Superstitions 1. What is a superstition?

Superstitions can be termed as inherent beliefs of individuals encompassing the entire world. These are pre conceived notions which escape the rationality of the human mind yet percolate through generations. Such beliefs have now amalgamated to our heritage, and help us to find the connecting link to the origin of our culture. Circumstances might have changed down the thousands of years, yet such credulous ancient stories still drip in to the present era.

2. How are mascots, talismans and amulets used to keep away evil influence?

People across the world have engendered ingenuous customs of delineating the good from the bad and procured ways of avoiding bad luck and discover good fortune. One of the most popular methods of procuring such protection is by the assistance of a mascot . The word is derived from the French word masco signifying a sorcerer. The mascot hurls out spells and churns out a good destiny and keeps the evil forces at bay. The word Talisman is derived from the Greek telesma, meaning mystery, is an object considered to possess supernatural or magical powers, and are frequently regarded as lucky charms for the individuals. Amulets embark protection to its beholder from the evil spirits. Queer and apparently unpleasant objects are chosen to perform as amulets, as if to deter the evils by sheer disgust.

3. State an example where a same animal was regarded as a bad and good influence but in two different regions.

In the ancient and mythical Egypt, feline figures were often embossed on amulets. Cats, epitomized consecration in that land and hence were regarded auspicious. Contrasting beliefs concerning cats though existed in medieval Europe, where this animal was coupled with witches and bore a sense of negativity.

4. Why is the horseshoe significant as a lucky charm?

One of the most celebrated and practiced superstitions transcending even to the present days, is the use of horseshoes being nailed on to the doors, a custom since the Greek era. Roman women, engrossed by the fallacy that they would be brought by the moon bore crescent symbols on their shoes as a resort for protection. This crescent symbol has gradually evolved to provide the same significance as of the horse shoe due to its physical resemblance.

5. In what way did William of Normandy turn a mishap into a good omen?

When William of Normandy first landed in English soil prior to the battle of Hastings in 1066, he accidentally tripped of and fell flat on his face. This incident percolated as an ominous sign to his troops, as if reflecting their prospective defeat on the English soil, but William, a sangfroid wit fully quipped that, his current posture implicates how he would be grabbing and seizing the land. His words were vindicated by the victory they won on Christmas Day, despite apprehensions of his soldiers.

6. Give an account of the superstitions associated with cats and goats.

Many a times and often ridiculously, animals are touted as omens. A trivial incident of a black cat crossing a road brings forth an array of conclusions, where the common notion is to treat this incident as an ominous one, while a few does consider it to be auspicious. Many consider meeting a goat on the way does bring about prosperity, while a tryst with a flock of sheep on the commencement of a journey brings about good luck.

7. Give an account of the superstitions associated with theatrical arena and actors.

In theatrical premises and amongst thespians superstitions are so common and prolific that these queer beliefs barely go noticed. The actors, somehow are the persons most heavily affected by superstitions, they are apprehensive of a wide array of trifle incidents that might lead to an erroneous performance. Whistling in the dressing room is regarded as a detrimental practice and brings forth bad luck, and if an individual is indulged in such an activity, the individual

must seek redemption by moving out of the room, turning around thrice and then knock for permission before he or she can re-enter the room.

Another well known practice of superstitions amongst actors is to refrain from wishing them good luck before a performance, as the performers believe that this infuriates the Gods. A new term break a leg, has now replaced the old good luck sayings, which is a more tacit and safe expression .

8. Give an account of the superstition associated with ladders.

There are innumerable pre conceived notions or superstitions which have escaped the rationality of the human mind and had percolated through generations.

Many people believe that bad luck follows the person who would walk under the ladder, almost everyone oblivion to the origin of such a saying and have blindly passed such a dictum. While rationalists provide a simple explanation, that the individual passing under a ladder is at peril from pots of paints or buckets of water placed above in the ladder, which may fall on their head.

9. Why do the Scandinavians consider the number thirteen unlucky? Give an example stating this belief.

The numerical 13 is largely associated to bring about bad luck and such beliefs have its roots in ancient Scandinavian mythologies. The Scandinavians deemed that the number 13 to be unlucky based on a myth, where a 13th demigod, an evil one, joined the ranks of the 12 existent demigods, and consequently people faced tremendous misfortunes .The phobia of this number or Triskaidekaphobia has transcended to almost all corners of the world and in almost every aspect. Such a practice is best exemplified in Savoy Hotel, London where a stuffed black cat was always kept ready to be used as a surrogate for the fourteenth person, lest there were only thirteen guests at a particular table. 10. How did the superstition of blessing someone who sneezed come about?

The practice of blessing an individual has its roots amidst the turmoil of the great plague of Europe in the 17th century. Sneezing was a very prominent symptom of being affected by plague, and thus it implied that the person would die soon. The Pope, passed a law where he urged to bless the individuals who sneezed, as a last resort of hope to survive the disease.

11.

Which is the most widely used superstition today? What it is used for?

The most profoundly used superstition is the practice of keeping ones finger crossed in anticipation or in apprehension. It is a sign widely used to prevent the evil spirits from jeopardizing ones chance of good fortunes.

12.Give an account of the superstition associated with wood.

Knocking at a wooden object to engender luck is a widely exercised superstition, and is followed meticulously even in the modern times while having its roots in the era where Christianity had not spread. It was opined that the good spirits were housed in trees and by touching or knocking on any object made of timbre would foment the good spirits against any misfortunes that might come in the way.

13.How has the practice of superstition been kept alive till date?

Superstitions are pre conceived notions which escape the rationality of the human mind yet percolate through generations. Such beliefs have now amalgamated to our heritage, and help us to find the connecting link to the origin of our culture. Circumstances might have changed down the thousands of years, yet such credulous ancient stories still drip in to the present era. One of the chief reasons behind the viability of such archaic beliefs even in the present scientific world might be due to an inherent desire to incite the child inside each one of us. Thus by superstitions , one is able to participate in the world of imagination.