Where did popular omens and superstitions come from, and is it worth following?

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Many people do not even know why you need to be afraid of a black cat, sprinkled salt, or why stick your tongue out to the mirror if you had to urgently return home. We grew up on popular beliefs. Our grandparents, moms and dads did strange things that are difficult to explain. Children repeat after them and superstitions are passed from generation to generation, although most do not think for what exactly. You just have to do certain things, otherwise there will be trouble. It is embedded in our subconscious.

Show tongue to the mirror

There is a sign that if you left home, forgetting your wallet, for example, you can return, but be sure to curl in the mirror before leaving. It is believed that if this is not done, then misfortune can happen. The paradox is that these signs are so deep in the subconscious of people that some kind of trouble can really happen to them, simply because they sacredly believe in it. Usually these are more trusting and suspicious individuals. People believe that when leaving, a person directs his energy in a certain direction, and if suddenly he has to change direction abruptly, then his plan may not work out. To avoid this, look in the mirror. It supposedly returns energy to where it was originally planned.

Gatherings "on the track"

Almost all Slavic families, before setting off on a long journey, sit down "on the path". If you sit with the whole family on suitcases for a couple of minutes, it seems as if the road will be easy and successful. This superstition has gone back since ancient times, when many believed that a brownie lived in every house. This mythical creature does not like if household members leave for a long time. The owners deceived the brownie in this way. They sat down for a few minutes, showing that they were not going anywhere in particular. People were afraid that the brownie might interfere or harm on the road, so they appeased him. In addition, if after the hustle and bustle of collecting bags to sit down for a few minutes and relax, then you can remember some important forgotten thing. This omen is not so useless.

Black cat

Many people, if a black cat crosses their path, change their direction of movement. The belief came simply from the fact that many are afraid of the dark, the night behind which the unknown is hidden. In some countries, the black cat is believed to bring good luck, not bad luck. If you take all the signs very seriously, then it will be extremely difficult and scary to live. The animal just walks, it is not to blame that it has such a color and is not responsible for the fears of people. If a person, seeing a black cat in front of him, is frightened and will wait for trouble that day, then most likely something bad will happen, because the subconscious mind will see failures even where there are none.

Bird to wealth

If a bird accidentally defecated on you, then everyone says that this is for money. Any bird has always been considered a messenger of the sky. These are the creatures that were considered close to the angels. Thus, you are kind of blessed with good luck and wealth. But, most likely, this superstition was invented simply so that people would not be very upset, getting dirty in a not very pleasant substance. The same is said if he entered a cow cake: "To the money!". But if you believe that feces can really bring some kind of profit, then they will most likely bring it. Just because a person will sincerely believe in it and wait.

Salt to the quarrel

If you accidentally sprinkle salt, then you need to carry out a whole mini-ritual so that there is no quarrel. It is imperative to carefully scoop up the spilled salt, take it in your left hand and throw it over your left shoulder three times. It was believed that there is a devil on the left shoulder of people, and an angel on the right shoulder. And with his salt, you can supposedly drive away from yourself and avoid quarrels. But there is a more rational version of the omen. Salt used to be worth its weight in gold, it was difficult to obtain and not every family could afford it. They took care of it and used it little by little. And if someone accidentally scattered an expensive product, then a scandal could erupt. Now salt is not something special, but the habit that has been passed down from generation to generation has remained.

You can't eat with a knife

All children were told in childhood that if they eat with a knife, they will become angry. In fact, parents were just trying to protect their children from a sharp and dangerous device. Also, a knife is considered close to melee weapons, which can be harmed or even killed. Therefore, this device is like a carrier of negative energy, which can be transmitted if there is one. Previously, they generally tried to eat all food with spoons, not with forks. It was said that even these small forked prongs can carry negativity.

Knock on wood

Many people spit lightly over their left shoulder several times a day and knock on any wooden surface. This strange ritual dates back to ancient times, when people believed that spirits lived in the trees, which could be summoned for help if needed. With a knock, they made it clear that they needed help. There is also a Christian explanation. If you touch a tree when you feel bad, then you can ask for help from Jesus, who was crucified on a wooden cross. With such a strange ritual, a person, as it were, throws the devil off his shoulder with spitting and knocks on a tree to ask for help and protection from God. It is believed that the tree carries positive energy and will help protect against failure.

Empty buckets

A woman with empty buckets is distrustful and promises bad luck. In ancient times, there was a shortage of water. To get it, the women every morning went far beyond the village to the well. Most often it was one for several settlements. There they not only collected water, but also discussed local news. If a woman returns with empty buckets, then there is definitely nothing good, because the well is most likely dry and will have to somehow survive without drinking water. Despite the fact that in our time there are no problems with water, at a subconscious level it has been deposited in our minds that empty buckets are a disaster.

No whistle, no money

Previously, sailors, having fallen into a calm, began to whistle different melodies in unison, as if causing a fair wind. If they returned home and heard a whistle, then it was assumed that the wind invoked by the ritual could take away everything good from the house, including money. There is another version of the negative attitude towards whistling. It was believed that this is how evil spirits talk to each other. If a person began to whistle in the house, then he, as it were, came into contact with evil spirits and attracted them to his home. Evil spirits walked around the person and created various minor troubles. For example, money could be lost. Therefore, people still say: "Don't whistle - there will be no money."

Broken mirror - to be in trouble in the house

Mirrors have always been considered a kind of portal between the world of the living and the dead. Being in the house, the mirror accumulates the energy of the household, and if it is accidentally broken, the balance between the two worlds can be disturbed and evil spirits can penetrate into the world of the living. There is also another theory. In ancient times, mirrors were very expensive and were considered a luxury. Counts and princes taught their servants to take care of expensive things, but they did not always succeed. Therefore, they came up with punishments or various terrible tales about mirrors. Servants, being uneducated people, were more afraid of the punishment of evil spirits than the whips of their masters. From there came this superstition that if the mirror breaks, then trouble in the house can not be avoided.