Folklore Sunday – August 24, 2025 | Paul Bunyon

Take a drive through Minnesota and you might stumble upon a statue of a giant lumberjack and his inexplicably blue ox. While not exclusive to Minnesota, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox are celebrated as residents of the north woods. 

Despite tales of his ability to cut down entire forests with one swing of his axe, Paul Bunyan was not a real person. He was a larger-than-life folk hero popularized in oral traditions in both U.S. American and Canadian logging camps. Through time and advertising, Paul Bunyan and Babe have become national symbols of U.S. American power.  If you grew up in the U.S., you might have learned tales of Paul Bunyan, Babe, and other folk heroes like Pecos Bill (who is said to have ridden a tornado) or Slue-foot Sue (known for her adventurous spirit and eventual marriage to Pecos Bill). These folk heroes are stories passed down and remixed to remind us of core values of the U.S. American spirit--ingenuity, adventure, and dominance, especially over uncontrollable nature. 

Who are some other folk heroes whose stories conjure part of the U.S. American story?

We shared this image as part of #FolkloreSunday on Bluesky, where folklore enthusiasts post traditions, rituals, and/or superstitions weekly. Join us there for the ongoing conversation--or explore more with our podcast, Lexicons Unbound, where folklore meets your algorithm.

→ Listen to Lexicons Unbound

Photo Credit daytripper29.com