Myth, magic and mushrooms: Folklore of glowing fungi
For centuries, glowing fungi have sparked the imagination: from mystical beings lighting their way through the woods to now modern science uncovering the secrets behind the magic.
Imagine walking through a dense forest at dusk. Leaves crunch under your feet, birds flutter in looming branches, and just ahead, a soft green light flickers from the base of a tree. Before science had answers, these mysterious glows were woven into stories of fairies, spirits, and enchantment.
Foxfire
Japan is home to around 25 species of bioluminescent fungi, and their soft glow has long added weight to supernatural tales of floating lights in the forest. While many of these stories also draw on the will-o’-the-wisp phenomenon caused by marsh gases, the presence of glowing mushrooms in the woodlands helps reinforce the mystery and magic behind these legends.
There are a few different variants of the story, but it generally is accounted that on New Year’s Eve, foxes gather near an ancient Japanese hackberry (enoki) tree. Kitsune (supernatural foxes) from all over the forests in the Kanto region visit the tree, carrying foxfire, cool orbs of greenish or amber flames, to light their way before paying homage to the Ōji Inari shrine nearby. On their way to the tree, the foxes may leave a trail of fire throughout the woods.
New Year's Eve foxfires at the changing Tree
It is said that farmers count the number of these foxfires in the woods to predict the future of the rice harvest – the more fires the better. Under the tree, the foxes transform into humans and prepare for a procession to the shrine.
Each year, this story is celebrated with the Ōji Fox Parade. Participants dress in fox masks and traditional Japanese clothing, carrying lanterns that represent the foxfire flames.
Other tales describe foxes dancing around the tree to celebrate a fox marriage. Some say you can still spot foxfire glowing days later - along forest paths and at the bases of trees where the foxes once danced.
Fairy Fire
In many parts of Europe, the glow is often linked to stories of travellers losing their way in the woods. Then, under the shadow of night, the faint light of these fungi guiding them back home.
Alternatives stories suggest that this ‘cold fire’ is what witches and fairies use to guide their own way, and to pick them could bring you bad luck or even a curse. Finland has many legends surrounding troll-like creatures. In Finnish folklore troll gold (peikonkulta), glows green in caves and in deep forests.
Decaying oak wood bioluminescence
In reality, these glowing phenomena result from mycelium
Whether seen as a lantern to guide your way or forest warnings, glowing plants and fungi have always stirred the imagination. Even now, with science to explain the glow, the magic remains.