The writer and historian Charlie Lopez presents in his new book Everything has its story a look at the background of the customs and everyday objects that make up people’s daily lives. The work offers a journey through the origins of Folk beliefs and traditionsto examine how this has influenced identity and social behavior since the beginning of Homo Sapiens.
Among the themes highlighted, the author analyzes the origin of Popular superstition in the Western world, with particular attention to Latin America. The text explores the fear of the evil eye, the relationship with black cats, the search for good fortune through a horseshoe or four-leaf clover, and the sense of protection felt by those who knock on wood or carry a rabbit’s foot. In addition, social practices such as greeting, applause, the gesture of covering a yawn, the habit of clinking glasses and the custom of avoiding elbows on the table while eating are discussed.
The book also covers the history of celebrations and rituals, such as birthdays with and without cake, weddings with rings and witnesses, and the role of flowers in funerals. As for everyday objects, López reveals the origins of the fork, the toilet and Queen Victoria’s relationship to them, as well as the compulsion of high heels by a minor French monarch.
Next, Infobae culture publishes one of the chapters of Everything has its story (Aguilar-Penguin Random House).
Without legs and with bumps?
At least two theories have difficulty justifying the origin of this popular superstition, which is practiced by many people in various countries around the world to attract or invoke good luck. The oldest dates back to at least two thousand years ago and is associated with the large trees that were considered deities, particularly the oak, in whose veins it was believed that fairies, spirits and benevolent gods lived. They had observed that this tree had once been struck by lightning, and so they also believed that the genius of fire and life force lived within it.
The most recent, although very old, theories relate this superstition to the wood of the cross on which Jesus was crucified and to which magical powers were attributed. Whoever touched just a splinter of this wood and, over the years, every piece of wood that he associated with the cross, secured for himself protection from all possible evils and at the same time entrusted himself to the benefits of fortune.
Rituals vary from country to country. In some cases, people look for wood that has no legs, which is why tables, chairs and desks are avoided. In others they claim that for this rite to be successful, two gentle blows must be made on the chosen piece of wood; The first conveys a wish and the second expresses gratitude. There are also those who knock only once to awaken the fairies and spirits who stay there.
Always left
In Argentina, it is customary for women to touch their breasts and men to touch their testicles – the left one in both cases – to counteract the perceived effects of bad luck conveyed by the presence of a person labeled “Mufa” or “Yeta” or by the mere fact of being called by their name.
These people, usually unfairly marginalized, are referred to only by a nickname or are referred to as the unmentionable. According to popular belief, this sign, associated with energy and vitality and corresponding to the ancient custom of “knock on wood,” prevents anything serious from happening after seeing, speaking to, or mentioning the marginalized with these labels.
In men, the choice of a testicle is due to its association with masculinity, while in women it appears to be linked to the breasts’ association with life and maternal protection. It should be borne in mind that in ancient times, sexuality was considered a protective force and, among other habits, the genitals were often used as protection against the “evil eye” and bad luck.
However, for many people these days these are just humorous gestures that they always keep in mind just in case.
One of the most widespread superstitions in the Western world warns of the dangers of 13 people sitting at a table. Its origin dates back to pre-Christian times, more precisely to Nordic mythology. One of his legends states that Loki, the god of deception, mischief and chaos, was present at a banquet to which twelve gods had been invited, which triggered a battle to banish him, in which Balder, the god of light, wisdom and purity, died.
This story spread throughout Europe and was already consolidated in the Christian era, when it began to be associated with the Last Supper, at which Christ and his twelve apostles also placed 13 on the table. Under these circumstances, it was believed that one of them – for many the youngest, for others the first to rise – would die within a year. Christ was crucified the next day.
Added to this, among other things, was the fact that chapter thirteen of the Apocalypse was dedicated to the Antichrist and the Beast, as well as the existence of 13 evil spirits listed in the Jewish Kabbalah.
To avoid bad luck, the superstitious person usually adds a new guest, divides the guests into two groups, or sets the table for 14 people and puts a stuffed toy on the fourteenth chair.
One in ten thousand
The main reason the Druids – priests and sages of the Celtic cultures who lived in what is now Britain, Ireland, part of Spain and northern France – considered the four-leaf clover sacred was because of its rarity, with only about one in ten thousand clovers having four leaves.
According to their belief, those who possessed it could observe fairies and also demons, whose perverse intentions they could thwart through magic. Finding a four-leaf clover also brought them good luck and freed them from evil and harmful spirits.
In Irish culture, each leaf has a special meaning: one represents hope; another, love; another, faith, and the fourth, happiness.
Since seeds were developed for cultivation in the 1950s, four-leaf clovers are no longer uncommon, so much of their mystery and charm has been lost.
Don’t kill her
The San Antonio cow, also known as Catarina or ladybug, is associated with positive superstitions in various cultures. Anyone who takes it between their fingers and lets it fly will have their wish fulfilled at that moment; The people on whose heads this insect landed will also be lucky.
Farmers consider it a sign of good weather and a symbol of protection, as San Antonio vaquitas are natural enemies of pests that damage crops (e.g. aphids). For a time, farmers observed that crops were better in places where these “vaquitas” were found. Therefore, Christians in the Middle Ages asked the Virgin Mary to send them to them to save their crops.
The words came from this belief Ladybug And Ladybugas they are called in English, with lady (“Lady”) referring to the Virgin Mary.
Their beautiful red color with black dots and their harmlessness, as they neither sting nor injure humans, contributed to their being considered friendly and protective creatures.
(Photos: illustrative images Infobae)