I is for Imp Learn more here. The term “imp” is somewhat general and sometimes interchangeable with “fairy” or “demon” – depending on what you’re reading – which causes a lot of confusion as to wha…
The púca (Irish for spirit/ghost), pooka, phouka, phooka, phooca, puca or púka, is primarily a creature of Irish folklore. Considered to be bringers both of good and bad fortune, they could either help or hinder rural and marine communities. The creatures were said to be shape changers which could take the appearance of black horses, goats and rabbits. The púca has counterparts throughout the Celtic cultures of Northwest Europe. For instance, in Welsh mythology it is named the pwca and in Cornis
Brownies are somewhat unusual among the wider groupings of fairies because they prefer to live with or near humans, either in human homes or in mills, although some have also been connected to bodi…
There was something dark, mythic and beautifully nostalgic about the world of folklore Ivan Bilibin created. Throughout his career he was inspired deeply by Slavic folklore and myths. He distinctly reflected the mountains, forests and lore of old Russia. Bilibin gained some renown in 1899, when he released his illustrations of Russian fairy tales which became widely popular.
Goblins are mythical creatures that are often depicted in folklore and other fantasy literature.
Baba Yaga is a supernatural being who appears as a ferocious-looking old crone and is found across Slavic folklore traditions. Particularly in Russian lore Baba Yaga flies around in a mortar, wields a pestle and dwells deep in the forest in a shack that stands on chicken legs
It’s frequently said that children are especially able to see the fairies- perhaps because of their innate innocence, perhaps because they are endowed with a sort of second sight and so are o…
[…] In the evening the girl laid the table and began waiting for Baba-Yaga. It grew dark. The black horseman swept by and it was night. The skulls’ eyes began to shine. The trees creaked, the dead leaves crunched, the earth trembled, and there was Baba-Yaga…
Ireland is laden with ancient myths and spell-binding folklore. You’ll find plenty of interesting beasts in this A-Z list of Irish mythological creatures.
The Kelpie and the Water Bull Long ago, on the island of Islay there lived a crofter with a huge stock of cattle… Words by Rosie YoungIllustration by Linley Barba One day, a strange calf was born among them: black as coal, with ears half the size they should have been. It was fast growing […]
Slavic Bestiary by Lucas Staniec
‘Irij Garden’ by Andrei Shishkin. Irij is a mythical place in Slavic mythology where birds fly for the winter and souls go after death, sometimes identified with paradise.
The Falcon and the Raven Making new covers for the “Golden Lands” trilogy — a russian-language slavic fantasy novel, which I’ve been illustrating for quite some time.
Here is a list of (almost) all Slavic mythical creatures. Alkonost, who gets her name from the Greek demigod Alyclone, is a creature with the body of a bird and the head of a woman. Her voice is incredibly beautiful and alluring, causing people to forget everything and never be able to experience happiness like hearing the voice again. She lives in the underworld with her counterpart, who is named Sirin, who appears in an orchard during the morning to cry on the Apple Feast of the Savior Day. In
If you have ever had a dream about fairies, you may be wondering what it means. Fairy dreams are often associated with themes of transformation, healing, and
There are many famous sea monsters of legend and lore... But, there are many more unknown critters lurking in deep dark watery depths. Here are some critters from Northern European lore.
This article looks at the main traditions in Irish folk tales, which include warrior myths, romantic tragedies, ghost stories and local fairy stories.
The typical pattern in Slavic fairy tales is when a hero goes on a quest and, on the way, helps animals or spirits who are in trouble at the moment. Later, when the hero is in danger, all those…
Z is for Zany. zany adjective amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic (Oxford English Dictionary) Learn more here. There’s this peculiar little creature from folklore that caught my fancy. He go…
The púca (Irish for spirit/ghost), pooka, phouka, phooka, phooca, puca or púka, is primarily a creature of Irish folklore. Considered to be bringers both of good and bad fortune, they could either help or hinder rural and marine communities. The creatures were said to be shape changers which could take the appearance of black horses, goats and rabbits. The púca has counterparts throughout the Celtic cultures of Northwest Europe. For instance, in Welsh mythology it is named the pwca and in Cornis
NORDIC FOLKTALES In Ulla Thynell’s Nordic Tales: Folktales From Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, trolls haunt the snowy forests, and terrifying monsters roam the open sea. A young woman journeys to the end of the world, and a boy proves he knows no fear. This collection of traditional Norwegian tales transports readers to the enchanting world of Nordic folklore. Ulla Thynell’s artwork is visually stunning alongside each Nordic Tale. Folk and Fairy Tale lovers or lovers of Nordic culture will appreciate this collection as both beautiful and a cultural treasure. Snuggle up under a cozy blanket with a hot cup of tea and settle in for a fantastic read. DETAILS Nordic Tales - Folktales From Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark Stories collected by Chronicle Books and illustrated by Ulla Thynell Published by Chronicle Books, August 13, 2019. 12+ years 0.9" H x 9.1" L x 7.6" W (1.55 lbs) 168 pages Hardcover * Great Resource for Homeschool Parents to gain background for storytelling to children, especially Class 4 Waldorf Inspired Homeschool (grade 4) and parents of students in class 4 Waldorf schools. PRAISE FOR NORDIC TALES Anthologies like this are magical. The beautiful pictures make the dark nights seem bearable, and possibly even a bit special. Reading this every evening made me want to curl up in front of a log fire and sink deeper into the words. The perfect present for a winter celebration, or the perfect treat to ease yourself into the cold weather. -Book Murmuration Does anyone ever outgrow fairy tales? Nordic Tales is one of the latest installments in Chronicle's handsomely illustrated series of traditional folk stories. It's the sort of volume that will age with readers. - Chicago Tribune
You’ve definitely heard of these ten famous myths and legends from Irish folklore! Which is your favourite of these famous Irish legends?
Fairy folklore has been around for centuries. Many people actually believe fairies exist in another realm that is invisible to the naked eye. What do you believe???
Ivan Bilibin was a Russian illustrator and stage designer known for his depictions of Russian folklore and history through captivating illustrations.
