Buzz
In today’s world, we’re often so absorbed by our screens (yes, we’re talking to you, dear reader) that we forget the long history of the planet we inhabit. It's easy to feel as if we’re in a constantly evolving, digitalized reality. But if you take a stroll, observe your surroundings, or talk to those older than you, the remnants of the past will start to appear.
In places where civilizations have flourished for centuries or millennia, you'll come across engravings on buildings, witness unique costumes during celebrations, and hear tales featuring intriguing symbols and figures. These cultural remnants are all around us. Here’s a list of some of the most captivating folk motifs from various cultures across the globe.
10. The Green Man, United Kingdom
The Medieval period in Europe was a time of significant change. At the start, the Western Roman Empire was collapsing, while Christianity was gaining ground. By the era's end, the Renaissance had emerged, and the early seeds of the Enlightenment were beginning to sprout. Yet, some older traditions, relics from a pre-Christian world, stubbornly persisted. In Britain, people continued to celebrate with maypole dances, used ancient languages, and shared tales that predated the arrival of the gospels. They held on to superstitions, rituals, and symbols from an age long past—and still do.
The Green Man, the ubiquitous foliage-covered face that grins at worshippers from carved wooden features and stone columns in numerous churches, stands as the prime example of this.
This figure is a remnant of ancient, nature-centered religious practices that predate the Roman conquest of Britain. It serves as a symbol of good fortune for bountiful harvests and a reminder that forsaking nature completely invites its wrath.
To the modern Protestant Christian, it may seem odd to see such overtly pagan symbols adorning church architecture. However, it’s important to remember that in order to persuade large groups to embrace the “new,” it’s crucial to incorporate elements of the “old”—the pagan inhabitants of Britain needed a sense of nostalgia. This ancient symbol, found throughout Great Britain, demonstrates that even on structures as historic as medieval cathedrals, older traditions remain present.
9. Potnia Theron, the Mediterranean and Near East
The eastern counterpart to the Green Man is the image of the “Master of Beasts,” a cross-cultural symbol of a man holding wild animals as though he were their ruler. Unlike the Green Man, which focuses on nature in general, the Master of Beasts represents control or a deep connection with animals. However, this image is rarely as striking as representations of the “Potnia Theron”—the Mistress of Beasts.
The earliest known instance of this motif dates back to 6,000 BC, found in a clay figurine of a seated female figure flanked by two lionesses, unearthed in the Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük in modern-day Turkey. This image spread across the Mediterranean and Near East, symbolizing humanity’s mastery over animals—perhaps a sign of defense for hunting and husbandry.
The truth is, the precise meaning remains uncertain. This figure appears in Mycenaean Greek religion, where it was associated with the Goddesses Artemis (goddess of hunting and the wilderness) and Cybele. Cybele, an intriguing goddess who migrated into the Greek pantheon from Asia Minor, near Çatalhöyük, was considered a “foreign” mother goddess. Uniquely in ancient Greece, she was followed by a group of castrated priests.
8. Nain Rouge, Detroit, Michigan
Let’s shift to a more contemporary folk symbol. In Detroit, Michigan, there’s a symbol that frequently appears throughout the legendary “Motor City,” one that strikes fear into children who hear tales of its misdeeds, yet brings joy to the revelers at the springtime Marche du Nain Rouge parade.
And, unfortunately, it’s become a hipster favorite for patrons of the city’s trendier spots who adopt it as a “super cool retro mascot, bruh.” Who can blame them? It checks all the boxes: A tradition that faded out of popularity? Check. With roots in indigenous culture? Big check. A figure that resembles the devil, giving them the perfect way to express disdain for Abrahamic religions? GET THEE BEHIND ME, BABY SATAN!
Despite the annoyance of hipsters in skinny jeans sporting mustaches, this mischievous little imp has been a staple of Detroit culture for centuries, part of the area’s identity since it was first a French settlement. According to popular folk history, the Nain Rouge likely originated from the Norman-French hobgoblin called a ‘lutin,’ blended with local Native American mythical beings—forming a syncretic figure common throughout the Americas. Both traditions describe small, impish creatures who cause mischief and bring bad fortune. The springtime parade is intended to banish this omen of misfortune from the city for the year ahead.
7. Onryō, Japan
Some ancient traditions undergo an unexpected, yet often welcomed, reimagining in modern culture. The belief in spirits and ghosts, especially malevolent ones, is deeply embedded in Japanese folklore. The desire for vengeance against wrongdoers is a long-standing part of traditional Japanese culture—dishonor is unforgivable. Unfortunately, humans are fragile creatures, easily dispatched with a swift strike from a katana. How then can one who seeks justice achieve it?
They become a ghost. And, if Japanese folklore is any indication, they do this frequently.
What makes this folk motif so fascinating is how it has evolved into contemporary culture. One of the strongest traditions in modern horror comes from Japan. Nowhere is this more evident than in J-Horror films—particularly in hits like Ringu and Ju-On. Both of these franchises have something in common: they inspired questionable Hollywood remakes and feature an Onryō as the main antagonist—haunting female spirits dressed in white burial clothes with long black hair, a look derived from characters in Edo-era Kabuki performances.
