Charon, the ancient ferryman of Greek myth, is one of those figures that pops up even where other deities get ignored or forgotten. Sometimes people simply call him ‘the ferryman’ and he loses his name, but we all know who we’re referring to. But who was Charon, and what is the folklore surrounding him? Hit […]
Why Is The Fetch Seen As A Death Omen?
Folklore crackles with tales of spirits and doubles. These bad omens, like the Bean Nighe, point to the death of the beholder. Irish folklore also features the fetch, a shadowy double who appears at the point of death. img src=”https://image.ibb.co/gGA5kJ/fetch_folklore_pin.jpg” alt=”The fetch appears in Irish folklore as an apparition seen when another is dead or […]
Why is the Bean Nighe seen as an omen of death?
We’re possibly all familiar with the idea of the banshee. The wailing female spirit cries out to announce a death within certain Irish families. But what of her cousin, the Bean Nighe? This lonely spirit also marks impending deaths, in Scotland and Ireland. Let’s get to know her a little better and find out why […]
Autumn Superstitions: Conkers, Roses, and Falling Leaves
Here in the northern hemisphere, autumn is certainly one of the most stunning seasons. We watch the trees discard their summer finery while the world prepares for the slumber of winter. In 1819, John Keats considered it to be the season of “mists and mellow fruitfulness”, and waxed lyrical about the ripe fruit, and the […]
Why did these 3 hybrid mythical beasts fall out of fashion?
There is always something strange about a creature made up of different parts. They exist in a liminal space, not belonging to one particular species, and often endowed with the strengths of all. Hybrid mythical beasts are particularly popular, bleeding from classical legends into medieval literature. We’ve already looked at griffins, which are essentially hybrid […]
Unicorns: The Myths & Legends Behind the Glitter & Rainbows
Unicorns occupy a strange position in popular culture. In fantasy narratives, they’re often pure, noble animals who save the hero in their darkest hour. Yet a recent splurge in the beauty industry saw unicorns splashed across holographic makeup lines, with brushes shaped like spiralled horns. And they’re a perennial favourite with children. Behind the glitter […]
