r/folklore Feb 25 '24

Resource "Getting Started with Folklore & Folklore Studies: An Introductory Resource" (2024)

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65 Upvotes

r/folklore Feb 25 '24

Mod announcement Read Me: About this Subreddit

19 Upvotes

Sub rules

  1. Be civil and respectful—be nice!
  2. Keep posts focused on folklore topics (practices, oral traditions related to culture, “evidence of continuities and consistencies through time and space in human knowledge, thought, belief, and feeling”?)
  3. Insightful comments related to all forms of myths, legends, and folktales are welcome (as long as they explain or relate to a specific cultural element).
  4. Do not promote pseudoscience or conspiracy theories. Discussion and analyses from experts on these topics is welcome. For example, posts about pieces like "The Folkloric Roots of the QAnon Conspiracy" (Deutsch, James & Levi Bochantin, 2020, "Folklife", Smithsonian Institute for Folklife & Cultural Heritage) are welcome, but for example material promoting cryptozoology is not.
  5. Please limit self-promotional posts to not more than 3 times every 7 days and never more than once every 24 hours.
  6. Do not post YouTube videos to this sub. Unless they feature an academic folklorist, they'll be deleted on sight.

Related subs

Folklore subs

Several other subreddits focus on specific expressions of folklore, and therefore overlap with this sub. For example:

  1. r/Mythology
  2. r/Fairytales
  3. r/UrbanLegends

Folklore-related subs

As a field, folklore studies is technically a subdiscipline of anthropology, and developed in close connection with other related fields, particularly linguistics and ancient Germanic studies:

  1. r/Anthropology
  2. r/AncientGermanic
  3. r/Linguistics
  4. r/Etymology

r/folklore 6h ago

Oral Tradition (Unsourced) Do anybody can tell me a bengali folklore?

6 Upvotes

r/folklore 3h ago

Legend Japanese urban legenda

2 Upvotes

Does someone know if these japanese urban legends like Teke Teke, Kuchisake onna, etc are really that popular in Japan?? I’ve been really curious about that because since I was little I was interesting in their urban legends but are they really that popular over there??


r/folklore 19h ago

Oral Tradition (Sourced) Mythological serpents of the folklore of Costa Rica

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2 Upvotes

1. Bë̀kwö: The Celestial Serpents

In the Bribri and Cabécar traditions, enormous serpents dwell in the highest reaches of the universe. Their bodies form the ropes that hold up the great house of the world, while their whiskers are the stars that illuminate the night sky. When one of these bindings comes loose, the serpent falls from the heavens like a shooting star, but the great bats of the sky devour it before it can set the earth ablaze. They also herald changes in the weather and the proper times for planting and harvesting.

2. Íyitkabë: The Serpents of All Things

Everything in the world has its own guardian serpent. The íyitkabë wait for the souls on their journey to Sulà and judges the wrongs committed during life. Serpents of different colors and forms are responsible for punishing lies, greed, abuse, and the harm done to other beings. Their punishment forces each soul to confront what it denied or destroyed while alive. According to a funerary chant, there are always four serpents for every offense, each of a different color: black (*bë́k*), red (yö́t), white (sulat), and spotted (sör).

3. The Serpent Goddess

In the lands of Quebrada Honda lived a gigantic serpent worshipped by the local people as a goddess. An old woman was responsible for feeding her, bringing vegetables, tender squash, and cubases beans, but among her offerings she also included children, who disappeared without their families ever learning of their fate. For many years, the creature devoured the children given to her as food. At last, Carate uncovered the deception and set out to confront the serpent. Grasping it by the tail and turning it inside out from its snout, he defeated the monster and ended its reign of terror.

4. The Great Boruca Serpent

A young woman fell in love with a gigantic serpent that lived inside a cave and brought him chicha (corn beer) as an offering. The creature emerged from his hiding place and coiled himself around her body until she became pregnant with little serpents. The suquias (shamans) ordered that she be burned to prevent her offspring from flooding the earth. When her body burst apart in the flames, the newborn serpents escaped; only one survived and remained enchanted in the mountains near Palmar.

