Приметы и суеверия в Англии и России.

Introduction

Year after year, day after day we become the witnesses of new and new scientific discoveries, technological inventions. It is difficult to surprise us. But what is interesting, regardless of social status  the people are still superstitious continue to spit over the left shoulder and knocking on the wood. Not everyone will go on a long journey, not sitting on the track. And, probably, even the most inveterate skeptic in the form of broken mirrors has still thought that it is not good.

The relevance of this topic is that superstition so entered into our lives that have become an integral part of our nature. Many people, for example, carry some sort of thing, which they expound, brings them happiness. This could be a coin, a button, a toy, a stone, a decoration, a playing card, and so on. This piece is commonly known as the mascot and the people try never to part with it.

      Every day a reasonable man spits over the left shoulder, knock on the wood, he is silent on his accomplishments, only that somebody has no evil eye. Why do people trust such circumstances? What makes it do so, and not otherwise? The answers to these questions we will try to find during the course of our investigation.

The Subject of Research:

The similarities and differences of omens and superstitions in Russia and Britain.

The Object of Research:

The omens and superstitions.

The Purpose of Research:

The investigation of omens and superstitions, their place in the Russian and British society.

Research hypothesis:

I  assume that the superstition of the specific people depends on their social-cultural features (standard of living, education, historical roots, etc.).

On the basis of the object and hypothesis of the research  we have the following tasks:

1) to  undertake an analysis of the literature on the historic rise of omens and superstitions, as well as the reasons of  faith in omens and superstitions;

2) to  highlight the most common omens and superstitions in Russia and the UK;

3) to  identify the similarities and differences between the omens and superstitions in Russia and Great Britain;

Chapter I. Theoretical principles of studying of omens and superstitions.

Definition of the word «superstitions» and    reasons why people believe in superstitions.

Let's think, what means the word «superstition»? If we try to define it, it will be difficult to do it, wont it? We can say, for instance that this faith in that, what in realities does not exist. Really, around us much such, in what people believe and that it is impossible confirm. People believe in real facts, which we consider as superstition.

Superstitions can be defined as, "irrational beliefs, especially with regard to the unknown"

A belief in superstitions gives people an illusion of control in an uncertain world. Many superstitions originated at a time when little was known about how the physical world functions. Now established scientific principles were then shrouded in mystery and often thought to be influenced by unseen mythical forces. Yet new superstitions continue to develop even in today's more scientific world.

A superstition is a belief not based on logic or reason. Superstitions often promise to protect someone from harm or affect either their bad or good luck. For example, opening an umbrella in a house leads to bad luck, finding a four leaf clover is good luck, and wearing a special gemstone or crystal will ward off evil. These superstitions have no logical basis, yet they are still followed by millions.

People believe in superstitions because they want to believe in them. They will look for coincidental connections and label them as proof.

The superstitions exist from the birth of civilization and to this day. Millions of people around the world are still infected with superstitions and do not intend to abandon from them.

It is almost impossible to explain exactly how superstition is originated. Maybe the reason is some phenomena of nature, its mystery, frightening people or events, an offensive which they would prevent. However, people start to believe in some explanation of phenomena or strengthened in the thought that they could compel specific actions of these phenomena occur at their request. Superstition is a belief, usually caused by fear, which contradicts the grounds of reason and cannot be confirmed by experience.

For example, the subject of hoaxes and fear of people were the heavenly bodies, for which there were superstitions. Especially the mysterious aliens-Comets caused the fear of people. According to superstitious people, Comet is a sign of impending war or other disasters.

Because the ancient people could not understand the behavior of animals, they have created superstitions around them.  Black Cat, which passed the road is  a sign of failure, the cry of the OWL is a sign of approaching death, and so on.

Signs emerged as far back as ancient times, when people looked attentively at environment with bated attention, they caught the tie  between the behavior of animals  and weather changes. The omens were related with the situation, shape, and color of the clouds, pointing to increases or decreases in temperature, wind, rain or storm.

So, the red sunset in the warmer months, almost always indicates that the next day will be the strong heat. At the same time, the red sunset in winter is a sign of cold weather.

Many natural omens are connected with the behavior of animals, birds, insects, and even plants. For example, when a cat starts hiding the nose when sleeping it will be cold.                                                                                                                            

Numerous  omens are related with the road. For example, an omen that you cannot sew on the road, or you can sew the road yourself. The emergence of such signs may be due to the fact that you can miss the transport.

The good omen is "to sit on the track". It's necessary to do so because you have more time to forget nothing.

