Mrs. Claus

The Origins of Mrs. Claus
©2016 Lori L. Simpson

Many people have heard of the
fictional Christmas holiday figure of
Mrs. Claus, or Mrs. Santa Claus.
But few know her origins.

The modern Mrs. Santa Claus first appeared in an an 1850 story called "A Christmas Legend" authored by James Reese.

Pre-Christan religions had winter-associated Gods who had wives as well.

In addition there are and  have been legendary  female gift givers such as Italy's Christmas persona La Befana. Also, several Northern countries pre-Christan Frau Holle.

La Befana traditionally leaves
Gifts in children's shoes.

Frau Holle granted   good crops and left practical presents such as coal and flax pods. When she shook out her feather bed, snow blanketed the land.

Artistic depictions of Mrs. Claus today
are varied. She has perhaps become
as much a part of secular Christmas culture in some areas of the world as
her husband.  How might you
Picture her?

Sorry for the delays in posting here

Dear Readers,

I'm sorry about my not having
Posted here in so long.
I've had some health problems
To deal with, and now a personal
Tradgedy of sorts. I am still
Dedicated to the idea behind
This blog.
At the time it might be
Easier for me to keep up
With things through
My Facebook page
Actual Legends and the Twitter
account @ActualLegends.
Thank you for your patience and support!

Lori L. Simpson

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!*

Quick Fact

©2016 Lori L. Simpson

*It was believed
Unicorns  purified
Poisoned water by dipping
Their horns in it.*

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.

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.

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!