#Historical and Cultural Significance:

[the-wandering-world]

Top 15 Tourist Attractions In Canada: You Must See

Canada, the second-largest country in the world, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage.

From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the historic streets of Quebec City, Canada offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.

The top 15 tourist attractions in Canada include:

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Banff National Park, Alberta

CN Tower, Toronto

Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec)

Whistler, British Columbia

Parliament Hill, Ottawa...Click here to continue

[fairyhaos]

cruelest thing that kpop has ever done is impose a "you can't eat anything" rule on their idols in the country that says "have you eaten today?" as a way of showing love

[serpentface]

A witch of the Naig-Troibadnnas (Yellowtail river valley) people, resting and enjoying a smoke of the mild stimulant brolge leaf on a hot summer day.

Witches are a small part of the everyday cultural framework among the Hill Tribes. They are individuals considered born possessed by a virgranul, a type of disembodied wild spirit that seeks to inhabit human flesh, either entering the body at the moment of conception, or entering the body at the moment of death. The latter is a dire circumstance that requires significant intercession to fix (the dead body may wander off without rites, leaving the person's soul trapped and liable to warp into the dangerous fuldaigh spirit), while the former circumstance is what causes a person to be born a witch.

In the case of those afflicted in the womb, possession by virgranul is lifelong, and is both a curse and blessing- it divides and isolates them from the human world and causes other wild spirits (both benevolent and malicious) to be perpetually drawn to them, but also allows for them to be attuned to the subtleties of spirits, and able to work magic and divination that the everyday person is incapable of.

Witches are usually recognized from a young age due to marked behavioral differences or atypical development, though are sometimes simply identified as such without obvious behavioral indications, by other witches having read signs of their coming. Their occurrence is not frequent, usually once in a generation for any given tribe. An identified witch child will be taken from their family (the timing varies by tradition, though is usually upon puberty) and into mentorship by an established witch, who will impart their accumulated knowledge and skill and teach the child how to best harness their condition.

One can be a witch regardless of their gender, with the only commonality being that they must remain unmarried, and are expected to never have children (deemed too dangerous, unavoidably placing a child in the path of potentially harmful wild spirits). With no spouses or children to support them in holding a household and herds, witches are instead supported by their communities as means of payment for their services. They typically live in semi-isolation in the boundaries between the village and wilderness (a reflection of their own division between the world of people and of wild spirits, and a protective measure for their communities), and will periodically be brought needed supplies. They do not commonly enter villages unless summoned, or for the sake of certain holidays and festivals, and live most of their lives in seclusion aside from any given mentee (who will in turn care for their mentor in old age).

The societal function of witches is as intermediaries between people and their ancestors, people and wild spirits, and as especially skilled performers of practical magic (most commonly weaving protective spells into worn items, such as clothing or the nose rings of cattle). Forms of practical magic and intercession with ancestors and spirits are performed by all members of society, but a witch has intimate, detailed knowledge of such things and tremendous natural skill that makes them an invaluable asset.

Witches personally discern the identities of the spirits living in any given area and will attempt to familiarize themselves with them, learning in depth about their ways, giving warnings of where the particularly dangerous (or mischievous) ones are, and giving recommendations on which will be receptive to offerings in return for boons. When a village needs to commune with a particularly powerful or dangerous spirit (such as a wildfolk witch), they will commonly send their own witch as an intermediary.

They are ascribed have the ability to directly summon ancestors (who otherwise come and go of their own volition, and rarely ever deign to come at the call of one who is not their descendant). This is of great use when a person finds themselves punished by their ancestors with no certainty as to why, or cases where an orphaned child's ancestry must be identified to gain them proper spiritual support.

They are also regarded as having innate qualities of divination, particularly in reading birdsign (itself generally acknowledged as communication from ancestors, and occasionally gods). The average person has basic knowledge in reading omens of birds and a learned repertoire of key signs, but a witch can divine the messages of birdsign in immense and specific detail, through a vast knowledge system of the meanings of the species, sex, flight direction, gaze, prey, number, and songs of birds. It is common for people to approach a witch for a reading of the skies before undertaking a significant venture or life change, in order to receive detailed and specific advice.

