NC Myths, Legends and Unexplained Phenomenon

Here is a list of Myths, Legends, Superstitions and  unexplained phenomenon that are told or occur in the Asheville area,  the  NC mountains and the state of North Carolina.

Legends

• Abe Lincoln NC Legend
• Famous Sayings on Pregnancy
• The Devil's  Tramping Ground
• Legend of Blowing Rock
• Mountain slang & its meaning
• North Carolina ghost stories
• Native American myths
• Brown Mountain Lights
• Grove Park Inn Resort Ghost
• Lorelei Myth
• folklure, culture, lifestyle
• Home Remedies
• Old Sayings | Old Wives Tales
• weather folk sayings

More

Legend of the Indian River

Oconaluftee River was sacred to the Cherokee Indians. The Indians called the river Ya'nu-dine hunyi (means where the bears live). A family of water bears was said to live at the bottom of the river in a deep hole. In another part of the river called Ya'nu-u'nata wasti'yi where the bears washed. It was a deeper part of the river where all the animals came to wash and heal their wounds when they had been hurt by hunters. No person had ever seen this place because evil had blinded us to it's existence. The animals knew how to find it and diving into it meant instant healing.

Legend of Pussy Willow

There is a legend that once many little kittens were thrown into a river to drown because nobody wanted them. The mother cat wept and was so distraught that the willows on the bank felt very sad for her and held out their branches to the struggling kittens. The little kittens clung to them and were saved. Ever since that time, each spring the willows wear gray buds that feel as soft and silky as the fir of the little kittens. Since that time the trees have been called pussy willows so that we would never forget the good deed they did.

Haley's Comet

Some say that on a certain day the tail of the comet would fall off, set the world on fire and fill the air with poisonous gas killing everything on earth. 

Legend's of Christmas & Sayings

Bees in their hives are said to hum the melody of an ancient Christmas songs from dust to dawn. The old people say that they have heard the music of the bees and seen cows kneel and speak. 

On this Holy night, the plants will bloom as they did when Christ was born. Although covered with snow, underneath, the ground is covered with soft green vegetation. 

Old Christmas or January 5th, the first dawn comes about an hour earlier than usual and the skies brighten until sunlight seems close. The poke wheat sends up sprouts big enough for everyone to see. When dark returns, the sprouts die, then true dawn appears. The week before Christmas, roosters crow in the middle of the night trying to make the day come sooner.  

WNC Traditions - article on traditional wedding ceremonies, New Years Eve tradition, things people did to ensure good luck.

see also Country Cooking Traditional Methods

Foxfire 2:  Ghost Stories, Spring Wild Plant Foods, Spinning and Weaving, Midwifing, Burial Customs, Corn Shucking S, Wagon Making, and More Affairs of Plain Living.

Free North Carolina mountain screensaver download install or preview beautiful pictures in screensaver form of the mountains surrounding Ashville North Carolina.