Signs like this: when you come home from the halfway point, be sure to look in the mirror, are connected with the beliefs about spirits, about energy. So as not to disrupt the energy of path, you look in the mirror, as if to say that you visited the house and start the path again. Then the path  will not be "curve".

So, today's sources of superstitions are:

1. The historical superstitions;

2. The pagan rites and traditions, legends (the worship of idols);

3. The fear of unknown;

4. The fear of death;

5. The fear to get a curse, evil eye, illness, etc.

As we can see, all signs are based on the everyday observation of everyday life, and correct conclusions. Just many omens are so entrenched in our lives as a kind of ritual that we do not think, where and why these signs appeared. Therefore, many omens are considered by the people for superstitions, and therefore they are ignored. Nevertheless, in many countries the people follow the omens, but different circumstances in different countries are different.

Chapter II. The research work on identifying of similarities and differences of omens and superstitions in Russia and Great Britain.

The similarity between English and Russian omens and superstitions.

Despite the fact that Russian culture is very different from English, and our countries have different historical path, many omens and superstitions are coincided.

First of all, they are common throughout the world, such as, for example, the happy and unhappy numbers, superstition about mirrors and weather conditions, the ceremony dedicated to general holidays and some signs associated with animals.

So, let's see why in Russia and in Britain, and even in the world’s superstitions it is so often mentioned that the number 13 is unlucky.

There are many superstitions associated with nature, charms, perfume, objects, flowers, accidents and so on. There is no single widely accepted explanations of the origin of the superstition of the number 13. There are many different opinions about this.

In religious circles, the number 13 is associated with the Secret Supper, which was attended by Christ and the 12 Apostles – only 13, and the 13th was Judos.

As has been said, in Britain and in Russia, many superstitions are associated with mirrors. The most widespread superstition says that if you break a mirror, you will be accompanied by seven years of failure. In English it sounds like this: "If you break a mirror, you will have seven years bad luck”. It is believed that if split-mirror, the evil spirits that inhabit the looking glass, will pursue human who made it and take revenge for the fact that he "evicted them from their homes”. Of particular importance in both countries are the beliefs and superstitions related with wedding ceremonies. First of all, this is the time of the wedding. "If you merry in Lent, you will live to repent”, saying the British, which corresponds to the Russian  that to marry during Lent is not good that the newlyweds would constantly quarrel, sorry about marriage, and there will be no happiness for their family. It is connected with biblical traditions, because marrying during fasting is a great sin.

Perhaps the most common wedding superstition says that girl, which caught the bouquet at a wedding is next who will get married. If a girl catches the bride’s bouquet after a wedding, she will be next to merry. Therefore, the young English and Russian girls are trying to catch the bridal bouquet at a wedding.

Also in England and Russia there is a sign that the people at the wedding must throw rice grains. The wedding ceremony, as well as many other important events in life, is full of symbols. It means that we perform the certain ceremonies as symbols of our wish.

And finally, the most numerous superstitions are associated with getting good luck, amulets and Talismans. For example, the English can often be found such a sign: "If you touch wood, your good luck will continue”. In Russia there is a belief that if you touch the tree, then you become not only a fortunate, but you will not get sick this year.

Yet I would like to say that some of the mascots in England are coincided with Russian talismans. These are stones, geese’s feather, the oak leaf. At all times it was believed that they bring luck to its owner. But the most famous plant is a clover-clover. Worldwide, people believe that clover-clover is a sign, which augurs well for the well-being and happiness. This is so the ancient superstition that no one can say exactly how or where it occurred. But there is an old legend which says that when Eva was expelled from paradise, she took a clover. Since clover was a plant from the garden of Eden and it was considered a sign of good luck.

Just as widespread and as difficult understandable is the general belief that the Horseshoe brings good luck. Almost every country has its own legend or tradition relating to the Horseshoe. Irish said that the horse was in a stable where Christ was born, so the Horseshoe has a magic power. In Russia the blacksmiths were considered the magicians and it is said that they used a horseshoe to show their magic.

The differences between English and Russian omens and superstitions

But, as we know, there are many differences between English and Russian  superstition . Perhaps one of the most important differences is an interpretation of omens, when black cat runs across the road. If in Russia it is too bad, then in England, black cat symbolize just the opposite – the happiness and good luck. It is a good sign in terms of the English: "If a black cat crosses your path, you will have good luck." Perhaps this is why many famous British people choose black cats as pets.

In Russia the people always fear black cats. This religious superstition about black cats, bringing misfortune, arose many thousands of years ago.

