An Interactive Map of Folklore and Myths

Researching mythology can be difficult as it is a very academic subject and sifting through the material can be daunting. That’s why I always enjoy finding easy to digest content like this map of folklore and myths.

An Interactive Map of Folklore and Myths

It’s said that those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. So if you want to talk to fairies or ride a dragon, you need to believe that fairy tales are true and trust that mythical beasts really do exist. Having a little faith is the first step towards living your folkloric fantasy!

The next step is setting out on an adventure and going in search of those legendary creatures; steeped in mystery, sighted by countless witnesses, but never proven to exist.

For a burst of fairytale travel inspiration, we’ve found this spectacular interactive map, a guide to well-loved folk-tales, famous ghost stories and reported sightings of mythical beasts around the world.

There’s little doubt that the best way to live and breathe the cultural history of a destination is to learn what the locals believe and embrace local traditions and superstitions.

So what can you expect to find on this map of the world’s most intriguing urban legends and spooky myths? The interactive graphic leads you from a haunting parade of ghostly Hawaiian drummers to a murderous icy snow-witch, via a collection of mischievous elves and a distant cousin of the Loch Ness Monster.

Where to Ghost Hunt

According to the map, the UK is a top location if you’re hoping to catch a ghostly glimpse of the living dead. Edinburgh in Scotland is home to one of the most haunted cemeteries in the world. The Black Mausoleum in Greyfriars Kirkyard is filled with crumbling, blackened tombs which are spooky enough to give the bravest visitors chills, even in daylight. The spot is frequented by the ghost of bloodthirsty lawyer George Mackenzie, whose life’s work involved the torture and murder of the Covenanters – a religious group who were persecuted by the establishment.

The map also details a mysterious ghostly army regiment spotted eerily marching through England’s Lake District and a spectral band of undead warriors who rise to parade between villages in Hawaii and whose war drums can be heard wherever they go.

Gods on Earth

Along with spine-tingling ghost stories, the map also introduces some magical folk tales of gods, elves and legendary evil spirits. In Guatemala, you can find Jaguar, the Mayan God of Fire. His catlike appearance and razor-sharp fangs are likened to the real-life jaguar that to stalks the jungles of Central America. Said to be a symbol of the sun’s journey through the darkness of the underworld, Jaguar represents the Mayan people’s awe for nature and the animal kingdom.

Other Gods and spirits on the map include the sneaky and mischevious Huldufolk, who are believed to cause droughts and bad harvests on Denmark’s Faroe Islands, or the sinful spirit Koschei the Deathless, who you’ll hear tales of if you venture to deepest Russia.

Unidentified Beasts

Besides the fantastical yarns spun by locals about poltergeists, elves and Gods, this colorful map also introduces the fairytale traveler to some mythical beasts. If you’ve ever been intrigued by the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, you might feel compelled to search for its enigmatic reptilian cousin: The Hawkesbury River Monster. Sightings of its dark aquatic form have been reported time and again, with no experts ever able to suggest what this finned beast could actually be.

Another creature that is reportedly sighted often is the Scottish Cat Sith, a large feline form, legend has it that animal is said to snatch the souls of the dead from graveyards before they ascend to heaven. Could it be the Cat Sith that is responsible for the bloody deaths of sheep and livestock across Scotland?

To bring some myth and magic to your next adventure, this mystical map of folklore and myths is the perfect way to browse for your ideal enchanted destination.