Halloween Folklore
When Halloween comes around, images of black cats and witches stir the curiosity of well-known superstitions. These tales have survived the centuries to become a part of our heritage. But where did they come from? Are they true or false? Do they really work? Only you can be the judge of these.
Black Cats
Folklore: If a black cat crosses your path, you are in for bad luck.
Origin: In the Middle Ages, some considered black cats to be the companions of witches; the cats were even said to change into witches after seven years of service. Therefore, a cat crossing one's path might be a witch in disguise who was up to no good.
Spilling Salt
Folklore: If you spill salt, throw a pinch over your left shoulder.
Origin: Eighteenth-century Scots believed that brownies, creatures similar to leprechauns, lived in the kitchen and came out at night to make mischief. When salt - a very precious item at the time - was spilled, it was thought to throw it over your shoulder to bribe the brownies and keep them from causing trouble. Why the left shoulder? The Latin root sinist (as in sinister) means 'left'. Therefore, the left side was thought to be evil or sinister, and where evil spirits or brownies would linger.
Knock On Wood
Folklore: After boasting, making a prediction or speaking of good fortune, knock on wood.
Origin: This stems from a combination of ancient Celtic and pagan folklore. People thought that trees were the homes of gods; when asking for a favor, one would touch the bark. After the favor was granted, the tree was knocked again as a sign of thanks.
Breaking A Mirror
Folklore: If you break a mirror, you will suffer from seven years of bad luck.
Origin: The glass mirror was considered a magical invention when it was introduced in Europe in the Middle Ages. People came to believe that their reflection was really their soul. Therefore, the breaking of a mirror inevitably meant harm to the soul. Why seven years of misfortune? The ancient Romans, who had highly polished metal for mirrors, believed that life renewed itself every seven years. Since a mirror meant broken health, it was thought that one would need seven years to recover.
Palermo and Sicily
Other countries have different Fall festivals to honor the deceased.
The Festival of the Dead is one of the most important happenings in both Palermo and the rest of Sicily. The second of November is a festival day for the children of Palermo as, according to tradition,they were made to believe that their dead relatives would return the night before and leave them traditional sweets and cakes on the table (Martorana fruit, which is almond paste made into the shape of different fruit). They would also receive puppets of boiled sugar and toys. It's one way of keeping the memory of their dead relatives and loved ones alive.
MexicoIn Mexico they celebrate El Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead.
Although celebrated in all Catholic countries as All Saints' and All Souls' Days, surely no other peoples have embraced the festival of The Day of the Dead to the extent that the Mexicans have. The celebration begins on the evening of October 31, so the name Los Dias de los Muertos is also often used. This festival is considered by many to be the most important holiday of the year in Mexico.