5. The Two-Headed Serpent of Río Macho

Behind the Río Macho waterfall lies a hidden cave where ancient treasures are kept and extraordinary creatures dwell. Hunters pursuing an enchanted stag managed to enter, guided by a mysterious Indigenous chief. Inside they found fierce beasts imprisoned behind iron bars: a lion, a gigantic bull, and an enormous two-headed serpent. No one ever found the cave entrance again, and the creature remains hidden alongside the ancient treasures deep within the mountain.

6. The Serpent of Térraba

A young woman lived with her mother when a strange man with long braided hair arrived at their home. Water flowed from the tips of his braids. He asked for the young woman's hand in marriage, and after bringing abundant food, he was accepted as her husband. In time, their son was born, but the mother discovered that from the waist down he had the body of a serpent. After breaking the taboo against seeing him too soon, the family vanished during a great storm, and the man transformed into an enormous serpent dwelling in a deep pool. From their union were born two daughters, planted like ullama (a type of pumpkin) seeds, but as they grew, they too became gigantic serpents. Their immense size caused the waters to rise until they threatened to flood the earth, prompting the spirits to send warriors armed with spears to fight them. One by one they were struck down, although some survived, wounded, in the underworld.

7. The Serpent of Cerro de las Cruces

A sorcerer carried three enchanted eggs across Central America. From one hatched a gigantic serpent that remained in Nicaragua; another produced a serpent in Nicoya; and the last gave rise to a serpent in Cartago. The Nicoya serpent grew until it stretched beneath the earth, with its head buried beneath Cerro de las Cruces while its body extended into distant lands. Whenever it moves, it causes earthquakes and thunderstorms. To keep it asleep, a procession is held to the hill every May 3rd.

8. The Serpent of the Enchanted Lagoon of Alto de Araya

A hidden lagoon high in the mountains of Araya is said to be home to an enormous serpent that few have ever seen. People say that whenever it emerges from the water, it creates a thunderous roar, and no one dares enter the lagoon for fear of encountering it. Visitors report hearing songs, unfamiliar voices, distant music, and mysterious sounds rising from the depths.

9. The Serpent of the Nimboyores River

Beneath the waters of the Nimboyores River sleeps a giant boa born from an ancient tale of love and tragedy. After losing his beloved princess, a prince was transformed into a serpent to guard a crystal-clear spring. The creature also protects the enchanted fish living in its depths and leaves its refuge only to chase away animals that venture too close.

10. The Serpent of Barva Volcano

When the ancient inhabitants of the Valley of Abra received a matasano tree together with a sacred serpent, the creature caused water to spring forth, forming a mountain lake. In time, it emerged from the lagoon and began attacking the people of the settlement. Ever since, offerings have been made to keep it calm and prevent its wrath.

11. The Fiery Serpent of Santa Lucía Hill

Inside the Santa Lucía Volcano sleeps a gigantic serpent wrapped in flames. According to tradition, it appears whenever someone attempts to destroy the mountain or extract its riches without permission. Cloaked in fire, it emerges among the trees as a warning to those who disturb the place where it dwells.

12. The Healing Serpent

A serpent always carried a small flower in its mouth, using it to heal those bitten by other snakes. Simply bringing the flower close to the victim was enough for its power to cure the wound and save the person's life. One day, the serpent went inside the house of a sleeping man, who woke up and stole the miraculous flower. From that moment on, the creature disappeared without a trace, but the man kept the plant and continued using it to heal snakebite victims.

13. The Black Serpents of Orosi

Long ago, black serpents capable of destroying the world descended to the earth. The gods responded by sending young warriors from the clouds, armed with silver quivers and golden arrows. Wrapped only in the clouds that carried them, they shot their arrows into the serpents' heads. Mortally wounded, the monsters writhed and roared until they finally collapsed. Only after their destruction did the rains come, washing the poisonous blood of the monsters from the earth.

14. Tkabë̀köl

A colossal serpent sent by Sibö to punish those who commit incest. Its body seems to be made of rubber, and it bears antennae, whiskers, or tentacles with which it immobilizes its victims. It may descend from the sky, hide in lagoons, or completely encircle a palenque (house) before striking. It then carries its prey into the heavens until it disappears among the clouds, only to leave the victim's remains in front of their home several days later. Its skin is so tough that even axes cannot wound it, while a tiny bejuquilla snake reveals to it who must be punished.

