Scottish folkloreScottish folklore (Scottish Gaelic: Beul-aithris na h-Alba) encompasses the folklore of the Scottish people from their earliest records until today. Folklorists, both academic and amateur, have published a variety of works focused specifically on the area over the years. Some creatures of Scottish folklore are the Loch Ness Monster, brownies, bogles, kelpies, selkies, the wulver, the bean-nighe, and the blue men of the Minch.
Welsh folkloreWelsh folklore also known as Llên Gwerin or Llên y Werin (Welsh for 'Folk Literature/Learning') is the collective term for the folklore of the Welsh people. It encompasses topics related to Welsh mythology, folk tales, customs, and oral tradition. Welsh folklore is related to Irish and Scottish folklore due to its Celtic traditions, as well as English folklore. It also shares similarities with Breton and Cornish folklore due to shared history.
English folkloreMyths and legends of English culture Beowulf and the Dragon, as told in the Old English epic poem Beowulf A sculpture of the mythical Green Man on the Church of St Mary and St David, Kilpeck English folklore consists of the myths and legends of England, including the region's mythical creatures, traditional recipes, urban legends, proverbs, superstitions, dance, balladry, and folktales that have been passed down through generations, reflecting the cultural heritage of the country.
Holy wellA holy well or sacred spring is a well, spring or small pool of water revered in Christianity, as well as in pagan religions. The water of holy wells is often thought to have healing qualities, through the numinous presence of its guardian spirit or Christian saint. They often have local legends associated with them; for example in Christian legends, the water is often said to have been made to flow by the action of a saint. It may be regarded as holy water.Folk beliefIn folkloristics, folk belief or folk-belief is a broad genre of folklore that is often expressed in narratives, customs, rituals, foodways, proverbs, and rhymes. It also includes a wide variety of behaviors that are influenced by folk belief through literature and theater.
MythMyth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is totally different from the ordinary sense of the term myth, meaning a belief that is not true, as the veracity of a piece of folklore is entirely irrelevant to determining whether it constitutes a myth. Myths are often endorsed by religious and secular authorities, and may be natural or supernatural in character.
LegendA legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. Legend, for its active and passive participants, may include miracles. Legends may be transformed over time to keep them fresh and vital.
Chalice WellThe Chalice Well, also known as the Red Spring, is a well situated near the summit of Chalice Hill, a small hill next to Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The natural spring and surrounding gardens are owned and managed by the Chalice Well Trust (registered charity no. 204206), founded by Wellesley Tudor Pole in 1959.
TraditionA tradition is a system of beliefs or behaviors (folk custom) passed down within a group of people or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes (like lawyers' wigs or military officers' spurs), but the idea has also been applied to social norms and behaviors such as greetings.
GlastonburyGlastonbury ( GLAST-ən-bər-ee, UK also GLAHST-) is a town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is situated at a dry point on the low-lying Somerset Levels, 23 miles (37 km) south of Bristol. At the 2021 census, the parish had a population of 8,980 and the built-up area had a population of 8,300. The town is less than 1 mile (2 km) across the River Brue from Street, a village which is now larger than Glastonbury.
RecipeA recipe is a set of instructions that lists the ingredients and steps needed to prepare a specific dish or meal. A sub-recipe or subrecipe is a recipe for an ingredient that will be called for in the instructions for the main recipe. Recipe books (also called cookbooks or cookery books) are collections of recipes that reflect cultural identities and social changes, while also serving as educational tools.
United KingdomCountry in northwestern EuropeThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2024.
Welsh folkloreWelsh folklore also known as Llên Gwerin or Llên y Werin (Welsh for 'Folk Literature/Learning') is the collective term for the folklore of the Welsh people. It encompasses topics related to Welsh mythology, folk tales, customs, and oral tradition. Welsh folklore is related to Irish and Scottish folklore due to its Celtic traditions, as well as English folklore. It also shares similarities with Breton and Cornish folklore due to shared history.English folkloreMyths and legends of English culture Beowulf and the Dragon, as told in the Old English epic poem Beowulf A sculpture of the mythical Green Man on the Church of St Mary and St David, Kilpeck English folklore consists of the myths and legends of England, including the region's mythical creatures, traditional recipes, urban legends, proverbs, superstitions, dance, balladry, and folktales that have been passed down through generations, reflecting the cultural heritage of the country.Holy wellA holy well or sacred spring is a well, spring or small pool of water revered in Christianity, as well as in pagan religions. The water of holy wells is often thought to have healing qualities, through the numinous presence of its guardian spirit or Christian saint. They often have local legends associated with them; for example in Christian legends, the water is often said to have been made to flow by the action of a saint. It may be regarded as holy water.Folk beliefIn folkloristics, folk belief or folk-belief is a broad genre of folklore that is often expressed in narratives, customs, rituals, foodways, proverbs, and rhymes. It also includes a wide variety of behaviors that are influenced by folk belief through literature and theater.MythMyth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is totally different from the ordinary sense of the term myth, meaning a belief that is not true, as the veracity of a piece of folklore is entirely irrelevant to determining whether it constitutes a myth. Myths are often endorsed by religious and secular authorities, and may be natural or supernatural in character.LegendA legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. Legend, for its active and passive participants, may include miracles. Legends may be transformed over time to keep them fresh and vital.Chalice WellThe Chalice Well, also known as the Red Spring, is a well situated near the summit of Chalice Hill, a small hill next to Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The natural spring and surrounding gardens are owned and managed by the Chalice Well Trust (registered charity no. 204206), founded by Wellesley Tudor Pole in 1959.TraditionA tradition is a system of beliefs or behaviors (folk custom) passed down within a group of people or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes (like lawyers' wigs or military officers' spurs), but the idea has also been applied to social norms and behaviors such as greetings.GlastonburyGlastonbury ( GLAST-ən-bər-ee, UK also GLAHST-) is a town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is situated at a dry point on the low-lying Somerset Levels, 23 miles (37 km) south of Bristol. At the 2021 census, the parish had a population of 8,980 and the built-up area had a population of 8,300. The town is less than 1 mile (2 km) across the River Brue from Street, a village which is now larger than Glastonbury.RecipeA recipe is a set of instructions that lists the ingredients and steps needed to prepare a specific dish or meal. A sub-recipe or subrecipe is a recipe for an ingredient that will be called for in the instructions for the main recipe. Recipe books (also called cookbooks or cookery books) are collections of recipes that reflect cultural identities and social changes, while also serving as educational tools.United KingdomCountry in northwestern EuropeThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2024.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.