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Tuesday, April 1, 2008

INTERESTING SUPERSTITIONS

INTERESTING SUPERSTITIONS

It's bad luck to walk under a ladder -A leaning ladder forms a triangle with the wall and ground. Triangles represent the Holy Trinity, and violating the Trinity by breaking it (walking through it) would put you in league with the devil himself. Considering what Christians did to those who were considered to be in league with the
devil, it's hardly surprising that leaning ladders were avoided at all cost.

God Bless You -The blessing of those who sneeze started when the great plague took hold of Europe. Sufferers began sneezing violently, and as such, were bound to die. The Pope therefore passed a law requiring people to bless the sneezer. At the same time, it was expected that anybody sneezing would cover their mouth with a cloth
or their hand. This was obviously to stop the spreading of the disease, but many believed that it was to keep the soul intact. Sneezing 'into the air' would allow the soul to escape and death would be imminent. Up until this time, the opposite was true. Those who sneezed were congratulated as it was believed that a violent
sneeze would expel evil from their bodies.

Spilling Salt -Salt was, during the middle ages, a very expensive commodity used mainly for medicinal purposes. For this reason, spillage was to be avoided at all costs. The idea that its unlucky to do so probably stems from the belief that Judas spilt salt during the last supper. Throwing spilt salt over the left shoulder is linked to its medicinal use. If it could not be administered, the next best
thing was to throw it into the eye of the evil spirits that brought sickness upon us. These spirits were thought to lurk behind your shoulder, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Knock on Wood -This goes back to the days before Christianity made it's entrance. It was believed that good spirits lived in trees, and that by knocking on anything made from wood, we could call upon these spirits for protection against misfortune

APPLE -You have to eat at least 1 apple every day to guard against ill-health,an apple a day, keeps the doctor away! "

BEE -If a bee flies into your home then you will get a visitor, but if you kill the bee then the visitor will turn nasty!

BRIDGE -If you want to see a friend again, don't ever say goodbye to them on a bridge!

CAT -If a black cat walks towards you then it brings very good luck to you - but if it walks away from you, then it takes it's good luck with it!

CROWS -To see a single crow is very unlucky! But 2 mean good luck! 3 mean health, 4 means wealth, 5 is sickness, 6 mean death!

EARS -If your ear is burning, then someone is talking about you! To determine whether what they are saying is good or bad, remember this rhyme, - " Left for love, Right for spite!"

FINGER NAILS -Never cut your finger-nails on a Friday or a Sunday as this is unlucky.

MIRROR -Breaking a mirror means 7 years of bad luck, unless you take the pieces out side bury them in moonlight. Also, an undisturbed mirror in a house suddenly fall smashes then it means that there will soon be a death!

HORSE-SHOE - A horse-shoe must be hung above a doorway turned upwards otherwise the luck will run out!

Number 13

Friday the 13th -The idea that this day would bring bad luck has its roots in both Norse & Christian beliefs. The Scandinavian's believed that the number 13 was unlucky due to the mythological 12 demigods being joined by a 13th, an evil one, who brought misfortune upon humans. Christ was said to have been crucified on Friday and the
number of guests at the Last Supper was 13, with the 13th guest being Judas, the traitor.

Black Cats
Black Cats -In ancient Egypt, the Goddess Bast was a black, female cat. Christians, wanting to rid society of all traces of other religions, convinced the ignorant that black cats were demons in disguise and should thus be destroyed. In the process, they also destroyed the kindly ladies who cared for the cats, believing them to be witches. Being demons, a black cat crossing your path would create a barrier of evil, cutting you off from God and blocking the entrance to heaven.

Crossed Fingers
Fingers Crossed -This is probably the superstition that is most widely used today. By making the sign of a cross with our fingers, evil spirits would be prevented from destroying our chances of good fortune.

ACORN -Carrying an acorn on your person will ensure good luck and longevity!

BED -You must never put a hat on a bed. You must get out of bed the same side you got in other wise you bring bad luck upon yourself

BIRD -If a bird flies into your home then it is an omen of death!

BROOM -Never take a broom with you when moving house - buy a new one!

CHEEKS - If all off a sudden your cheeks feel as if they're burning, then someone, some where is flattering you!

CLOVER - To find aa four leaf clover means immense good luck, so keep it safe, if you lose it then you also lose the luck

DOG -If a dog suddenly barks for no apparent reason in a house that has a sick person then it means that death is coming.

EASTER -You must wear new clothes at easter or you will have bad luck.

HAND -If the palm of your right hand is itchy, then it foretells that money is coming to you, but DON'T scratch it as that stops the money from coming! If its your left palm that is itchy, then scratch away, as that means that you'll soon be paying out money for something!

KNIFE -There will be an argument if knifes are crossed at a table. Also, if a lover gives you a knife as a present you will soon split up!

MAGPIES -If you see these birds, remember this rhyme - "One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told."

NEW YEAR -How you start the year is how you will end it, so you must ensure that you are wearing new clothes looking your best, have paid off all your debts are with your partner (to ensure that you're still with them at the next New year!). Also you must open a window to let the old year out the new one in.

PEPPER - If pepper is spilt, then you'll have a serious argument with a friend.

SCISSORS -Dropping a pair of scissors is said to warn that a lover is unfaithful.

SPARROW'S -These little birds are said to carry the souls of the deceased to the after-life. To kill one means that you will be cursed.

UMBRELLA - It is extremely unlucky to open an umbrella inside a house.

WOOD -You must knock on wood 3 times after mentioning good fortune or the evil spirits will ruin things for you.

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