From the earliest times, people have observed various phenomena, looking for coincidences that were associated with certain actions and could lead to a change in mental mood, weather or fertility. They systematized what they saw, carefully studied and tracked. And those phenomena that were repeated from time to time were singled out, remembered and passed on from generation to generation. That is why most of the old beliefs and signs have come down to our days: even today we are not particularly happy to meet a black cat, we prefer not to lend money at night looking and carefully handle mirrors. But is there a difference between signs and beliefs? Which of them deserve attention, and which are a relic of the past? We'll talk about this right now. We will also tell you about how superstitions were born.
Sign and belief: is there a difference?
In general,a sign is usually called some characteristic feature that allows you to predict what may happen soon. Belief, on the other hand, is a belief that is passed down from one generation to the next. And it should be taken unquestioningly.
Speaking of old Russian signs and beliefs, it is also worth noting that they can be divided into two categories: bringing good luck or, conversely, portending sorrows and problems. We bring to your attention the most famous signs and their logical explanation.
Sprinkle s alt - to a quarrel
What do you need to do today to get s alt in your kitchen? Go to the nearest store, pay a rather modest amount - and the job is done. But it was not always so. This seasoning in Russia was worth its weight in gold in the truest sense. She was a symbol of prosperity and well-being, it was she who was put on the festive table.
There are many sources for the old saying that spilled s alt inevitably leads to conflict. For example, some researchers are convinced that the whole thing is in Leonardo da Vinci's famous fresco "The Last Supper": here Judas is depicted overturning a s alt shaker. However, other etymologists say that the seasoning figured in various religious rites long before da Vinci began work on his masterpiece. Thus, contracts were sealed with s alt - leaders in some eastern countries poured a pinch of s alt from one container into their mouths as a sign of the conclusion of an agreement.
Among the Slavic peoples, who considered s alt a sign of materialwell-being, it was considered simply unacceptable to come to visit and knock over the s alt shaker - this indicated that the guest did not respect the owners of the house. And, of course, such a sign could well have appeared due to savings - so that children and negligent servants take care of expensive seasoning.
To break a mirror - to years of misfortune
This ancient sign is considered to be one of the most terrible. It is enough to break even a pocket mirror so that failures and misfortunes accompany a person for quite a long time. According to some reports - up to seven years!
But how did this superstition come about? According to one version, the mirror is able to take some of the energy of the person who looks into it. At the same time, it should be understood that a person who looks at his reflection is not always in a good mood. We all experience anger and resentment from time to time. It was believed that all these negative moods accumulated over the years were released when the mirror broke. And this led to the fact that in the life of the person who broke the mirror (or even for all members of his family) trouble began.
The roots of this prejudice go back to the distant Middle Ages. The first mirrors made of glass began to be made in Venice, and they were fabulously expensive. That is why, so that the servants do not accidentally spoil the master's mirrors, this sign was invented.
You can't whistle - there will be no money
Probably everyone is familiar with various variations of this old folk omen. Some people think that you shouldn't whistle at home. Who-sometimes he says that whistling is not allowed anywhere and under no circumstances. However, few people know that the sailors are responsible for the appearance of this sign. It turns out that during the calm, when the ship could not continue moving, the entire crew - from the cabin boy to the captain - began to whistle at full strength. So they called on the wind to rise and fill the sails. By the way, you could often see this technique in a variety of cartoons.
So why not whistle in the house? People decided that because of this, the wind would actually rise - even if it was invisible - and take absolutely all financial savings out of the house. But it's not just the sailors, the researchers say. It turns out that the pagans many centuries ago believed that representatives of the dark forces were talking with a whistle. Whistling, a man attracted evil spirits to himself. Of course, no self-respecting evil spirit could not but respond to the call - he not only appeared in the life of the whistler, but also arranged various troubles for him.
Black cat running across the road - to failure
Speaking of old omens and superstitions, one cannot fail to mention this one. In general, in Western culture, this animal has long been considered a symbol of something negative. For some reason, people decided that it was witches who reincarnated as black cats. The person to whom such a “werewolf” crossed the road understood that a witch was nearby. Therefore, it is worth waiting for trouble.
People endowed black crows with approximately the same gloomy characteristics. But is there anyWhat is the meaning of this old saying? Historians are ready to give an answer: most likely, cats began to be considered "devilish" creatures in the Middle Ages. Then, in the era of epidemics, rats literally swarmed in all cities. And where there are rats, there are cats. And because such a "bad reputation" did not bypass them. In addition, black cats became invisible at night, which frightened those who encountered them. As you can see, there is no mysticism at the origins of this old sign.
Sign about three cigarettes
You must have heard of the superstition that under no circumstances should one lighter or match be used by three people. It is rather difficult to call an old sign - it appeared during the First World War. Then the soldiers, watching the enemy army, were guided by the lights from cigarettes and matches. First, the soldier lit a cigarette - the enemy saw the first light. Then he gave a light to a friend - the second. After that, a third one joined them - it was he who became the target of an enemy bullet.
You can't send anything over the threshold
Another old sign concerns the transfer of any things through the threshold. For some reason, it is believed that this will not lead to anything good. And today, almost no one will remember exactly how this belief entered our lives. But in fact, everything is extremely simple: in ancient times, the ashes of loved ones who had passed away were buried under the threshold of a house. And, of course, disturbing the rest of the dead was considered a bad sign.
Swallows fly low for rainy weather
Probably one of the most famous ancient folk signs about the weather can be called the one associated with swallows. Our ancestors said that if these birds are flying low above the ground, it is likely to rain. Not so long ago, scientists found out that this sign can also be explained from a scientific point of view. It turns out that the whole point is that swallows feed on midges, which, with any decrease in atmospheric pressure and high humidity, descend to the ground. Hungry birds follow the insects. Nothing fancy.
