Culture & Traditions

When people celebrate Christmas today, they’re often following customs that long predate Christianity. Many pagan Christmas traditions evolved from ancient winter solstice festivals, adapted by early Christians as they spread their faith through Europe.

By Lena Thaywick

In Argentina, Christmas comes at the height of summer. That flips many traditional winter holiday expectations on their head.

By Lena Thaywick

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj," meaning "to join or unite." In its earliest sense, it referred to the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. But the origins of yoga are far more complex than a single definition or set of poses.

By Lena Thaywick

According to legend, whoever finds the hidden pickle on the tree gets an extra present or good luck for the next year. But is this festive scavenger hunt really an age-old German custom, or just a clever way to sell more glass ornaments?

By Lena Thaywick

Hinduism is often called the world’s oldest living religion. But tracing the origins of Hinduism isn’t like finding the founder of Christianity or the date Islam began. It doesn’t have a single historical founder or sacred text.

By Lena Thaywick

The origins of Buddhism trace back over 2,500 years to ancient India, where a spiritual teacher named Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha.

By Lena Thaywick

Christmas is often considered a Christian holiday, and Jehovah's Witness is considered a branch of Christianity, but do Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Christmas?

By Lena Thaywick

The story of Black Peter (Zwarte Piet) is one of the most debated traditions in Dutch society today.

By Lena Thaywick

The origins of Islam trace back to the early seventh century on the Arabian Peninsula. Islam began in the city of Mecca, where a man named Muhammad, a successful merchant from a powerful tribe, received a divine revelation.

By Lena Thaywick

After catching a holiday-themed anime episode, you may wonder, does Japan celebrate Christmas? While Christmas isn't a national holiday in Japan, the country embraces the season with a unique blend of festive cheer, romantic traditions, and commercial flair.

By Lena Thaywick

The Krampus legend isn't your typical Christmas tale. This half-goat, half-demon figure from Alpine folklore puts a chilling spin on the holiday season.

By Lena Thaywick

Where did Christianity originate from? The question has a surprisingly detailed answer.

By Lena Thaywick

Food is a window into culture, but sometimes it can raise eyebrows before it reaches your mouth.

By Lena Thaywick

We're sure there's been a time when you heard a surname and immediately thought, "Ah, wealth." That reaction isn’t random. Old money last names carry a reputation built over generations of shaping culture, politics, and global finance.

By Lena Thaywick

Every October, kids across America fill their pillowcases and pumpkin buckets with sweets. The most popular Halloween candy isn’t always what you'd expect: Some classics dominate every year, while others quietly rise in the ranks thanks to changing tastes and regional favorites.

By Lena Thaywick

Looking for a chilling way to spend your fall nights? Whether you're into psychological horror or full-contact frights, the best haunted houses in Ohio deliver big scares and bigger thrills.

By Lena Thaywick

When most people hear the word "Thanksgiving," they picture a late-November feast with turkey, pumpkin pie and maybe a football game on TV. But in Canada, Canadian Thanksgiving happens on the second Monday in October and brings its own unique history and traditions.

By Lena Thaywick

Want to test your courage this Halloween? The best haunted houses in Illinois crank the fear up to 11. These aren’t just jump-scare shacks with fog machines. They’re full-blown, professionally produced nightmares that draw thousands of thrill seekers every fall.

By Lena Thaywick

They go by many names. Some are symbols of destruction, others twisted forms of ancient gods, and a few look suspiciously like medieval nobles on a really bad day. Whatever you call them, this list of demons captures a lot of fear, folklore, and theology.

By Lena Thaywick

The 1990s gave us flannel shirts, bucket hats and a tidal wave of new lingo. If you weren’t talking like a character from "Clueless" or quoting "Fresh Prince," were you even there?

By Lena Thaywick

When it comes to religious commitment, the world is far from uniform. While some nations are deeply shaped by religion, others are moving toward secularism.

By Lena Thaywick

The English language is full of quirks, and sometimes weird words sneaks into your vocabulary that make you stop and scratch your head when you really think about them.

By Lena Thaywick

Mexico’s national flag is more than a colorful symbol; it’s a story in fabric form. Mexico's flag—specifically the version we see today—is the result of centuries of conflict, culture, and unification. It’s flown proudly in Mexico City’s central plaza and on government buildings across the country.

By Lena Thaywick

Curious about different types of dragons? Good call. Around the world, people have imagined dragon species that range from serpent-like dragon rainmakers to winged fire-breathers that strike fear.

By Lena Thaywick

Communication drives everything from friendships to billion-dollar business deals. But not all communication is created equal. In fact, the types of communication we use can completely change how our messages land.

By Lena Thaywick