Supertitions
SupertitionsSUPERSTITIONS
INTRODUCTION
Superstition, a belief or practice generally regarded as irrational and as resulting from ignorance or from fear of the unknown. It implies a belief in unseen and unknown forces that can be influenced by objects and rituals. Magic, witchcraft, and occultism are often referred to as superstitions. In general, superstitious practices are most common in situations involving a high degree of uncertainty. The question of what is or is not superstitious, however, is relative. One person's religious beliefs can be another's superstitions
Well there are many superstitions around , WE have managed to find peoples views and ideas on some :
FRIDAY THE 13TH
The Bible is often considered a book of numbers. In the Bible the numbers 7, 12 and 40 appear throughout the Old and New Testaments. The number 12 is considered a lucky number. As a result, the number which follows 12 was thought to be evil.
Known scientifically as "Tridecaphobia," fear of the number 13 is probably the most common of all superstitions. Buildings avoid numbering the 13th floor. Airplanes avoid the 13th aisle. And most common of all, Friday the 13th is considered a bad luck day.
Psychologists believe that Friday the 13th will become a day of bad luck if people focus on the day because people will create their own bad luck by paying attention to the superstition
BLACK CATS
A black and white cat crossing your path means good luck.
A black cat crossing your path will cause you bad luck before your journey is over. If this occurs you can take 12 steps backwards to ward off the bad luck.
If a black cat walks toward you it brings good luck. If it walks away, bad luck.
A cat cleaning its face in front of the door is a sign of company.
A cat draws lightning.
A cat eating grass is a sign of bad luck.
In ancient Egypt the cat was considered sacred and to kill one was sacrilege. It is believed that the folklore surrounding the black cat began in the Middle Ages when it was associated with witches. It is likely that a black cat was the pet of some women accused of being a witch. Rumors began that the cat was able to change shape and help the witch cast spells. Since then, black cats have been associated with luck, both good and bad.
WALKING UNDER A LADDER
Bad luck coming to a person who walks under a ladder is a superstition that has a couple of possible origins. Some believe it originates with the early Christian belief that a leaning ladder formed a triangle with the wall and ground. People must never violate the Holy Trinity by walking through a triangle. Others believe that it dates back to Medieval Europe and the attacks upon castles. When invading a castle with its draw bridge up one of the means invading armies used was to place ladder on the walls and send troop up the ladders to fight their way into the castle. One of the defenses for this invasion was to pour boiling oil or tar down the sides of the castle wall to repel the invaders. Those unfortunate souls that had to hold the ladders in place often received a deadly bath. It quickly became apparent that one had to hold the ladder from the front and that it was extremely bad luck to hold it from under the ladder.
Today it is often still bad luck to walk under a ladder because of paint and other objects that might fall from above
FROGS AND TOADS
Frogs and toads have had superstitions associated with them since the Middle Ages. The most common is that touching a toad will eliminate warts. This most likely developed from the fact that a toad's skin is bumpy and wart-like. It was thought that their bumps came from the warts and bumps of those that rubbed against them. Others believe that touching a toad brings on warts to someone without them.
Frogs, like toads, were once thought to have peculiar properties, and were frequently used in healing charms, and in many witches brews.
KNOCKING ON A WOOD .
Knocking on wood is done to prevent bad luck. This comes from the ancient Celtics who worshipped the tree as the foremost worldly representation of the Divine. The power of a tree was used for support prior to battle and Druid priests performed all of their rituals and incantations within a sacred forest. The trees consumed all evil demons back into the ground.
The ancient Celtic people of Europe worshipped the tree as the foremost earthly representation of the gods. If bad fortune visited, or if a battle was about to be fought, the power of a tree was invariably brought into force. The Druid priest performed all of his rituals and incantations within the sacred arbors. The trees consumed all evil demons back into the ground.
Knocking on wood is noted for warding off punishment for bragging. People once thought that evil spirits would become jealous if good fortune was pointed out to them, and would relieve the bragger of that good fortune. Evil spirits were frightened away by
the noise of knocking on wood three times, and would not hear of the good fortune.
BROKEN MIRRORS
Breaking a mirror brings bad luck for seven years. This dates back to times when it was believed our reflection was a representation of our souls. By damaging the reflection is damaging the soul. If we manage to break a mirror, there are remedies that will reverse the fortune of the damaged soul. We can take the broken pieces and wash them in a south-running river, therefore washing away the bad luck. Or we can bury them in the earth to neutralize the potential evil. But at least take the broken mirror out of the house and do not gaze into it. In vampire legends a vampire cannot see his reflection in a mirror because they possess no soul. In addition, bedroom mirrors should be covered before one retires for the night so their soul will not get caught in the mirror. Finally, in the home of the recently deceased the mirrors should be covered so the soul will not be hindered on its way to heaven.
LUCKY RABBIT'S FOOT
Keeping a rabbit's foot near one is considered a method for bringing good luck. Like many superstitions, this one dates to the Middle Ages and witches. It was believed that a witch could transform herself into a hare (not a rabbit) to disguise her self when being pursued. While in the form of a hare they would suck the milk from nursing mothers. Carrying a hare's foot around warned the witches that they would meet a similar fate should they try such an act. Of course, a lucky rabbit's foot is not very lucky for the rabbit.
