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Stories
No. 012
Read the story: Why Does Kali Wear a Garland of Heads? The Goddess and Her MundamalaWhy Does Kali Wear a Garland of Heads? The Goddess and Her Mundamala
Kali's garland of heads, the mundamala, stands for defeated enemies, the destroyed ego or the Sanskrit alphabet, depending on the tradition. Her story, iconography, Kali Puja and temples.
No. 011
Read the story: Who Is Baron Samedi? The Lord of the Cemetery in Haitian VodouWho Is Baron Samedi? The Lord of the Cemetery in Haitian Vodou
Baron Samedi is the Haitian Vodou lwa who heads the Gede spirits of the dead. His look, Maman Brigitte, the cemetery cross, Fèt Gede and how Live and Let Die borrowed his name.
No. 010
Read the story: Fiesta de las ÑatitasFiesta de las Ñatitas
Every November 8, families in La Paz carry their ñatitas, named human skulls in flowers and sunglasses, to the Cementerio General. What ñatitas are, whose skulls they are and what they mean.
No. 009
Read the story: Catacomb SaintsCatacomb Saints
The catacomb saints are remains taken from Rome's catacombs after 1578 and dressed in jewels as martyrs in German-speaking churches. Who they were, who decorated them and where they are.
No. 008
Read the story: Hallstatt Bone HouseHallstatt Bone House
Why Hallstatt painted its skulls: a churchyard with no room, a second burial, and names, dates and flowers on 610 of about 1,200 skulls. History, symbols and visiting.
No. 007
Read the story: Chapel of Bones in ÉvoraChapel of Bones in Évora
Franciscan friars built Évora's Capela dos Ossos in the 1600s from about 5,000 people's bones. What its sign and poem say, the two bodies, and visiting details.
No. 006
Read the story: The Skull Tower in NišThe Skull Tower in Niš
After the 1809 Battle of Čegar, an Ottoman commander built a tower of 952 Serbian rebels' skulls in Niš. 58 remain today. Its history, meaning and visiting.
No. 005
Read the story: What Is a Gashadokuro? The Legend of Japan's Giant Skeleton and How Old It Really IsWhat Is a Gashadokuro? The Legend of Japan's Giant Skeleton and How Old It Really Is
The gashadokuro is a giant skeleton yōkai that roams at night. Learn what the legend says, its 1966 first appearance, Kuniyoshi's famous skeleton print and its anime and game versions.
No. 004
Read the story: The Skull in FreemasonryThe Skull in Freemasonry
In Freemasonry the skull stands for mortality. See how it appears in the third degree, the chamber of reflection, Knights Templar aprons and Masonic skull rings.