Dogs in Folklore: Loyal Companions and Witches' Familiars

Dogs in Folklore: Loyal Companions and Witches' Familiars

Britain is supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, especially when it comes to pet dogs. According to the PDSA, 29% of UK adults own a dog, which gives an estimated population of 10.6 million pet dogs.

While 29% isn't a majority, the number of pet dogs in the country has increased over the last few years. So it seems only fair to see how this popular animal appears in folklore. After all, I've already covered their eternal nemesis, the cat!

In folklore, they sometimes appear as death omens—dogs persistently howling meant death was imminent. And they also appear in mythology, with Cerberus the three-headed dog guarding the Greek Underworld, and Anubis, the jackal-headed god presiding over the weighing of the heart ceremony in ancient Egypt. Let's not forget Sirius, in the Canis Major constellation, literally known as the dog star.

They take the form of spectral hounds, loyal companions, witches' familiars, and even give their name to a hangover cure. So let's explore the folklore of dogs in this week’s episode of Fabulous Folklore!

Find the images and references on the blog post: https://www.icysedgwick.com/dogs-in-folklore/

Get your free guide to home protection the folklore way here: https://www.icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore/

Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family for bonus episodes and articles at https://patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

Fabulous Folklore Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/fabulous_folklore

Enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation? Buy Icy a coffee to say 'thanks' at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

Pre-recorded illustrated talks: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick/shop

Request an episode: https://forms.gle/gqG7xQNLfbMg1mDv7

Get extra snippets of folklore on Instagram at https://instagram.com/icysedgwick

Find Icy on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/icysedgwick.bsky.social

'Like' Fabulous Folklore on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabulousfolklore/

Jaksot(428)

What were the three types of water nymph in ancient Greece?

What were the three types of water nymph in ancient Greece?

The naiads, nereids and oceanids were all water nymphs in ancient Greek mythology. But who were they and what made them different from each other? Were any of them dangerous? And how are they all rela...

20 Heinä 201916min

Why do people confuse sirens with mermaids?

Why do people confuse sirens with mermaids?

Many think sirens were beautiful creatures who sang to lure sailors to their death. But why do images show them with fish tails when they were bird women? In this episode, we'll explore the original m...

13 Heinä 201915min

Are the mermaids of folklore as vicious as the legends suggest?

Are the mermaids of folklore as vicious as the legends suggest?

People believe mermaids are either sweet sea-dwelling souls who dream of dry land, or vicious monsters who lure sailors to their deaths. Which is more true? Find out in this week's episode! See the i...

6 Heinä 201916min

Are selkies as dangerous as mermaids and sirens?

Are selkies as dangerous as mermaids and sirens?

Selkies appear in the folklore of Ireland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland. But are they as dangerous as mermaids or sirens? Find out in this week's episode. See the images on the blog post ...

29 Kesä 201913min

Thomas The Rhymer and His Predilection For Prediction

Thomas The Rhymer and His Predilection For Prediction

Thomas the Rhymer pops up in British folklore as a 13th-century prophet. How did he get the gift of prediction and how did he link to fairies? Find out in this week's episode. See the images on the b...

22 Kesä 201914min

How To Make A Fairy Friendly Garden Using Folklore

How To Make A Fairy Friendly Garden Using Folklore

If you're not deterred by the dark tales of the fey folk, what trees or flowers should you plant to create a fairy friendly garden? And what kind of gardening practices should you adopt, even if you o...

15 Kesä 201914min

Who are the Rothley fairies and what happens if you cross them?

Who are the Rothley fairies and what happens if you cross them?

Northumberland features many tales of the fey folk - and the Rothley fairies appear in not one but two stories! But what exactly happens if you cross them? This episode looks at exactly that - and off...

8 Kesä 201913min

What happened when a midwife met the fairies in Northumberland?

What happened when a midwife met the fairies in Northumberland?

Fairies are actually tricksters, not the sweet cherubs of Disney. So what happened when a midwife in Northumberland was hired to deliver a fairy baby? Check out the accompanying blog post at http://w...

1 Kesä 201913min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

olipa-kerran-otsikko
i-dont-like-mondays
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
kaksi-aitia
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
poks
uutiscast
antin-palautepalvelu
kolme-kaannekohtaa
sita
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
aikalisa
rss-murhan-anatomia
mamma-mia
meidan-pitais-puhua
loukussa
lahko
rss-palmujen-varjoissa
rss-napy
rss-haudattu