Wargs (aka worgs, if you play D&D) handily won the poll for August’s folklore fact. What are these giant wolves like, anyway, and are they really all evil in legend? As usual, let’s start with etymology. The word “warg” comes from Old Norse “vargr” (plural “vargar”), meaning – essentially – “destroyer.” Originally, the term is…
This month’s folklore fact is a long-awaited one from over on the Patreon: the cynocephali or “dog-headed men.” Some depictions of cynocephali (the one above is from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493) are mistaken for werewolves fairly frequently; there are several differences of note, including but not limited to the fact that they are otherwise very,…
Another month, another folklore fact! Wyverns handily won the poll over on my Patreon this month (be sure to take a look if you’d like to vote in the next one or even suggest all new subjects!)… (nearly all modern dragon designs seen in visual media, especially film and television but now quite often also…
Gryphons, griffins, griffons, however you prefer to spell it (I personally use gryphon) – let’s talk their folklore and mythology! (Attic pottery depicting a satyr and a griffin and an Arimaspus from around 375-350 BC, Eretria.) You probably already know the common popular culture concept of a gryphon: a big, vicious beast that attacks people…
It’s Christmastime! The most wonderful time of the year! And after holding a festive poll on my Patreon, Christmas trees are the very clear winner for this month’s folklore fact. Let’s dive right in… (Couldn’t resist) There are a lot of different theories about Christmas trees. All kinds of concepts about how they might’ve originated,…
Something different this month – a general folklore fact, rather than a werewolf or vampire fact! It’s been a while since I did one of these, so I figured it’s high time I toss another one out there. Ever heard of the Man in the Moon? Of course you have. But have you ever heard…