SALT OVER THE SHOULDER
Salt was considered one of the most precious flavorings and preservative of antiquity. It was so important in Rome that the word salary pertains to salt because the Roman Empire paid soldiers with salt. From this we get the saying "He isn't worth his salt."
It was the primary means for storing meat since refrigeration had not been invented. In addition, because spices were rare and expensive, salt was the primary seasoning for all foods. To spill salt meant bad luck. The only means for escaping its bad fortune was to throw a pinch over one's left shoulder and into the face of the Devil, who was dancing at our left just waiting for our sinful natures to give up our soul. The salt would blind the devil until good fortune returned
SNEEZ AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU
During Roman times it was believed that a sneeze might release one's soul to the world. It was a sign that you were having an internal struggle to hold onto your soul and offering you a blessing was a means of assistance. "God Bless you" was the manifestation of that assistance. By the time of the Black Death plague in 1348 AD sneezing became a sign of the infected. It meant the person was going to die so it became customary and law to bless the sneezer.
OPENING AN UMBRELLA INDOORS
Opening an umbrella indoors is considered bad luck by some people but there a number of caveats to this superstition. Some believe it is only bad luck when the umbrella is opened without it first being outdoors. Thus, bringing a wet umbrella in and leaving it open at the door is not part of the superstition.. Still others feel it is only bad luck when there is already a sick person in the house (the person will get worse). We have also heard that only black umbrellas pertain.
Whatever the case, the origin of this superstition is a mystery. It is believed that it began with a simple coincidence (someone died in a house where an umbrella was opened).
LUCKY HORSE'S SHOE
Horseshoes are a traditional sign of good luck. Most believe this comes from the fact that the horseshoe is shaped like the crescent moon, time of prosperity and good fortune. One legend says that the Devil called on St. Dunstan, who was skilled in shoeing horses. St. Dunstan recognized the Devil and fastened him to a wall. He then set to work with such roughness that the Devil roared for mercy. St Dunstan turned the Devil loose after making him promise never to enter a home on which a horseshoe was fixed. Witches fear horses, so they are also turned away by a door with a horseshoe mounted on it,
The big issue regarding horseshoes is whether they should be hung points up or points down. The original superstition was that the horseshoe is points up to keep the luck from pouring out. Despite this view most buildings with horseshoes in their sign hang them the opposite way. The Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas hangs it with the arc on top. (They may be hoping their customers luck runs out but this is usually not something you advertise in your sign).
Finger rings made of horseshoe nails are said to ward off bad luck. Rubbing two horseshoes together is said to bring good luck
FOUR LEAF CLOVER
When Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, Eve took a four-leafed clover to remind her of their happy life there. Finding a four-leafed clover is now an omen of good luck.
A poem by HIGGINSON, titled "Four-Leafed Clover" reads:
One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith,
And one is for love, you know,
And God put another in for luck.
The first to believe in the luck of the four-leafed clover were the Druids who were sure that possessing one would allow them to see evil spirits that they could then avoid.
OTHER SUPERSTITIONS
The first butterfly means the beginning of spring. If it is white, it brings health and happiness. If it is yellow, it predicts illness.
If you find a penny with the face up, pick it up. Face down, leave it on the ground.
Plant flowers during the new moon and they will bloom.
It is unlucky to look at the new moon over your left shoulder. Look at it over the right shoulder for luck.
A knife dropped on the floor indicates a male guest will arrive. A fork, a female guest.
Catch a falling leaf in your hand and you will avoid a cold the following season.
Placing a hat on the bed brings bad luck.
If an owl hoots near a sick person, death may be near.
Nose itches? You are about to kiss a fool.
Hand itches? You are about to come into some money. Some believe it must be your left hand.
Many wedding day rituals and superstitions date back to the Middle Ages and peasant fertility rites. Showering the bride and groom with rice wished them many children as rice was the traditional symbol for fertility. Pearls are typically a sign of sadness so a Bride is not supposed to wear them. On the other hand, wearing earrings will bring her happiness.
To place a piece of the bridal cake under a pillow brings dreams of a future spouse, for a young unmarried girl.
If it rains on your wedding day...your marriage will be showered with blessings.
The bridal party dates back to Roman days when ten witnesses were required to validate the union of the couple.
When a couple is walking down the street holding hands and an obstacle (like a lamp post) comes between them you say "bread and butter"...thereby keeping the union until the hands meet again on the other side of the lamp post.
You'll have luck if you keep a piece of oyster shell in your pocket or pocketbook. Keep a piece of raw fresh potato in your pocket to ward off rheumatism.
If you drop a pair of scissors, step on them gently before picking them up. This avoids disappointment. Hang you scissors on a hook or nail and they will bring you good luck.
If you put your shirt on inside out, it means a bad day ahead.
Sleep on unironed sheets for happy dreams and a lucky day.
If a spider makes a web in a doorway, you can expect a visitor. If you see one climbing up a thread you will have good news or good luck. It is also lucky to see a spider spinning a web in the morning.
Killing a spider at night is bad luck.