folkloric
Of traditional tales
Folkloric describes things relating to or characteristic of folklore—the traditional stories, customs, beliefs, and practices passed down within a culture.
A folkloric tale draws on myths, legends, or oral traditions.
Folkloric elements in a novel might include supernatural creatures, regional superstitions, or archetypal characters like tricksters and wise elders.
The term often carries connotations of authenticity and cultural rootedness, distinguishing traditional material from modern invention.
Descent from progenitors
- forebearsAncestral family members
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- kinshipState of being related
elders · patriarchs · matriarchs · birthright · bloodline · hearth · homeland · diaspora
Unverified traditional tale
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- fableMoral tale with animals
- taleSpoken or written narrative
- mythosBody of foundational legends
dragon · phoenix · mermaid · unicorn · griffin · troll · ogre · goblin
Narrative poem or song
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
oral-history · storytelling · bard · minstrel · chronicle · fireside · retelling · trickster
Traditional practices or import taxes
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- costumesClothes for assuming roles
- festivalsOrganized communal celebrations
dance · music · crafts · masks · embroidery · woodcarving · motifs · symbolism
Formal event marking occasions
- ritesFormal ceremonial acts
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- shamanIndigenous spiritual healer
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
divination · amulet · witchcraft · enchantment · spellcasting · blessing · curse · solstice
lineage
Descent from progenitors
- forebearsAncestral family members
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
kinship · elders · patriarchs · matriarchs · birthright · bloodline · hearth · homeland · diaspora · rootedness
legend
Unverified traditional tale
mythos · dragon · phoenix · mermaid · unicorn · griffin · troll · ogre · goblin · elves
ballad
Narrative poem or song
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
allegory · oral-history · storytelling · bard · minstrel · chronicle · fireside · retelling · trickster · shanty
customs
Traditional practices or import taxes
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
- costumesClothes for assuming roles
festivals · dance · music · crafts · masks · embroidery · woodcarving · motifs · symbolism · peasant
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- ritesFormal ceremonial acts
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- shamanIndigenous spiritual healer
totem · divination · amulet · witchcraft · enchantment · spellcasting · blessing · curse · solstice · equinox
- Latin Culturemariachi, salsa dancing, tango, flamenco, cumbia
folkloricfactual
Grounded in truth
historical · documented · verified · authenticated · empirical
folkloricliterary
Of written works
classical · highbrow · canonical · institutional · academic
folkloricmodern
Of recent times
contemporary · urban · technological · scientific · cosmopolitan
- British folkloreTraditional tales from Britain
- medieval folkloreTales from feudal times
- folklore traditionsInherited cultural practices and stories
- local folkloreA community's traditional tales
- Japanese folkloreTraditional myths of Japan
- folklore heroTraditional story's celebrated figure