Even the least superstitious of us observe the widest known notion that to walk under a ladder is bad luck, although they may argue it is because something may fall, dropped by workmen above. But as years have passed and original meanings have been outlived, why do people still believe.
Possible answers are: superstition is a belief that attempts to understand something unfathomable, it takes fear out of the unknown, it provides a set of rules to follow in a tough situation or it is simply something that will change our luck.
A group of arguably the most common superstitions are found below.
Walking Under a Ladder is Bad Luck
A ladder leaning against the wall makes a triangle or pyramid commonly known as the symbol of life, or Biblically speaking the Holy Trinity, so it is believed that to walk under it may show disrespect for God and a possible sympathy for the Devil.
If you have walked under it, fear not, you can cross your fingers until you see a dog, walk backwards to where your ill-fated walk started or make a wish under the ladder, to negate the possible bad luck you may incur.
Seeing a Lone Magpie is Bad Luck Too
To continue looking into things seen as bad omens, the next is magpies. The bird whose colouring combines the white of a dove and the jet black of a raven is said – according to the Old Testament – to be the only bird to refuse entry to Noah’s Ark.
The number in which you see them is important as the popular rhyme predicts:
One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret, never to be told.
This rhyme has many variations and can be dated back to the eighteenth century with the following version that was recorded in Lincolnshire.
One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three for a wedding,
And four for a death.
From these rhymes it became common to bow and say good morning to a magpie, although other precautions taken vary across the regions of England. For example in Yorkshire people may make a cross with their fingers and say " I cross the magpie, the magpie crosses me, bad luck to the magpie, and good luck to me."
Touching Wood for Good Luck
The age-old saying of ‘touch wood’ is known in many cultures and is used when something said could be deemed as tempting fate.
The proverb “He who talks much of happiness summons grief” relates to bragging that something good is coming your way. But it was feared that evil spirits would overhear talk of good fortune and jealousy would cause them to take it away.
So to ensure good fortune continued, it was essential to touch a piece of preferably sacred wood such as Oak or Ash. The reason these are sacred is because they are allegedly the most struck by lightning. This promoted the association that supernatural powers were passed to trees by lightening wielding Norse god Thor.
Nowadays it is sufficient to just say ‘touch wood’.
Superstitions in Everyday Life
The examples above are only a few of the many superstitions still adhered to in everyday life, there are hundreds more concerning love and marriage, birth, predicting the weather and even something as simple as dropping a knife and fork.
So how superstitious are you?
Sources:
Oliver, Harry. "Black Cats and April Fools". London: Metro Publishing, 2006.
Pickering, David. 'Cassell's Dictionary of Superstition'. London: Cassell, 2002.
Potter, Carole. "Encyclopedia of Superstition". London: Michael O Mara Books, 1994.
Phillipa Davies - I'm Phillipa, a 26-year-old journalism graduate, currently living in Leicester in the UK. My portfolio spans online and newspapers and my ...
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