Folklore

A curated collection of images shows why this natural phenomenon has fascinated and inspired humans for millennia.

At Milwaukee’s Krampusnacht, we go in search of the essence of Santa’s unholy enforcer.

Atlanta’s oldest house museum is dedicated to preserving Black American oral traditions.

A baked good thought to ward off evil might have kicked off one of America's most notorious witch hunts.

The source of storms and an (occasional) kidnapper, the massive ancient beast has inspired muscle cars and jet fighters.

There's more to this 19th-century crime than the dark side of fairy lore.

One man hopes to turn the wolfish cryptid into a mascot for saving the state's imperiled wetlands.

Is one of these crafty cryptids on display in a small museum?

We reflect on what these shiny surfaces reveal, from the curse of Narcissus to an experiment you can try at home—if you dare.

When medicine and folklore collide, strange things happen.

This terrifying creature has evolved over millennia—but never lost the need to feed.

A "terrifying pantheon" of ogres, sorcerers, and malevolent mermaids reflects a diversity in geography and environment.

These canine-humanoid shapeshifters travel between worlds using magical doors.

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.