The origins of superstition

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Worst omen: A black cat smashes a mirror with an empty bucket. It's funny and absurd, but many of us, despite the obvious stupidity of some superstitions and will accept, continue to believe in them. It's one thing if it's harmless pins on your clothes or squats on the treadmill, and quite another if on Friday the 13th you take a day off at work and are afraid to make an extra body movement all day to avoid trouble.

The very word superstition consists of "sue" - vain, empty, and "faith": i.e. empty, in vain. Most of the signs that we believe in today take their origins in antiquity or the Middle Ages and are associated with specific historical events, customs, living conditions, etc.

Scattered salt - to swearing and quarrels

Today, table salt is quite inexpensive, but in Russia a universal seasoning was sold worth its weight in gold in the literal sense of the word. The symbol of prosperity that was actual in the old days and an indicator of the well-being of the family was put on the table only for the most dear guests.

To sprinkle salt was the height of extravagance, as well as a manifestation of disrespect for the hospitable home. If the ill-wisher wanted to greatly offend the owners, it was enough just to turn the salt shaker over. After such a daring trick, the quarrel was already inevitable.

Also, in order to save money and respect, the clumsy kitchen servants and slovenly children at the table were intimidated with a sign about spilled salt.

Break the mirror - unfortunately

One of the most common superstitions is a broken mirror, which bodes well for trouble. Some even say that a broken mirror promises seven years of unhappiness in the home.

According to one version, it was always believed that the mirror took away part of the energy of people who look into it every day. A person could not always be in a good mood, angry or offended, so when the mirror was broken, the negative energy accumulated over the years was released outward - and troubles began to happen in the family.

There is a more pragmatic justification for the fear of breaking the mirror. The first glass reflectors began to be made in Venice in the 15th century. The cost of such a chic interior decoration at that time was truly transcendental. Only the richest people could afford to buy a mirror.

However, since the first mirrors had just appeared, they left much to be desired in terms of quality characteristics - they broke easily. And the servants, not accustomed to the novelty, did not know how to handle them. The owners, trying to somehow preserve the integrity of the expensive purchase, intimidated domestic servants with misfortune.

Do not whistle - there will be no money

We owe the emergence of this superstition, first of all, to the sailors. When calm, windless weather set in on the voyage, all crew members, from the captain to the cabin boy, began to whistle loudly together, as if calling on the wind to fill the sails.

If you remember, this technique is often illustrated in cartoons. It was not allowed to whistle in the houses, so that the sudden blowing wind would not sweep away all the family's savings.

This sign also has one more - pagan - explanation. Our distant ancestors assumed that evil spirits were whistling.

It was believed that by whistling, a person comes into contact with her, attracts her to him. Sometimes the evil spirits responded and "walked" around the whistler, fixing minor dirty tricks and troubles, for example, arranging the loss of money.

Black cat crossing the road

This is undoubtedly one of the most famous signs found among many peoples. In Western culture, charcoal felines have always been symbols of bad omen. People believed in the existence of witches who, in order to disguise themselves, turned into black cats.

The person to whom this animal crossed the road immediately understood that a witch was walking very close to him, which means that you should expect failures and problems. By the way, along with dark cats, the big black raven was considered an unkind sign.

In ancient times, cats were considered almost sacred animals, but in the Middle Ages they became devilish. Until now, a black cat that crosses the road causes fears of imminent troubles.

The Middle Ages - the era of epidemics, which were carried by rats in huge numbers. And cats have always been close to rats, so a bad reputation did not pass them by either. They tried not to approach them for fear of infection. But black cats became invisible at night, which gave rise to the horror of those who accidentally bumped into them on the street.

This notoriety made black cats what witches were - they were also burned at the stake during the Inquisition. Before the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was crossed by a black cat, and, as you know, defeat was the downfall of the emperor.

In England, this animal is not considered a harbinger of suffering, but on the contrary - it brings happiness. In the countries of North Africa, a black cat is a symbol of good luck, and it is believed that a black dog brings misfortune.

Danger lurks under the stairs

The passage under the stairs, leaning against the wall, is considered unfavorable all over the world, so most people who know about this sign try to avoid it in every possible way.

Some believe that a staircase that stands on the ground and leans against the wall forms a triangle - an integral and inseparable symbol and even the personification of the Holy Trinity, and going into this triangle means upsetting balance, harmony.

Knock on wood

Many of us perform this simple ritual several times a day, simply automatically. Thus, we are trying to prevent some kind of trouble or get away from the evil eye. The ancients acted in a similar way. Our ancestors believed that spirits live in the trees, which at any moment can be called for help with a knock.

Along with the pagan explanation of superstition, there is also a religious one. In the old days, Christians believed that by touching a wooden surface, they were calling out to Jesus, who, according to the Bible, was crucified on a wooden cross.

It is believed that by knocking on wood, a person protects himself from harm, so in some countries people even carry a small piece of wood with them in their purses to feel safe.

