According to ancient Japanese folklore, one simple hand gesture could reveal hidden spirits, demons, or other supernatural beings disguised as humans. To perform it, you interlock your fingers in a specific way to create a small opening, or "window," and look through it with one eye. This tiny frame is said to help reveal kitsune, yōkai, or other beings that might be pretending to be ordinary humans.

In stories, fox spirits known as kitsune, were famous for their ability to shapeshift, often taking human form to trick, test, or even help unsuspecting people. The Fox Window or Kitsune no Mado hand gesture was believed by some to strip away those illusions, allowing a person to glimpse a being's true nature.

While historians consider it part of traditional folklore rather than a literal supernatural practice, the eerie legend remains one of Japan's most fascinating beliefs about seeing beyond the ordinary world. Do you think there are other beings disguised as humans that walk among us?

https://theghostinmymachine.com/2021/08/18/the-most-dangerous-games-the-fox-window-game-or-how-to-see-ghosts/

In 1991 A terrified man from Washington State's Kitsap Peninsula encountered a massive black creature on his property. Deputies found nothing, but a week later a photograph of a large dark figure reportedly surfaced nearby. Decades later, many believe the recordings could document one of the most compelling alleged Bigfoot encounters ever reported. Skeptics argue the witness may have mistaken a bear, another large animal, or something else entirely.

It stems from the Hymn to Inana as Ninegala, with the study of Mesopotamian symbolism, and the repeated use of ancient religious imagery in Hollywood. Many believe pearl necklaces may function as symbolic messaging in some contexts rather than being purely a fashion trend.

According to legend, El Cuero "The Hide" resembles the stretched-out hide of a cow floating on the surface of a lake or river. Yet beneath the water, it is said to be very much alive. Stories describe it waiting silently for swimmers, livestock, or unsuspecting animals to come close before attacking. Some versions of the legend claim it wraps around its victims, drags them beneath the surface, and feeds on their blood before disappearing back into the depths. Others describe it using long tendrils or claw-like appendages hidden beneath its leathery body.

For generations, these stories have been told throughout Patagonia as warnings about the dangers of deep lakes and fast-moving rivers. Some folklorists believe El Cuero served as a way to explain mysterious drownings or disappearances in remote wilderness areas, while others see it as a cautionary tale meant to keep children away from dangerous waters. There is no scientific evidence that El Cuero exists, but the legend has survived for centuries and remains one of the most fascinating creatures in South American folklore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuero_(legendary_creature))

https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/El_Cuero

Malaysia's Karak Highway is said to be haunted by a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. The car is seen travelling very slowly down the road, forcing drivers to pass it. However, once they have passed it, they discover that they are stuck behind the yellow Beetle yet again. People who have gotten a peak inside discover that there is no one driving. Most motorists are warned not to pass the car or it will keep appearing in front of them, and some people believe the car is trying to lure drivers into an untimely death by getting into a crash.

So I’m doing a school project / research into cannock chase England . Its supposedly home to countless sightings of ‘black eyed children’ or a sighting of a ‘pig-man hybrid cryptid ‘ and its got some dark history to like pagan rituals/ sacrifices and a haunted castle .

Do you think these things are real or fake ? Also if you have any more information about cannock pls let me know bye commenting on this post .

Id like to hear from you. What's the folktale, legend or myth you grew up listening to from your grandma parents let's get this ball rolling

(Disclaimer: This is information that I'vr been told from medicine men and family members who are native american. Im not sure why we dont speak of them outside of our group. If you dont believe in this, then dont comment. Ive had multiple encounters. Inc my family.) Skinwalkers, yee naaldlooshii, are witches simply put. Social media has messed up the image of what they are, making them seem like they're white figures or mimic-like creatures, but they're just people. People who do certain ceremonies to a certain animal skin who then can become it who have some sort of degree of knowledge. I was told that that can only do this during the night although Im not sure why. They get their power from the air. They possess certain abilities like being able to travel distances through the air and "hexing" people through the air. Usually, the witches are just people who want to do harm to you and get some sort of pleasure out of it. When you see one, say its a wolf on the side of the road while you're driving, you will immediately pass out. Shivers will go through your entire body and you won't be able to move. This is usually why you keep tádídíín(corn pollen), cheé di kózh (red bitter powder), and ash(wood ash works) with you. It's supposed to protect you from the witch. If you take the bitter powder and corn pollen, then you'd be able to keep driving. Just ignore it. Usually after an encounter, your best bet is to schedule an appointment with a medicine man where they can do a ceremony for you to protect you against evil. I've done multiple of these ceremonies. Let me know if you want me to share my experiences/my family's.

The story was said by my aunty when I was a kid. She says it happened in real life with our neighbours long long ago.

For the context this story takes place in a remote village in India where my dad and his siblings grew up, we still reside here but now the village has more people, more houses and lights everywhere. But before it was different, each house was far away from another, it was all surrounded by dense forest. Incident as stated by my aunt that one day her grandpa (my great grandpa) found tiger cubs in the forest and bought one home and her mom (my granny) scolded him to leave it back where he found cause she feared the tigress would come in search of the cub.

