Culture & Traditions
Cultures and Traditions takes a look at how people interact with each other. This might be through sub-cultures, relationships, fads or religion and spirituality.
Inside LA's Forest Lawn, Where the Biggest Celebrities Rest in Peace
Is Human Composting the Greenest Burial Option?
What's With Germany's Strict Burial Regulations?
Why Were Fake Eyelashes Invented?
Try a Tattoo Without the Commitment
Ways to Keep Your Old Tattoos Looking Fresh and New
What in the World Is a 'Shoey'?
Did You Know It's 2016 in Ethiopia Right Now?
What Are the 10 Largest Cities in the World by Population?
Grey vs. Gray: A Difference in Color or Just in Spelling?
What to Say When Someone Dies (Plus 8 Phrases to Avoid)
Who Was the First Person to Speak English?
What's the Science Behind Mood Rings?
10 Things We Love to Hate About the '70s and '80s
Celebratory Yard Signs Are Having a Major Moment
5 Family Traditions for New Babies
5 Family Anniversary Traditions
5 Family Traditions for Daughters
Are Mermaids Real? A Look Mermaid Myths Across Cultures
All About the Mythical Phoenix: Bird of Fire and Eternal Life
Bad Luck Comes in Threes: Separating Superstition from Reality
What Are the Most and Least Popular Birthdays in the U.S.?
The Firm vs. the Family: How Does the British Monarchy Really Work?
What's the Difference Between a Duke and an Earl?
How the Millennial Generation Works
Millennials Are Making Birthday Cards a Thing Again
Nope, Boomers and Xers Don’t Work Harder Than Millennials
The Bloody Origins of the Phrase 'Caught Red-Handed'
60 Cheeky British Slang Words and Phrases
How the Word 'Hack' Became So Hacked
How to Keep Your Jack-o'-lantern From Rotting
What Does the Poinsettia Have to Do with Christmas?
The Joy of the Holiday Poinsettia
12 Countries With Red and White Flags
9 Countries With Blue-Yellow-Red Flags
13 Countries With Green-White-Red Flags
Who Keeps the Ring if the Engagement Ends in a Breakup?
Is Sleeping in Separate Beds a Relationship Buster?
There's More Than One Way to Be Monogamous
Catholic vs. Christian: Overlap and Differences in the Religions
Kukulkan: The Feathered Serpent of Maya Mythology
Quetzalcoatl: A Feathered Serpent Deity of Mesoamerica
The Life and Death of Timothy Treadwell, the 'Grizzly Man'
The Yellow Deli Cult: All About the Twelve Tribes
7 Cults in America: A History of Infamy
Quiz: Finish That Jingle!
How One Woman Unexpectedly Became the Voice of Siri
There's a Healthier Way to Consume Your Media
Learn More / Page 5
It's a strange phrase when you think about it, as people don't normally ride pigs. So where did it come from?
The origin of this false grammatical no-no is lost to history. But, we still shy away from starting sentences with coordinating conjunctions. And here's why.
The Chautauqua Institution, where Salman Rushdie was attacked Aug. 12, 2022, was founded nearly 150 years ago to promote the free exchange of ideas and learning to benefit individuals and society.
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In today's world of endless self-promotion, this beautiful little memorial celebrates those who gave their lives to save someone else.
By Muriel Vega
The recent attack on author Salman Rushdie led many to conclude that it was the result of the fatwa issued against him in 1989 by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. But what exactly is a fatwa?
When you're holding something together with nothing more than spit and perhaps some duct tape (duck tape?), what is the correct term, jury- or jerry-rigged?
Not ready for a permanent tattoo? Get one that's designed to fade over time instead.
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Ashura is a very important holiday to both Shiite and Sunni Muslims but the two groups attach very different meanings to the day.
By Dave Roos
In recent years, the word "demisexual" was added to dictionaries, while "aerodrome" was dropped. But just who is making these lexicographical decisions?
Tattoos age just like we do. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing. There are simple ways to make them pop and look good, no matter how old they are.
She's the hero of one of the best-known Bible stories and also described as one of Jesus' ancestors, even though she was a Canaanite prostitute. Who was Rahab, really?
By Dave Roos
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The Flower of Life is one of those patterns that shows up in repeatedly in nature and architecture. But what does it mean and why is it considered part of "sacred geometry?"
By Alia Hoyt
Some of the most paradoxical, profound words that Jesus spoke can be contained within these eight beatitudes. So what do they really mean?
By Dave Roos
Did Jesus speak Hebrew? Greek? Aramaic? Or some unknown tongue?
By Dave Roos
The hamsa, a depiction of a human hand, often with a central eye motif, is a protective symbol meant to ward off evil.
By Robert Lamb
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The word "Samaritan," might have you thinking of a hospital or the Bible story about the Good Samaritan. But "real" Samaritans still exist in Israel, though their numbers are small.
By Dave Roos
To be "on the lam" means to be on the loose or on the run, but what does "lam" mean and where does this colorful phrase come from?
Burning sage, aka smudging, has become increasingly popular for the purpose of cleansing energy and promoting healing and wisdom. But what is it exactly?
By Katie Carman
You've probably seen Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, but what do they symbolize and who should hang them?
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Seemingly everywhere in the barrage of photos out of Ukraine is the letter 'Z' – on tanks, T-shirts, signs and buildings. But how did it become a political symbol?
The pink and white blooms of the cherry blossom tree often herald the arrival of spring. But in Japan, the cherry blossom is also a well-loved symbol of fleeting beauty, nostalgia and loss.
By Dave Roos
Why have numbers like 2/22/22 been fascinating humans for more than 2,000 years? It has a lot to do with our brains' desire to find meaning and connection.
John Calvin is best known for his doctrine of predestination, a controversial belief that continues to be popular in some churches. But what who was he, and what is predestination?
By Dave Roos
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Hoboes were a widely displaced brotherhood who illegally hopped trains and journeyed across the country, taking odd jobs wherever they could find them. The hobo code helped them survive.
By Carrie Tatro
Ancient Greeks and Romans used thin strips of lead to vent their frustrations or write messages to the gods.