Exploring Folklore
Want to learn more about folklore?
These posts come from the “Exploring Folklore” section of my newsletter, Notes on Writing Folklore-Inspired Fiction. (Posts are published to my website after the newsletter is sent out, but are dated to match the newsletter date.) If you enjoy my blog posts, you might like my newsletter. It delivers folklore and writing updates straight to your inbox.
For a list of general folklore topics included in the blog, please use the category drop-down list below:
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Owl Folklore, Blodeuwedd, and the Concept of Transformation
When I began researching this topic, I initially planned to explore owl folklore as a way to discuss a folktale referenced by the character Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. But once I started taking notes, I discovered that I what I wished to share with you would be too much for a single post. So I’ve decided…
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Four-Leaf Clover Uses in Faerie Folklore and Love Divination
Central to the plot of a short story that I’ve been revising is a four-leaf clover found by the main character after searching through a clover patch. I can remember sitting in the grass as a child, sifting through clover leaves and blossoms, hunting for a magical four-leaf clover with which I could make a…
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Plot Highlights and Narrative Techniques of “The Celtic Dragon Myth”
As someone who is writing fiction, I’m particularly interested in story and therefore fascinated by folktales. While researching dragons for my last post, I came across an interesting book, The Celtic Dragon Myth, by John Francis Campbell and translated with an introduction by George Henderson. It contains several texts related to the theme of heroes battling water monsters. I…
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British and Celtic Dragon Folklore
My first exposure to a dragon drawn from folklore was most likely Smaug, the red-golden dragon in J. R. R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit. I remember being fascinated by his size, his jewel-encrusted underbelly, and the enormous treasure he guarded. Although he is a fictional creation, the inspiration for Smaug comes from Scandinavian folklore. I laughed…
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Spinning With the Faeries: Folktales Connected to the Craft
When choosing a folklore topic each month, I find that inspiration comes from many sources. Sometimes it stems from something I read in a folklore book or journal article. Or perhaps I might encounter something of note while performing research for my creative writing. But this time, the internet browser suggested an article to me…
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British Folklore and Customs Related to the Sycamore Tree
Are you a lover of trees, by chance? I am! Here in Southern California, where we are now fully into autumn, many trees are changing colors with the season. My favorite is the California sycamore tree (Platanus racemosa). The wilderness area near our home where I like to walk is heavily wooded with sycamore trees,…
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The Legend of the Afanc: A Welsh River Monster
In Welsh folklore, the afanc is often described as a type of river monster. Depending on the legend or tradition, the afanc may take the form of an enormous beaver, a monstrous crocodile, or a worm (dragon). The word afanc appears to have changed meanings over time as well, which may account for the different versions of the creature. The more…
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The Magical Birds of Rhiannon
The birds of Rhiannon are magical birds referenced in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. As their name implies, these birds are linked to Rhiannon, an otherworldly woman who plays a prominent role in the Mabinogion. A Brief Description of the Mabinogion The Mabinogion includes eleven Welsh tales that originally appeared in two manuscripts: the White Book…
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An Overview of How Faeries Were Portrayed During Different Literary Periods
There are many different ways to experience faerie folklore: through shared oral tradition, by reading tales collected by folklorists, and via its inclusion in literature, art, and even science. I find the interchange between folklore and creative endeavors fascinating, so I thought we’d explore how faerie folklore was incorporated into literature during different literary periods.…