Culture & Traditions

Have you ever been about to perform, only to have someone tell you to break a leg? That might sound strange — or even a bit harsh. After all, who wants a debilitating injury right before stepping on stage?

By Ada Tseng

Flags are powerful symbols, representing the identity, history and values of nations. Among the most striking are those featuring an iconic blue and white flag design, a combination often associated with peace, freedom and unity.

By Desiree Bowie

Ever been in a situation where you didn't have a set plan and just had to figure things out as you went along? That's when you might decide to "play it by ear."

By Zach Taras

If you've ever been to brunch after a night of too much celebrating, you've probably heard about using the "hair of the dog" to cure your queasiness. It usually pops up when someone suggests that a little more alcohol could help you shake off hangover symptoms.

By Mack Hayden

Let's talk about an expression you've probably heard before: "rule of thumb." This phrase is a handy way of saying, "Here's a general guideline that works in most cases."

By Zach Taras

Flags are more than just colors and shapes; they're symbols of identity, pride and history. Four countries proudly fly a green, white, and orange flag — and each draws that color scheme from its rich history and distinctive symbolism as nations.

By Mack Hayden

Flags are more than just colors on cloth; they're symbols that represent a nation's identity, history and values. A green and white flag can mean very different things, depending on the country.

By Mack Hayden

The English language is swarming with idioms and colloquial phrases that are more frequently spoken than written. "Please, bear with me" is an example of a polite and politically correct phrase for asking for patience or a moment of grace.

By Mitch Ryan

Abrahamic religions often refer to angels who are servants of God, often coming down to Earth to perform miracles and give guidance to humans. Above even the angels are what believers call archangels, who are an elite class basically serving as the Lord's chief princes, reporting to him directly.

By Talon Homer

Although there are plenty of named and unnamed angels mentioned in both the Torah and the New Testament Bible, Archangel Raphael is likely one of the most recognized by scholars as well as casual readers of ancient mythology.

By Talon Homer

Flags are powerful symbols of national identity and culture, with each banner telling a unique story about a country's past, values and aspirations — and the red-white-blue flag standard is no exception.

By Karina Ryan

Flags are powerful symbols that communicate a nation’s identity, values, and even political history. Today, we're looking at flags that feature a bold red background with bright yellow stars. A quick image search for "red flag with yellow star" will give you a few different results, so we'll look at the most common examples and the countries they represent.

By Zach Taras

Flags aren't just colorful pieces of fabric waving in the wind; they're symbols, each one packed with history, identity and meaning. Today, we're exploring a striking type of flag seen across the globe: the white flag with a red cross. (We'll also take a look at flags that display the inverse: a white cross on a red background).

By Zach Taras

When we think of national flags, we're often drawn to their colors and designs, each one telling a unique story. A red, yellow, and green flag is no different.

By Zach Taras

The red-black-green flag we're highlighting today is the Pan-African flag, an important symbol of Black culture for members of the African diaspora, including African Americans.

By Mitch Ryan

In many New Age spiritual practices, it's believed that angelic beings — such as the archangel Zadkiel — can be called upon to help guide and empower the passionate seeker. Here, we'll take a look at this celestial figure, and how you might draw upon his angelic wisdom and power to improve your life.

By Zach Taras

Archangel Ariel, whose name means "Lion of God" or "Lioness of God," tends to the natural world and the physical universe. Sometimes depicted as a male and sometimes as female (we use she/her pronouns in this article), Ariel's role extends to overseeing the elements, wild animals and the environment.

By Mack Hayden

While the popular understanding of most major, monotheistic religions tends to emphasize God, certain prophets and the written teachings of the spiritual tradition, there is a whole world of lesser-known entities who can be deeply significant.

By Zach Taras

Lucifer, whose name means "light bearer," is one of the most complex and significant figures in Christian tradition. Originally a high-ranking angel created by God, Lucifer's fall from grace is a powerful narrative that has shaped religious and literary depictions of evil for centuries.

By Talon Homer

The figure of Saint Michael, or Michael the Archangel, is one of the most powerful and revered beings in religious history. Known as the protector of the faithful and a warrior against evil, Archangel Michael is venerated across Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

By Mitch Ryan

In Christian tradition, an archangel is among of the most revered and powerful spiritual beings in the celestial hierarchy. Mentioned directly in both the Old and New Testaments, these angels serve as messengers, protectors and agents of God's divine will.

By Mitch Ryan

Archangel Gabriel is one of the most revered and influential figures in religious traditions across the world, often seen as a messenger of divine will and a guide to those seeking spiritual clarity.

By Karina Ryan

Metatron, angel and mediator between God and humanity, is one of the most mysterious and powerful figures in angelology.

By Mack Hayden

The Archangel Uriel is one of the seven angels who sit at the top of the heavenly food chain. He's one of seven archangels mentioned throughout Christian tradition. These archangels oversee God's legions of heavenly servants and help run the world as we know it.

By Mack Hayden

Archangel Jophiel, whose name means "Beauty of God," is said to emanate divine inspiration and wisdom, transforming negative emotions into positive energy. His energy encourages both inner and outer beauty, helping people cultivate not just physical grace but also a deeper sense of spiritual self.

By Mack Hayden