Old Wive's Tales and Superstitions..

[TEENEE]

If you are given a plant never say thank you. If you do the plant will die.

 

[suzannen]

In the Jewish faith Red Ribbons (“kinehora bindels”) are tied and placed in the cribs of newborn babies to protect them from the "Evil Eye." I learned about this one firsthand when my DD was born and my MIL also insisted on putting a red ribbon on every one of her carriages, strollers, car seats, toddler beds....

 

[Syrreal]

When your pregnant if you give into a craving then your baby will be born with a birthmark in the shape of that food.

In Brazil, it's the exact opposite. If you don't give into the craving your kid will have the birthmark (or, depending on the region, look like what you were craving)


I can't remember if this one was already posted-
If a bird poops on you, it's good luck

 

[C.Ann]

Speaking of cravings - supposedly whenever you crave one particular food over a long period of time, it's because your body is lacking something that's in that food..

 

[Syrreal]

Speaking of cravings - supposedly whenever you crave one particular food over a long period of time, it's because your body is lacking something that's in that food..

Hmm, how can I justify cake as a craving? Maybe I really need icing (had to make cake today)

 

[C.Ann]

Hmm, how can I justify cake as a craving? Maybe I really need icing (had to make cake today)

It was probably the eggs..

 

[scnana]

Very interesting! The first one I thought of was raising your arms over your head when pregnant but I see that has been mentioned. I also had an apartment manager tell me I did not need to be in the swimming pool because I might drown my baby. My Mother said whatever you do on New Year's Day you will do all year and whosever clothes you wash on NYD will die that year. She also would not let us count the cars of a train because that would be the number of the cars in your funeral procession. Never heard the one about putting shoes on the table.

 

[PrincesCJM]

If bees build a nest in the ground, it will be a gentle winter with little snow fall. If bees build a nest up high, it will be a hard winter with lots of snow.

 

[MrsPete]

If a snapping turtle gets you, it'll hold on 'til it thunders and lightenings.
(Yes, I'm aware of the grammar mistake, but I'm saying it just like my great-great-great aunt used to say it.)

Corn should be knee high by the fourth of July.

If you let a cat in the house, it'll steal the baby's breath.

Rain and sunshine at the same time mean the devil is beating his wife.

Count the number of thunderstorms in October (Is it October? I could be wrong.). That's the number of snows you'll have that winter.

Snow that lies on the ground for more than three days is waiting for more to come.

How many ribbons did you break as you opened the gifts at your wedding shower? That's the number of children you'll have.

What did the bride say as she opened her shower gifts? That's what she'll say on her wedding night? (For example, "That's going to be so useful! Oh, it's nicer than I imagined.)

Put a knife under the bed to cut the pain of labor in half.
There's another story about an egg, but I'm not sure about it.

 

[C.Ann]

Hold your breath when driving past a graveyard

Why?

Horseshoes are good luck, but you have to hang them the right way..

Which way is the "right" way?

you MUST walk out the door you came in.

What happens if you don't?

I often think of what she believed when I go to bridal showers, not to give knives, and if you do, they must be "bought" by the bride for a small amount of change.
Same with pearls~

Why?

---------------------------------------

Anyone have answers for the above?

This is very interesting.. So many I have never heard before..

 

[Katieinwonderland]

The right way to hang a horseshoe is in the shape of a U. At the barn I used to keep my horses at, whenever a horse lost a shoe, we'd hang them up for good luck - we had them everywhere! Hanging them upside down is supposed to be bring bad luck to the barn.

 

[C.Ann]

The right way to hang a horseshoe is in the shape of a U. At the barn I used to keep my horses at, whenever a horse lost a shoe, we'd hang them up for good luck - we had them everywhere! Hanging them upside down is supposed to be bring bad luck to the barn.

Well I guess now I know the "why" of all of the bad luck and tragedies in my family since my parents first married.. My dad had a horseshoe nailed over the top of the doors of the barn (which later became a garage) in the wrong direction!

 

[mackeysmom]

My grandmother always said it was bad luck to sleep on your back. It seems that sleeping that way leaves your soul open/unprotected and the devil will steal it.

