folklore | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/folklore/RSS feed for folkloreenFri, 13 Feb 2026 13:26:40 +0000Gallop Into the Year of the Horse With These Five Amazing Equine Discoverieshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/gallop-into-the-year-of-the-horse-with-these-five-amazing-equine-discoveries-180988194/Since their domestication, horses have changed the course of human history. It’s no wonder the Chinese zodiac associates them with prosperity and successFri, 13 Feb 2026 13:26:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/gallop-into-the-year-of-the-horse-with-these-five-amazing-equine-discoveries-180988194/A Brief and Amazing History of the Pleiades, Stars That Captivated Ancient Civilizations and Inspired Poetshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-brief-and-amazing-history-of-the-pleiades-stars-that-captivated-ancient-civilizations-and-inspired-poets-180987529/Also known as the “Seven Sisters,” the striking cluster has long been used as an important seasonal marker and appears high in the night sky around HalloweenTue, 21 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-brief-and-amazing-history-of-the-pleiades-stars-that-captivated-ancient-civilizations-and-inspired-poets-180987529/Zora Neale Hurston's Forgotten Play Premieres on Stage for the First Timehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/zora-neale-hurstons-forgotten-play-premieres-on-stage-for-the-first-time-180987521/Based on the author's short story and ethnographic fieldwork, "Spunk" languished in Library of Congress' archives for decadesThu, 16 Oct 2025 20:54:36 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/zora-neale-hurstons-forgotten-play-premieres-on-stage-for-the-first-time-180987521/What Actually Sparks Will-o'-the-Wisps? A New Study Traces the Science Behind the Mysterious, Wandering Lightshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-actually-sparks-will-o-the-wisps-a-new-study-traces-the-science-behind-the-mysterious-wandering-lights-180987421/The ghostly phenomenon could be the product of a chemical reaction involving methane, researchers suggestWed, 01 Oct 2025 18:08:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-actually-sparks-will-o-the-wisps-a-new-study-traces-the-science-behind-the-mysterious-wandering-lights-180987421/A Veteran Pixar Animator’s Newest Book Is an Epic Undertaking That Began 5,000 Years Agohttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/veteran-pixar-animator-newest-book-epic-undertaking-began-5000-years-ago-180987179/Sanjay Patel enjoyed success on YouTube with his colorful shorts and is about to release a richly illustrated book that tells the story of the longest poem in the worldFri, 29 Aug 2025 16:18:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/veteran-pixar-animator-newest-book-epic-undertaking-began-5000-years-ago-180987179/See the Mysterious Winter Parade That Brings Tourists to the Remote Island of Sardiniahttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/see-mysterious-winter-parade-brings-tourists-remote-island-sardinia-180985629/Since ancient times, a town on the Italian isle has marked the season with a grim costumed festivalTue, 31 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/see-mysterious-winter-parade-brings-tourists-remote-island-sardinia-180985629/Before the Yule Lads Evolved Into Icelandic Versions of Santa Claus, They Terrorized Children Into Following the Ruleshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/before-the-yule-lads-evolved-into-icelandic-versions-santa-claus-they-terrorized-children-into-following-rules-180948162/Today, the 13 brothers are said to leave presents in well-behaved youngsters’ shoes. But they used to be depicted as frightening monstersTue, 17 Dec 2013 15:38:42 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/before-the-yule-lads-evolved-into-icelandic-versions-santa-claus-they-terrorized-children-into-following-rules-180948162/The Discovery of a Jewish Teenager’s Holocaust Diary Reveals How Songs, Jokes and Stories Served as Cultural Resistancehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-discovery-of-a-jewish-teenagers-holocaust-diary-reveals-how-songs-jokes-and-stories-served-as-cultural-resistance-180985604/Yitskhok Rudashevski documented his life while hiding from Nazis, as well as folklore told in his community that “must be collected and preserved as a treasure for the future”Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-discovery-of-a-jewish-teenagers-holocaust-diary-reveals-how-songs-jokes-and-stories-served-as-cultural-resistance-180985604/Rare 'Doomsday' Oarfish Surfaces in California, Just the 20th Discovered in the State Since 1901https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-deep-sea-doomsday-fish-surfaces-in-california-just-the-20th-discovered-in-the-state-since-1901-180984942/Kayakers spotted and hauled ashore the 12-foot-long oarfish, a deep-sea species known for its connection to earthquakes in Japanese folkloreTue, 20 Aug 2024 19:13:09 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-deep-sea-doomsday-fish-surfaces-in-california-just-the-20th-discovered-in-the-state-since-1901-180984942/Fabled Sword From Medieval French Folklore Disappearshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fabled-sword-from-medieval-french-folklore-disappears-180984682/Known as the "French Excalibur," the blade is said to have hung from a rock face in the village of Rocamadour for 1,300 yearsWed, 10 Jul 2024 19:19:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fabled-sword-from-medieval-french-folklore-disappears-180984682/