Fairytales serve as a universal language. Every culture and religion is fundamentally derived from stories. They’re the unique beliefs and perceptions about the world that make each culture different. From the Greek gods and goddesses of Olympus to the enchanted Norwegian trolls and the fiery rage of the Hawaiian goddess Pele, folklore embodies the essence of origin and tradition.
Humans are shaped by the stories we personally live, and each unique experience in life creates one's identity. Fairytales describe the shared experience of humans. They tell stories of unconditional love, earth-shattering heartbreak, rags to riches and brave heroes who battle deadly monsters. We as people strive to understand the complex and overwhelming, and fairytales remind us that our struggles are not solitary. Through timeless tales passed down from generation to generation, we find comfort in the realization that our ancestors faced similar challenges centuries ago.
While some of these stories are meant to inspire, others exist to teach valuable lessons. For instance, Little Red Riding Hood, a story almost everybody heard growing up, is a cautionary tale about the dangers of naivety and speaking to strangers.
Legends and folklore also offer insights into how different cultures view the world. Many legends were created to explain the unexplainable. People used them as a way to find meaning in events happening in their lives. From a demigod pulling the Polynesian islands out of the sea to an Irish spirit known as "bean sídhe" who wails whenever somebody is about to pass away, many cultures use stories in an attempt to explain the mysteries of life that people have a hard time grasping.
Fairytales are more than just stories—they are windows into our cultures, they act as teachers and serve as reminders of our shared human experience.
Yemoja
Yemoja, a cherished Yoruban goddess, is known as the bestower of life and metaphysical mother of all Orishas, deities overseeing the natural and supernatural realms of the Yoruba culture in southeast Nigeria. Her name, derived from the words “Yeye-omo-eja,” directly translates to “Mother whose children are fish.” It is said that Yoruba was entrusted by Olifi, God, to populate the world with humanity. Descending from the celestial realms by rope alongside sixteen Orisha, Yemoja prepared the world for the arrival of mankind. Yemoja’s domain as goddess includes birth, fertility, and the safety of women and children. As she is often seen as a maternal figure, her presence is thought to bring calm and peace to troubled hearts. However, while a kind and nurturing mother, her occasional temper can produce floods and storms across the lands.
Model - Dreme Davis
Dress - Caché beaded silk dress ($65)
Jewelry - Citi Trends ($15)
Niamh and Oisin
The Irish tale of Niamh and Oisín unfolds in the magical land of Tír na nÓg off the coast of Ireland, where youth and happiness reigned. One day when Oisín, a valiant warrior and son of the protector of Fianna, embarked on a hunting trip, he came across a breathtaking woman. Radiant as if bathed in light, she introduced herself as Niamh, the daughter of the king of Tír na nÓg. He immediately fell in love. Niamh knew of the noble warrior and asked him to return to Tír na nÓg with her as her husband. Hopelessly in love, Oisín accepted. Their life together was filled with joy, yet Oisín missed his homeland and asked if he could visit it. Reluctantly, Niamh agreed. She gifted him a white horse to travel home with but cautioned him not to touch the ground. Upon returning to Ireland, Oisín discovered a heartbreaking truth—three centuries had passed while he was in Tír na nÓg. Devastation consumed him as he rode through the unfamiliar landscape. When Oisín reached the Valley of the Thrushes, he saw a group of men attempting to lift a heavy rock. Leaning off his horse to assist the men, Oisín tumbled and hit the ground. With that fateful touch, Oisín started to shrivel and age right before the men’s eyes, forever separated from Tír na nÓg and his enchanted love.
Model - Annabelle Webber
Top - Urban Outfitters Mesh Asymmetrical Mini Skirt ($60)
Skirt - Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Tiered Ruffle Midi Skirt ($130)
Model - Will Meares
Shirt - Urban Outfitters OBEY Balance Woven Waffle Button-Down Shirt ($84)
Pants - Wrangler Ruster Jeans ($30)
Jewelry - GTHIC Jewelry ($170)
Watch - Armani Exchange ($50)
Kaguya-Hime
The Tale of Princess Kaguya, also known as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, originates from Japanese folklore dating back to the Heian period. The legend begins in a bamboo forest, where an aging bamboo cutter stumbled upon a radiant baby nestled in a glowing bamboo shoot. Childless, he and his wife embraced the divine gift, raising the child as their own. The bamboo cutter and his wife quickly realized that this girl was no ordinary child; her mere presence brought good luck to the family. From the moment he found the girl, the bamboo cutter always returned home with gold or precious stones he found in the bamboo. The once-poor family became incredibly wealthy, and the bamboo cutter was happier than he'd ever been, for he now had a child he adored. In honor of her elegant beauty and the light she seemed to emanate, the parents named the girl Kaguya-hime, meaning Princess Moonlight. Kaguya’s elegance and good fortune do not escape the notice of suitors, including the emperor, who wished for her hand. Kaguya rejected them all; she had no interest in marrying and spent most of her day staring mournfully at the moon. Her parents started to worry and to their dismay, Kaguya revealed her true origins: she was a celestial being from the moon and needed to return soon. Although the Emperor guarded Kaguya’s house on the day of her departure, it was no use. They were no match for the celestial beings who came to reclaim Kaguya, and they whisked her away from the mortal realm. With a heartbroken farewell, Kaguya expressed endless love and gratitude toward her family, never to see them again.
Model - Mei Gollon
Japanese Yukata Kimono ($60)