Witches are always literate (and will be taught to read and write by their mentor if they cannot already) and will record their repositories of knowledge in tomes. These are items of absolute secrecy and taboo for a non-witch to touch (the consequences can be severe, you really don't want a witch ancestor-spirit upset with you). Witches can often become competitive about the knowledge stored in these tomes and are known to organize heists amongst themselves in order to gain access to each other's secrets. Most people avoid getting themselves entangled into the complicated rivalries of witches, as these competitions can get ugly and result in many a petty curse if one gains a witch's ire.

---

The only visual cue distinguishing this man as a witch is the tattoos on his forearms, otherwise usually regarded as inappropriate to mark in the contemporary Hill Tribes cultural sphere (the face, upper arms, and sternum is reserved for important clan/tribe/ancestry identification, hands and forearms are reserved for witches, and the rest of the body is appropriate for decoration). These unique forearm tattoos indicate his ancestral connection with a lineage of witches, not blood ancestry but rather the generations of mentors that have produced him. The lines extending down to his fingers are the newest, indicating that he has fully mentored another witch and gained a place in this ancestral line.

The rest of the tattoos here are tribe and blood ancestry identifiers (on the face and upper arms respectively, worn by all members of society), and purely decorative imagery (visible here is a deer, horse, eagle, and a dragon). He also has a snake on his forearm, applied decades ago in an act of youthful rebellion, which has since gotten in the way of critical open skin space.

His clothing is otherwise typical wear for warm seasonal conditions- a man's wool shawl and woven belt, short trousers, decorative deer hide (distinct to the Naig-Troibadnnas), and sandals (these are imported Wardi style sandals, which have been modified with preferred elevated heels). The horn shaped torc on his forearm identifies him as an esteemed elder.

[riacte]

in hindsight how did treebark lose their trafficship polls lmfao

[rainbowresurrection]

Kinda got a love/hate relationship with the history of K/S because it's like. Can I please have a queer discussion about this 1960s television show without it being reduced to "shipper discourse". I thought Spock and Kirk were homo long before I knew that their characters spawned a fanfiction counterculture. The bisexual dude who wrote the episode that really kick-started the movement didn't know it was going to coalesce into the fan phenomenon that it did, he was just writing what he knew how to write best: the repression of burning male desire, and two dudes doing homoerotic shit. Can I just talk about the repressed burning male desire please, and the implications of a gay angle to Kirk and Spock's story, without it being referred to as shipper discourse. Can I do that. Does this make sense

[bonefall]

Hello! I absolutely adore Better Bones despite never reading beyond the first series of Warrior Cats. Last time I checked canon, Bramblestar was a kit that nearly died in a fire. So your canon is canon to me and it’s probably better that way.

I do have a question though. How big do your cats think the world is? The meaningful size of their world is from the Lake to the Forest to the Ocean, but I keep thinking of how medieval peasants sometimes had their whole lives uprooted for a crusade thousands of miles away, and wondering what Clan Cats think the real edges are. Do they see Ireland and France as mythical, far off lands filled with fairytale creatures? Do they know that anything exists beyond the oceans at all? The other side of possibility is that kittypets have given them some concept of human geography, and the cats can tell stories about a land further south than a cat could walk in a lifetime, where the stars are unrecognizable and the very moon is upside down.

Have fun with your worldbuilding!

Clan cats believe that the sky, earth, ground, and aquifers below are actually one big mobius strip, and that existence repeats from top-to-bottom. Water that soaks to the bottom ends up in the sky just as steam rises up to it.

Moles dig down so far that their pelts become gently touched by StarClan, and that's why they're so soft without shine.

The world in a horizontal sense is less important, they don't talk to kittypets very much, not enough for cultural diffusion to take place in regards to human geography. They are blissfully unaware of London, let alone anything beyond the coast of Albion.

The closest anyone's really come to learning more was Heartstar, when she was on her Dovewing Quest, seeing trains and a singing cat. She decided that this was not anything she needed to know about.

SO when they see something like the sea, they believe it's a really big lake. Airplanes are probably birds flying far away. Clan cats believe that StarClan is the greatest force in the world, so surely, wherever they choose for the cats to live must be the most beautiful of all. They're a pretty self-absorbed bunch, but more than that, culturally discourage "wandering" cats!

Depending on where they are exactly (this is why Albion isn't exactly the isle of Great Britain and it's been renamed, I'm shuffling some geography) they may also be able to see part of Wales, Ireland, or the Isle of Man from where they usually collect salt. Which just leads to them believing the ocean is just a big, salty lake, given time.