15. Tkabërîwak: The Serpent Twins

Two brothers were born with an extraordinary secret: they could transform themselves into enormous serpents. During the day, they hunted birds and fish by changing shape until their grandmother discovered their true nature. As they grew, their gigantic bodies caused a pool to expand until it threatened to cover the entire earth with water. The god Sibö intervened, killing one brother and banishing the other to the ends of the world, where he was never seen again.

16. Zaalan: The Serpent of Arenal

In the mountains near Arenal, the ancient Maleku encountered a monstrous serpent, so enormous that, when it moved, it resembled a herd of tapirs. After killing it and eating part of its flesh, the men themselves were transformed into serpents. Since then, the zaálan return during the dry season and must be treated according to the ancient instructions to avoid provoking their fury.

Sources:

Bonatti, Javier. “Una interpretación etnoastronómica y etnobiológica del mito de la mujer que se convirtió en mar.” En Primer Congreso Científico sobre Pueblos Indígenas de Costa Rica y sus fronteras: Memoria, 61-72. San José: EUNED, 1998.

Bonatti, Javier. “Una interpretación etnoastronómica y etnobiológica del mito de la mujer que se convirtió en mar.” In Primer Congreso Científico sobre Pueblos Indígenas de Costa Rica y sus fronteras: Memoria, compilado por María Eugenia Bozzoli, Ramiro Barrantes, Dinorah Obando y Mirna Rojas, 61-72. Costa Rica: Editorial Universidad Estatal a Distancia, 1998.

Bozzoli de Wille, María Eugenia. 1977. «Narraciones bribris». Vínculos. Revista de Antropología del Museo Nacional de Costa Rica 2, n.º 2: 165–199.

Bozzoli de Wille, María Eugenia. 1977. «Narraciones bribris». Vínculos. Revista de Antropología del Museo Nacional de Costa Rica 2, n.º 2: 165–199.

Bozzoli de Willie, María Eugenia, Carmen M. Cubero Venegas y Adolfo Constenla Umaña, eds. Tradición oral indígena costarricense. Vol. 1, no. 3. San José: Vicerrectoría de Acción Social, Escuela de Antropología y Sociología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 1983.

Bozzoli de Wille, María Eugenia, Carmen M. Cubero Venegas y Adolfo Constenla Umaña, eds. 1983. Tradición oral indígena costarricense. Vol. 1, año 1, no. 3. San José: Oficina de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Costa Rica.

Castro, L. M. (1 de abril de 1905). El Diccionario Geográfico de Costa Rica: Observaciones (Colaboración) VII. El Día, 1-2.

Céspedes Marín, Amando. «Zaálan», en Crónicas de la visita oficial y diocesana al Guatuso (1923), 67–68; citado en Elías Zeledón Cartín, comp., Leyendas ticas de la tierra, los animales, las cosas, la religión y la magia, 1.ª ed., 3.ª reimpr. (San José: Editorial Costa Rica, 2003), 185–186.

Cervantes Gamboa, Laura. «La temática de los cantos fúnebres bribris». Revista de Filología y Lingüística de la Universidad de Costa Rica 17, n.º 1–2 (1991): 81–104.

Cervantes Gamboa, Laura. «Origen y destino de las almas después de la muerte en la religión bribri». Káñina. Revista de Artes y Letras de la Universidad de Costa Rica 17, n.º 2 (1993): 213–223.

García, Alí, y Alejandro Jaén. Ìes sa' yilìte: Nuestros orígenes. Historias bribris. San José: A. García, 1996.

García, Francisco. «Las Culebras de los Castigos». En Tradición oral indígena costarricense, editado por María Eugenia de Wille y Carmen María Cubero Venegas, vol. 3, n.º 1, 24–25. San José: Universidad de Costa Rica, 1982–.

González Chaves, Alfredo, y Fernando González Vásquez. La casa cósmica talamanqueña y sus simbolismos. San José: Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica / EUNED, 1989, pp. 115-120.

González, Josefina. 1996. “El culebrón (Versión castellana)”. En Narraciones borucas = SháH rójc bruHcajc rójc, compilado por Miguel Ángel Quesada Pacheco. San José, C.R.: Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica.

Gura Sol. (1908, 12 de julio). Leyendas ticas. Páginas Ilustradas, 5(205-206), 3493.

