Foxes in Folklore (The Origin of the Trickster Fox)–Part 1

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Hello, it’s been a while! Today we’d like to discuss the role that foxes have played in mythology and folklore around the world. From El Zorro to Disney’s Zootopia, have you noticed how much foxes resemble each other? When and how did they become the animal most associated with treachery and greed? What other archetypes exist for our favorite cat-like canid? We would like to find out!

First part will only focus on the American continent, where we take a look at old fairy tales, Native American stories, and archeological evidence.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Uncle_Remus_characters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gingerbread_Man

http://www.native-languages.org/foxwoman.htm

The Wolf, the Fox, the Bobcat, and the Cougar http://testforbloggerandgadgets.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-wolf-fox-bobcat-and-cougar.html

The Story of Iyash
https://miigi.tripod.com/iyash.htm

www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore26.html

Apache Fox Stories
https://www.indigenouspeople.net/apachfox.htm

How the Fox Stole Fire
https://the-office.com/bedtime-story/apache-fire.htm

Fox Plays a Trick (Menominee Story)
https://www.mpm.edu/content/wirp/ICW-138

Achomawi Legend
https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Achomawi_Myth-Achomawi.html

Article referencing the Tzotzil Dictionary: https://mayadecipherment.com/2021/01/08/maya-creatures-vi-a-fox-cannot-hide-its-tail/

The Great Tzotzil Dictionary of San Lorenzo Zinacantan
Robert M. Laughlin

Huarochiri Manuscript
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huarochir%C3%AD_Manuscript

http://www.native-languages.org/aymarastory.htm

Fox Warrior Bottle
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/314679

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/46293

https://iberoamericasocial.com/las-culturas-precolombinas-i-la-cultura-moche-i/

The Worlds of the Moche on the North Coast of Peru
By Elizabeth P. Benson

Buena Vista’s Temple of the Fox
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buena_Vista,_Peru#cite_note-Lovett-2

Music used:
Truth in the Stones (by Kevin McLeod–incompetech.com)
Wholesome (by Kevin McLeod–incompetech.com)
Ancient Rite (by Kevin McLeod–incompetech.com)
Deep Relaxation (by Kevin McLeod-incompetech.com)

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9 thoughts on “Foxes in Folklore (The Origin of the Trickster Fox)–Part 1”

  1. Hello! We hope you enjoyed this first part in a two part series about everyone's favorite trickster animal. I would like to clarify a few things before moving on:

    1) The act of stealing may not necessarily make the Andean Fox a trickster. We'll remove it from the category if that is the consensus.
    2) This video is more for entertainment purposes than educational.
    3) We have a great love and respect for other indigenous cultures and meant no offense when making this video.

    Reply

  9. I really am questioning why foxes are “ENTP, mischievous tricksters, intellegent”. Hell, even the fox miraculous grants the power of illusion in miraculous ladybug. i don’t know how they earned it. But it’s why they are my spirit animals.

    Reply

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