The Mystery, Magic and Meaning of Viking Runes

[ad_1] Norse civilization has provided an enormous amount of culture to the world, from its rich history to its vast mythology. One captivating aspect of Norse culture is often overlooked: runes. Most people know them when they see them, but give no thought to the history or meaning behind them. They’re much more interesting than […]

St. Patrick’s Bell: The Story of an Iconic Irish Artifact

[ad_1] Ireland is home to many iconic historical artifacts and objects, from the Book of Kells to the Tara Brooch. Many of these items are beautifully designed but shrouded in mystery. Others have a long and rich story behind them. There are few better examples of such an artifact than St. Patrick’s Bell and Shrine. […]

Bataireacht: The Irish Stick Fighting Martial Art Making a Comeback

[ad_1] Many countries have martial arts that are closely associated with their national identity. Kung-fu and China, Tae Kwon Do and Korea, and Muay Thai and Thailand. Few people would ever associate Ireland with any kind of martial art, but Ireland is actually home to a 500-year-old martial art that is being revived today. It […]

The First Recorded Incident of an Escaped Slave

[ad_1] Today, slavery is seen as one of the worst atrocities mankind has ever committed, but once slavery was seen as just another part of everyday life. The Hellenistic world of ancient Greece was no stranger to slavery. In fact, the number of slaves that lived during the period of Greek dominance was one of […]

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves: Intricate Jain Monuments to Faith

[ad_1] There is an incredible archaeological site just outside the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India that attracts thousands of tourists each year. The Udayagiri caves are part natural, part man-made caves that serve as a temple. Nestled in the hills just outside the city, the temples are lavishly decorated with ornate carvings. They date […]

Vegvisir: Was the ‘Viking Compass’ Originally a Christian Symbol?

[ad_1] You may not recognize the name Vegvisir, but you might just recognize the symbol when you see it. It is an iconic emblem largely due to its use by neo-pagans, musicians, and re-enactors. Vegvisir is also commonly depicted on Viking-era TV shows, as well as jewelry and tattoos. Vegvisir has become generally accepted today […]

Japan’s Okunoin Cemetery, Est. 816 AD: Graveyard for 200,000 Monks

[ad_1] Nestled in the mountains of Wakayama prefecture a couple of hours southeast of Osaka, Japan by car lies a world-famous cemetery that is home to the graves of over 200,000 Buddhist monks who are said to be waiting for the resurrection of the Future Buddha. Nearly 1.24 miles (2 kilometers) long, Okunoin cemetery is […]

Did a Sultan Find Medusa’s Sarcophagus in the Basilica Cistern?

[ad_1] Nestled beneath the winding streets of Istanbul, just 490 feet (149 meters) from the Hagia Sophia, lies an ancient cistern that may have been the final resting place of Medusa! The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that sit under the city of Istanbul, […]

The Enigmatic Valknut: Odin’s Symbol Shrouded in Mystery

[ad_1] Norse mythology is a rich and vibrant source of tales, myths and legends. It has provided us with some iconic gods, monsters, and even symbols. One of the most controversial and mysterious of these symbols is the Valknut. The Valknut is a symbol shrouded in mystery, and it is still the cause of much […]

Venetian Bridge Wars: The ‘Fighting Spirit’ of Renaissance Venice

[ad_1] For generations of Venetians, “guerra di canne” or “war with sticks” was a celebrated tradition. Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, Venice was divided into many different administrative districts, each with its own rival factions. These factions would regularly meet up on the bridges of Venice to engage in fights with fists and […]