Mount Olympus was clearly more than just a simple peak in the eyes of the ancient Greeks: it was THE symbol of divine power, the...
Historically, the shades of red in the clothing of Tibetan monks mainly come from natural pigments such as madder, a plant with red roots that...
Greetings by nodding the head date back far in history, somewhere between respect and caution. Even in ancient times, bowing the head or bending the...
The festival of Candlemas comes from an interesting mix of pagan and Christian traditions. Originally, the Romans celebrated festivals called Lupercalia in early February to...
For the Vikings, runes were much more than just letters: they possessed a very strong sacred dimension. It was believed that each rune held particular...
The idea of the swan song dates back to ancient Greece: the Greeks believed that the swan, silent throughout its life, sang beautifully once, just...
Old houses often have a dark, silent, and dilapidated appearance that stimulates our imagination at the slightest sound. Creaking floorboards, icy drafts, or strange crackling...
In many mythological tales, the gods impose quests on heroes for various reasons: sometimes to test their courage and worth, sometimes simply to assert their...
The haka is a traditional warrior dance practiced by the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Originally, it was mainly a way to impress...
The art of facial tattooing, called tā moko, has been an integral part of Māori tradition for centuries. According to Māori legend, it was the...