The Origin of Superstitions
"If you spill salt, throw it over your shoulder, or you won't live to be much older..."
Throughout the periods of history, from ancient to present, people have feared what they didn't understand. They turned and even depended on many things to explain the phenomenons happening around them. From religion to science, people have tried to satisfy their puzzled minds. Some, however, accepted these phenomena and simply took up practices to protect themselves from them. Known as superstitions, these curious rituals have continued to fascinate us, and some are still even practiced by some people. Here are a few that I've gathered, an explination of a symbol of witches, the myth behind it that should be 'dispelled', and the history of a tradition. If you have one, email me at paxpaixpaz@bigfoot.com and I'll post it on this page. I hope this page will constantly evolve with imput from my visitors.
- Knocking on wood:
- When some of us mention something good that has happened or that we expect to happen, we knock twice on a piece of wood (or some plywood with a thin layer of fake 'wood' or plastic with a wood design, it's hard to tell these days). Why do we do this? Once, in the tides of time, trees were thought to be the homes of the gods. To be granted a favor, a person would nicely ask their diety and touch the bark of the tree (first knock). Then knock once more to signify a polite 'Thank you' (second knock).
- Walking under a ladder: (my personal favorite)
- To justify myself doing this, I say it's out of common sense, that it could come toppling down and squishing me. A leaning ladder against a wall (with the floor and the wall) or opened (with the floor) forms a triangle. Once, in tides of time, a triangle was considered with symbol of life; if one walked through a triangle of any kind, you were tempting the fates.
- Breaking a mirror:
- One's reflection was considered to represent your soul. Breaking your reflection or image, therefore, was harmful to the soul.
- Friday the 13th, Fridays, and the number 13:
- These superstitions have their origins in Christianity. There were 13 people present at The Last Supper + Judas (the betrayer of Jesus) was the 13th guest + Friday being the day that Christ died = Friday the 13th, the unluckiest day of the calendar!
- Black cats
- In the Middle Ages, black cats were believed to be the companions of witches, and after seven years of life, the cats was even said to turn INTO witches, or even devils and demons! All of which were to be avoided at all costs.
And here's the myth related to that last superstition.
Witches-Why do they wear pointed hats?- This 'trademark' (and the term is used loosely) to identify the followers of wicca (the nature religion based on life and nature magic) was actually an invention of the Christian church! In medieval days, the chapeau was called a "steeple-crowned hat", derived from "steeple house", the Puritans' word for 'church'. Legends state that the hats were placed on the heads of witches before they were burned at the stake. It was hoped that this holy symbol of the church would help draw salvation into their immortal souls. Also, the term 'warlock', used to describe a male witch, is also an invention of the Christian church. Witches were usually known to be women, so when it was found that there were also male followers of wicca, they were given a name to distinguish them. In actuality, all followers of wicca are known as 'witches'.
How about a little candy?
Halloween: Trick or Treat!- The druids believed that on Oct. 31, the dead rose from their graves to revisit their old homes. 'Trick or treating' evolved when frightened villagers 'offered' fruits and nuts to the wandering and restless souls to keep them from destroying their homes and property.
This page was last tinkered and messed with February 1, 1997.
It's provenance was on October 4, 1997.
©1998 Paxpaupaz & all materials thereof, related or otherwise.