Monday, August 9, 2010

Week 3 - Superstitions and cures.































Ancient legends, mystic charm and superstitions of Ireland:
An iron ring worn on the fourth finger was considered effective against rheumatism by the Irish peasantry from ancient times. Shamrock - symbol of good luck
http://www.libraryireland.com/AncientLegendsSuperstitions/Various-Superstitions-Cures-1.php

















Italian superstition:
Spilling salt has also been thought to bring bad luck, even to some today. Why was this so? Salt was very important especially in Rome as it was used to preserve and purify food. It also served to be the soldiers' salary, of which salary meant "salt money." Thus, to spill salt would be a great waste and bad luck would befall the person who did so. This could be counteracted though, by throwing a pinch of salt it over the left shoulder into the face of the devil, who is supposedly poised there.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004203/religion/religion05.htm

Chinese superstition:
The colour red was a colour of good luck to the Chinese, both of the past and the present. During the Lunar New Year, married Chinese would give their children, friends and relatives red packets filled with money as a symbol of good luck, as the colour red symbolises fire which is used to scare away evil spirits.
Yin yang - Symbol of balance.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004203/religion/religion05.htm


Other links:
http://chestofbooks.com/fairy-tale/Kentucky-Superstitions/Cures-And-Preventive-Superstitions.html
http://www.halloween-website.com/superstitions.htm
http://www.essortment.com/all/superstitiousbe_rsqz.htm

http://www.squidoo.com/omens

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