The impact of these ancient Japanese creatures can be felt in nearly every supernatural horror film released after 2005, arguably contributing to the decline of the slasher genre's dominance at the box office. All of this stems from a collection of eerie tales from feudal Japan…
6. El Hombre Caiman, Colombia
Many folk motifs come with fascinating backstories, though many of these stories have been lost to time. One of the most captivating examples comes from the Caribbean coast of Colombia: the legend of the “Alligator Man.”
The tale is about a young man who lived near the Magdalena River. His greatest pleasure was spying on women who came to bathe. He found a perfect hiding spot in the dense vegetation and spent his time watching the women in the river. One day, he was caught. Fleeing into the forest, he encountered a witch. Desperate to continue his voyeuristic pursuits, he begged the witch to help him hide better. The witch agreed and concocted two potions for him—one that would transform him into an alligator (so he could lie on the riverbed and watch the women undisturbed) and another to turn him back into a man.
The two went to the river to test the potions. When the witch saw that the first potion had worked, turning the man into a reptilian form, she was thrilled and accidentally dropped the second potion into the water. Unfortunately, the potion only restored the man’s upper body, leaving his lower half scaly and green. When the man angrily demanded that the witch fix his condition, she refused, cursing him to remain in this form forever.
What a tale! This fascinating folk story is so captivating that the town of Plato, located near the Magdalena River, has a massive statue of the semi-crocodilian character. And just when you thought mermaids were always alluring…
5. Shetani, East Africa and the Island of Zanzibar
Dog-headed demons, grotesque hunched hags, bizarre, Dali-inspired elephants—these are the types of carved statues you’ll find throughout Mozambique, Tanzania, parts of Kenya, and the island of Zanzibar. They are known as Shetani—“the devils.” In fact, the term is rooted in the same Semitic origin that gives rise to the Islamic “Shaitan” and the Christian “Satan.”
Beyond these striking sculptures and eerie folk tales, many people in modern East Africa take the Shetani very seriously. For instance, in 2001, a wave of mass hysteria swept through Zanzibar when locals claimed that Popo Bawa, a bat-winged Shetani, was attacking its victims. The BBC reported: “The ghost or genie goes by the name of Popo Bawa, and people believe that it sodomizes its victims, most of whom are men.” Yikes.
Ritualistic practices associated with these beings also take place across East Africa, demonstrating that some ancient traditions are still alive and well—not only in architecture and songs but in modern-day culture too.
4. Woyo Tribal Masks, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola
These highly expressive masks are worn by the Woyo people, a group residing along the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. They are used during ritual dances by the “ndunga,” a group tasked with upholding societal order and enforcing tribal laws. Picture a local police officer pulling you over on the highway, tapping on your window while wearing one of these masks.
What’s even more intimidating is that these men wear these masks while performing their duties—tracking down suspected criminals and witches, those blamed for causing natural disasters like droughts, floods, or bad harvests. Each mask is said to possess a unique “character,” which is typically revealed during ritual dances.
3. Bhoma, Bali
We began this list with the traditional European figure, The Green Man, and the Mediterranean’s Potnia Theron. On the island of Bali, there’s a similar figure seen adorning temples and other structures, symbolizing many of the same themes regarding humankind’s relationship with nature. The key difference? Just look at how awesome this one is; it would devour the Green Man and even the Mistress with her beasts!
In the island’s Hindu tradition, the Bhoma is regarded as the son of Vishnu and the earth goddess Pertiwi. The figure represents a nature spirit, often called the “King of the Jungle” (move over, lions). Bhoma is also a protective guardian, overseeing the sacred forests at the base of holy mountains. And it does a great job of it—you really don’t want to mess with that thing.
2. Manaia, New Zealand
Take a look at a collection of Maori carvings—what do you see? A serpent? A bird-headed humanoid? A man in profile? A dinosaur?
The answer is, nobody knows for sure what these mysterious figures truly represent, even though they appear frequently in traditional carvings. The term itself offers little help. If you check a Maori dictionary, the meaning varies from “a grotesque beaked figure sometimes seen in carvings; ornamental work; a lizard; the sea-horse; a raft.”
Is that what you see, a raft? Well, enjoy the swim…
In related Polynesian languages, there are words that translate to “embellishment.” So, are these carvings just decorative? Filler for the corners of lintels and pillars?
Nah, they must have some meaning, or why else would the style be so distinct and widespread? Whatever their significance may have been, it’s long been lost. Regardless, they still look amazing.
1. The Night Hag, Worldwide
There are very few traditions, symbols, or tales that are found across the world. However, one particularly eerie (and, upon reflection, terrifying) figure that appears everywhere is the “Night Hag” or “Old Hag.” This withered, malevolent woman visits people at night, frightening them and pressing down on their chests, making it hard for them to breathe.
So, sleep paralysis, right?
Perhaps, but would it make you less afraid? If poltergeists turned out to be nothing more than ordinary, garden-variety prion diseases, would you be any less scared? In East Asia, they’re blamed on Buddhist monks and nuns, who supposedly project their spirits into the dream world to paralyze wrongdoers. In Brazil, the hag lurks on the rooftops, ready to descend into bedrooms and stand on the stomachs of those who've overindulged. Her name is even scarier than Night Hag—'Pisadeira,' or 'She who steps.'
Ugh.
