Culture & Traditions

Have you ever noticed the intricate, interlacing patterns adorning ancient manuscripts, stonework or modern jewelry and wondered about their origin? These are different versions of the Celtic knot, a quintessential element of artistic expression that traces back to the ancient Celts.

By Clarissa Mitton

Roman gods reflected their diverse people, with Greek mythology forming the basis of Roman religion due to Greece's widespread geographical influence.

By Mitch Ryan

There was no singular overarching Celtic religion. As ancient Celts made their homes in widespread regions across Western Europe, they developed different Celtic gods and goddesses to fulfill their spiritual needs.

By Mitch Ryan

In Greek mythology, goddesses held as much power as gods, embodying various aspects of nature and human experience.

By Marie Look

The Aztec civilization may have peaked more than 500 years ago, but all the Aztec gods and goddesses remain culturally significant even today.

By Marie Look

Do you know when to use to vs. too? In spoken English language, the two words sound exactly the same, but they have different meanings.

By Sascha Bos

Kindness is always a good idea. As Aesop said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

By Yara Simón

From Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" to C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" series to Alice Hoffman's "Aquamarine," mermaids have been a fixture in literature and pop culture for centuries. But are mermaids real?

By Yara Simón

The phoenix bird is a mythical creature that resembles an eagle with broader wings. Its elegant, peacock-like feathers burst with the dazzling colors of flames. Any Harry Potter fan could explain what this magnificent "fire bird" looks like in great detail.

By Mitch Ryan

For Timothy Treadwell, observing and protecting grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) was a way of life. Until one day Treadwell and his partner, Amie Huguenard, were eaten alive by the same bears they revered.

By Sascha Bos

How do you measure the happiness of a country? Is it through the benefits afforded to citizens, the weather or the number of opportunities available? This is a question the World Happiness Report has tackled since 2012 to report on the happiest countries in the world.

By Yara Simón

All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares; the same goes for the Catholic vs. Christian distinction. All Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians consider themselves Catholic.

By Mitch Ryan

The Yellow Deli cult doesn’t worship sandwiches but runs global restaurants that fund their controversial religious group.

By Sascha Bos

In the world of beauty, where people have long coveted voluminous lashes, the invention of false eyelashes revolutionized how individuals enhance their eyes. But why were fake eyelashes invented in the first place? Let's look at the history behind these tiny hairs and people's fascination with them.

By Marie Look

Cults are not unique to the United States, but there is a long history of cults in America. "Compared to other developed nations, the U.S. does have this consistent relationship with cults," Amanda Montell, author of "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism," tells LitHub. "Whenever I talk to my friends who are not American and I tell them I'm writing this book about cults, their eyes do not light up the same way that Americans' eyes do.

By Yara Simón

In Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, amidst the vast forests and archaeological sites, lies the awe-inspiring city of Chichén Itzá. This ancient Maya metropolis is renowned for its architecture, intricate mythology and reverence for Kukulkan, the feathered serpent god.

By Marie Look

If you're feeling especially optimistic, you might say that, as a society, we're becoming more open and accepting of different sexual identities and preferences. Of course, there's always backlash, but in recent years, it's become more popular to be upfront and unashamed of who or what one is sexually attracted to (within the bounds of consent and maturity).

By Zach Taras

In the heart of ancient Mesoamerica, amidst the vibrant cultures of the Aztecs, Mayans and other indigenous peoples, one deity held a central place in religious belief and cultural imagination: Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god.

By Marie Look

In the realm of religious literature, the Bible stands as one of the most influential in human history. Its words have shaped the beliefs and practices of millions worldwide. But amidst its teachings, a fundamental question persists: Who wrote the Bible?

By Yara Simón

From the earliest appearance of the five-pointed star in ancient times to its former role as a Christian symbol, there are millennia of history surrounding the pentagram, meaning it's one of the oldest symbols in the world. The pentagram's significance has evolved, leaving an indelible mark on culture and spirituality.

By Desiree Bowie

You may have noticed people sometimes interchange grey and gray, leading to confusion about which spelling is the correct one. But when it comes to using the word grey vs. gray, which one you choose comes down to your location and the specific person, place or thing you're referencing.

By Marie Look

Epic McD, World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's, call it whatever you want: The worlds largest Mcdonalds on Sand Lake Rd in Florida is something else.

By Yara Simón

Countries with red and white flags sometimes pick those colors because they often symbolize historical sacrifice and purity.

By Desiree Bowie

A nation chooses a flag design very purposefully. These countries with blue, yellow and/or red flags picked those colors for specific reasons.

By Desiree Bowie

A nation doesn't design its flag all willy-nilly. These countries with green, white, and/or red flags picked those colors for specific reasons.

By Yara Simón