Thanksgiving Folklore: Pilgrim Legends, Cornucopia, and Harvest Stories

BY NICOLE LAU

The folklore of Thanksgiving weaves together Pilgrim legends, Native American harvest traditions, and symbols of abundance into a rich tapestry of stories about gratitude, survival, and community. These tales are not just history but living narratives that shape how we understand and celebrate this harvest festival.

The Pilgrim Feast Legend

The story of the 1621 feast has become American folklore, though the reality was more complex. The Pilgrims had survived a brutal first winter where half their number died. The Wampanoag people, led by Chief Massasoit, taught them to plant corn, fish, and survive. The harvest feast celebrated survival and cooperation. It lasted three days with about 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag. This wasn't called Thanksgiving but was a traditional harvest celebration. The legend emphasizes cooperation and gratitude, though it simplifies complex colonial history.

Squanto: The Legend and the Man

Tisquantum (Squanto) is central to Thanksgiving folklore. He was a Patuxet man who had been kidnapped and taken to Europe. He learned English and eventually returned to find his entire tribe wiped out by disease. He helped the Pilgrims survive, teaching them crucial skills. Folklore portrays him as a providential helper sent by God. The reality is more complex - he was a survivor navigating impossible circumstances. His story represents both Indigenous generosity and the tragedy of colonization.

The Cornucopia: Horn of Plenty

The cornucopia is Thanksgiving's most iconic symbol, though it has ancient origins. In Greek mythology, it was the horn of Amalthea, the goat who nursed baby Zeus. When Zeus accidentally broke off her horn, he blessed it to overflow with food and drink. In Roman tradition, it represented the horn of the river god Achelous. The cornucopia symbolizes endless abundance and prosperity. It became associated with Thanksgiving as a harvest abundance symbol. Overflowing with fruits, vegetables, and grains, it represents gratitude for plenty.

The Turkey Legend

Turkey has become synonymous with Thanksgiving, spawning its own folklore. Benjamin Franklin allegedly preferred the turkey as national bird over the eagle. Wild turkeys were abundant in colonial America and featured in harvest feasts. The tradition of pardoning a turkey began in the 1940s-1960s. Turkey folklore includes wishes made on the wishbone. The bird represents abundance and the American harvest.

Native American Harvest Traditions

Indigenous peoples had rich harvest traditions long before European contact. The Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash) were sacred gifts. Green Corn Ceremonies celebrated the first harvest. Harvest festivals included feasting, dancing, and thanksgiving to the Creator. These traditions emphasized reciprocity with the earth. Many tribes observed multiple harvest celebrations throughout the year. Thanksgiving folklore often appropriates these traditions without acknowledgment.

The Mayflower Compact Folklore

The Mayflower Compact has entered Thanksgiving folklore as a founding document. Signed aboard the Mayflower before landing, it established self-governance. Folklore portrays it as a democratic covenant. It's seen as foundational to American democracy. The reality was more about maintaining order among diverse passengers. It represents the Pilgrims' commitment to community and cooperation.

Harvest Moon Folklore

The Harvest Moon (full moon nearest autumn equinox) has its own folklore. It provided extra light for farmers to harvest by. Folklore says it brings abundance and good fortune. It's associated with gratitude and completion. The Harvest Moon often occurs near Thanksgiving, linking lunar and harvest cycles. It represents the culmination of the growing season.

Thanksgiving Weather Folklore

Folk wisdom about Thanksgiving weather predicts winter severity. 'If Thanksgiving is warm, winter will be cold.' 'Snow on Thanksgiving means a mild winter.' 'A full moon on Thanksgiving brings early spring.' These sayings connect Thanksgiving to seasonal cycles and agricultural wisdom.

The Gratitude Practice Tradition

Going around the table sharing what you're thankful for has become folklore. This practice emphasizes Thanksgiving's spiritual dimension. It creates sacred space within the meal. Sharing gratitude bonds the community. This tradition may be more recent than the holiday itself but has become essential to many celebrations.

Leftovers Folklore

Thanksgiving leftovers have generated their own folklore and traditions. The turkey sandwich the next day is ritualistic. 'Turkey makes you sleepy' (the tryptophan myth). Creative leftover recipes become family traditions. Leftovers represent continued abundance. They extend the feast and the gratitude beyond one day.

Regional Thanksgiving Folklore

Different regions have developed unique Thanksgiving traditions. New England emphasizes Pilgrim heritage. The South adds regional dishes and traditions. The West Coast incorporates diverse cultural influences. Each region's folklore reflects its history and demographics.

Modern Thanksgiving Folklore

Contemporary folklore continues to evolve. The Macy's Parade has generated its own legends and traditions. Football on Thanksgiving has become ritualistic. Black Friday folklore (camping out, door-busters). Friendsgiving as chosen family celebration. These modern additions show folklore is living and evolving.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving folklore is a complex weave of historical events, cultural symbols, and evolving traditions. While we celebrate the stories of cooperation and gratitude, we must also acknowledge the fuller, more complex history they represent.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, remember: you participate in living folklore. The stories you tell, the traditions you keep, and the gratitude you express become part of this ongoing narrative of harvest, abundance, and thankfulness.