RELIGION

The Pagan Origins of Christmas Ham

The tradition of eating ham on Christmas dates back to Nordic animal sacrifices.

A bonfire is a common way to celebrate the season.

10 Ancient and Contemporary Yule Traditions

For millennia, people have celebrated the longest night of the year with these Yule traditions.

8 Fascinating But Not-So-Jolly Legends About St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas may have inspired Santa Claus, but the two figures were remarkably different.

It comes down to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Reindeer Rule: Why You’ll See Rudolph in Public Christmas Displays

The Supreme Court ruled that government entities can’t display nativity scenes on public property without including symbols of other faiths, but that hasn’t stopped some towns from trying.

Christmas trees are an essential part of the holiday.

How Did Evergreen Trees Become a Christmas Symbol?

Discover the origins of the Christmas tree tradition that brings joy to millions each season.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy ...

Talk is Sheep: Behind the Christmas Eve Myth That Animals Speak at Midnight

The Christmas legend that animals gain the power of speech on Christmas Eve has roots all the way back in the manger.

A historical landmark comes back to life this December.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Is Ready to Reopen Five Years After Fire

The long wait for the Notre-Dame Cathedral to reopen will be over in December.

6 of the Most Valuable Hummel Figurines Hiding in Your Grandma’s Curio Cabinet

Discover the most valuable Hummels that might have been lurking in your grandmother’s curio cabinet for years, including finds from the brand’s special limited-run Disney collection and others.

7 Historical ‘Wars on Christmas’

Christmas has been canceled a fair number of times throughout history.

People found the devil in some very unlikely places.

The Devil Made Them Do It: 8 Examples of Satanic Panic in the ‘80s

In the 1980s, media hysteria saw demonic undertones in everything from ‘Mister Ed’ to Pampers diapers.

You better knock, knock, knock ... on wood.

Why Do We Knock On Wood?

Discover the origins of the classic phrase 'knock on wood,' which could be tied to a Victorian-era children's game or have more direct ties to old pagan traditions.

Why Do Grooms Break a Glass at Jewish Weddings?

There’s a lot of cultural and religious significance attached to this enduring Jewish wedding tradition. Plus, it’s just plain fun.

How Do Photo-Averse Amish Deal With ID Cards?

Many Amish believe photos are forbidden. So how can they do anything requiring a photo ID?

Angkor Wat reflected in one of its waterways.

10 Facts about Angkor Wat, the World’s Largest Religious Temple

Angkor Wat is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Here is what we know of its story, from its countless carvings to feats of engineering.

Illustration of William Shakespeare Reciting Hamlet to His Family

William Shakespeare’s Sister, Joan, Emerges in Long-Lost Writings

A fascinating new discovery has emerged about a pamphlet found in the rafters of William Shakespeare’s childhood home.

How Did Jelly Beans Become an Easter Candy?

Jelly beans are a staple of Easter baskets, but how did they get there?

Ever wonder why we decorate Easter eggs?

The Fascinating Origins of 15 Spring Symbols and Traditions

As you’re celebrating the sunny season with domestic cleanses, painted eggs, and frenzied grappling matches over beer barrels, you might begin to wonder where these rituals came from.

There are several ways to celebrate the holiday.

The History of 9 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day? And why do they eat corned beef and cabbage? Let’s dive into the origins of some popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

An Amish family gathers for a meal around their kitchen table.

8 Misconceptions About the Amish

You might not realize that the Amish sometimes drive in cars and operate power tools.

What Are Frankincense and Myrrh, Anyway?

Frankincense and myrrh are a fragrant part of traditional Christmas celebrations, but what exactly are these pebble-like perfumes?

Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights.’

15 Fascinating Facts About Hieronymus Bosch’s ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’

The Garden of Earthly Delights is a piece so ripe with symbolism that it inspires intense curiosity more than 500 years after it was painted.

The cover of Octavia E. Butler’s ‘Parable of the Sower.’

11 Fascinating Facts About Octavia E. Butler’s ‘Parable of the Sower’

When Octavia E. Butler wrote her science fiction novel ‘The Parable of the Sower,’ she vowed to include only things that could actually happen.

Use of the word ‘placebo’ in a medical context is more recent than you might think.

Why Is It Called the “Placebo Effect”?

What is a placebo? Technically, a Latin phrase meaning ‘I will please.’ It’s also a Catholic prayer and a clever insult.

Cults are a popular topic for true-crime TV.

6 Misconceptions About Cults

Not every cult is a commune-based religious organization run by a charismatic man.