Crossing Over Into the New Year: Bridges in Folktales, Myths, and Legends

The Ponte Salario (The Old Bridge)
by
Hubert Robert, 1775

Soon the New Year will be here, a time to reflect on the past, rejoice in the future, and remember those who helped us along the way. I hope 2020 will find us all smiling more, laughing longer, and building bridges that will bring us all closer together. 

Wishing you the warmth of friends and family as we ring in a brand new decade full of positive possibilities!

STORIES

The Bloody Bridge – United States

http://www.ghostsofohio.org/lore/ohio_lore_7.html

The Bridge of the Gods – Native American

http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/The_Bridge_Of_The_Gods-Unknown.html

The Devil’s Bridge – Twelve versions from around the world.
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1191.html

Haunted Covered Bridges and Their Legends

http://decktheholidays.blogspot.com/2010/10/haunted-covered-bridges-and-their.html

The Legend of the Magpie Bridge – China
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/valmagpie.html

My Lord Bag of Rice - Japan

https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/72/japanese-fairy-tales/4846/my-lord-bag-of-rice/

The Old Bridge – United States

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2011/09/the_old_bridge.html

Old Joe and the Carpenter – United States
https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/texts/old-joe-and-the-carpenter-an-appalachian-tale-of-building-bridges

Orosu – Japan
http://spiritoftrees.org/orosu

The Pedlar of Swaffham - England

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/meft/meft21.htm

The Rainbow Bridge - Greece

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/38412/38412-h/38412-h.htm#THE_RAINBOW_BRIDGE

Sach’s Bridge – United States
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2008/08/sachs_bridge.html

Three Billy Goats Gruff – Various versions from around the world.
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html

BOOKS

15 Adorable Children’s Books for Your Little Architects

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/childrens-books-for-architects

Children’s Books About Bridges
https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/102896735/619692717

CRAFTS

Building Bridges Engineering Activity - PreK

https://www.pre-kpages.com/building-bridges-engineering-activity/

Suspension Bridge

https://www.crayola.com/crafts/suspension-bridge-craft/

CURRICULUM

The Three Billy Goats Gruff Steam Bridge Building Activity

https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/the-three-billy-goats-gruff-steam-bridge-building-activity-for-kids/

SOMETHING EXTRA

Terri Windling – Troll Maidens and the Magic of Bridges

https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2016/04/troll-maidens-and-the-magic-of-bridges.html

“So the bridge was mended and my story's ended.”

From Lady Featherflight in TheOak-Tree Fairy Book

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Karen Chace 2019 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.