Folklore Thursday is a brilliant trend on Twitter which showcases some of the most interesting tidbits from international folklore and mythology. Scrolling through this hashtag is a great way to improve your general knowledge and also a useful way to start exploring the beliefs of ancient cultures. Check out 10 of this week’s most fascinating #FolkloreThursday tweets.
“The fairies (of Wales) favour the oak-tree, and the female oak especially, because of its wide-spreading branches and deeper shade. It is dangerous to cut down a female oak, and some lost their lives by a strange aching pain which admitted of no remedy”#FolkloreThursday #Wales pic.twitter.com/YNHG0RHm16
— Mark Rees (@reviewwales) July 12, 2018
Tired of gendered expectations of passive femininity, aka the “someday my prince will come” narrative? So ‘s the heroine of a #FolkloreThursday story thread called:
The 12 Huntsmen
Or
“The Lion’s a Snitch re: My Wardrobe.” pic.twitter.com/pKoqqLk7VJ
— Vengeful_Doe (@Vengeful_Doe) July 12, 2018
Queer mythology of India (Shikhandi, amongst others) is being presented to the Supreme Court of India right now, as I tweet, by lawyers to make a case of cultural wisdom against homophobic Victorian law 377. #folklorethursday pic.twitter.com/s4TtnQkIwy
— Devdutt Pattanaik (@devduttmyth) July 12, 2018
It’s said that seven days after a full moon is the best time to fall in love at first sight. The next full moon is the Buck Moon on 27 July, so keep your eyes open on Friday 3 August… #folklorethursday pic.twitter.com/3G0IORZJIm
— Liza Frank (@lilithepunk) July 12, 2018
The prophet Tiresias was transformed into a woman when he placed his staff between two copulating snakes. Seven years later, she was transformed back in the same manner. #FolkloreThursday pic.twitter.com/rYRMo07cjR
— Jack of Wands (@jack_of_wands) July 12, 2018
In European folklore right up until the 18th century, the hare’s symbolic ties with the moon were such that it was believed to be androgynous, changing genders along with the liminal phases of the moon. Waxing meant masculine energy; waning, feminine. #FolkloreThursday pic.twitter.com/L43Kjzpt5z
— Slamuel Beckett (@livlila) July 12, 2018
Offerings to trees such as coins were said to bring luck, grant wishes or for illnesses to be taken away #FolkloreThursday pic.twitter.com/u4QjqiioAi
— rintrah roars (@tragiconlytwin) July 12, 2018
For today’s ?️? #FolkloreThursday –> Achilles & Patroclus ? Here, Achilles bandages his lover’s arm (Attic red-figure kylix, c. 500 BC) pic.twitter.com/7iuW0dXii6
— Annina Luck (@AnninaLuck) July 12, 2018
Near Armagh, Ireland, legend tells of pregnant woman named Macha, once forced to race the king’s horses to protect her husband’s honor.
She won, delivered twins, and, before dying, cursed the men of the kingdom to forever suffer as she did in times of strife.#FolkloreThursday pic.twitter.com/TlWkDMxqp5
— Slamuel Beckett (@livlila) July 12, 2018
Iris ? Goddess of the Rainbow#ArthurRackham #Pride2018 #FolkloreThursday pic.twitter.com/hSTJkIkirF
— Alexandra Epps (@ArtGuideAlex) July 12, 2018
Featured Image Via Twitter