©2016 Lori L. Simpson
*Legends say that if
You are the 7th Son of a
7th Son, you're doomed to
become a Vampire!*
Mysteries
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Unlucky #7
Unlucky #7
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
*Legends say that if
You are the 7th Son of a
7th Son, you're doomed to
become a Vampire!*
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
*Legends say that if
You are the 7th Son of a
7th Son, you're doomed to
become a Vampire!*
Friday, November 25, 2016
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Mythical Creatures, Real Advertising Post 1
Mythical Creatures
Real Advertising
©2016- Lori L. Simpson
These are some examples
of how folkloric creatures
have been used in
advertising.
I neither promote these
products nor do I receive
ANY payment for showing
them. I simply present them
for their folkloric and art-
istic value.
From Top To Bottom-
*A Matchbook or Match
Box Cover.
*Antique Playing Card
*French Perfume Label.
Real Advertising
©2016- Lori L. Simpson
These are some examples
of how folkloric creatures
have been used in
advertising.
I neither promote these
products nor do I receive
ANY payment for showing
them. I simply present them
for their folkloric and art-
istic value.
From Top To Bottom-
*A Matchbook or Match
Box Cover.
*Antique Playing Card
*French Perfume Label.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Jackalopes
Jackalopes- A Western Critter
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
The jackalope is a generally considered mythological Creature of North America, especially the Western half of the country.
Some people point to possible sightings of jackrabbits with tumors on their heads as the origins.
Whether or not that is true it is known that two Wyoming taxidermists of the 1930's grafted antlers onto stuffed jackrabbits. These were sold to a hotel. Then later they were sold to gift shops and the "legend" took off faster than well, a speeding jackrabbit.
Jackalopes (jackrabbit + antelope) are now featured as taxidermy mounts, toys, postcards and more.
I grew up in Texas and have seen
fake images of jackalopes all my life.
I wonder what I would do if I saw one alive.
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
The jackalope is a generally considered mythological Creature of North America, especially the Western half of the country.
Some people point to possible sightings of jackrabbits with tumors on their heads as the origins.
Whether or not that is true it is known that two Wyoming taxidermists of the 1930's grafted antlers onto stuffed jackrabbits. These were sold to a hotel. Then later they were sold to gift shops and the "legend" took off faster than well, a speeding jackrabbit.
Jackalopes (jackrabbit + antelope) are now featured as taxidermy mounts, toys, postcards and more.
I grew up in Texas and have seen
fake images of jackalopes all my life.
I wonder what I would do if I saw one alive.
Monday, November 14, 2016
The Blue Men of The Minch
The Blue Men of The Minch
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
Sailors sailing the strait between the Scottish Island of Lewis and The Islands of Shiant, and Long Island (The Minch) once lived in terror of the Blue Men of The Minch. Monsters were believed to be blue skinned, green haired and bearded mermen of incredible strength.Also known as Storm Kelpies, they loved to capsize boats and drown sailors. They might summon storms, or s splash water on the ships. They might also board ships demanding tribute. If it was not given - down the ship went!
The Blue Men were said to be able to be defeated by one method, at least. Their leader might call out two rhyming lines of a poem. If a vessel's captain could reply with corresponding rhymes and get the last word, the Blue Man would give up. And the humans would be saved!
The Blue Men weren't always violent. Sometimes they floated peacefully beneath the water. Other times they bobbed up and down with their torsos showing. And some people claimed the fiends might dive in and out of the water like playful porpoises.
Experts today have several Theories as to how the stories got started.
One is that they are the personification of the dangerous seas.
Another theory proposes that long ago people on the islands saw blue tattooed Picts in kayaks. They might have thought the Picts were swimming.
Yet third idea says that the Blue Men are a folkloric memory of some African slaves marooned by Vikings. These slaves may have belonged to a group of people called the "Blue Men of The Desert."
However the tales began, I don't think you would ever confuse the Blue Men of Minch with a happy Disney mermaid named Ariel!