When people believed in the existence of witches, they identified a black cat with witch. They believed that black cats were disguised as witches. To kill the cat did not mean to kill the witch, the witch could take the form of cats nine times.

There are also English  superstition that if you scratch your left hand, you will give the money away. In Russia believed that when the left hand is scratched, then it   promises a great profit.

Also it should be said that in Russia, the spiders were associated with the evil forces and disease. In England there is a superstition: "If you see a small spider, you will get a lot of money”.

If in Russia the black ravens are associated with something bad, then they are considered the birds in England, bringing good luck. It is not surprising that they keep those Ravens in the famous London Tower.

In Russia there is a superstition that if you talk while sewing the clothes, you can sew your memory, and all will be forgotten. In England the people say: «If you mend your clothes on your back, you will leave much money to lack ".

  There are also many omens in the UK, which have no analogue in Russia. For example, such a sign: "If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck”.

I would like to recall the British and Russians talismans, differing among  themselves. For example, in the UK the rabbit foot brings good luck. The rabbit is a symbol of kindness, comfort, and protection. In Russia a similar mascot is a bear claw. The bear is the King of the forest, evil spirits are afraid of him, and the man wearing a bear claw, takes power of this beast.

The statistics and survey results

The British are very superstitious people. This statistics testifies it. Top 10 modern British superstitions are the following:

1. In order to guarantee the success it is needed to put "a happy thing" from a wardrobe. 24% of the respondents believe in it.

2. When playing the lottery you must choose the numbers that have personal significance to humans. (22%)

3. To avoid the seven years of unhappiness, when you have a toast, you must look into the eyes of the man with whom you are going to touch glasses. (21%)

4. “The rule of three days is not to call the guy or the girl the day after dating, and to wait a few days. (17%)

5. There is a need to avoid theories of hangover, according to which "you shouldn't drink wine in front of a beer". (16%)

6. It is good to flip one of the cigarettes in a Pack. (15%)

7. It is necessary to respond the requests about forwarding the e-mail messages to another recipient. (14%)

8. You cannot put new shoes on the table (12%)

9. Front door can be painted in red paint it is for good luck, but you cannot paint it in black as this may call misfortune. (5%)

10. If in the Google search bar you will be able to enter your name and it will be there only once, it is to luck (4%)

In Russia almost every subject of the articles is any sign, so it's hard to top the most common. According to the study, the most common kind of irrational fear in Russia is the fear of the evil eye.

In the research I have conducted a public poll. The gist of it was to clarify the percentage of people who believe/don't believe in omens and superstitions. We have interviewed 57 people. Among the respondents were both men and women.

Conclusion: in the course of the study, we have obtained the following results: 70% of the respondents believe in omens, 14% do not believe, 16% of those who handle to the superstitions and omens when they need in them.

Conclusion: it should be noted that adults believe in their superstitions more (59%) than teenagers (41%). On the basis of the results, we can conclude that the more experienced man is, the more he can be affected by superstition and omen.

Anyway, we can say that in any country there are omens and superstitions, sometimes they look like superstitions in other countries. The only difference is that the relevant to the subject of superstition is different.

Conclusion

On the way to work Black Cat crossed the road, at dinner the salt accidentally woke up and in the evening mirror is broken, all these things are to the trouble. If instead the black cats you meet a wedding cortege and break a saucer instead of a mirror, we are light hearted say that it is for happiness and we expect the pleasant surprises.  

Omens and superstitions have appeared many centuries and even millennia ago. Ancient people tried to explain  the world how they imagined it. This led to the emergence of numerous superstitions and beliefs. And, despite the fact that most of them contain almost no truth, people continue to believe them. The man cannot know everything, and then he will continue to speculate and make hypotheses about how the world works. We are all a bit superstitious. It's in our nature.

After reviewing some of the superstitions of Britain and Russia, I discovered something new. Knowledge of the culture, folklore, traditions and beliefs helps us to take a closer look at the mores of another country, with its history and spiritual lives, enrich your own worldview. The more we know about another country, the smaller is the gap between our mutual understanding and friendly relations.

Omens, both old and new, make our lives richer, on the one hand and, on the other hand, can complicate life, if you follow the clues too. So, you must dominate over the omens without giving them to rule over you.

List of literature:

1. Барбин А.В., «Приметы. Суеверия. Знаки»
2. Комарова И., Книга примет.
3. Лаврова С.А., «Культура и традиции Великобритании».
4. http://www.BabyBlog.ru/com/chudesa/342150