Can you help me with a Superstition?

We received the following in an email today from June:

My aunt got a black bird stuck in her house. It was black with an orange beak is this a death omen?

Many people believed that because birds could fly so high, they regularly flew in and out of heaven and were therefore closely connected to god. This belief formed the basis of literally hundreds of bird-related superstitions in the UK, some of which are still followed even today.

A wild bird entering a house was seen as a death omen to many people:

“If a bird flies into your house, a death will follow within three days”

A robin in the house is particularly unlucky

You may be interested in reading

Superstitions in Britain


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3 comments for “Can you help me with a Superstition?

  1. Sally
    06/10/2013 at 18:51

    Well, I live in the countryside and have had robins flying in each year for the last 22 years! They just want to be friendly, so when I leave a door or window open….in they come. No deaths yet! Also get plenty of birds down the chimney and even nesting in it so just open up everything and let them out. Maybe I am not superstitious enough!

  2. Michael
    06/10/2013 at 19:34

    Hello. I have read a book which makes me wonder some questions about Britain.

    In the book, it says “In Britain, people do not like to walk under a ladder or open an umbrella in the house.”

    I wonder is that a true practice and what is the reason behind?

    Another saying in the book is that “In Britain, when people spilled salt, they take some of it and spread on one of their shoulders.”

    May I know the reason behind or how does this saying originate?

    Thanks a lot
    Regards

  3. Mary
    07/10/2013 at 14:53

    It is said to be bad luck luck to drop salt because it used to be very expensive and used for medical reasons.

    To counteract this bad luck you must through it over your left shoulder into the eyes of the demons, who were meant to lerk behind your shoulder!!!

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