China; China -- History -- Han dynasty, 202 B.C.-220 A.D.; Lions; Lions in art; Sculpture
Chinese lions may not look much like actual lions from Africa, but they share many characteristics with mythical lions found in folklore traditions around the world. According to Chinese belief, lions chase away evil spirits and bring good luck,...
China; China -- History; China -- social life and customs; Folk dancing, Chinese; Lions; Dance; Costume; Headgear; Chinese New Year
According to Chinese belief, lions chase away evil spirits and bring good luck, most likely because of their size, strength and fierce nature. Chinese lions are depicted as very colorful and stylized. This mask is a smaller version of a full-sized...
In Japanese folklore there are seven treasures and seven deities of good luck. The deities include one from Japan, three from India, and three from China. The story begins on New Year's Eve, when the "treasure ship" with all seven deities...
Toys; Space toys; Space ships--Models; Star Wars figures; Star wars (Motion picture); Solo, Han (Fictitious character)
Never tell me the odds! could well be Han Solo’s motto. Not the fresh faced hero of George Lucas’ film, Lucas considered Han Solo "a loner who realizes the importance of being part of a group and helping for the common good." From...
China -- Civilization--221 B.C.-960 A.D.; China -- Social life and customs; Footbinding -- China; Shoes; Shoes -- China; Shoes -- History; Footwear; Clothing and dress
For nearly one thousand years, peoples of the Han nationality in China practiced the binding of women's feet, emulating the bud of a lotus flower. The lotus flower symbolizes purity, perfection, and fruitfulness and young girl’s feet were bound...
Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; Masks; Jaguar; 1970s
Animals are very important in Mexican culture. It's believed that each human being has an animal guardian or soul companion, called a tona (or tono). Jaguars, known as "tigres" in Mexico, are very symbolic. The most revered and feared of...
Thailand; Thailand - social life and customs; Dwellings; Models and modelmaking
Stilt houses are raised on stilts over soil or a body of water. These houses in Thailand are made of bamboo with harp angled roofs and wooden floorboards. The ceiling is typically high to provide good ventilation. The mattress would be laid on the...
Indians of North America; Pueblo Indians; Pueblo Indians -- Social life and customs; Pueblo pottery; Containers; Storage jars
In the beginning of the 20th century, Sara Fina Tafoya was the first Santa Clara Pueblo potter to succeed in marketing traditional utilitarian pottery with decorative non-functional designs. One image she began using was the imprint of a bear paw...
Poland; Poland -- Social life and customs; Crèches (Nativity scenes); Christian art and symbolism
These Crèche figures represent the Christian holy family trio, the wise men, attendants and common laborers. The figures were used in religious scenes especially around Christmas to illustrate the birth of Christ. The initials found on this...
The metallic appearance of this beetle may aid in making it appear more armored to predators. The bright and fluid coloration may serve as a warning to predators since camouflage is not a good survival strategy for this insect.
The Polar Bear is unmistakable in its off white coat, and can be found in the Arctic Ocean coast and ice flows. It is a very good swimmer, and while it might not seem possible, it is a very fast runner over short distances and can even outrun a...
Japan; Japan -- Social life and customs; Netsukes; Horses in art; Zodiac; Mammoths
Netsuke were first worn in Japan in the 17th century. They were invented because traditional Japanese robes had no pockets. Men who wore them needed a place to keep personal belongings such as pipes, tobacco, money, seals, and medicines. They...
Toys; Pull toys; Nineteen hundreds (Decade); Ferries; Models and modelmaking
This tin pull toy from the early 1900s depicts the Walbert Ferry, loaded with passengers on their way to some unknown destination! A horseshoe painted on its smokestack stands for good luck.
Debuting in the fall of 1978, the science fiction series Battlestar Gallactica pitted good against evil on ABC. Following the popularity of Star Wars in movie theaters, the show featured a colony of humans racing toward Earth while avoiding the...
Sweden; Germany; Folklore - Germany; Drinking cups; Marriage customs and rites; Weddings--Equipment and supplies
The story of the bridal cup is inspired by a true story in 1450 from Nuremberg, Germany. The young daughter of a nobleman fell in love with a goldsmith. The young woman’s father did not approve and forbade them to be together. He imprisoned the...
Yoruba (African people); Yoruba (African people) -- Social life and customs; Twins; Mourning customs
Twins hold a special place among the Yoruba of Nigeria where they have the highest rate of twin births in the world. They are protected by the God of Twins, called Ibeji,” and are believed to have the power to bring good fortune, health and...
The use of beads to count prayers may have been started by Indian Hindus dating back to the sixth century B.C. Prayer beads continue to be very important in the lives of people who practice Hindu religion. Prayers are repeated along with the names...
Bagpipes are ancient instruments for which little is known about their age and origins. Different types and styles of pipes were played in many regions of the world in ancient times, but they have come to be most closely associated with Scotland....
Cameroon; Cameroon -- Social life and customs; Rites and ceremonies -- Cameroon; Bamenda (African people); Bamenda (African people) -- Social life and customs; Whistles; Dance -- Cameroon; Music -- Cameroon; Musical instruments
This whistle was purchased from the Cameroon Handwork Cooperative (a program initiated by the Peace Corps) in Western Cameroon in 1964, where it was made by an artist of the Bamenda peoples. The horn-like design on the mouthpiece probably...
Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death. They developed a process, called mummification, to preserve the body after death for its use in the afterlife. During embalming, the process used to create a mummy, specific internal organs were...