[soadscrawl]

i forgot to post this drawing my friend who knows nothing abt voltron made of me

[the-wandering-world]

15 Best Tourist Attractions In The USA:

The United States of America, a vast and diverse country, is renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures.

Spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and encompassing everything from bustling cities to serene national parks, the U.S. offers a plethora of attractions for travelers.

In this blog, we will explore the best 15 tourist attractions in the USA, delving into their historical and cultural significance, unique features, and practical travel tips.

15 Best Tourist Attractions In the USA Include:

1. Grand Canyon National Park

2. Yellowstone National Park

3. New York City

4. Washington D.C.

5. Yosemite National Park... See More

[gayhenrycreel]

honestly if i was some peasant 2000 years ago and some guy shows up claiming to be the son of god i would think hes an arrogant piece of shit. in conclusion, from a scientific point of view (jesus was a man who was religiously revolutionary not actually deific), jesus is cool in the form of a fictional character who is extremely popular, but as a real person id never want to meet him.

[manasastuff-blog]

"Happy Independence Day"#trending#viral

The Happy Independence Day Importance goes beyond just celebrating a national holiday; it's a day that marks the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of countless heroes who fought for India's freedom. In this we'll delve into why Independence Day holds such profound significance in the hearts of every Indian. From the historical context to the contemporary relevance, we explore how this day is a reminder of the responsibilities and duties we carry as citizens of a free nation. Whether you’re reflecting on the past or looking towards the future, understanding the true meaning of Independence Day can inspire a deeper sense of patriotism and pride. Join us as we uncover the hidden layers of this important day and celebrate it with the respect and honor it deserves.

Call : 7799799221

Website : www.manasadefenceacademy.com

#IndependenceDay#Freedom#Patriotism#India#NationalPride#IndianHistory#IndependenceDay2024#FreedomFighters#IndianCulture#HappyIndependenceDay#trending#viral#manasadefenceacademy

[mako-designated-driver]

Codex Entry #92: A Ghoulish Delight

My dearest Regine:

Surely you must have heard of the Paget's failing fortunes? They've lost almost everything. The lord made some bad decisions and trusted people he shouldn't. All that's left is La Maison Verte, in the Dales. They have to sell it and move to the city. I was called upon to find someone willing to buy the house. You would be so proud of me. I surpassed all the lord's expectations.

I looked into La Maison's history first. Did you know it was built in the time of the elves? It was a sanctuary dedicated to Andruil, goddess of the forest; the house was built around the ruins. The heart of the shrine was an etched stone altar, now in the grand hall. It's quite spectacular. Any noble in Val Royeaux would be envious of something with such historical significance. I planned a party to show off the house and its elven altar. We had it decorated with white flowers and candles, even brought in some harts to graze in the garden outside. The effect was stunning.

Then, my stroke of genius! Remember when Lady Carine's pastime was reading about elves, and how sympathetic she was to what happened in the Dales? She couldn't stop talking about how we must make contact with the restless elven spirits. All her lady companions were so taken with the idea. Well, I did just that. Or I made the guests believe that's what happened. I had to hire a mage to help, of course—a very discreet fellow from Montsimmard.

During the party, I talked about how the house was a haunt for sad elven spirits. They ate it all up. Romantic, they said. For the final touch, I had everyone join hands around the elven stone and pray, and the mage (no names!) cast a spell that made us dance like puppets on strings and sing "The Little Bluebird of Summer."

It was a triumph! Offers began pouring in! One of them was even from a representative of Grand Duchess Florianne.

Oh, I have so much to tell you. I can't wait to return.

With great love,

Ignatius

[violetsandshrikes]

A good rule of thumb for secondhand purchases/op shop purchases/etc:

People ask me questions about things they’ve purchased a lot, and I use this rule of thumb for animal remains/taxidermy/pinned insects/etc, but it can also be applied to other significant items.

If you’re unsure if it’s ethical for you to own/keep an item, or you have reason to suspect that an item you’ve obtained has historical significance - reach out to the nearest university that specialises in that area or your local museum.

They can either give you peace of mind or you can make sure that whatever you have ends up in an appropriate and respectful place.

[the-monkey-ruler]

Oh neat, so there are shows that don’t follow the book all too much. Twitter gave me the impression that’s a no-no in china. Glad to see it’s just fans being oddly protective of canon.

Listen... I LOVE JTTW media... hence that's why I am collecting it and listing it.

