Superstitions Essays (2855 words) - Luck, Superstitions, Folklore

Superstitions Superstitions. Dina Fagoth Language Arts P. 3 / 8th Background A superstition is a traditional belief that a certain action or event can cause or foretell an apparently unrelated event. Superstitions ensure that a person will pass safely from one stage of life to the next. Many of them involve someone taking deliberate action to cause something to happen or to prevent something from occurring. Some superstitions go back almost to the very beginning of human life on Earth. Most of them come from ancient Europe and Egypt. There is no scientific basis for superstitions. Yet, they continually are being passed on from generation to generation. Almost everybody clings on to a few of them. Before bad luck strikes, there are plenty of things, or good luck charms, that can be used to prevent the bad luck. One, which is probably the most common, is a rabbit's foot. This is because the fast reproduction of the rabbits is considered as wealth. Another good luck charm is the four-leaf clover. It is very unusual to find one in a field of clovers. So whoever found a four leaf clover was thought to be very lucky. The crossing of the fingers, which is probably familiar to all, is supposedly good luck. This is because it is said to trap the evil inside where the fingers cross and prevent them from hurting you. Another sign is the circle by bringing the thumb and forefinger together. The enclosing of a circle with the forefinger and the thumb means everlasting life because a circle has no beginning or end and it is believed to enclose luck. For instance, the wedding ring stands for a long and happy marriage. Knocking on wood is something probably very well known but many people do not understand the meaning of it. Many don't know where it originated from. The idea of knocking on wood goes back to the early days when people thought gods lived in trees. Thus, when the person knocked on wood they were asking the god-spirit inside to see that luck stays with them. Iron is said to be even luckier than wood. Since it was used for various objects like tools, people thought it was 1endowed with magic. Bent nails and pins are also considered lucky like in the saying: ?See a pin, and pick it up, all the day, you'll have good luck. ?See a pin, and let it lie, you'll want a pin before you die.? II. Types Countless activities are involved in superstitions. For example, eating, sleeping, working, playing, marriage, children, sickness, and dying are all part of them. There are also numerous superstitions connected with animals. Sports also include many superstitions, baseball in particular. There are also many in basketball, tennis, golf, horseback riding, and various other sports. Dates and holidays can also be very superstitious. Everybody does a little something to ensure luck when the clock strikes twelve o'clock on New Year's Day. There are also superstitions about the days of the week. Obviously, there are superstitions for everything in the world. III. Marriage Nobody goes through a wedding day without superstitions. At weddings, shoes would be thrown at the bride and groom and great luck would be 2bestowed upon them if their carriage were hit. Her groom, to establish his authority, would symbolically strike the bride. Brides would throw shoes at the bridesmaids to see who would marry next. The attire is also very important. The bride has many colors to pick from but some are better than others like in the saying: ? Married in White, you have chosen right. ? Married in Gray, you will go far away. ? Married in Black, you will wish yourself back. ? Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead. ? Married in Green, ashamed to be seen. ? Married in Blue, you will always be true. ? Married in Pearl, you will live in whirl. ? Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow. ? Married in Pink, your spirit will sink.? Flowers have always been big features in wedding. The groom is supposed to wear a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet. Each flower has it's own meaning . For example, an orange blossom signifies 3chastity, purity, and loveliness. The red chrysanthemum stands for ? I love you?. There are specific days