed from generation to […]
The stunning statue on the tomb of the legendary Maid Marian
Little Dunmow Church, St Mary, is one of the oldest buildings in Essex, England. The building was originally the chapel of the lady of an Augustinian convent of the 12th […]
Bottle trees: a southern tradition with a spiritual past
For believers and ghost stories enthusiasts, the countryside of the American South is haunted and, given the history of the region, it is not hard to understand why. For istance, […]
Saginaw River Lighthouse
Saginaw Bay lies between Michigan’s thumb and the rest of the state’s Lower Peninsula. As Michigan was preparing to become a state, it adopted a constitution in 1835 that encouraged […]
Charlie Lawson, the wandering ghost of Stokes County
Stokes County, North Carolina, is located in the heart of tobacco country. Back in the heyday of the Golden Leaf, as tobacco was once called, almost every man in Stokes […]