GOOD LUCK OR BAD?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20875, 15 November 1929, Page 18

GOOD LUCK OR BAD?

CURIOUS SUPERSTITIONS. WHY GREEN IS UNLUCKY. Superstition dies hard. Even in these enlightened days there are people who will refuse to set out on a journey on a Friday, or to walk under a ladder, or who would be seriously discomposed if they chanced to see the new moon through glass. The spread of education has, it would appear, made very little difference. The ancient Roman wore his amulet; the modern Englishman decorates his motor car with t mascot. The word “ Mascot ” ‘s new; the idea which it conveys is probably as old as humanity. EMERALDS FOR BAD SIGHT. From very early times beliefs have been entertained of the curative properties of certain stones. • Pliny, for instance, writes: “If the sight hath been dimmed and wearied with intense poring over anything, the beholding of an emerald doth refresh and restore it again.” Even luckier than the emerald is the amethyst, which was much in favour with the Ancient Egyptians:— Uplifted on tho hands of bishops, amethysts have sent an influence of holiness and peace over countless kneeling flocks. Rosaries for use in special times of war or pestilence were made from it in the Middle Ages, since those who prayed as they held the stone were more easily led into a state of tranquility and calm.

Even the hot cross bun is regarded as a briuger of good luck. There is a popular belief that these buns never mildew, and that “ if a bun is kept from one year to another there will be no danger of the house being burned down.” THE FAIRIES.

There' are many superstitions regarding colours. Green is generally held to be unlucky. One reason for this is supplied by Sir "Walter Scott: “As the Daoine Shi or Men of Peace—i.e., fairies —wore green habits they were supposed to take, offence when any mortals ventured to assume thejr favourite colour.” White, on the other hand, is generally lucky, though even here there arc exceptions. “In Northamptonshire the unexpected sight of a white mouse is a sure forerunner of a death in the family.” The fish mascot has survived into the present century, and is reputed to be in great demand jn the West End. The Greeks and Romans held that the fish mascot had power to bring good luck in all affairs connected with courtship or marriage, for in the early religions the goddess of love was closely connected with water.