I. S. (1916, 12 de octubre). El “Cerro de las Cruces”. El Imparcial: Diario de la Mañana, p. 3.

Johnson P., Ad. 1916. “Una curiosa leyenda de nuestros indios”. El Imparcial: Diario de la Mañana, 1 de agosto de 1916.

Leal de Noguera, María. "La Princesa Nimboyore", en Estampas del camino, 1.ª ed. (San José: Editorial Costa Rica, 1996), 111-117.

Leyendas de Costa Rica: El Cerro de las Cruces. (1985, 31 de julio). La República, p. 24.

Margery Peña, Enrique. Diccionario cabécar-español, español-cabécar. Costa Rica: Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica, 1989.

Marín Alvarado, F. (2015). Cuentos, leyendas y chascarrillos de Paraíso (A. Calderón Vega & S. Quirós Calderón, eds.; 1.ª ed.). F. Marín R. pp. 26-28.

Marín Alvarado, Francisco. "El encanto de la laguna de Alto de Araya", en Cuentos, leyendas y chascarrillos de Paraíso, eds. Alberto Calderón Vega y Silvia Quirós Calderón, 1.ª ed. (Paraíso, Cartago: F. Marín R., 2015), 44.

Maroto, Angela Celedina. 2001. “La mujer que se enamoró de la culebra”. En Narraciones Brunkas. Boruca y Curré, editado por el Instituto de Estudios de las Tradiciones Sagradas de Abia Yala, 50–51. San José, C.R.: Fundación Coordinadora de Pastoral Aborigen.

Maroto, Espíritu Santo. 1986 [1979]. “Historia de la gran serpiente” y “La gran serpiente”. En Leyendas y tradiciones borucas, por Adolfo Constenla Umaña. 2.ª ed. San José, C.R.: Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica.

Martínez Coto, Gerardo. Reminiscencias de mi Paraíso natal. 1ª ed. San José, Costa Rica: Editorial, 2025. Libro digital.

Meléndez Chaverri, Carlos. "El árbol matasano, la serpiente y la laguna del Barva", Nuestro país, págs. 34-36, citado en Elías Zeledón Cartín, comp., Leyendas costarricenses, 9.ª reimpr. (Heredia: Editorial de la Universidad Nacional, 1996), 30-31.

Montoya-Greenheck, Felipe, Kenneth Carvajal y Uri Salas. s.f. Descripción de la cultura del agua en Costa Rica: Pueblo Boruca. Antología digital Guía Local Turístico Indígena: Programa de Capacitación.

Morales, Albir. “Las piedras redondas.” En Tradición Oral Indígena Costarricense, editado por María Eugenia Bozzoli de Wille y Carmen Murillo Chaverri. Vol. II, Año II, Nos. 1-2, 31. San José: Vicerrectoría de Acción Social, Escuela de Antropología y Sociología, Departamento de Antropología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 1984.

Picado Lara, Clodomiro. «Monografía del distrito de Orosi, cantón de Paraíso». La Escuela Costarricense 4, n.º 8 (octubre de 1924).

Quesada Pacheco, Miguel Ángel. Los Huetares. 1.ª ed. Cartago: Editorial Tecnológica de Costa Rica, 1996.

Sánchez, Juanita y Gloria Mayorga. SE’ SIWA’ – Nuestras tradiciones. Costumbres y tradiciones bribri. Texto en bribri y español. Leyendas recopiladas por las Srtas. Juanita Sánchez y Gloria Mayorga. San José, Costa Rica: Comisión Costarricense de Cooperación con la UNESCO / Comité de Educación, julio de 1994.

Solano A., M. T. (1950, 20 de octubre). El Cerro de las Cruces: A propósito de temblores (Leyenda). La Prensa Libre, p. 5.

Stone, Doris. Las tribus talamanqueñas de Costa Rica. San José: Comisión Costarricense V Centenario del Descubrimiento de América, 1993, p. 122.

Stone, Doris Z. 2013. Los Borucas de Costa Rica. Traducido por María Eugenia Bozzoli Vargas. San José, Costa Rica: Ministerio de Cultura y Juventud, Centro de Investigación y Conservación del Patrimonio Cultural / Imprenta Nacional.

Torres, Julio. 2001. "La Muchacha y la Serpiente". Escrito por Donildo Piterson. En Narraciones Teribes: NASOGA ŁAÏWĀK, de Instituto de Estudios de las Tradiciones Sagradas de Abia Yala, 50-67. San José, C.R.: Fundación Coordinadora de Pastoral Aborigen.

