Z is for Zoja (Fantastic Female)

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”

About Zoja and Albania:

Zoja can go by many names such as: Zoja Prenne; Zoja e Bukuris; Prende; Afërdita, Saint Veneranda; Shen Prende; and so many more. She is a Albanian goddess of the dawn, beauty, and love. She protects women, which is perfect for Zoja to be the last in this A to Z Blog Challenge. Once Christianity was introduced in Albania, Zoja transformed to the Virgin Mary. This is not unlike the fusing of beliefs that happened from Greek to Roman gods and goddesses. Even the Christian churches themselves were often named after her! A festival was held every July 26 in her honor. Whenever you see the rainbow, it is said to be Zoja’s belt.

50-word-or-less summary

Zoja rode her carriage flown by swallows that were connected by rainbows. Illyrian, Thunder Lord and Father, gave her the gift of rainbows. The people below would take mortar (woman) and pestle (man) to represent how Zoja was the goddess of love. People celebrated as she brought the light (dawn).

Finding the Story: 

Digital Listing – “Prende” – here

Book – Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Saints, Angels, Fairies, Demons, and Ghosts (Witchcraft & Spells) – here

Wikipedia – “Prende” (or Zoja) – here

Wikipedia – “Albanian Folk Beliefs” – here

Finding the “Fantastic”:

Zoja is compared to Aphrodite and Freya in that role of being a goddess of love. Though, Zoja appears to protect women more often than those two beings. How fantastic! Perhaps seeing a rainbow will give the courage and hope needed…as Zoja would be smiling and shining to bring that peace and relief.

Recommended Article:

How can women be protected as Zoja did? Read this article entitled “Take action: 10 ways you can help end violence against women” written by UN Women. You may also want to check out the website of Women Helping Women.

Thoughts?

Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.

As for our past A to Z Challenges…

Go to A to Z Archive

Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Explore Summit & Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.

Y is for Yeh-Shen (Fantastic Female)

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”

About Feet and China:

Having tiny feet was considered beautiful. Tiny feet were aspired to as it symbolized nobility and not needing to work much. When a girl was as young as age 6, sometimes feet would be bound to shrink them and continue to be bound for years. The bones would crush or even fuse together. This practice started in the 10th or 11th century. As Yeh-Shen in the story works more than the average person, it’s fascinating that her feet were naturally tiny.

50-word-or-less summary

Yeh-Shen slaved for step-mother. Fed fish. Step-mother borrowed Yeh-Shen’s coat. Stabbed fish. Bones left. Bones had power. Wishes! Festival coming. Dress! Came with golden shoes. Attended. Ran when Yeh-Shen thought step-mother recognized her. Villager found shoe. Given to king. Hut built. People tried on. Yeh-Shen took it. Followed. King proposed.

Finding the Story: 

Book – Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China – here

Book – Yeh-Hsien: A Chinese Cinderella (Bilingual Multicultural Book) – here

Video – Yeh-Shen – here

Finding the “Fantastic”:

Yeh-Shen carried on with life despite being over-worked and abused by her step-mother. One cannot hide the beauty of kindness. Yeh-Shen rightfully felt sad. She had poise in front of her step-mother as a way to show that she had much inner strength. Yet, when needed, she was willing to cry and release that sorrow.

When the step-mother killed her beloved fish, Yeh-Shen listened to the old man/spirit who revealed the power of those bones. Yeh-Shen protected those bones to the best of her ability. She was warned not to lose the shoes. When she lost one, she persisted in looking for it. She learned of the hut and chose a time at night to avoid crowds and fulfill the promise she had made to her friend (connecting to its spirit through the bones).

Thankfully, the king did not arrest her as a thief. At the time, no one knew Yeh-Shen was the rightful owner of the shoe.

She received fantastic blessings as a way have justice and mercy served.

Recommended Article:

Thousands of Cinderella stories exist. Why? Read this scholarly article entitled “Cinderella Tales and Their Significance” written by Kristen Friedman.

Thoughts?

Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.

As for our past A to Z Challenges…

Go to A to Z Archive

Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Explore Summit & Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.

X is for Xochiquetzal (Fantastic Female)

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”

About Nahua People:

The Nahua People come from Mesoamerica mainly in the Mexico and El Salvador though can also be found in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. These people highly celebrate agriculture with special attention to corn. This featured story emphasizes corn and ends with a flower. A settlement or neighborhood (barrio) has the church centered geographically and then a mix of common and private lands for farming. Have you heard of the Aztecs? Yes, often Aztecs are also known to be the Nahua.

50-word-or-less summary

Dual natures: Xochiquetzal (Flower Beauty)/Xochipilli (Flower Prince). Chose to be female. Married Pilzinteuctli. Bore two-spirited baby named Chicomecoatl. As baby crawled, corn grew from earth. Baby was Xilonen (Goddess of Corn) or Cineteotl (God of Dried Maize). Meanwhile, Xochiquetzal wished to return to paradise. Xochiquetzal/Xochipilli became single flower (Xochitl).

Finding the Story: 

Book – “Xochipilli and Xochiquetzal” in The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas – here

Wikipedia – “Xōchiquetzal” – here

The Aztec Goddess Xochiquetzal, Her Legend, Symbols and Powers – here

Goddess of the Month: Xochiquetzal (‘Quetzal Flower’) – here

Finding the “Fantastic”:

So many “X” names with several being female…fantastic!

Xochiquetzal followed her heart and knew she needed to leave paradise and come to earth. As a result, she got married and had a child that brought forth the gift of corn to people. She nurtured her dual-natured (female/male) baby just as she was dual-natured and her parents and grandparents before her.

Eventually, Xochiquetazal realized that her desires were different than her husband’s desires. They parted in such an amicable way, especially when Xochiquetazal transformed her husband into a deer (exactly what he wanted). When she had split from herself (as they were the same being), Xochiquetazal and Xochipilli gave another gift to the world of being a flower.

The pursuit of goodness and knowing who one was at the moment was inspiring and…well…fantastic!

Recommended Article:

While we focused on corn and flowers, the dove can also represent Xochiquetzal. Read this article entitled “Understanding Xochiquetzal: The Dove as Responsibility” written by Latino Heritage Internship Program.

Thoughts?

Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.

As for our past A to Z Challenges…

Go to A to Z Archive

Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Explore Summit & Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.