Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman of the dead, who transports the souls of the deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron. A coin to pay Charon for passage was sometimes placed in or on the mouth of a dead person.
Handbook of Mythology
From A Handbook of Mythology (1886) by E.M. Berens. Edited by L.E. Ataire.
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
The Matchmaking Ant - a Korean Folktale An angleworm wanted to get married, so he asked an ant to act as a go-between and find him a wife. The ant arranged for the angleworm to wed a thousand-legged worm. When the angleworm heard this, he cried: “Oh, no! I never
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
ALLIGATOR To see an alligator, was considered a very lucky omen to the people of Anamaboe and Dixcove in Ghana. For a maiden to see an alligator in the water, foretells trouble. The South American natives on the banks of the Orinoco river believe that an alligator, before going in
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Early Black Americans believed that sprinkling the floor with quicksilver would deter ghosts.
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
In Bengalese folklore, shouting "Ram Ram!" drives way ghosts and all evil things. Source Encyclopaedia of superstitions, folklore, and the occult sciences of the world. : a comprehensive library of human belief and practice in the mysteries of life ... Editorial staff: Cora Linn Daniels and C.M. Stevans. (1903)
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
"Antler– Stags' horns are considered in Spain to be an omen of the evil eye, and to be a safeguard against its malignant influence. Should the evil glance be cast, it is believed the horn recieves it and instantly snaps asunder. They wear a tip of horn mounted
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Amethyst – The "maid stone." It's said that she who wears an amethyst will sleep calmly and have innocent dreams. Amethyst is believed to remove drunkenness, particularly wine-coloured stones. The word, amethyst comes from, the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not drunken. It also was thought to divert
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Amber – Amber has enchanted humanity for at least 10,000 years. From the Mycenaeans to the Mayans, amber has been considered sacred and used by cultures across time on nearly every continent. It was believed by some, that if one wore amber, no harm could befall them. In particular, amber
Rock Collection
Amazonite (also known as amazon stone, Green feldspar and Neshmet) – A popular stone among ancient Egyptians, the greenish amazonite represented rebirth and fertility. For this reason it was often used in jewellery and funerary amulets. The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead recommends amazonite for papyrus sceptre necklaces. These necklaces
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Alectoria – Alectoria is a stone of darkish crystalline colour found in the intestines/gizzards of capons (castrated cockerels) that had lived seven years. Alectoria is said to be able to grant invisibility to its carrier, makes women aggregable and men eloquent, constant, and friendly. If held in one's
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Folklore, Myth, and Magic
Alabaster – At Antiparos in the Aegean sea, the ancients used alabaster for incense and for funeral urns. If it turned yellow and lost its whiteness, it meant sickness and famine would come. Church statues made of alabaster are sometimes found to be chipped, in many cases this damage is purposeful.