Vargas Araya, R. (2020, 25 de octubre). Leyenda del Cerro de las Cruces en Nicoya (3 de mayo). Confraternidad Guanacasteca.

Vargas, Juan, y Juana Sánchez. «El indígena tiene su propia historia». En Vías de extinción/Vías de supervivencia: Testimonios del pueblo indígena de la Reserva KëköLdi, Costa Rica, editado por Paula Palmer, Juana Sánchez y Gloria Mayorga. San José: Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica, 1992.

Victory, J. M. (1955, 27 de febrero). Nicoya. Diario de Costa Rica, p. 8.

More information in the comments.

The information is currently written in Spanish. You can use your browser's built-in translation feature to read the articles, and the results are usually quite good. If you come across a confusing translation or have any questions about the folklore, feel free to leave a comment or ask ChatGPT to explain the original Spanish text.

Illustration by Roberto Cruz


r/folklore 20h ago

the ghost of chovel?

2 Upvotes

a russian commenter referred to a picture i took into a cemetery as “это призрак щовеля”

this translated to calling me the ghost of chovel. i don’t understand this reference/lore, but i’m really curious. anyone know what was meant by that? lol


r/folklore 1d ago

Looking for... Iconic figures in folklore?

3 Upvotes

Looking for some help and hopefully y'all can provide it. Normally I would just research it myself, but folklore is a frankly enormous field and I unfortunately don't have the time, and internet searches have only been giving me lists of generic fantasy creatures and various deities/pantheons

I'm looking for examples of folkloric beings that are a specific and defined individual or group of individuals. As random examples, Robin Hood or the Headless Horseman, or The Fates: distinct individuals, people know exactly who youre talking about. As another example: theres plenty of folk tales about trolls, but maybe theres one individual troll who has gained notoriety so as to be distinct from other trolls: I'd like to know about those as well

Thank you in advance to anyone who is able to help :)


r/folklore 2d ago

Looking for... Ancient Empire Mythology?

3 Upvotes

Where are the best collections of the folklore and myth of ancient empires? I’d like to learn more about the beliefs of the Persians, Ottomans, Mongolians, Ethiopians, Mitanni, Hittites, Babylonians, etc.

In western culture we know fairly well about the Romans, Greeks, and to a lesser extent the Egyptians as well. I’m mainly looking for works that explore more obscure cultures from a western lens, but any and all research on ancient civilizations is welcome.


r/folklore 3d ago

Article The Ankou Beyond Brittany: Death Carts and the Wild Hunt

8 Upvotes

Most people know the Breton Ankou as a skeletal figure driving a creaking cart through the night. In Breton folklore, however, the Ankou is not Death itself but a psychopomp: traditionally, the first person to die in a parish each year becomes the Ankou and spends the following year collecting the souls of those who die after them.

Yet Breton traditions are far more diverse than the familiar image popularized by Anatole Le Braz. In western Upper Brittany, people feared a Cart of Death that could fly through the night, sometimes drawn by birds, dogs or pigs, announcing an imminent death. This article argues that these traditions belong to the broader European folklore of the Wild Hunt, comparing Breton oral traditions with medieval sources and other European ghostly processions.

Rather than seeing the Ankou as simply a local Grim Reaper, the article suggests that it preserves elements of an older European complex of beliefs centered on nocturnal spectral processions, psychopomps, and contagious death.

You can read the full article here : https://www.academia.edu/168898605/De_l_Anko%C3%B9_%C3%A0_la_Chasse_fantastique


r/folklore 3d ago

Other What can I add? (Husk Folk Horror Concept)

2 Upvotes

In regard to my previous post with The Husk folk horror concept I’ve created, (if you haven’t seen that, look at it then come back) what could I add to it to make it more rooted in real folklore while also giving me ideas to make it more original?


r/folklore 3d ago

Self-Promo Article about an ancient burial mound in Denmark and the associated stories of people meeting elves nearby, of which the newest is as recent as 1906.

Thumbnail hiddenmark.dk
6 Upvotes

r/folklore 4d ago

texts regarding resurrection of dead animals?