I mean there are HUNDREDS of interpretations of Journey to the West and while I am not an expert in media I do know that in most cases a lot of projects in Chine are either big-budget movies, passion projects, or even cash-grabs but either way, the range is long and wide. I personally know that when it comes to categorizing so many interpretations there are bound to be…. some more disappointing material than others but that just means highlighting other media even more!! If there is something one media a person doesn’t enjoy the good news!! There are HUNDREDS of other media out there for you! There is a journey to the west story out there for everyone and I think anyone can enjoy it!

However, the thing to keep in mind is that... JTTW is a culturally important piece of literature in China and while interpretations can range from silly to serious, romance to action, modern to historical, there is always a nod to the original source material to show an understanding of people who grew up with this story their whole lives and already are generally aware of the cultural significance the story has had with literature, history, or even modern culture. Just the causal saturation of JTTW in everyday lives for people that grew up with this story. These interpretations are a kind of consistent continuation of the story, that no matter what generation there is always going to be a new movie or a new television that gets another generation of people to know and love the original source material.

Of course, this kinda material, at least personally, can be very meaningful to those that grew up with it because it's not only culturally important but also it's nostalgic in a way that non-natives can find hard to understand. I like to think that sharing JTTW is always great in that others can be introduced to the literature and become interested! However, people who aren't familiar with JTTW and haven't been surrounded by mass amounts of media their whole lives. Non-natives aren't familiar with the religious or historical context within the story and easily glossed over these aspects if they only consume movie or television media of this literature. Usually,

Westerners that are familiar with the material are only subjected to one of the many interpretations that are inspired by JTTW but not the actual material itself. Westerners haven't been saturated in the causal references of seeing these stories and understanding when media is being satirical or sincere when it comes to the OG story. The OG story has been told again and again many times but that's because people who have grown up with the story have a general understanding of what it means to be just another adaptation versus something that is supposed to represent a true retelling of the story for those that are no familiar to the OG story and is meant to be an introduction to the story.

People who have grown up with these stories are never going to take most of these adaptions as anything more but an enjoyable interpretation of the beloved cultural piece they are familiar with and are able to separate the interpretation from the OG. I think the real issue when it comes to people not familiar with this tale, consume media is that is often taken as 'fact' and anything that lay outside this first impression can lead to misunderstandings and arguments, especially when people disregard the original tale if it doesn't fit their first interpretation. While this may be a very great piece of media or very enjoyable there is a general understanding that is it only one of the many that there are, and many there will ever be.

There are a lot of layers to JTTW and it's understandable that people who have not been saturated in this culture are not away of it, so when natives try to correct or even protect their culture from non-natives' interpretations or misinformation there is a mind to please be culturally sensitive to learning new things. JTTW has historical and religious importance represented within it the tale and non-natives can make the mistake of invalidating these beliefs or figures by only consuming surface-level media.

I love JTTW media, good or bad, I want to count all mediums to how this story has been told and re-told over and over again throughout the decades not to show 'hey this can be taken in any context with no repercussions' but rather to show people that 'hey there are a lot of ways that this story has been interpreted so if you do not like one then you can see another, perhaps even be inspired to learn more of the material.' I love spreading information but there needs to be a general acknowledgment as great as JTTW is just a piece of media it all started from being such a culturally important and impactful piece of literature able to masterly combine Buddhism, Daoism, and Chinese folklore.

There has been a history of Western media... being insensitive to Eastern cultures and as such, I understand why there is a protectiveness over something like JTTW when it comes to non-natives perhaps misunderstanding or being unaware of the more important aspects of the media. Most, if not all JTTW media, is not made for people who KNOW about JTTW. JTTW media is created for people that already know the OG and already enjoy it, usually looking to find an easily consumable way to enjoy this literature through a different medium without having to read 100 chapters. Watching a piece of JTTW media doesn't make someone an expert in JTTW nor does it make them more familiar with Chinese culture. An individual has to take it upon themself to find out more about the OG JTTW, and again in my personal opinion, I believe that it makes JTTW media even more enjoyable as you have a deeper understanding of how these interpretations were created.

[pupkou]

can we come together as a community and be honest with ourselves .. because i’m tired of seeing everything turned into an egg roll. not everything needs to be an egg roll

[whomstsnek]

Talia, oh my love <3

quick concept for Talia, I was not feeling like going hard on the 2000s fashion so I hope this is sufficient lol.. might change this up later