Romanian Bird and Beast Christian Stories, Legends, and Charms

A treasure of folklore and faith, Romanian Bird and Beast Christian Stories, Legends, and Charms by Moses Gaster, Ph.D. gathers an extraordinary collection of folk tales, devotional legends, and magical traditions from the spiritual heart of Romania. First published in the late nineteenth century by one of Europe’s foremost folklorists and scholars, this work preserves the oral heritage and Christian symbolism woven into the daily life of rural Romania.

Through stories where birds speak, beasts pray, and saints walk among shepherds, Gaster reveals a world in which Christian belief, ancient myth, and natural wonder coexist in harmony. His careful translations and commentary illuminate the moral and mystical imagination of the Romanian people, where every creature bears a message and every charm a trace of divine presence.

Blending ethnography, theology, and poetic insight, this collection remains a cornerstone of Eastern European folklore studies, offering modern readers a rare glimpse into the union of nature, faith, and storytelling that defines Romania’s spiritual landscape.

Complete edition of M. Gaster’s 19th-century collection of Romanian Christian folklore

Includes legends, charms, and moral tales centered on nature and faith

Combines ethnographic study with literary and theological analysis

Essential for readers of folklore, Romanian culture, and Christian mythology