4 Upvotes

in search of texts (preferably older, although newer HUMAN written texts are fine too) regarding how to resurrect dead animals for a mixed media project. films like frankenweenie and the original pet sematary have been prominent points of inspiration but im looking for literature and historical stuff regarding necromancy of animals.


r/folklore 5d ago

Question What is this creature

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188 Upvotes

r/folklore 4d ago

Looking for folklore about fossas or genets

6 Upvotes

Greetings, all! To be clear, this is *not* a woo-woo post. I'm just interested in learning about folklore and sometimes a weird dream can set you on a path that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise. I've found that it's a great way to learn about new folklore and other cultures.

(For example, a few months ago, I had a dream about a horse with tons of legs that ran on water, so I did some searching and learned about a bunch of cool folklore like Sleipnir, kelpies, etc. Another about a giant manatee type thing lead me to learn about Irish mythology like Dobhar-chú.)

Recently, I had a dream about a small black animal with a body like a weasel but it seemed more like a cat. The closest thing I could find as far as real animals is a fossa or a genet. It seemed to have a faint spotted pattern to its fur, but only in certain light (like how black panthers do).

Based on my searches, I think African folklore might be best bet, but I'm finding almost nothing online, other than myths about fossas stealing babies and stuff like that.

Sorry for the long story, lol... But if anyone knows of any folklore related to fossas or genets, I'd love to learn about it!


r/folklore 4d ago

Folklore Studies/Folkloristics Where do you find culturally accurate folklore or where is a good starting place to learn the myths of various cultures?

3 Upvotes

Hi! I like to collect stories and I love learning the myths, tales and folklore of different cultures. I think its really important to be respectful and learn as accurately as possible as I know that there is a lot of bastardisation that has occurred between modern media, colonization and cultural erasure.

I also love learning the history around a lot of the folklore too.

I'd love to hear where people go or what they'd recommend for good accurate sources. And if they have recommendations of tales or creatures to look into from their own cultures. I'm still quite new to it all so really looking to get a good starting place


r/folklore 5d ago

Question Can anyone find the original newspaper of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat about Lee Shelton, aka stagger Lee

5 Upvotes

Should be from December 25, 1895.
The quote goes as follows
“William Lyons, 25, a levee hand, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o'clock in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan Streets, by Lee Sheldon, a carriage driver. Lyons and Sheldon were friends and were talking together. Both parties, it seems, had been drinking and were feeling in exuberant spirits. The discussion drifted to politics, and an argument was started, the conclusion of which was that Lyons snatched Sheldon's hat from his head. The latter indignantly demanded its return. Lyons refused, and Sheldon withdrew his revolver and shot Lyons in the abdomen. When his victim fell to the floor Sheldon took his hat from the hand of the wounded man and coolly walked away. He was subsequently arrested and locked up at the Chestnut Street Station. Lyons was taken to the Dispensary, where his wounds were pronounced serious. Lee Sheldon is also known as 'Stag' Lee.”
Looking for a picture of a newspaper or a link to it thanks


r/folklore 7d ago

Self-Promo Loremaps

16 Upvotes

Hey all,

I recently launched a website called Loremaps. The goal of the website is to create a community-driven archive of local lore from around the world!

I've always loved reading/listening to stories about urban legends, local folklore, haunted places, cryptids, historical mysteries, and the stories people grew up hearing at school or from family. One thing I noticed is that most lore websites focus on a specific country, a specific type of folklore(lots of haunted places websites), or don't allow users to contribute their own stories. As a software engineer, I wanted to build a place where anyone could share and discuss the legends from their hometown and add them to one giant map!

The site is still very new (like a few days old), so the user content is extremely limited at the moment, but anyone can create articles, add locations, and contribute for free. There is an optional paid tier that mainly helps cover hosting and development costs, but all core features are free to use.

My hope is that Loremaps can help preserve local stories that might otherwise be forgotten, whether they came from your grandparents, a school bus rumor, a book, a podcast, or a town legend everyone knows.

I'd love any feedback, suggestions, or lore submissions from the community!

loremaps.online

Bonus points: I have attempted to keep AI training crawlers off the site so the articles are not used for training LLMs!


r/folklore 7d ago

Folklore Studies/Folkloristics Question; are there any sort of Vampires or Vampiric Gods in Mexican or ancient Aztecan culture?

