The superstitions in britain

In years gone by, numerous customs were observed to lớn ensure that misfortune would not befall us and our loved ones. We may lượt thích khổng lồ think that we live in a sophisticated age, but even in the 21st. century, many customs and superstitions linger on.

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Different parts of the country have their own particular superstitions designed to bring good fortune, health & wealth to their house và occupants. Even outside the trang chính certain things had khổng lồ be done first. For example, to protect the house from witches a rowan tree had to lớn be planted, và under no circumstances must hawthorn be brought inkhổng lồ the house before May Day as it belonged to lớn the Woodlvà God and would bring bad luck!

In days gone by food preparation was surrounded by so many taboos it is amazing anyone got anything to eat. Many housewives believed that food would be spoilt if it was stirred ‘widdershins’ – that is, in the opposite direction lớn that of the sun. Everyone knows that ‘a watched pot never boils’ & in Dormix it is common knowledge that a slow-boiling kettle is bewitched và may contain a toad!

In Yorkshire, housewives used khổng lồ believe that bread would not rise if there was a corpse in the vicinity, & lớn cut off both ends of the loaf would make the Devil fly over the house!

Once at the table, there were numerous other things to watch out for. The best known of course is not to have 13 people at the table, và should someone spill the salt, a pinch had khổng lồ be thrown over the left shoulder inlớn the eyes of the Devil. Crossed knives at the table signify a quarrel, while a Trắng tablecloth left on a table overnight means the household will need a shroud in the near future.

Two women must not pour from the same tea-pot, if they do, a quarrel will ensue. In Somermix a double-yolked egg was viewed with concern as it foretold of a hurried wedding due to a pregnancy.

To pass on the stairs is unlucky, but to stumble going up foretells a wedding, but lớn break a mirror means seven years bad luông xã.

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Weddings have sầu a host of superstitions và woe betide the bride who ignores them! These are well known & still carried out today. No modern bride will allow her bridegroom lớn see her on the wedding day before she gets to the church, & if she is wise she will not have put on her whole ‘ensemble’ before the wedding day without leaving off some part of it. Usually she leaves her veil off or takes off one shoe. To be kissed by a passing chimney sweep is very good luck, but it is a very lucky bride these days who can find a chimney sweep on the way to lớn the church! Centrally heated houses have a lot to lớn answer for!

When the newly married couple reach their new home page, it is a tradition that the bride be carried over the threshold by the bridegroom. This is khổng lồ avoid the evil spirits that gather at the threshold.

Pregnancy and childbirth have always been surrounded by magical rites và charms, & the new mother, even in these modern times, makes sure some are still respected.

Choosing the pram before the baby is born is quite safe, but it must not be delivered khổng lồ the trang chủ until after the baby is born. In parts of North Yorkshire it is the custom when visiting the new baby for the first time, lớn place a silver coin in it’s hvà.

Carrying a new baby three times around the house will protect the child from colic. It was also believed that teething troubles could be eased if the gums were rubbed with the mother’s gold wedding ring. Nowadays, well tried folk remedies like these are only used as a last resort after the midwife và Dr. Spock have had their say!

It is easy to dismiss superstition as absurd, but only those who can break a mirror without a second thought are entitled to vị so.