I don't consider myself to be superstitious. Although when I was a little girl I definitely would not step on a crack lest I break my mother's back. There are many people who do pay attention to superstitions and I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the origins.
Walking Under a Ladder Brings Bad Luck
Since the ladder takes the form of a triangle, it’s said to have religious origins because it signified the Holy Trinity. Walking under a ladder was considered blasphemy and, as a result, brought you bad luck. However, if you believe this parable, there’s good news: It’s also said that walking backwards under that same ladder will undo the damage. Not to mention, it’s a lot safer to avoid walking under a ladder too. -
Breaking a Mirror Brings 7 Years of Bad Luck
This superstition has its roots in days of yore when certain cultures believed that your reflection was a representation of your soul. As a result, breaking a mirror meant that you were causing damage to or corrupting your soul. The reason you have bad luck for seven years is often credited to the Roman belief that life renewed itself every seven years.
Carrying a Rabbit’s Foot Brings Good Luck
Carrying a rabbit’s foot is said to bring you good luck, which is kind of ironic, as it didn’t work out so well for the rabbit who was the original owner of that foot. This superstition is said to have originated around 500 BC and is tied to how the presence of rabbits on your farm or in your garden would help make the land fertile and more productive. Present-day believers can be identified because they often hang a rabbit’s foot from the rear view mirror of their car.
Crossing Your Fingers Brings Good Luck
This is one we’ve all done whether we believe it works or not. It’s intended to bring you good luck. It was originally used by Christians to identify other Christians and to signify the sign of the cross in an attempt to ward off evil spirits and bad luck in general. We still do this today and, in cases where we really want to improve our odds, we often cross our legs and eyes too. -
Crossing the Path of a Black Cat Brings Bad Luck
This folklore goes back to the Middle Ages when it was believed that witches could turn themselves into black cats. Since black cats signified evil and sorcery, crossing ones path was a bad omen of things to come.
source:
Dr. John H. Sklare - http://www.lifescript.com
So - are there any superstitions that you are wary of?
Have a great day.
Meanwhile .... keep it simple and make it real.
Jeanne
Walking Under a Ladder Brings Bad Luck
Since the ladder takes the form of a triangle, it’s said to have religious origins because it signified the Holy Trinity. Walking under a ladder was considered blasphemy and, as a result, brought you bad luck. However, if you believe this parable, there’s good news: It’s also said that walking backwards under that same ladder will undo the damage. Not to mention, it’s a lot safer to avoid walking under a ladder too. -
Breaking a Mirror Brings 7 Years of Bad Luck
This superstition has its roots in days of yore when certain cultures believed that your reflection was a representation of your soul. As a result, breaking a mirror meant that you were causing damage to or corrupting your soul. The reason you have bad luck for seven years is often credited to the Roman belief that life renewed itself every seven years.
Carrying a Rabbit’s Foot Brings Good Luck
Carrying a rabbit’s foot is said to bring you good luck, which is kind of ironic, as it didn’t work out so well for the rabbit who was the original owner of that foot. This superstition is said to have originated around 500 BC and is tied to how the presence of rabbits on your farm or in your garden would help make the land fertile and more productive. Present-day believers can be identified because they often hang a rabbit’s foot from the rear view mirror of their car.
Crossing Your Fingers Brings Good Luck
This is one we’ve all done whether we believe it works or not. It’s intended to bring you good luck. It was originally used by Christians to identify other Christians and to signify the sign of the cross in an attempt to ward off evil spirits and bad luck in general. We still do this today and, in cases where we really want to improve our odds, we often cross our legs and eyes too. -
Crossing the Path of a Black Cat Brings Bad Luck
This folklore goes back to the Middle Ages when it was believed that witches could turn themselves into black cats. Since black cats signified evil and sorcery, crossing ones path was a bad omen of things to come.
source:
Dr. John H. Sklare - http://www.lifescript.com
So - are there any superstitions that you are wary of?
Have a great day.
Meanwhile .... keep it simple and make it real.
Jeanne
This 'cat' superstition was one I grew up with in the UK. If a black cat crosses in front of you it will bring you good luck. I wonder what its origins are.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
I'll see if I can find some info on that.
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