5 Upvotes

POSTED TO R/VAMPIRES TOO:

I’m writing an old western story and this is one of the aspects I’m trying to explore.

This question isn’t limited to Mexican or Aztec culture this can be expanded across Latin America.

I would appreciate some answers or pointers :\^)


r/folklore 7d ago

Mythology Mythological creature appearing as a mist or shadow capable of possession?

3 Upvotes

Trying to do research into a future book that brings together mythology of different cultures. A while ago I had everything planned out with the main antagonists all sorted then I forgot about one character entirely and now I am trying to write everything down so I don't forget. My idea was to create an antagonist that appears to be a shadow or a mist that when it possess people it essentially encourages others to act on their worst impulses. The idea in my story is this creature is thousands of years old and every now and then it possesses a human and causes them to be willing to do the most evil things with no remorse. Eventually though it was captured by an organization in my story but following the events of a previous book it was freed and was hired by another entity to cause problems again. Thats all I will say on the plot though as its still a WIP and is subject to change. This book in particular is pretty far in the future and I am nowhere near ready to begin writing it, its just I have all these ideas of things I could do in this series and I have to write it down or I would lose it.

I looked into this myself and first I was going to make this creature a Dybbuk a spirit from Jewish folklore but then I found out in research it only possesses women. I can't use Wraiths from a couple different folklores as they already exist in my story. And the only other creature I found that could work with this context is I think an Enenra a Yokai from Japanese folklore and I want to keep yokai separate for personal reasons. I was thinking of looking into some native American or African mythology for info but I had difficulties finding the info on my own. If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear it.


r/folklore 8d ago

Question Don’t Fish on Sunday! Southern folktale from The Moonlit Road

Post image
7 Upvotes

Hi there, I’m pleased to announce our new podcast episode “Don’t Fish on Sunday,” based on an African American folktale I heard long ago.

https://www.themoonlitroad.com/dont-fish-on-sunday-a-virginia-fishing-folktale/

Podcast: https://pod.link/293185092/episode/ZTlkN2JiNWEtNzllOC00MDg0LTkxNDYtZTBlYTZiZTIzYTEw

I’m posting this as a question because this seems like a passed down tale from elsewhere. So I’m wondering if anyone here has heard another version of it that I could track down (and cite).

If not, please enjoy it anyway. Veronica Byrd tells it and she’s great!


r/folklore 8d ago

AMA about the history of goblins from their folkloric origins in the Middle Ages all the way to the Covid-19-era phenomenon of going “goblin mode”

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3 Upvotes

r/folklore 8d ago

Self-Promo Article about a sacred healing spring in Denmark and its associated story, as well as how it's been a gathering place for witches and other occultists from the mediaeval era to now.

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5 Upvotes

r/folklore 8d ago

Literary Folktales When did the name “raiden” first appear

5 Upvotes

I’m more so curious bc I don’t wanna; 1. Misrepresent something that may/may not be commonly misrepresented or 2. Catch a cease and desist from netherrealm studios or hideo kojima bc those are the only 2 forms of media I’ve seen “raijin” depicted outside of authentic folk artwork, bc I’m starting a comic series and raijin is gonna be depicted as himself among other deities from other pantheons so I’m trying to be as respectful and authentic as possible as a pagan white person.


r/folklore 9d ago

The Morrigan - Warrior, Prophet of Master Manipulator?

5 Upvotes

I've been reading more Celtic folklore/mythology lately and realized I'd been living under a rock, not knowing much about the Morrígan. I recently picked up Thomas Kinsella's translation of The Táin, and now I'm fascinated by her.

Most modern artwork seems to emphasize her as a fierce goddess of war and battle. But after reading The Táin, I came away with a slightly different impression. She certainly has a connection to war, but what struck me even more was how often she influences events indirectly—through prophecy, deception, persuasion, testing heroes, and shaping outcomes rather than simply fighting. It made me wonder if "manipulator" is just as important a part of her character as "war goddess."

I'm curious how others interpret her. Do you primarily see the Morrígan as a war deity, a sovereignty goddess, a fate figure, or something else entirely?

And if you have recommendations for books or translations beyond Kinsella, I'd love to hear them. I'm especially interested in works that stay as close as possible to the original Irish sources.

I did a long-form sleep video about her. If anyone is interested, let me know.