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🙂 Gentlemen, in this article “Popular omens and beliefs: is it worth believing?” you will learn how our customs, signs, beliefs and superstitions were born. The article presents the most famous beliefs and omens and gives them a logical explanation.
Folk omens and superstitions
Since ancient times, people have been observing the environment, some unusual phenomena that could affect the mood, fertility of the earth or change in the weather. What they saw, they usually analyzed, systematized and made appropriate conclusions.
Phenomena and typical signs, which were repeated from time to time, were isolated and remembered. Then they used them, warning others against possible undesirable consequences, or vice versa – comforting them with a joyful prediction that was soon to come true.
This is how, grain by grain, our customs, omens, beliefs and superstitions were born. They covered all spheres of human activity, the entire path of life, from birth to death, as well as the entire animal and plant world.
We have learned to spiritualize phenomena and objects, seeing in them the existence of mystical spirits. The good ones who helped a person in life, and the evil ones who harmed in every possible way, causing misfortune.
Spirits and their characteristic signs of good and evil, belief in their supernatural abilities, gradually formed their understanding of the world among the people. This is how the culture of our people was created, which was passed on to descendants.
A sign, in the popular sense, is a characteristic feature of someone or something. By which you can find out or predict what may soon happen, happen or comprehend someone.
Belief is a kind of belief (conviction) in someone or something that is perceived unquestioningly and is passed down from generation to generation – according to tradition. More often this applies to those phenomena and objects that go beyond the scope of ordinary life. They give the impression of some kind of incomprehensible mystery and mystery.
We can conditionally divide signs and beliefs into two parts. Those that bring happiness, and those that portend trouble or grief. Many people, for example, are frightened by the cry of an owl, the howl of a dog, a cat running across the road, a meeting on the street with a priest or monk.
In addition, there are many specific things that are associated with many signs and beliefs. We will consider the most famous beliefs and signs and try to understand them, giving a logical explanation.
Sign – broken mirror
Today it is fashionable to talk about human energy, which we hear about, almost every day. Energy from a person, as you know, can be taken not only by people, but also by things. Probably, most of all beliefs among people are associated with a mirror. On the corresponding religious holidays, with the help of a mirror, the girls used to guess, and even today they do it.
It is also known not to look into a broken mirror, patterned mirror, mirror tiles, and other surfaces. All this destroys the energy, which is reflected, first of all, on health.
But a mirror in your pocket will keep you safe from the enemy. After all, it reflects all unkind thoughts and intentions, and, consequently, all negative energy directed against you.
An accidentally broken mirror is considered extremely bad omen. To break a mirror means to be in poverty for seven years or not to see your husband (not to get married). In addition, it is believed that it can cause the death of relatives. There have been many rumors about this sign, although it can be explained.
The root of this superstition goes back to the Middle Ages, when the first glass mirrors were made in Venice. Of course, they were very expensive. And in order to make the servant handle an expensive thing with care, the owners invented this sign: whoever breaks the mirror, misfortune awaits him.
Then, in the technology of making mirrors, a thin layer of mercury was used to cover the back of the product, instead of silver amalgam. Therefore, one should not be surprised that a broken mirror attracted misfortune, because mercury, evaporating, poisoned people. Hence the malaise and even death of everyone who lived in the house.
When you know the logical explanation for this belief, is it worth believing in folk signs and beliefs?
Why you can’t sit on the corner of the table
Everyone knows that, according to the omen, one cannot sit on the corner of the table. It is believed that the angle draws energy out of a person. This can lead to certain troubles in your personal life, harm your health and material well-being.
That is why mothers all the time warn their daughters against sitting on the corner so that they do not remain unmarried.
Sign – pass through the threshold
It is a well-known belief that nothing can be passed through the threshold. The threshold is an energy barrier that separates the two worlds. An invisible border interferes with establishing contact: things, energy transferred from one world to another are considered lost for both worlds.
Therefore, the energy connection between two people is destroyed.
This can explain the belief that you should not return if a person has already left the house. After all, crossing the threshold is a transition to another world, for which you need to spend energy, that is, a person loses strength.
If you had to return, you need to sit down (borrow power from your home), look in the mirror (return energy) and move on.
Sign – sprinkle salt
Regarding food, most of all superstitions are associated with salt, which can be compared in importance to bread. In particular, guests are welcomed with bread and salt at various celebrations. And, for example, sprinkling salt – to a quarrel.
Sprinkle salt on the table – for a small quarrel, on the floor – for a big one. The belief was born from the life experience of our ancestors. Salt was once very expensive. It is clear that in poor families her loss led to serious discord: eating without salt is not tasty, and there is no extra money.
