mythology

The Grisly Legend Of Xipe Totec, The Mesoamerican God Of Human Flaying

Ceremonies honoring Xipe Totec were often brutal, involving human sacrifices and skinning of corpses, but the deity was also revered as a god of spring and rebirth, with the human skin seen as merely the husk that harbored the seed of life within.

By Austin Harvey • Aug 31, 2023

The Grisly Legend Of Xipe Totec, The Mesoamerican God Of Human Flaying

Ceremonies honoring Xipe Totec were often brutal, involving human sacrifices and skinning of corpses, but the deity was also revered as a god of spring and rebirth, with the human skin seen as merely the husk that harbored the seed of life within.

By Austin Harvey • August 31, 2023

Inside The Legends Of Pazuzu, The Troublesome Exorcist Demon Based On Ancient Mesopotamian Lore

Pazuzu was worshiped in Mesopotamian religion as an evil demon who controlled the wind, but also served as a protector of women and children.

By Austin Harvey • Aug 21, 2023

Inside The Legends Of Pazuzu, The Troublesome Exorcist Demon Based On Ancient Mesopotamian Lore

Pazuzu was worshiped in Mesopotamian religion as an evil demon who controlled the wind, but also served as a protector of women and children.

By Austin Harvey • August 21, 2023

The Legend Of The Shinigami, The Terrifying Grim Reapers Of Japanese Lore

Represented in both traditional Japanese plays and contemporary television shows, the shinigami are multi-faceted and often terrifying gods of death that lure humans to their demise.

By Amber Morgan • Aug 18, 2023

The Legend Of The Shinigami, The Terrifying Grim Reapers Of Japanese Lore

Represented in both traditional Japanese plays and contemporary television shows, the shinigami are multi-faceted and often terrifying gods of death that lure humans to their demise.

By Amber Morgan • August 18, 2023

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 • Jul 16, 2023

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 • July 16, 2023

This Week In History News, Jun. 25 – Jul. 1

Ancient Medusa medal uncovered near Hadrian's Wall, unnerving doodles found in Henry VIII's prayer book, Stonehenge-like site discovered in the Netherlands.

By All That's Interesting • Jun 30, 2023

News

This Week In History News, Jun. 25 – Jul. 1

Ancient Medusa medal uncovered near Hadrian's Wall, unnerving doodles found in Henry VIII's prayer book, Stonehenge-like site discovered in the Netherlands.

By All That's Interesting • June 30, 2023

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 • May 15, 2023

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 • May 15, 2023

The Bone-Chilling Story Of Valak, The Demon Who Terrified Audiences In ‘The Nun’ And ‘The Conjuring’

Although Valak is depicted as a habit-wearing spirit, the real demon appears as a child riding a two-headed dragon — at least according to a 17th-century demon-hunting manual.

By Gina Dimuro • May 11, 2023

The Bone-Chilling Story Of Valak, The Demon Who Terrified Audiences In ‘The Nun’ And ‘The Conjuring’

Although Valak is depicted as a habit-wearing spirit, the real demon appears as a child riding a two-headed dragon — at least according to a 17th-century demon-hunting manual.

By Gina Dimuro • May 11, 2023

Changelings, The Devilish Fairies Of European Folklore That Disguise Themselves As Human Children

For centuries, changelings were said to be fairy offspring left in place of kidnapped children. But the truth is that many kids believed to be these creatures simply had unknown illnesses.

By Austin Harvey • May 10, 2023

Changelings, The Devilish Fairies Of European Folklore That Disguise Themselves As Human Children

For centuries, changelings were said to be fairy offspring left in place of kidnapped children. But the truth is that many kids believed to be these creatures simply had unknown illnesses.

By Austin Harvey • May 10, 2023

Earth’s Largest Freshwater Turtle Species On The Brink Of Extinction After The Last Known Female Turns Up Dead

The female Yangtze giant softshell turtle could have "laid a hundred eggs or more a year," experts said. Now, the known population of this turtle species is only two males.

By Austin Harvey • May 5, 2023

News

Earth’s Largest Freshwater Turtle Species On The Brink Of Extinction After The Last Known Female Turns Up Dead

The female Yangtze giant softshell turtle could have "laid a hundred eggs or more a year," experts said. Now, the known population of this turtle species is only two males.

By Austin Harvey • May 5, 2023

The Sinister Legend Of La Lechuza, The 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 she preys on drunk men and children in the dead of night.

By Austin Harvey • Apr 5, 2023

The Sinister Legend Of La Lechuza, The 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 she preys on drunk men and children in the dead of night.

By Austin Harvey • April 5, 2023