The Origins of Popular Superstitions and Customs

The Origins of Popular Superstitions and Customs PDF Author: T Sharper Knowlson
Publisher: Legare Street Press
ISBN: 9781019406311
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This intriguing book explores the origins of common superstitions and customs that have been passed down through generations. From why we throw salt over our shoulders to the reasoning behind Friday the 13th being considered unlucky, T. Sharper Knowlson delves into the interesting history and folklore behind these beliefs. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The Origins of Popular Superstitions and Customs

The Origins of Popular Superstitions and Customs PDF Author: T Sharper Knowlson
Publisher: Legare Street Press
ISBN: 9781019406311
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
This intriguing book explores the origins of common superstitions and customs that have been passed down through generations. From why we throw salt over our shoulders to the reasoning behind Friday the 13th being considered unlucky, T. Sharper Knowlson delves into the interesting history and folklore behind these beliefs. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

How Did it Begin?

How Did it Begin? PDF Author: Rudolph Brasch
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Manners and customs
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description


Observations on Popular Antiquities

Observations on Popular Antiquities PDF Author: John Brand
Publisher: London : printed for F.C. and J. Rivington ; Wilkie and Robinson
ISBN:
Category : Christian antiquities
Languages : en
Pages : 370

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Book Description


Superstition

Superstition PDF Author: Stuart Vyse
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192551329
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 175

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Book Description
Do you touch wood for luck, or avoid hotel rooms on floor thirteen? Would you cross the path of a black cat, or step under a ladder? Is breaking a mirror just an expensive waste of glass, or something rather more sinister? Despite the dominance of science in today's world, superstitious beliefs - both traditional and new - remain surprisingly popular. A recent survey of adults in the United States found that 33 percent believed that finding a penny was good luck, and 23 percent believed that the number seven was lucky. Where did these superstitions come from, and why do they persist today? This Very Short Introduction explores the nature and surprising history of superstition from antiquity to the present. For two millennia, superstition was a label derisively applied to foreign religions and unacceptable religious practices, and its primary purpose was used to separate groups and assert religious and social authority. After the Enlightenment, the superstition label was still used to define groups, but the new dividing line was between reason and unreason. Today, despite our apparent sophistication and technological advances, superstitious belief and behaviour remain widespread, and highly educated people are not immune. Stuart Vyse takes an exciting look at the varieties of popular superstitious beliefs today and the psychological reasons behind their continued existence, as well as the likely future course of superstition in our increasingly connected world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Believing in Magic

Believing in Magic PDF Author: Stuart A. Vyse
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019999692X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
In this fully updated edition of Believing in Magic, renowned superstition expert Stuart Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs.

Curious Customs

Curious Customs PDF Author: Tad Tuleja
Publisher: Stonesong
ISBN: 0985434392
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 205

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Book Description
Why do we blow out candles on birthday cakes? Use striped poles to symbolize a barber? Throw rice at weddings? Find out in CURIOUS CUSTOMS: The Stories Behind 296 Popular American Rituals.Whether you want a new look at old habits or just love wacky facts and intriguing information, CURIOUS CUSTOMS is full of unusual, surprising bits of information that you'll love to learn and share.

Superstitions

Superstitions PDF Author: Peter Lorie
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780671711412
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Why do we avoid walking under ladders? What is the meaning of ...? Superstitions nrings us to the beginning of all the most common and many less familiar rituals, porions, cures, etc.

Superstitions

Superstitions PDF Author: Max Cryer
Publisher: Exisle Publishing
ISBN: 9781925335170
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Some people casually say 'touch wood' when they speak of something they hope will happen. Others won't allow peacock feathers into the house. And almost anyone who finds a four-leafed clover will treasure it and keep it. Why? Some superstitions are so ancient and have been practised for so long that they have come to be regarded as just harmless and widely observed 'customs', without people realising they are basically superstitions. For instance, many people wouldn't bother tossing spilled salt over their left shoulder or avoid walking under a ladder. But they happily continue to wear a wedding ring and blow out candles on a birthday cake. They don't know why - 'it's just a custom'. But both are actually superstitions. In a book full of surprises and revelations, Max Cryer explains the origins of many of the things we commonly say and observe and why we continue to include them in our lives: kissing under the mistletoe, the unlucky number thirteen, the significance of the bridal bouquet, saying 'bless you' after sneezing, the hanging of a horseshoe, 'the Scottish play', the danger in opals, the Leap Year proposal ... so many aspects of our lives are coloured by superstition. Now you can discover the reasons for them in a book that is both witty and informative. Superstitions will provide many 'Eureka' moments and settle many family disputes.

Folk Lore, Old Customs and Superstitions in Shakespeare Land

Folk Lore, Old Customs and Superstitions in Shakespeare Land PDF Author: J. Harvey Bloom
Publisher: Read Books Ltd
ISBN: 1473340896
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
This vintage book contains a fascinating treatise on the customs and traditions of England, with information on its folklore, history, and more. From folk rhymes and funeral customs to brewing ale and the occult, this volume contains a wealth if information that will appeal to those with an interest in England and it's people. Contents include: "The Farmer and his Men", "Family Life: Marriage", "Christening and Birth Customs", "Children's Complaints", "Women's Indoor Work-Baking", "Brewing", "Washing", "Death and Funeral Customs", "The Husband and Wife", "Dress", "Farm Buildings", "The farm-house and Cottage", et cetera. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with its original artwork and text. First published in 1929.

13

13 PDF Author: Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
Publisher: Plume Books
ISBN: 9780452284968
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
Triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13 If thirteen people sit down at a table, will one die within a year? Why did five U.S. presidents join the Thirteen Club? What is the only major New York hotel that has a thirteenth floor? In 13, a fascinating cultural history-cum-detective story, Nathaniel Lachenmeyer gets to the root of how one superstition—the fear of the number 13—developed among wildly divergent societies. A book about mythmaking, 13 explores why people believe what they believe, and the real reason Friday the 13th is the most unlucky day in the world.