Four leaf clover

This is another universal omen of happiness for most peoples. In general, a clover with four leaves is considered an anomaly, and it occurs only one in 10,000 flowers. It turns out that you need to be a real lucky person to find him.

The fact is that each leaf of the clover is assigned a certain value. Hope, honor, love are a standard set for a three-leafed one, and the fourth leaf is endowed with a sign of happiness. Hence the omen.

However, there is even a clover with five and six leaves, but since such miracles are incredibly rare, they will definitely bring happiness, as the people say.

Horseshoe for luck

This sign dates back to the Middle Ages, when they began to hang horseshoes over the door to ward off trouble. Shoeing a horse was considered an expensive pleasure: “shoes” for an ungulate cost a lot of money. Therefore, people believed that finding a horseshoe was a great success.

Iron among the Celts was considered a fertile material capable of warding off misfortunes. The horseshoe found was considered a particularly good sign and a symbol of happiness for the one who found it. The lucky man knew that he was marked by fortune, he certainly hung a horseshoe in his home in a prominent place, so that it, like a magnet, attracted all good.

There is another explanation for this superstition. According to legend, Saint Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, who at first was a simple blacksmith, once nailed the devil to the wall, who came to him to shoe his hooves. He let him go only after the evil one promised never to touch the houses with a horseshoe hanging over the door.

But in order for the horseshoe to bring happiness, it must hang with its ends down, otherwise it may fall - which means that happiness will also "fall".

The rule of three cigarettes

There is a superstition that one should not be allowed to light three cigarettes at once, from one match or lighter. It is common in European countries, including Russia, and has gone on since the First World War.

It was noticed that at night German soldiers watched the enemy army, guided by the lights of matches and cigarettes of soldiers on night watch. They first noticed the first light of the cigarette, when the second was lit, they aimed, and the third soldier lighting the cigarette became the target.

Friday the 13th

A real historical event served as the basis for this most popular omen. On Friday, April 13, 1307, a large number of members of the Knights Templar, the richest organization in medieval Europe, were caught and arrested. After a short stay behind bars, all the prisoners were burned at the stake of the Inquisition.

In ancient Rome, Friday was the day of execution, Jesus was also crucified on Friday.

Today, the fear of Friday the 13th is global. There is even the concept of "paraskevidecatriaphobia" - an obsessive fear of an unhappy calendar combination. Americans have calculated that people suffering from this ailment every Friday the 13th damage the national economy of about $ 800-900 million, fearing trouble and not coming to work that day.

But Dutch scientists have conducted research on the events that take place on Friday the 13th over the past 20 years - and have come to the conclusion that these days are even safer than all the rest of the year: non-superstitious people behave unchanged, and paraskevidecatriaphobes act with a special caution.

This superstition does not apply to all cultures: in Spain and Latin America, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky.

Why can't you transfer things across the threshold?

Surely everyone knows the sign that you cannot greet or transfer any things across the threshold. But what is such a strange belief based on?

It turns out that in ancient times, the ashes of the ancestors who had gone to another world were buried under the threshold, therefore, by performing some actions on the threshold, the residents could disturb the peace of the deceased, which, of course, did not bode well.

In addition, the threshold of the house is a kind of border separating the two worlds and symbolizing the separation of the world of the living from the world of the dead.

A woman with an empty bucket …

From ancient times it was believed that if in the morning, leaving the house, you met a woman - then this is bad luck, and if a man - good luck. It came from the Hindus, who were sure that a woman absorbs energy, and a man always gives it back.

A sign from India has come down to us in a slightly modified form: if you meet a woman with empty buckets, it promises trouble. By the way, this omen has a continuation: a man with a bucket - luck!

Seeing a woman with empty buckets, you should go around her in an arc. You can also cross yourself and spit three times over your left shoulder. From women with empty buckets, two crossed fingers in a pocket (but not a fig) helps.

And one more interpretation - this superstition arose from the peasant life, in those days when drinking water was obtained not from the tap, and not from the nearest store, but exclusively from the well. In the morning, the hostesses were reaching out to the outskirts with buckets for water. Not only to collect water, but also to gossip about the news. And if suddenly a hostess comes to meet you from the well with empty buckets, then things are bad, the well has dried up.

How to live without water? Neither get drunk nor cook food. So until now, subconsciously, we are waiting - is there anything in the buckets?

Returning half way threatens setbacks?

This sign is based on the belief that the threshold of the house is a kind of border between the worlds. If a person left home, but did not achieve his goal, but returned half way, then his spiritual strength weakens, and unpleasant surprises may await him on the threshold in the form of offended ancestral spirits who were disturbed in vain or even in the form of negative entities that seek penetrate our world.

To neutralize the negative impact, the belief recommends that you look in the mirror before leaving the house again, in this case the spiritual force reflected by the glass will double, and the person will not be in any danger.

