We explain what a superstition is, why it is difficult to identify them and various examples. Also, Mexican superstitions.
What is superstition?
superstition It is an irrational belief or practice associated with magical events and rules mystical or supernatural, usually linked to the occult. Superstitions are very common, among all social and educational strata of society, and can range from small gestures to summon “luck”, to more elaborate beliefs.
It is not easy to define what is and what is not a superstition, given that there are non-scientific beliefs, such as religious faith, that in theory would fall into the category, but as they are part of a larger and organized doctrine, they are not considered superstitions. , but religions.
That is why it is common for practitioners of an official religion to accuse practitioners of minority or unofficial religions of being superstitious, as a way of pejoratively referring to their beliefs.
Something similar happens from scientific language with the so-called pseudosciences, that is, apparently rigorous and objective doctrines, but which in reality entail magical beliefs or unverifiable relationships between one reality and another. Such is the case of astrology, cartomancy, feng-shui, magic, precognition or spiritualism, for example.
Superstition, in any case, It is linked to popular beliefs, and in some cases it can approach conspiracy theory. Superstitious people are initially more willing to accept a world dominated by magical and inexplicable laws, which establish capricious associations between, for example, the “lucky” shirt and the victory or defeat of the favorite soccer team in the playoffs. of the championship.
See also: Karma
Examples of superstitions
Some very common examples of superstition are the following:
- That a black cat crosses our path brings bad luck. The same thing happens if we walk under a ladder, or if we break a mirror.
- If we a piece of cutlery falls off the table, It is because it announces a visitor: if a knife fell it will be a man, if a spoon fell it will be a woman. Something similar is done in some countries to supposedly determine the sex of an unborn baby.
- It should not be sweep the house at night because witches are attracted.
- Newborns are tied a jet and peony bracelet to protect them from the evil eye.
- The owl and the crow whose presence announced bad news to come.
- Open an umbrella indoors causes the person to never marry or have children.
- Four leaf clovers horse horseshoes and rabbit feet bring good fortune.
- The number seven It is a good omen, while the 13th is the complete opposite.
- Accidentally step on the dog excrement will bring abundance.
Mexican superstitions
Similarly, some of the typical superstitions of Mexican culture are:
- In Jalisco it is said that step on a mango broken down brings bad luck.
- When a knife falls and is stuck in the ground, predicts the arrival of a visitor.
- Every Good Friday, it comes out an avocado (avocado) with a pigeon egg instead of a stone, and whoever gets it must pray an Our Father to free the chick inside, the fruit of the holy spirit.
- Sweep a girl's feet will make her marry a widower or an old man.
- spill the salt inside the house it brings misfortune or it brings poverty.
- Pregnant women should not go out when there are eclipses or your child will be born with a cleft lip. This can be avoided by tying a red ribbon to the mother's belly.
- leave to a baby in front of the mirror too long will make him remain mute.
- When giving birth, women must tie a red cloth to the head to prevent it from giving them “air” and suffering from complications.
- Point your fingers at the rainbow causes the appearance of warts (“mean”) on the hands.
- Women who are menstruating should not go to cemeteries because the souls or spirits can follow them home.
Continue with: Popular knowledge
References
- “Superstition” on Wikipedia.
- “What are superstitions?” in Child Psychologists Madrid (Spain).
- “How to define superstition?” by Franz Baermann Steiner in Writings in Social Anthropology.
- “Superstition” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