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
Sailors sailing the strait between the Scottish Island of Lewis and The Islands of Shiant, and Long Island (The Minch) once lived in terror of the Blue Men of The Minch. Monsters were believed to be blue skinned, green haired and bearded mermen of incredible strength.Also known as Storm Kelpies, they loved to capsize boats and drown sailors. They might summon storms, or s splash water on the ships. They might also board ships demanding tribute. If it was not given - down the ship went!
The Blue Men were said to be able to be defeated by one method, at least. Their leader might call out two rhyming lines of a poem. If a vessel's captain could reply with corresponding rhymes and get the last word, the Blue Man would give up. And the humans would be saved!
The Blue Men weren't always violent. Sometimes they floated peacefully beneath the water. Other times they bobbed up and down with their torsos showing. And some people claimed the fiends might dive in and out of the water like playful porpoises.
Experts today have several Theories as to how the stories got started.
One is that they are the personification of the dangerous seas.
Another theory proposes that long ago people on the islands saw blue tattooed Picts in kayaks. They might have thought the Picts were swimming.
Yet third idea says that the Blue Men are a folkloric memory of some African slaves marooned by Vikings. These slaves may have belonged to a group of people called the "Blue Men of The Desert."
However the tales began, I don't think you would ever confuse the Blue Men of Minch with a happy Disney mermaid named Ariel!
Monday, November 7, 2016
The Wendigo
THE WENDIGO
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
This article is about some of the traditional Native American and First Nation thoughts on the cannibalistic Wendigo spirit. I neither endorse nor disagree with these beliefs as written here.
"Beware of the Wendigo!" say people among several native tribes in the US Great Lakes regions and parts of Canada.
The Wendigo are gaunt, grey, sometimes giant beings with torn bloody lips and a never ending appetite for human flesh. They are believed to be the evil spirits of people who have committed cannibalism, perhaps in times of famine. Certain tribes say a Wendigo may come as the end result of a person who is too greedy, as well.
These ideas may be linked to cultural taboos against greed and consumption of human bodies, one of the articles I referenced claims. There are traditions that state a person might also be possessed by a Wendigo, however. It also said...
A Wendigo can be summoned simply by mentioning one, especially in deep winter. And that it can lure humans by calling the names of the living into the howling winter wind.
So if you hear yourself being summoned into the winters blast for some unknown reason... Don't go. Do whatever you have to to resist!
Just... Don't... Go!
©2016 Lori L. Simpson
This article is about some of the traditional Native American and First Nation thoughts on the cannibalistic Wendigo spirit. I neither endorse nor disagree with these beliefs as written here.
"Beware of the Wendigo!" say people among several native tribes in the US Great Lakes regions and parts of Canada.
The Wendigo are gaunt, grey, sometimes giant beings with torn bloody lips and a never ending appetite for human flesh. They are believed to be the evil spirits of people who have committed cannibalism, perhaps in times of famine. Certain tribes say a Wendigo may come as the end result of a person who is too greedy, as well.
These ideas may be linked to cultural taboos against greed and consumption of human bodies, one of the articles I referenced claims. There are traditions that state a person might also be possessed by a Wendigo, however. It also said...
A Wendigo can be summoned simply by mentioning one, especially in deep winter. And that it can lure humans by calling the names of the living into the howling winter wind.
So if you hear yourself being summoned into the winters blast for some unknown reason... Don't go. Do whatever you have to to resist!
Just... Don't... Go!
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
La Lechuza
LA LECHUZA, WITCH OWL OF THE NIGHT©2016 Lori L. Simpson
NOTE: This article focuses on the folklore aspect of La Lechuza, a supposedly paranormal creature. It neither endorses nor discredits beliefs the monster.
Some say La Lechuza wings through the Mexican and South Western United States night. One of her favorite haunts is the area around my hometown of San Antonio, Texas, USA.
This fiend is believed to be a giant witch-owl, often taking the form of some Harpy.
There are those who claim La Lechuza is the ghost of a witch who was killed by angry neighbors. Other people swear she is a living BRUJA (evil witch) who cannot be killed.
La Lechuza is only seen at night, and her appeance may coincide with thunderstorms. Tales of her go back over 100 years and sightings continue to this day.
