What is a superstition?

1. What is a superstition? • A superstition is the belief or practice that is not based on reason or actual knowledge. • Our equivalent to fairy tales and Old Wives Tales. • Superstitions could protect people from danger or to keep evil spirits away. Or they could be scary and even funny. • Superstitions are usually applied to beliefs and practices that usually surround luck, prophecy, or spiritual being.

2. Superstitions that protect people from Danger.

3. Breaking a Mirror • The Medieval people believed that when someone looked into a mirror or reflective surface, they saw their soul looking back at them. • If you broke a mirror it was said that you broke your future • Seven years of bad luck • To reverse bad luck, pick the pieces up quickly and bury them. • This superstition was one that was made up so that the people would try not to break mirror which could harm them.

4. Walking Under a ladder • In the Medieval Times it was said that a ladder resembled the gallows so walking under a ladder ensured that you would die by hanging. • It is also said that the triangle formation of a leaning ladder represents the Holy Trinity and if you were to walk under the ladder you would violate the trinity by breaking it making you equal to the devil. • You can reverse it by walking backwards the way you came in while making a wish. • This superstition protects people because if people were afraid to walk under ladders, then if a person was on the ladder working, then they would not fall off and land on the person walking under the ladder.

5. Superstitions to keep away evil spirits

6. Sneezing (God Bless You) • During the Middle Ages people thought that when you sneezed, your soul was temporarily vulnerable to Satan. Also it is said that the soul leaves the body when one sneezes. Saying God Bless You ensures the safety of their soul • At one point in time it was considered impolite to withhold the blessing. • Sneezing on certain days is considered good or bad luck. • Monday for danger, Tuesday kiss a stranger, Wednesday for a letter, Thursday for something better, Friday for sorrow, Saturday see your lover tomorrow.

7. Church Bells • The people thought that the church bells helped to ward of evil demons because they did not like the sound of the bells since they were used as something holy. • They would also ring them very often when there was an epidemic since they believed demons caused disease.

8. Stories Scary/serious

9. Robin Hood • There were many songs and poems about him particularly him stealing from the rich and gave what he had stolen to the poor. • He was a considered a hero to the common people because it showed him standing up for them to the people in charge.

10. Bloody Mary • She was someone who died a horrific death or someone of nobility (maybe was a Queen during the Middle Ages) that was beheaded. • To see her go into a dark room with a mirror. Chant her name three or more times and you will see her. She will either be carrying a knife, which means she kill or a baby or teddy bear, meaning that she will leave you alone. • This is a myth that we continue to tell especially around campfires when its really dark.

11. Sources • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood • http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/40534.page • http://medievalhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/superstition_and_magic_in_medieval_europe • http://science.jrank.org/pages/8103/Superstition.html