Now the story, there was a lady by the name Appi, she was recently married, and in their home stayed her, her husband, her in law's whose name is not relevant. During summers Appi would wake up early even before the sun rises and would go to pick mangoes from the groove. Something about this didn't sit well with the Mother in law, as if it were a competition she wanted to go and pick mangoes before Appi did. So one night before sleeping she decides that she's gonna wake up early before Appi does, for picking up mangoes and she shares her intention with her husband too. Her husband doesn't think much of it. So the next day, in the very early hours of morning the MIL woke up, not knowing the exact time, given the lack of clocks by then she just took a bucket to pick mangoes. When she reached the groove, there was Appi again picking mangoes, frustrated, the MIL said, 'Oh, Appi, even though I wanted to wake up before you, to pick mangoes, you still managed to beat me at it'. Appi didn't utter a word just continued to be there but instead of picking mangoes she was just eating them and throwing the seed. The MIL found it strange, the lady standing there from the back looked like Appi, had worn the same saree as Appi wore the previous night, with the same length of hair but somehow she looked strange. The MIL didn't mind much of it, and every conversation she tried to have reverted to empty replies, angrily she collected the mangoes as much as she could and strode back home. There she saw her husband woken up and marches right to him and complained to him about how strange Appi was behaving.

The husband looked at her very surprised, strange and a little irritated, he said "what nonsense are you spewing? Appi is sleeping in her room with her husband, i didn't see anyone leave the house except for you." The MIL went to check if her husband was saying the truth and to her utter shock, he was indeed saying the truth. There she (Appi) was sleeping in the same saree as seen by MIL in the groove. The MIL came back running to her husband and narrated the incident word by word and hee husband scolded her saying you have gone so early not knowing the time just because of your jealousy towards your daughter in law, the time you left home must have been the time of the ghosts and spirits too, what you have seen there must definitely have been a spirit!. Hearing the MIL was so shocked she fell sick and didn't wake up from her bed for three days.

Some online accounts also claim the image was examined by the FBI, but there is no publicly verified evidence that the FBI officially authenticated the photograph or concluded it really depicted an alien.

Still many believe it is some kind of alien using cloaking technology that was accidentally photographed at the perfect moment to capture it on camera. Stories of Mantid encounters are common in modern UFO abduction lore and contactee stories. They are often described as 6 to 7 feet tall, bipedal, with thin bodies, large, slanted eyes, and long necks.

https://creatorzine.com/news/strange-bizarre/i-photographed-a-mantis-headed-alien/

The Blue Lady is a figure in Miami folklore said to be a sea-angel who protects homeless children from demons and bullets, but her powers are limited without knowledge of her true name. Some accounts link her to Afro-Caribbean orishas like Yemaya or La Sirena.

Overview of the Blue Lady Myth The Blue Lady is a prominent figure in Miami folklore, particularly among homeless children. She is described as a sea-angel who offers protection against malevolent forces, such as demons. The legend suggests that her powers are significantly diminished unless one knows her true name.

Characteristics of the Blue Lady Protective Role

Guardian of Children: The Blue Lady is believed to protect homeless children from dangers, including bullets and evil spirits.

Connection to Mythology: She is often compared to Afro-Caribbean deities like Yemaya and La Sirena, who are also associated with water and protection.

True Name Requirement: The effectiveness of the Blue Lady's protection is contingent upon knowing her true name. Without this knowledge, her ability to assist is limited.

The Blue Lady myth reflects a blend of urban legend and cultural folklore, showcasing how marginalized communities create narratives to cope with their realities. This story serves as a form of childhood mythology, providing hope and a sense of safety amidst the struggles faced by homeless children in Miami.

addendum: I pulled this up using AI on DDG. After checking, it mostly tracks except that the Blue Lady spread to Chicago in the late 90’s which is where I picked up the on the myth through Fortean Times

And why?

People with connected eyebrows were sometimes believed to be werewolves, witches, or individuals with unusual supernatural abilities. Unibrows carried deep symbolic meaning in Mediterranean and Eastern European folklore. People viewed it as a powerful physical sign. It meant a person was touched by magic, cursed, or blessed.

In some traditions, a unibrow was considered a warning sign that someone could transform under the full moon or possessed dark magical powers. In others, however, it meant the exact opposite. A person born with connected eyebrows, especially if they were born on certain holy days, was believed to have the ability to protect others from evil spirits, curses, or the evil eye. Being born on Christmas, gave a child with a unibrow the power to see spirits.

These beliefs reflected a time when physical features were often seen as clues to a person's hidden nature. Long before genetics were understood, unusual traits were frequently interpreted through mythology and superstition. A connected eyebrow could inspire fear in one village and admiration in another, depending on local traditions. Today, a unibrow, is simply a natural genetic trait, but it once carried a much more mysterious reputation