Folklore: Etymology
The term “folklore” is derived from the combination of two Old English words: “folk,” referring to the common people or a community, and “lore,” which denotes traditional knowledge or wisdom. The etymology reflects the discipline’s focus on the study of the expressive traditions, beliefs, customs, and oral narratives that characterize a particular cultural group or community.
Folklore: Literal and Conceptual Meanings
| Literal Meaning | Conceptual Meaning |
| “Folk” refers to the common people or a community. | Encompasses the traditions, customs, beliefs, and expressions shared among a specific cultural group. |
| “Lore” signifies traditional knowledge, wisdom, or teachings. | Involves the study and preservation of oral narratives, myths, legends, rituals, and other cultural practices passed down through generations. |
| Combined, “folklore” denotes the collective wisdom and cultural heritage of a community. | Represents the rich tapestry of a society’s shared cultural expressions, serving as a reservoir of identity, values, and symbolic meaning. |
Folklore: Definition as a Literary Device
Folklore as a literary device encompasses the incorporation of traditional beliefs, myths, legends, and cultural expressions within a literary work. Authors leverage folklore to infuse narratives with archetypal symbols, cultural richness, and universal themes, providing depth and resonance to their storytelling. This deliberate integration allows for a connection between literature and shared cultural heritage, fostering a deeper understanding of societal values and collective identity.
Folklore: Types
- Myths: Traditional stories that explain the origins of the world, natural phenomena, and cultural practices, often featuring gods, heroes, and supernatural beings.
- Legends: Narratives based on real or historical events but embellished with imaginative elements, often involving heroic figures and extraordinary feats.
- Fairy Tales: Magical and fantastical stories featuring mythical creatures, enchanted settings, and moral lessons, often designed for entertainment and imparting cultural values.
- Folktales: Narrative traditions passed down orally, comprising a wide range of stories involving ordinary people, animals, or supernatural entities and conveying moral or cultural messages.
- Fables: Short stories featuring animals or inanimate objects with human-like qualities, typically ending with a moral lesson or aphorism.
- Proverbs and Sayings: Concise, traditional expressions conveying cultural wisdom, moral values, or practical advice.
- Rituals and Customs: Traditional practices, ceremonies, and behaviors performed within a community, often rooted in cultural beliefs and passed down through generations.
- Superstitions: Beliefs in supernatural causality, often leading to specific rituals or behaviors to ward off bad luck or invite good fortune.
- Ballads: Narrative songs that recount stories of historical events, love, tragedy, or legendary figures, often passed down through oral tradition.
- Urban Legends: Contemporary and often fictional stories circulated as true, typically involving eerie or supernatural elements and serving as cautionary tales.
Folklore: Examples in Everyday Life
These types of folklore collectively contribute to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and storytelling across societies.
- Superstitions: Knocking on wood for good luck, avoiding walking under ladders, or believing in the significance of black cats are examples of superstitions rooted in folklore.
- Proverbs and Sayings: Phrases like “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” or “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” are examples of traditional wisdom conveyed through proverbs and sayings.
- Festivals and Celebrations: Many cultural festivals and celebrations incorporate folklore elements, such as traditional dances, rituals, and stories that have been passed down through generations.
- Seasonal Customs: Practices like celebrating the winter solstice, Maypole dances, or certain agricultural rituals often have deep roots in folklore and are tied to cultural beliefs and traditions.
- Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies: Children’s songs like “Ring a Ring o’ Roses” or lullabies often contain elements of folklore, passing down cultural expressions in a simple and accessible form.
- Holiday Traditions: Customs associated with holidays, such as the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, or Halloween traditions, often have roots in folklore and contribute to the festive atmosphere.
- Urban Legends: Contemporary folklore is evident in urban legends that circulate within communities, often shared through word of mouth or online platforms, contributing to a shared cultural narrative.
- Naming Traditions: Folklore influences naming conventions, with certain names carrying cultural or familial significance, often tied to historical figures, myths, or religious stories.
- Moral Lessons in Storytelling: Aesop’s Fables, with tales like “The Tortoise and the Hare,” exemplify folklore’s role in imparting moral lessons through storytelling.
- Family Customs: Traditions within families, such as holiday rituals, specific ways of celebrating milestones, or passing down family stories, are often influenced by cultural folklore.
These examples illustrate how folklore is deeply ingrained in everyday life, shaping cultural identities and providing a sense of continuity across generations.
Folklore in Literature: Suggested Readings
Novels:
- García Márquez, Gabriel. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harper & Row, 1970.
- Gaiman, Neil. American Gods. William Morrow, 2001.
- Bradley, Marion Zimmer. The Mists of Avalon. Alfred A. Knopf, 1982.
- Miller, Madeline. Circe. Little, Brown and Company, 2018.
- Carter, Angela. The Bloody Chamber. Gollancz, 1979.
- Ugrešić, Dubravka. Baba Yaga Laid an Egg. Canongate Books, 2009.
- Arden, Katherine. The Bear and the Nightingale. Del Rey, 2017.
- Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. Houghton Mifflin, 1937.
- Shaw, Ali. The Girl with Glass Feet. Atlantic Books, 2009.
- Miller, Madeline. The Song of Achilles. Ecco, 2011.
Theoretical Works:
- Von Franz, Marie-Louise. The Interpretation of Fairy Tales. Shambhala, 1996.
- Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press, 1949.
- Hallett, Martin, and Barbara Karasek. Folk and Fairy Tales. Broadview Press, 2009.
- Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. Vintage, 1977.
- Bronner, Simon J. Folklore: The Basics. Routledge, 2017.
