Folklore Gallery

Guru Gobind Singh with Chitta Baz

Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) (born Gobind Rai) - the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. When his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam, Guru Gobind Singh was formally installed as the leader of the Sikhs at age nine, becoming the tenth Sikh Guru. Chitta Baz, (White Falcon), is traditionally the name given to one of Guru Gobind Singh`s favourite falcons that he would carry perched on his hand when going out for on a Shikar (hunt) or for some falconry. This image of the Guru the white falcon resting upon his right hand has survived in folklore and in portraiture, and he is known to this day as chittian bajanvala, Master of the White Hawk.
late 17th century

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Zmey Goynych (Slavic Three-headed dragon)

Reproduction of a painting by Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin depicting the Zmey Goynych (Slavic three-headed dragon). The Russian version (pictured) has three heads, is green, walks on two back paws, has small front paws, and spits fire. According to one byline, Zmey Gorynych was the dragon killed by Dobrynya Nikitich. Date: 1912

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Old Father Christmas with the Yule Log

Christmas with the Yule Log. "What, Father Christmas! Here again? With yule log on your back, and mighty store of racy things well stuffed within your pack. Hail, cheerer! Blessed be your face, great king of frost and cold! For, notwithstanding all your beard, you're only twelve months old." The folkloric figure of old Father Christmas with wassail bowl, staff, yule log and a wreath of holly about his head.
1848

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans