To some extent, foxes have played a role in the mythologies and folklore of every society that has known them. Most of the stories involve some aspect of the fox's beauty, intelligence, cunning, and individuality. Because of their competition with humans, and their nocturnal nature which could be associated with evil or death, myths about these animals frequently cast the fox in an unappealing light.

In the Scandinavian countries, foxes were believed to cause the northern lights. These aurora were called "revontulet" in Finland, meaning fox fires. Foxes sometimes replaced cats as witch's familiars in medieval European folklore, and were occasionally persecuted in the resulting hysteria. The Japanese revered foxes as the divine messengers of Uka no Mitama, the Shinto rice goddess, although tales were also told of evil Japanese foxes that could possess people. Many cultures have stories about shape-shifting werefoxes. In China and other Asian countries, werefoxes were demons that prolonged their lives by seducing humans and feeding off their souls. A variation of this theme is a myth common among the Siberian Koriak people, the Inuit, and various tribes of native North Americans.

Some of the best known classic fox literature was written over 2,500 years ago by Aesop. His fables told stories about various intelligent animals, and were used to convey a moral point to the reader. Because of their craftiness, beauty, and solitary nature, foxes figured prominently in these fables whenever deceit, pride, or individuality was necessary to the story.

In the past, the fox was often seen in an unfavourable manner. People were just as likely to shoot at one as look at it. This attitude has shown much positive change in recent years.
Unknown "Kitsune" Frisky - 16 years, 10 months, 15 days ago

Foxes are strongly associated with yin, the cold, dark, feminine principle. One text states that because they are nocturnal, they are rarely touched by the sun's aging rays, and this is why they are so long-lived; another says that because foxes are inherently yin, they are also inherently feminine.

In China, foxes can transform themselves into any kind of human being, provided they have the spiritual cultivation or power to take on a particular form. They may also be able to take on the form of images of Kuan Yin. They never change into other objects or animals, though. This is because Chinese foxes' transformations are part of their attempts to gain enlightenment or immortality, and humans hold the key to both.

Foxes' power derives from their ch'i or qi, the "lifeforce" that pervades all things. Like Taoist masters, foxes who have cultivated their ch'i contain uncommon amounts of ch'i in their bodies and can also affect the ch'i of the world around them. There's no one source of power, unless you consider the soul a source. In other stories, all of which are Japanese, foxes store their power in the white balls they play with. These "wish-fulfilling jewels" contain their powers in the same way as a dragon's pearl, and capturing a kitsune's ball puts it in your power.
Unknown "Kitsune" Frisky - 16 years, 10 months, 15 days ago

Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foremost among these is the ability to assume human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others — as foxes in folklore often do — others portray them as faithful guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.

Foxes and human beings lived in close proximity in ancient Japan; this companionship gave rise to legends about the creatures. Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit, and serve as his messengers. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. The more tails a kitsune has — they may have as many as nine — the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make offerings to them as to a deity.

.......thanx Homero! ;)
Unknown "Kitsune" Frisky - 16 years, 10 months, 16 days ago

Interesting Fox Facts...

Foxes are primarily nocturnal animals.
The fox is the smallest member of the dog family.
A group of foxes is called a “skulk.”
The scientific name of the red fox is Vulpes vulpes.
The fox is a solitary animal and usually hunts alone, rather than in packs like wolves or dogs.
A baby fox is referred to as a “kit.”
Most foxes live 2 to 3 years, but they can survive for up to 10 years or even longer in captivity.
Foxes are normally extremely wary of humans and are not kept as pets; however, the silver fox was successfully domesticated in Russia.

Common noises:
"Wow-wow-wow" 
The best-known vulpine noise is a sort of barking that spans three to five syllables. "Conversations" made up of these noises often occur between widely spaced foxes. As their distance decreases, the sound becomes quieter. A cub is greeted with the quietest version of this sound.

The "vixen's" wail 
This is a long, drawn-out, monosyllabic, and rather eerie wail most commonly made during the breeding season; it is widely thought that it is made by a vixen in heat summoning dog-foxes. Contrary to common belief, however, it is also made by the males, evidently serving some other purpose as well.
Unknown "Kitsune" Frisky - 16 years, 10 months, 19 days ago

From "The Little Prince" written by Antoine de Saint Exupéry:

And he went back to meet the fox.
"Goodbye," he said.
"Goodbye," said the fox. "And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
"What is essential is invisible to the eye," the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember.
"It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important."
"It is the time I have wasted for my rose" said the little prince, so that he would be sure to remember.
"Men have forgotten this truth," said the fox. "But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."
Unknown "Kitsune" Frisky - 16 years, 10 months, 19 days ago