Modern day accounts tell of large owl like beings terrorizing cars and travelers. But traditional accounts relate La Lechuza's goal is to kill humans.
She lures people out of their homes by imitating the cries of a baby lost in the night. If someone goes out to look for the child, she SWOOPS down and carries the person away!
Other times she calls a person's name, banshee-like, as a portent of death.
In either
case one's only hope may be to stay inside, and/or curse at the monster, driving it away
Wouldn't you like to have one of these birds as a pet?
NOTE: This article focuses on the folklore aspect of La Lechuza, a supposedly paranormal creature. It neither endorses nor discredits beliefs the monster.
Some say La Lechuza wings through the Mexican and South Western United States night. One of her favorite haunts is the area around my hometown of San Antonio, Texas, USA.
This fiend is believed to be a giant witch-owl, often taking the form of some Harpy.
There are those who claim La Lechuza is the ghost of a witch who was killed by angry neighbors. Other people swear she is a living BRUJA (evil witch) who cannot be killed.
La Lechuza is only seen at night, and her appeance may coincide with thunderstorms. Tales of her go back over 100 years and sightings continue to this day.
Modern day accounts tell of large owl like beings terrorizing cars and travelers. But traditional accounts relate La Lechuza's goal is to kill humans.
She lures people out of their homes by imitating the cries of a baby lost in the night. If someone goes out to look for the child, she SWOOPS down and carries the person away!
Other times she calls a person's name, banshee-like, as a portent of death.
In either
Wouldn't you like to have one of these birds as a pet?
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Dia de los Muertos
Note: this article is presented for entertainment purposes. The beliefs within are genuinely held by some people, but the writer of this piece neither endorses them nor discredits them.
Dia de los Muertos- Day of the Dead.2016 ©Lori L. Simpson
With much credit and thanks tomexicansugarskull.com
The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is not as scary as it may sound.
It is a Mexican holiday which has also spread into parts of the United States due to Mexican-Americans and Mexican Immigrants sharing their culture
According to tradition, the gates of heaven open at midnight on October 31. All souls of deceased children are allowed to visit their families.Adult spirits are said to revisit their relatives on November 2.
But these ethereal guests are welcomed, not feared. It is believed happy spirits will bless living family members with protection, wisdom, and good luck.
Beautiful altars are set up in homes. The altars are covered with flowers, special mementos, gifts, and food and drinks for the heavenly guests.
One of the most iconic offerings is a sugar skull. The idea of crafting molded sugar church decorations was brought to Mexico by 17th century Italian Catholic Priests.
Down through the years, some Mexicans invented candy sugar skulls for their Day of the Dead celebration.
These sugar skulls aren't usually grim! They are brightly iced and decorated molded candies. Large ones are left out for adult spirits, and smaller ones are dedicated to the angelitos- child souls.But, humans like to look at them- and eat them- too.
Dia de los Muertos- Day of the Dead.2016 ©Lori L. Simpson
With much credit and thanks tomexicansugarskull.com
The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is not as scary as it may sound.
It is a Mexican holiday which has also spread into parts of the United States due to Mexican-Americans and Mexican Immigrants sharing their culture
According to tradition, the gates of heaven open at midnight on October 31. All souls of deceased children are allowed to visit their families.Adult spirits are said to revisit their relatives on November 2.
But these ethereal guests are welcomed, not feared. It is believed happy spirits will bless living family members with protection, wisdom, and good luck.
Beautiful altars are set up in homes. The altars are covered with flowers, special mementos, gifts, and food and drinks for the heavenly guests.
One of the most iconic offerings is a sugar skull. The idea of crafting molded sugar church decorations was brought to Mexico by 17th century Italian Catholic Priests.
Down through the years, some Mexicans invented candy sugar skulls for their Day of the Dead celebration.
These sugar skulls aren't usually grim! They are brightly iced and decorated molded candies. Large ones are left out for adult spirits, and smaller ones are dedicated to the angelitos- child souls.But, humans like to look at them- and eat them- too.
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