British superstitions

Министерство общего и профессионального образования

 Свердловской области

г. Екатеринбург, Верх-Исетский район

Направление: Гуманитарные науки

Секция «Английский язык»

Тема

British superstitions

Исполнитель:

ученик 6 класса МАОУ СОШ№ 29

Васькин Всеволод Вячеславович

                                        Научные руководители:

Учителя английского языка

МАОУ СОШ№ 29

Гатауллина Гульнара Ранисовна

Бахтинова Наталья Евгеньевна

Екатеринбург

2016

         Introduction

1. The similarity between English and Russian superstitions.

2.1 The differences between English and Russian superstitions

2.2 UK superstition which have no analogue in Russia.

          2.3 Russian superstitions which have no analogues in the UK.

2.4 The results of the opinion poll

Conclusion

Appendix

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 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.

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 superstitions in Russia and Britain.

The Object of Research:

The superstitions.

The aim of Research:

The investigation of 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  the reasons of faith in superstitions;

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

3) to identify the similarities and differences between the superstitions

in Russia and Great Britain;

4) to conduct a public opinion poll on this issue, to process the statistical data and to draw conclusions

Working Methods:

1. Theoretical methods:

a) the analysis of literature;

b) Internet resources;

c) the generalization of data.

2. Practical methods:

a) sociological survey.

It should be noted that the question of omens and superstitions is not fully

understood, in particular the history of their occurrence. In our study we have

relied on the opinions of the people around us, as well as statistics on Internet

forums about the issue.

1.  The similarity between English and Russian superstitions.

The British are a superstitious lot. Even the most hardened cynic will probably find themselves ‘touching wood’ or saying ‘fingers crossed’ a lot more than they realise. Many superstitions date back to pagan times, and in Britain, a surprising amount of these are still observed today.

As in all other countries, the Russians  believe in superstitions and signs that bring bad or good luck. To say more – Russians firmly believe that their destiny is only partially under their control, but there are other external factors which they cannot control and which make a big impact on their wellbeing.

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 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.

The UK takes the unlucky 13 superstition really quite seriously. Almost a third of streets don’t have a number 13 and if they do, it is likely to be valued on average £4,000 less than an identical house on the same street.

The London Eye has 32 capsules but they are numbered 1 – 33. Number 13 has been left out ‘for luck’.

The number thirteen is not considered particularly unlucky in Russia – and Russians think it’s hilarious when they hear that a lot of Western buildings skip the 13th floor when numbering the levels.

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”.

In all countries there are signs associated with various animals, fish, birds and insects and plants. Superstition, which is known since childhood is a superstition that Ladybug brings luck. For this to happen, you need when Ladybird sits on hands or clothing, say something like: "Ladybird, fly to the sky, bring me bread, black and white, but not burnt”. Children growing up in the UK saying so: «Ladybird, fly to the sky, give me the happy time." There is a version that the Ladybird is a mediator between God and man, so when we say so we try to ask for happiness.

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.

2. The differences between English and Russian superstitions

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 ".

3.  Russian superstitions which have no analogue in the  UK.

According to Russians there are many things that you can do to bring bad luck upon your home. Whistling inside your home or office will cause you to lose money.  

In the same vein if you want to give someone a wallet or purse as a gift, remember to put some money in it or you’ll be bringing poverty upon them!

One of the most popular superstitions in Russia regards returning home when you’ve forgotten something. It may sound illogical but, if you’ve forgotten something you shouldn’t go back. If you really need to go back, just make sure to look in a mirror before you leave the house again and you should be ok.

The threshold of a house is a place of evil

You must not stand on the threshold of a house or apartment, and you must not talk across it or hand anything across it. The ancient Slavs believed the threshold was a place where demons dwelled. If, say, you have to sign for a package with a courier, you must either cross the threshold of the house or at least put one foot across it.

Knock on Wood. If someone praises you, avoid a jinx by knocking on wood and spitting three times over your left shoulder. Throwing salt over your left shoulder won't work since Russian superstition considers it bad luck to spill salt.

Bus Tickets. If the 3 numbers on the right add up to the same total as the 3 numbers on the left its good luck. (It’s especially good luck if you eat the ticket)

Same Name. Its good luck to sit between two people with the same name.

Its bad luck to give knives or sharp objects as a gift. If you do so, expect to receive a small amount of money in return. This way it’s more of an "exchange" than a gift.

If you give someone a wallet or purse as a present, put a little money in it first for financial luck. 

These things are not considered the best present for a Russian. Scarves, for example, are an omen of tears, knives an omen of enemies, and clocks an omen of parting. Even if you are prepared to give a Russian girl a luxurious Hermès scarf as a present, she would prefer to buy it herself, if only to save herself the tears. If you do nevertheless give somebody one of these things, do not be surprised if they give you a small coin in return. This is to create the illusion of buying the item. You must definitely take this coin, even if it surprises you that they are trying to pay you for an expensive gift with small change.

If you accidentally stand on your lover's foot, he/she must "return the favour", and stand on yours. If not, you will soon have a quarrel.

Even numbers of flowers are only given at funerals. Never give an even number of flowers to your wife or girlfriend! Remember "odd is good!"

If you see someone with any empty container  - bucket or a cart - it is considered a bad omen. Russians believe that if you meet a woman carrying an empty bucket, for example, in the countryside, or a street cleaner with an empty cart in the town, you won’t have a good day. That’s why street cleaners try to put any piece of equipment—brooms, rakes or something similar - in their empty carts.

When a guest in someone’s home or a member of the family is getting ready for a long journey, everyone in the house has to sit down before they set off. This scene recalls the children’s game “musical chairs.” There is usually nowhere to sit in the hall, especially with all the luggage, but unlike the game, everyone has to sit down, and quickly, as soon as someone says, “Let’s take a seat before the journey.” This is a Russian omen for a safe journey. Everyone in the house has to sit somewhere for a minute. This omen, incidentally, is very useful, because it helps people to calm down after the chaos and remember whether they have forgotten to pack anything.

2. The results of the opinion poll

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

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.

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.

Superstitions, 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. Павленко Г.В.,”Holidays and festivals in Great Britain”.

4. Химулина Т.Н. и др., «В Великобритании принято так»

5. Лаврова С.А., «Культура и традиции Великобритании».

6. http://www.BabyBlog.ru/com/chudesa/342150

7. http://www.visitbritainblog.com/

8.  http://www.historic-uk.com/

9. http://www.projectbritain.com/

10. http://rbth.com/articles/2010/09/07/twelve_russian_superstitions04931.html)