Signs are Folk omens and superstitions: meaning and features

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

What does the word sign mean? Signs are a connection between two events, when one of them occurs as a fact, and the second as a consequence. At the same time, the phenomenon occurring in fact is perceived as a sign, which is interpreted in a certain way, and entails the events occurring after it.

Where did it come from

Signs and superstitions have their roots in antiquity. Previously, people did not understand many phenomena, but they noticed a certain connection between some events. The very word "sign" comes from "notice". This is how the human brain works to look for cause-and-effect relationships everywhere and try to somehow predict the future. If people noticed that some event was followed by a certain incident, and this happened more than once, then it was later interpreted as a sign. What is the meaning of the word "sign"? It is explained as a harbinger of some event, good or bad. Signs and superstitions are so firmly rooted in the human mind that, despite all the scientific and technological progress, they continue to be passed down from generation to generation, and many people believe in them just as they did in ancient times.

Signs are good and bad. Some people can manage themselves (for example, getting up in the morning on the right foot - so that the day is a success, or in case of forgetfulness and the need to return to the house - look at yourself in the mirror to avert failure). And some occur regardless of human will (a bird hit the window, crows croaked over the house, etc.).

Good omens

Believing in good omens helps a person tune in a positive way, because they are interpreted as the help of the forces of light that protect and protect from evil. Many people in the modern world understand that the so-called "good sign" does not always promise 100% luck. But when, for example, a person sees a rainbow, which is considered a harbinger of happiness, then even for a split second, hope will arise in the soul.

Good omens are a kind of opportunity to perceive the world around you more optimistically, reading certain “signs” and believing that they will bring good luck. People in general have a need to believe in something good, otherwise life will not be joyful.

Signs for the fulfillment of desires

There are a number of signs that promise good luck. For example, if a tricolor cat crosses your path, this is good. Or if you see a beetle in flight on the road, this is also a good omen. However, the most significant period of time for performing rituals for the fulfillment of desires is the meeting of the New Year. It is believed that on this magical night, if you make a wish under the chiming clock, it will certainlycome true. Like it or not, but from year to year, most people do just that. Some still write their wish on paper and burn it, believing it will bring success.

Bad omens

It is common for a person to quickly forget the good, taking it for granted, but at the same time focus on unpleasant events. Therefore, in the world there are many signs "not good." Bad omens are when certain phenomena are perceived as signs that portend negative events. The danger of believing in bad omens is that a person programs himself for failure in advance, interpreting some event as a bad sign. If you set the setting to negative, it is quite possible that the trouble will actually happen, and it will not be the sign that is to blame, but the strong belief that something bad must definitely happen. What we attract to ourselves is what we usually receive. Therefore, do not pay too much attention to any signs that promise trouble.

Signs about birds, animals and insects

Everyone knows the sign about a black cat.

It is so firmly rooted in the mind that some people to this day curse the poor animals who dared to cross their path. It’s not clear what they deserved this, because every person in his life has already had several dozen cases when a black cat that crossed the road did not bring any trouble, and the day passed as usual. HoweverHowever, this sign does not lose its relevance. There are also bad omens associated with birds and insects. It is considered a very bad omen if a bird hits a window and dies. Killing a spider is also considered a bad sign. Among animals, the bat is also notorious. If she flew into the house - this is not good. These are just some of the bad omens associated with birds, animals and insects. In fact, there are many more.

Household signs

There are a lot of signs related to everyday life. Such signs are a set of signs that can be observed in everyday life from day to day. For example, there is a belief that spilled s alt will certainly lead to a quarrel.

This is one of the most common household signs. There is also a superstition that after sunset you can’t sweep the house or take out the trash - well-being will leave the house. Of the well-known signs, there is still a belief that keeping broken or broken dishes at home means attracting trouble. There are also a large number of less common superstitions: to give loved ones a watch - to a quarrel, to put the keys on the table - to lack of money, and others. There are also household signs that are interpreted in a positive way. For example, an accidentally broken cup or other utensil is fortunately; accidentally pour tea - to a pleasant surprise, etc.

Weather notes

Many signs are also related to weather conditions. They are for bad weather, rain, or, conversely, for good weather. For example, a silent forest - tothunderstorm; crows and jackdaws cry - to the rain; and if in the evening mosquitoes swirl in a flock - this is for favorable weather. There are signs associated with the months of the year. For example, signs of September: mild autumn portends a long winter; if thunderstorms often occur in September, it means that autumn will be warm; if there are a lot of acorns on the oaks, it will be snowy before Christmas. Almost every day of any month has its own beliefs. Many people believe that folk omens and their meaning help predict the weather for the coming seasons. Like it or not, it is difficult to judge. On the one hand, people have accumulated this experience for centuries, on the other hand, beliefs do not always come true. It follows from this that it may not hurt to know signs about the weather, but you probably should not rely on them entirely.

Contradiction will take

What are the signs and superstitions of different nations? The same events in different countries can carry a completely opposite meaning. There are practically no universal signs that would be interpreted the same way all over the world. The same notorious black cat, which we do not favor, in England, for example, brings good luck and prosperity.

Sailors also believe that a completely black cat on a ship will make sailing successful. This suggests that belief in omens is completely subjective. It's just that in every country the indigenous people have their own remnants of the past, some customs and beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. And there is no objective connection between certain events, there isjust a need to believe in something and respect traditions.

The opinion of the clergy about superstitions

The Church in no way encourages belief in all sorts of omens. And that's why. What is a sign, according to the Church? Priests believe that superstition has its roots in paganism, when people worshiped not only God, but invented idols. Not knowing how to explain certain events, people endowed various physical phenomena, inanimate objects with supernatural abilities. There were whole rituals on how to make it rain, how to appease the spirits of the harvest, and so on. After the Messiah came to earth and gave humanity the true faith, it is sinful to continue to worship idols. Superstition is a belief in vain, empty, something that has absolutely no meaning. You need to believe only in Divine protection and trust only in the Creator.

What is a sign? This is what you can believe in and what you can ignore. Everyone chooses for himself. However, you should always remember that it is not worth becoming a hostage to superstitions and building your life on signs alone. This can develop into a phobia and a painful addiction. Compliance with empty rituals, as well as expecting something bad after seeing "signs" can significantly poison life and bring considerable harm. It is better to always believe in good, and hope for a favorable outcome of any business.