Always scared the heck out of me and to this day I will NOT sleep on my back

She also said it was good luck if a bird "did his business" on your head!!

-- Laura

 

[AKL_Megs]

The graveyard one... Hold your breath or you'll be haunted by the spirits.

Step on a crack, break your mothers back!

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Well I guess now I know the "why" of all of the bad luck and tragedies in my family since my parents first married.. My dad had a horseshoe nailed over the top of the doors of the barn (which later became a garage) in the wrong direction!

C.Ann,
If you hang the horseshoes upside down, all your "Luck" will pour out. Hanging them right side up (like a U) holds the luck inside.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Cute thread! So many I remember. Horseshoes, check, hats on beds, check. Trying to think of a few others mentioned but all of them are familiar.
Growing up with a bunch of farmers in the family ( I was a city girl to start) and married a cowboy, you would not believe the supestitions they have.
My Dmom swears by the Old Farmers Almanac. Lord, you do not do anything without checking it first. Butcher, castrate, surgery, travel, dentist, planting... You check the almanac first or there will be problems. And that went for people, pets, livestock, crops. Then I married my DH. He was even worse. I tossed a hat on the bed and he dove to across the room to catch it!
I've gotten used to it and find it amusing now. I follow their rules!

 

[C.Ann]

Cute thread! So many I remember. Horseshoes, check, hats on beds, check. Trying to think of a few others mentioned but all of them are familiar.
Growing up with a bunch of farmers in the family ( I was a city girl to start) and married a cowboy, you would not believe the supestitions they have.
My Dmom swears by the Old Farmers Almanac. Lord, you do not do anything without checking it first. Butcher, castrate, surgery, travel, dentist, planting... You check the almanac first or there will be problems. And that went for people, pets, livestock, crops. Then I married my DH. He was even worse. I tossed a hat on the bed and he dove to across the room to catch it!
I've gotten used to it and find it amusing now. I follow their rules!

The part of your post that I bolded - all of that info was really in the Old Farmers Almanac? Is it in the ones they sell now?

Anyone have more to add?

 

[scbelleatheart]

The Old Farmers Almanac is put out out every year. You can get it most anywhere that sells magazines or books. You would probably love it! So much old trivia. Hope you find one and enjoy the reading C.Ann!

I thought of an old superstition. Do not give the gift of knives but if you do, always tape a penny to them before giving the gift and this includes the knife to cut your wedding cake with! Great Gramma always said!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

My grandmother always said it was bad luck to sleep on your back. It seems that sleeping that way leaves your soul open/unprotected and the devil will steal it.

Always scared the heck out of me and to this day I will NOT sleep on my back

-- Laura

My grandma used to say this too! I never paid it any attention until I saw the movie The Exorcist - the movie terrified me, and from then on, I was too scared to sleep on my back incase my grandma was right! Even now I won't sleep on my back, and if I roll over onto my back in the night, something in my subconscious wakes me up and I turn over! DH thought I was insane when I explained my reasoning behind this!

 

[C.Ann]

The Old Farmers Almanac is put out out every year. You can get it most anywhere that sells magazines or books. You would probably love it! So much old trivia. Hope you find one and enjoy the reading C.Ann!

Thanks! I've seen another one - can't remember what it's called - but it's very similar to the Old Farmers Almanac - and I believe has a similarity in words on the front - but is not the "real deal".. I'll have to look and see if I can find the actual OFA when I get somewhere that has a good selection of magazines..

My grandma used to say this too! I never paid it any attention until I saw the movie The Exorcist - the movie terrified me, and from then on, I was too scared to sleep on my back incase my grandma was right! Even now I won't sleep on my back, and if I roll over onto my back in the night, something in my subconscious wakes me up and I turn over! DH thought I was insane when I explained my reasoning behind this!

Never heard this one - but thank goodness I have never, ever been able to sleep on my back.. I'm either flopping from side to side - or curled up in a fetal position.. I doubt I could even sleep on my stomach - now that I think about it.. LOL..