Back in November 2020, I explored the folklore of the yew tree; specifically, the common yew, or English yew (Taxus baccata). Yes, it’s a poisonous tree. Yes, it’s linked with death. And yes, people like to say they pre-date the churchyards in which we find them. But in the intervening six years, my library of […]
Folklore
The London Plane: A Tree Suited to City Life
Periodically, I choose a plant, tree or fungus to explore, only to find there is very little folklore about them. Invariably, there are two reasons for this. First, the plant, tree or fungus has little use to humans, so no one bothered much with it in the past. This sometimes applies to toxic specimens, too. […]
Childhood Games: Classics, Crazes and the Occult in the Playground
In January, I asked people if they wanted to share any children’s folklore as part of my February theme. As a branch of study, this largely refers to folklore created, shared, and maintained by children. Adults are not involved in its generation. So, contributors could share folklore they remembered from their childhood. Or they could […]
Children’s Beliefs: Superstitions, Luck, and the Brenin Lwyd
In January, I asked people if they wanted to share any children’s folklore as part of my February theme. As a branch of study, this largely refers to folklore created, shared, and maintained by children. Adults are not involved in its generation. So, contributors could share folklore they remembered from their childhood. Or they could […]
Urban Legends among Children: Clowns, Insects, and Ice Shards
In January, I asked people if they wanted to share any children’s folklore as part of my February theme. As a branch of study, this largely refers to folklore created, shared, and maintained by children. Adults are not involved in its generation. So, contributors could share folklore they remembered from their childhood. Or they could […]
Trolls as Toys and Figures from Folklore
Some toy trends make sense, like the fascination with Lego or even Barbie-mania, which naturally enjoyed the boost from the 2023 film. The fad for trolls, however, doesn’t immediately make sense. These strange plastic figures with staring eyes and wild hair don’t really do much…but that has never stopped people wanting them. This month is […]