There is even a proverb among the people: “Food, although fatty, but lean without salt.” But the paradox! Three pinches had to be taken from the fallen salt shaker. Then throw over your left shoulder. And say: “Then let a quarrel befall me when someone collects this salt.”
According to another version, this is a kind of donation to the housewife. After all, he monitors the order in the house, including ensuring that family members do not quarrel. And if a woman has oversalted the food, they say that she has fallen in love. Obviously, during the period of falling in love, the woman’s body feels a lack of salt – that’s why she oversalines.
Salt cannot be purchased on Monday or Saturday. The salt shaker should be closed at night – this will help to achieve success the next day and will make your sleep more restful.
Sign – an empty bucket
There are many superstitions about things that are used daily in the home. One of those things is a bucket. It is impossible for a person to cross the road with an empty bucket. But a full bucket is good. Do not eat food from a saucepan or knife. It is known that you cannot beat a person with a broom, because she will become as thin as a broom.
Signs – money
Enough will be accepted by the people associated with money. For example, a penny found is fortunate and money. There is also a belief that other people’s money found is not worth taking, because they can be so-called extortions, or slander.
They say that beggars should not be given alms directly into their hands, because in this way you give your energy. You need to throw it into a vessel or a hat.
Folk signs about animals
The beliefs and superstitions associated with various animals are also well known. The most dangerous among them are undoubtedly cats. It is believed that a cat feels a person best of all, knows how to read his mind, and is a very cunning creature.
It is cats that have become the protagonists of many horror films. There are stories in almost every village about cats that caused the death of their owners. And the most popular sign is rightly considered a black cat that crossed a person’s road.
It is also known that black birds portend misfortune. Unfortunately, the birds that accidentally flew into the house. If a dog howls with his head up – for a change of weather, with a down – for someone’s death.
Signs – the hand itches
Many signs are associated with different parts of the human body. If the left hand itches, then the person will count money. If the right hand – will greet acquaintances or friends.
It is believed that the most terrible human disease – cancer – is a consequence of the human perception of the world. We can often hear: “He is already sitting in the liver.” Such a person can get liver cancer. If a woman is very angry with a man, she is likely to have cancer of the female organs.
Signs and embroidery
Not less will take the actions associated with human actions. Before, almost every woman knew how to embroider. Obviously, it is with this that there are many signs associated with this. You cannot embroider from top to bottom, only from bottom to top: embroidery will go easier, and you will not be pricked with a needle.
You cannot embroider water (waterfalls, rivers, lakes) and keep such pictures in the house in the future. After all, money will flow out of the house like water. You cannot embroider a crucifix – this is unfortunate and great misfortune. Do not embroider with a pair of needles, as someone will die.
Wedding and signs
The signs of family rituals are in a separate cycle. Many of them are associated with weddings, births, funerals. It is well known that the groom should not see the bride before the wedding.
You cannot go to the registry office or church on a straight road, you need to choose difficult paths, try to confuse the evil spirits. You should also avoid cemeteries. But the loud signals of the car scare away evil spirits.
Signs that we took from foreign films have become fashionable today. For example, the bride’s clothes should be old, new, borrowed and blue. Rain is a good omen on your wedding day.
If a strong wind blows, the life of the young will be windy. Snowy weather – to a prosperous prosperous life. And if you want clear, sunny weather on your wedding day, invite your cats to the wedding: your own and those you meet.
Wedding rings are made smooth, without notches, carvings, and stones, so that the life of the bride and groom is smooth. Massive wedding rings – to prosperity and wealth.
Getting married with the wedding rings of the parents is to repeat their fate. The engagement ring during the wedding falls to treason. The bridal bouquet should not fall – this is unfortunately.
Try not to tear the wedding dress at the party, but if this has already happened, you do not need to sew it up. After the wedding, the dress is not sold, because you will sell your happiness. And the most important condition for a happy marriage is to start a family with a loved and dear person.
A large number of superstitions are associated with pregnant women and a newborn baby. For example, an unborn child should not be allowed to buy things or clothes.
Numbers and superstitions
People associate many beliefs with numbers. We all know the numbers 13 or 666. If a person’s age is divisible by three, then you can start a new business, if by seven, you can radically change your life. Details in the article “The meaning of numbers in human life”
Do you believe in omens?
Do you believe in folk signs and beliefs? Psychologists advise you not to take superstition to heart. It is known that a person makes his own happiness himself. Only one omen always comes true: if the deputies promise a lot, the elections are coming soon.
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