Fun Fact
Appalachian Haints: To ward off these spirits, residents traditionally painted porch ceilings 'haint blue' to trick ghosts into thinking it was the sky.
Chapter 1
Creatures of the deep woods
Chapter 2
Haunted hills and ghost lights
Chapter 3
Folk magic and mountain medicine
Chapter 4
Rules of the ridges
Ch 4 · Rules of the ridges
BETA
mankai Spot the creatures hiding along the mountain ridge to discover the origins of Appalachian legends.
mankai View the illustration depicting the Appalachian legend about the danger of whistling after dark, from the Don't Look Back folklore series.
Quiz
What is the traditional warning in Appalachian folklore if you hear your name called in the woods?
Quiz
What color is traditionally painted on Appalachian porch ceilings to ward off evil spirits?
mankai Painting porch ceilings a specific shade of blue keeps away evil spirits and insects.
Quiz
According to mountain weather lore, what does it mean if hornets build their nests high in the trees?
Fun Fact
Woolly worm festival: Banner Elk, North Carolina, hosts an annual Woolly Worm Festival where caterpillars race to predict the upcoming winter weather.
Quiz
Which cultural group originally popularized the use of haint blue paint before it spread to Appalachia?
Quiz
According to Appalachian weather lore, what does a wide black band on a woolly worm caterpillar predict?
Glossary
mimic (noun)
A person or animal that imitates the behavior, voice, or actions of others. Blue Ridge legends warn that these entities imitate familiar voices to lure hikers off designated trails.
A person or animal that imitates the behavior, voice, or actions of others. Blue Ridge legends warn that these entities imitate familiar voices to lure hikers off designated trails.