Giving a watch is a bad omen

This superstition came to Europe from China, where the presented watch acts as something harmful to the invitation to the funeral. Our belief has undergone some changes, since it is believed that the donated watch counts the period of friendship with the gifted. Although in some places they continue to believe that the presented watch measures the time that is left to live.

It is not difficult to neutralize the effect of this omen, it is enough to give any small coin in return for the presented watch. So it will be considered that the watch is not donated, but bought and the gift will not have any negative impact.

Why is the 40th anniversary not celebrated?

The custom not to celebrate the 40th anniversary, especially for men, is associated not only with the mystical fortieth day after death, which is fatal in all religions. But even with the practice adopted in Kievan Rus, to carry out "tests" for the incorruptibility of relics. It was forty days that were allowed to be made to make sure that the relics remained incorrupt.

For these two reasons, celebrating a fortieth birthday is considered disrespectful to death. Many people believe that ignoring omens can bring various failures, illnesses and even premature departure to another world on the hero of the day.

Sit on the track

This superstition was born at a time when people believed that the world was inhabited by a variety of spirits. So, the spirits of the house are not very happy when one of the household members goes on the road, they can cling to the departing person, interfere with him on the way and try to bring him back.

It is clear that in such a company, the journey will not work out. Therefore, a counteraction was invented, when all those present sit down on the path. Home spirits, seeing that people are sitting quietly and not going anywhere, lose their vigilance and are distracted, at this time the traveler will be able to hit the road without unnecessary "baggage" in the form of abutting entities.

By the way, home spirits can be offended for such a deception, therefore it is considered extremely undesirable to return home half the way.

It must be said that this sign also has a purely practical meaning, because it is useful for everyone to sit down and collect their thoughts before a long journey so as not to miss something important in a hurry.

Don't eat off the knife

It is believed that if you eat with a knife, you will become cruel and evil. Where did this belief come from? The fact is that a knife is one of the first human tools with which he could get his own food and protect his life. Therefore, this object was not just a tool, but also a thing with a sacred meaning.

Such an important item was endowed with special magical properties and was used not only for practical purposes, but also in various rituals. It was considered sacrilege to use a knife for such a mundane act as food, since the spirits could be angry at such blatant disrespect.

In addition, the requirement not to eat from the knife has the most rational explanation, because acting in this way, you can cut your lips.

Why can't you pick up anything at the intersection?

The intersection has always been considered a mystical place where parallel worlds intersect - ours and the invisible. At the crossroads, a huge number of rituals are held, which are not always aimed at good and justice. Many people, passing through an intersection, say that they feel an incomprehensible uneasiness there. It is likely that the power of self-hypnosis comes into play, or maybe not …

For example, there are rituals that allow you to "translate" life's troubles or illnesses into some objects, then these things are supposed to be thrown at the crossroads, where they can be taken by evil spirits. Therefore, it is forbidden to pick up any objects at the intersection, because this way you can pick up other people's failures or ailments. Moreover, the more valuable thing is found at the crossroads, the more serious trouble can be incurred by the one who picks it up.

You will be an orphan in one shoe

The sign says that the one who allows himself to walk in only one shoe (slippers, boots, shoe) will be orphaned early. After all, even in the Holy Book it is said that "each creature should have a pair."

Paired things, including shoes, are a symbol of unity, therefore, by separating them, a person separates those who gave birth to him, that is, his own parents. It’s also good if the family simply falls apart, that is, the parents divorce, and everyone begins to build their own life. But if love reigns in a couple, then only death can separate them.

Don't take out the trash in the dark …

This sign has many interpretations. For example, it is believed that hard-hitting gossip will circulate about those who take out the trash late at night. This belief has a completely rational explanation, because it is unlikely that someone who has nothing to hide will take out the trash exclusively under the cover of night. So, by regularly staying up late to take out the waste, a person provides food for discussion among curious neighbors.

Another interpretation is that when taking out the trash at night, a person takes out his luck and well-being with it. This belief was born, probably because of the belief in household spirits.

The good night spirits of the house should enter the house at sunset. But they will only come to the place where they were expected and prepared, that is, they cleaned the rooms and took out the waste. If the owners gape and did not prepare the house on time, then after sunset it is useless to put things in order, since the good spirits went to stay with the more accurate homeowners.

Baker's dozen

Numbers are one of the main sources of excitement on various occasions. Either the number is lucky, or it bodes well. The latter is, according to widespread opinion, the number 13. This number is recognized as unhappy in most countries and religions. In some countries, for example, in the USA, hotels do not have number 13, and even on airplanes there is no place with this number.

Since ancient times, the number 12 was considered the most harmonious, literally a sign of perfection. You just need to remember the number of the gods of Olympus, the apostles of Christ, the signs of the zodiac, the months of the year. There are only a dozen everywhere. Thus, 13 is seen as something that violates this perfection, introducing confusion and discord.

But this superstition does not apply to all countries. For example, in Italy, the number 17 is considered unlucky, while in Japan it is 4, and even the word "death" is the same in pronunciation.