mythology

The True Story Behind The Classic Children’s Nursery Rhyme ‘Ring Around The Rosie’

"Ring Around the Rosie" was likely created as a children's singing game in 18th-century Germany — but some people believe it has much darker origins.

By Austin Harvey • Jun 17, 2026

The True Story Behind The Classic Children’s Nursery Rhyme ‘Ring Around The Rosie’

"Ring Around the Rosie" was likely created as a children's singing game in 18th-century Germany — but some people believe it has much darker origins.

By Austin Harvey • June 17, 2026

The Terrifying Legend Of Kuchisake Onna, The Slit-Mouthed Woman Of Japan

Kuchisake onna is said to be a vengeful spirit who covers her disfigured face and asks strangers: "Am I beautiful?" She then attacks them regardless of how they answer.

By Austin Harvey • Jun 14, 2026

The Terrifying Legend Of Kuchisake Onna, The Slit-Mouthed Woman Of Japan

Kuchisake onna is said to be a vengeful spirit who covers her disfigured face and asks strangers: "Am I beautiful?" She then attacks them regardless of how they answer.

By Austin Harvey • June 14, 2026

The Legend Of La Lechuza, The Sinister Witch-Owl Monster Of The Rio Grande Valley And Northern Mexico

According to centuries-old folklore, La Lechuza has the face of an old woman atop the body of an owl and preys on drunk men and children in the dead of night.

By Austin Harvey • May 20, 2026

The Legend Of La Lechuza, The Sinister Witch-Owl Monster Of The Rio Grande Valley And Northern Mexico

According to centuries-old folklore, La Lechuza has the face of an old woman atop the body of an owl and preys on drunk men and children in the dead of night.

By Austin Harvey • May 20, 2026

Inside The Myth Of Selkies, The Seal-Human Shapeshifters Of Celtic Lore

According to Celtic and Norse mythology, selkies are seals who can become human by shedding their "sealskin" on land.

By Andrew Milne • May 2, 2026

Inside The Myth Of Selkies, The Seal-Human Shapeshifters Of Celtic Lore

According to Celtic and Norse mythology, selkies are seals who can become human by shedding their "sealskin" on land.

By Andrew Milne • May 2, 2026

Meet Hecate, The Greek Deity Who Appeared On Curse Tablets And Served As The Patron Goddess Of Witches

While statues of Hecate were often used in ancient Greece to ward off evil spirits, the goddess also had connections to death, darkness, and hellhounds.

By Andrew Milne • Apr 26, 2026

Meet Hecate, The Greek Deity Who Appeared On Curse Tablets And Served As The Patron Goddess Of Witches

While statues of Hecate were often used in ancient Greece to ward off evil spirits, the goddess also had connections to death, darkness, and hellhounds.

By Andrew Milne • April 26, 2026

A Definitive List Of History’s Creepiest Cryptids — And Where They Allegedly Live

You've heard about Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster, but they're far from the only cryptids with bone-chilling backstories.

By Austin Harvey • Apr 21, 2026

A Definitive List Of History’s Creepiest Cryptids — And Where They Allegedly Live

You've heard about Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster, but they're far from the only cryptids with bone-chilling backstories.

By Austin Harvey • April 21, 2026

What Is The Wendigo? Meet The Cannibalistic Cryptid Of Your Nightmares

A humanoid monster with fangs, antlers, and glowing eyes, the Algonquian Wendigo either devours its victims or possesses their spirit and body.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Mar 31, 2026

What Is The Wendigo? Meet The Cannibalistic Cryptid Of Your Nightmares

A humanoid monster with fangs, antlers, and glowing eyes, the Algonquian Wendigo either devours its victims or possesses their spirit and body.

By Jaclyn Anglis • March 31, 2026

Ancient Greece’s Most Secretive Cult May Have Used A Psychedelic Hallucinogen For Its Rituals

Researchers have shown that participants in the rituals of the Eleusinian Mysteries may have used ergot, a rye fungus that contains a precursor to LSD.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 2, 2026

News

Ancient Greece’s Most Secretive Cult May Have Used A Psychedelic Hallucinogen For Its Rituals

Researchers have shown that participants in the rituals of the Eleusinian Mysteries may have used ergot, a rye fungus that contains a precursor to LSD.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 2, 2026

The Incredible Story Behind Italy’s Real-Life Sword In The Stone That Has Nothing To Do With King Arthur

Galgano Guidotti was a 12th-century knight who purportedly thrust a sword into a boulder in Tuscany after having a religious vision, a feat that led to his sainthood after his death.

By All That's Interesting • Feb 22, 2026

The Incredible Story Behind Italy’s Real-Life Sword In The Stone That Has Nothing To Do With King Arthur

Galgano Guidotti was a 12th-century knight who purportedly thrust a sword into a boulder in Tuscany after having a religious vision, a feat that led to his sainthood after his death.

By All That's Interesting • February 22, 2026

The Story Of Ganymede, The Handsome Prince Of Ancient Greek Myth Who Was Kidnapped By Zeus

The myth of Ganymede describes his abduction by Zeus in order to be a cupbearer of the gods, while later interpretations of the story described it as a tale of male same-sex desire.

By Andrew Milne • Feb 12, 2026

The Story Of Ganymede, The Handsome Prince Of Ancient Greek Myth Who Was Kidnapped By Zeus

The myth of Ganymede describes his abduction by Zeus in order to be a cupbearer of the gods, while later interpretations of the story described it as a tale of male same-sex desire.

By Andrew Milne • February 12, 2026

The Legend Of The Beast Of Bray Road, The Wolf-Like Creature Said To Prowl The Wisconsin Countryside

Witnesses who've allegedly encountered the Beast of Bray Road describe it as tall and hairy, with glowing eyes, long claws, and the stench of rotting meat.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 25, 2026

The Legend Of The Beast Of Bray Road, The Wolf-Like Creature Said To Prowl The Wisconsin Countryside

Witnesses who've allegedly encountered the Beast of Bray Road describe it as tall and hairy, with glowing eyes, long claws, and the stench of rotting meat.

By Austin Harvey • January 25, 2026

Archaeologists Preparing For Development In Eastern Rome Happened Upon Ancient Tombs And A Shrine To Hercules

Found in the Pietralata district's Parco delle Acacie, this site was continuously developed and occupied from the 5th century B.C.E. to the 3rd century C.E.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 23, 2026

News

Archaeologists Preparing For Development In Eastern Rome Happened Upon Ancient Tombs And A Shrine To Hercules

Found in the Pietralata district's Parco delle Acacie, this site was continuously developed and occupied from the 5th century B.C.E. to the 3rd century C.E.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 23, 2026