#FairyTaleTuesday #Celtic: `The mummers, or as they are called in Man, "The White Boys," perform the time-honoured legend of "St. George and the Dragon," which has, however, became considerably modified. Both in England, Scotland, and Ireland, it has been from an early day amongst the most popular amusements of Christmas, and, till recently, continued to be so in Man. The plot every where seems to be pretty nearly the same, though scarcely any two sets of performers render it alike, as they constantly mix up extraneous matter, often of a local nature, and frequently allude to the passing events of the day, making the confusion of character in all the versions very great.`
Sources: Customs And Superstitions Connected With The Seasons, from Folklore of the Isle of Man by Stephen Miller
https://culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/the-white-boys-505782/

#FairyTaleTuesday #Celtic: `It was considered particularly unlucky for anybody to bring mistletoe into the house before Christmas.`
Source: Folk-Lore and Folk-Stories of Wales by Mary Trevelyan

#FairyTaleTuesday #Celtic: `It was formerly the custom for fiddlers to go round in this way before Christmas. They stopped and played at the houses where they thought they were likely to receive a fee, wished the inmates individually "good morning," called the hour, and reported the state of the weather.
Source: Customs And Superstitions Connected With The Seasons, from Folklore of the Isle of Man by A. W. Moore

#FairyTaleTuesday #Celtic: `On the Isle of Man there is a weather saying with reference to this time of the year, that "if the frost will bear a goose before Christmas, it will not bear a duck after Christmas." Ny nee yn rio gymmyrkey guiy roish yn Ollick cha nynimyrkey e thimnnag lurg yn Ollick.`
Source: Customs And Superstitions Connected With The Seasons, from Folklore of the Isle of Man by A. W. Moore

#FairyTaleTuesday #Celtic: `On the Isle of Man December 21 was formerly called Laa'l Fingan, "Fingan's feast-day." St. Fingan, or Finnian, was the first of the great Irish scholars, being especially devoted to the study and exposition of Scripture. The following saying has reference to the eve of this day: Faald mooar son Oiel Fingan, "A large turf for Eve of Fingan's Feast." It probably means that, as the Christmas festivities were drawing near, it was necessary to have an extra large turf to cook the fare for that feast.`
Source: Customs And Superstitions Connected With The Seasons, from Folklore of the Isle of Man by A. W. Moore

While there are many theories as to its origin, the stocking hung by the chimney with care first appears in a concrete form in A Visit from St. Nicholas, aka The Night Before Christmas. Most folklorists link it to St. Nicholas and some to Odin. #FairytaleTuesday

While there are many theories as to its origin, the stocking hung by the chimney with care first appears in a concrete form in A Visit from St. Nicholas, aka The Night Before Christmas. Most folklorists link it to St. Nicholas and some to Odin. #FairytaleTuesday

It's important to receive new clothes by Christmas Eve in Iceland, or else you might become prey of the Yule Cat, pet of the vile jotun witch Gryla. The Yule Cat devours those who wander at night without these new clothes, though he can be distracted with food. #FairytaleTuesday

It's important to receive new clothes by Christmas Eve in Iceland, or else you might become prey of the Yule Cat, pet of the vile jotun witch Gryla. The Yule Cat devours those who wander at night without these new clothes, though he can be distracted with food. #FairytaleTuesday

At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas is Epiphany, also called Three Kings' Day, marking the adoration of the Magi and Christ's first baptism. It's a good time to get your house blessed for the coming year, do some brisk winter swimming, and carols aplenty. #FairytaleTuesday