Fairy Tale Origins

laphamsquarterly:

So…you’ve been accused of witchcraft.

What to do? Are you a woman? Well, there’s your first problem. Never fear, because Lapham’s Quarterly has provided you with a handy chart to explain your options. Join us on a hilarious trip of torture, death, and excommunication!

More from our new issue MAGIC SHOWS…

“The Twelve Brothers” by Jessica Mejias

A photographer’s interpretation of The Twelve Brothers. I love the way they showed the princess carrying out her vow of silence and how they interpreted the star on her head. It’s a beautiful diptych.

“12 Brothers” by JodeeTaylah

The princess, sans star, looks bewildered in the forest surrounded by her twelve brothers, now ravens.

“The Twelve Brothers” by Artybel

Beautiful art inspired by The Twelve Brothers showing the princess perched in the tree with her twelve brothers, now ravens, silently spinning. I love the red thread tucked into her mouth signifying her vow of silence.

“12 Brothers” by Melora

The twelve brothers at the moment the princess picks the lilies, transforming them all into ravens.

Dryad and the Treespirit by Josephine Wall

Deep in an enchanted forest one of natures best kept secrets is revealed. As the sun lights up the leafy glade two hearts are joined in a magical embrace. The powerful tree spirit draws his dryad lover up into his arms and plants a kiss upon her willing lips. They are closely watched by spirits in the trees, rejoicing in the perfect union.

In flower language, bluebells symbolise constancy and everlasting love.

According to folklore, the fairies were called when the bluebell was rung. Others believed that if you heard a bluebell ring, you or someone close to you will die.

It was thought to be unlucky to walk through a field of bluebells, as the spells that fairies have hung on the bluebell flowers will be disturbed.

Bluebells used to be known as “witches thimbles” and it was said the bells of the flowers would peal out at midnight calling to the fairies. Woe betides any poor unfortunate traveller who heard those bells - he would be dead in the morning.

The Latin name for this flower is “Endymion”, for a shepherd boy with whom the Moon goddess, Selene (later identified with Diana) fell in love. Selene put Endymion into an eternal sleep, so she alone could enjoy his beauty.

Bluebells were once used by herbalists to help prevent nightmares, and to cure leprosy, spider-bites and tuberculosis; but in fact, the bluebell is poisonous.

I was a bit shocked to see this image this morning on Sociological Images. The first African American Disney princess likes watermelon? Really, Disney? This is really in very poor taste and I’m shocked Disney would let this one slip past them. The origins of the stereotype that African American love watermelon dates back to pre-civil war days when it was used in propaganda posters to show that slaves were simple minded people that were happy with a watermelon and a bit of shade and would be too overwhelmed with the concept of freedom so they were best left slaves. In that light this was really tasteless and thoughtless to include on packaging for kids, especially for a character as empowering as Tiana has been for many children who now have a Disney princess that looked like them. Way to drop the ball on this one, Disney.

Just wanted to show what I was talking about earlier with regards to modern retellings of Little Red Riding Hood and the inversion of the roles to be found therin, particularly in modern American retellings.

missmorganface:

“Little Red Mugging Hood”