Culture & Traditions

Synanon began as an alternative rehabilitation program for alcoholics and drug addicts in Santa Monica, California, during the 1950s and 60s.

By Mitch Ryan

a scorpion tattoo meaning linked to power, protection, or danger? Discover its deep symbolism, cultural significance, and popular designs.

By HowStuffWorks

Unfolding the Rich Tapestry of Flower Tattoo Symbolism

By HowStuffWorks

Is a triangle tattoo meaning spiritual, symbolic, or geometric? Discover its deep significance in religion, alchemy, and sacred symbolism.

By HowStuffWorks

Discover the deep symbolism behind elephant tattoos. Learn about their meanings in strength, wisdom, luck, and spirituality across different cultures.

By HowStuffWorks

In 1993, FBI officials and other law enforcement agents became locked in a 51-day standoff with the Branch Davidians, a religious sect living on a 940-acre farm and compound near Waco, Texas, led by self-proclaimed prophet David Koresh.

By Kimberly Olson

New religious movements generally garner equal parts attention and skepticism; this is especially true for new and alternative religions in America. The United States has a long list of cult leaders who experienced a meteoric rise to fame, followed quickly by an abrupt fall from grace.

By Mitch Ryan

Tongue twisters are those delightfully tricky phrases or verses that are designed to challenge the articulation and coordination of speech. The hardest tongue twister is packed with sequences of similar sounds, particularly consonants, that are super tricky to say quickly or repeatedly.

By Karina Ryan

Discover the uplifting symbolism of sunflower tattoos, representing happiness, loyalty, and positivity. Explore their deep meanings and inspiring design ideas.

By HowStuffWorks

Unveil the symbolic beauty of feather tattoos, representing freedom, spirituality, and transformation. Explore their meanings and unique design inspirations.

By HowStuffWorks

Discover the deep symbolism of rose tattoos, representing love, passion, balance, and beauty. Explore their meanings and find inspiration for your next design.

By HowStuffWorks

Joker tattoo meaning explores duality, chaos, and freedom, symbolizing rebellion, humor, or life’s unpredictability. Perfect for bold, unique expressions.

By HowStuffWorks

The Christian faith — like many religions — is known for having a range of interpretations, especially when it comes to the Bible. Today we'll be looking at a passage from Ephesians, from which we get the term "armor of god."

By Zach Taras

The most powerful Christian deity is divided into three primary forms: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. With so many forms, it's only natural that this Holy Trinity would bear so many namesakes.

By Mitch Ryan

In Hinduism, Kali represents the vengeful feminine form of Vishnu, the protector of the universe. Vishnu, working in tandem with Brahma and Shiva, forms the primary cosmic governing body of the Hindu tradition, a triumvirate known as the Trimurti.

By Mitch Ryan

Shiva is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism, known as the god of destruction and transformation. He is a central figure in the Trimurti, alongside Brahma (the creator), and Vishnu (the preserver).

By Zach Taras

Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions in the world, with roots stretching back over 4,000 years. According to The Pew Research Center, there are about 1 billion Hindus in the world, representing 15 percent of the global population. Approximately 94 percent of Hindus live in India, and 60 percent of Southern Asia's total population is Hindu.

By Ada Tseng

Religion is as diverse as humanity, with major world religions well-known, yet countless others have existed throughout history.

By Karina Ryan

If you've ever heard of Abaddon, you might know him as a mysterious figure of destruction and judgment. In religious texts, Abaddon is the angel of the bottomless pit, a powerful being connected to the underworld and the end of days.

By Zach Taras

Many Greek gods and goddesses were associated with battle, but Ares was known as the one true Greek god of war (not to be confused with Kratos, the protagonist of the "God of War" video game franchise).

By Mitch Ryan

If something happens on a rare occasion, you might have heard someone describe is as a "once in a blue moon" situation. The phrase describes occurrences that don't come around often, making them extraordinary.

By Yara Simón

"Let's touch base" is a common phrase in emails and meetings. It's a handy idiom for when you want to connect or briefly check in with someone.

By Yara Simón

Have you ever seen someone so well-dressed that they looked ready to walk onto the red carpet? To describe someone who's gone all out, putting on their finest clothes to make a stylish impression, you might say they have dressed to the nines.

By Yara Simón

If you've ever uttered the phrase, "It's raining cats and dogs," you may have thought it was a bizarre way to describe heavy rainfall. After all, it conjures images of cats and dogs tumbling from the sky. While cats and dogs may not literally be falling from the sky, they may have inspired the phrase.

By Yara Simón

Let's dive into a term that describes something wildly imaginative but, well, a bit unrealistic: a pipe dream. If you've ever had an idea that feels amazing but probably isn't going to happen, you've had a pipe dream. But where does this expression come from, and what does it mean?

By Talon Homer