From the fear of the black cat to the broken mirror, superstitions still deeply permeate our modern societies. These beliefs, inherited from ancient civilizations, have endured through the ages with remarkable resilience. Whether they come from Greek and Roman mythologies, Celtic traditions or medieval religious practices, they bear witness to the way in which human societies have attempted, over the centuries, to tame the inexplicable and to protect themselves against adversity.
Yet we live an era largely dominated by science and rationalitybut some of these ancestral practices seem to have remained deeply rooted in our brain. As if we always needed these protective rituals and symbolic markers to protect us against the vagaries of existence.
The black cat: from divinity to curse
In ancient Egypt, cats enjoyed divine status, revered as sacred creatures. This creature was closely associated with the goddess Bastet, goddess of fertility, home, protection and joy. However, the Middle Ages overturned this perception: from the 13th century, theThe Catholic Church associated them with demonic forces. They were then considered as familiars, creatures sent by the devil to help witches in their misdeeds.
This period triggered a real feline persecution, particularly towards black cats, which was perceived like emissaries of Satan. Thousands of black cats were killed in extremely cruel ways, burned alive, drowned or hanged. irony: this massive disappearance of cats has favored the proliferation of rats, vectors of numerous diseases such as the plague. Although diminished, this stigma persists today in the collective imagination of certain societies
The Broken Mirror: A Window into the Ancient Soul
Who has never heard someone say “ seven years of misfortune » at the sight of a broken mirror? This fear dates back to ancient Rome, where mirrors were not just simple household objects like today. It was believed that the gods contemplated the souls of mortals there. Breaking a mirror therefore constituted a very serious divine offense..
The belief in the seven years of misfortune finds its origin in the Roman concept according to which the body is renewed every seven years, length of time needed to free oneself from misfortune. This fear is found in many cultures around the world, with local variations. For example, in China, it is believed that breaking a mirror can sever a person’s ties to their ancestors.
Spilled salt: precious as gold
Throwing salt to ward off bad luck or ward off the devil has its roots in Antiquity. At the time, salt was a rare and precious commodity, possessing both economic and spiritual value. Wasting it was equivalent to squandering a fortune and provoking divine wrath.
The gesture of throwing a pinch over the left shoulder, on the other hand, finds its origin later, in Christian belief: it was about blinding the devilalways posted behind you. This practice still resonates among certain peoples, notably in Buddhist funeral rituals. Before a ceremony, participants can sprinkle salt to purify the area and chase away negative energies.
Touch wood: a pagan heritage
“ Touch wood » or its equivalent “ touch monkey skin » (a modern variation to mock this superstition) would find its origins in ancient Celtic societies. The trees there embodied the home of spirits and gods; hitting the trunk therefore allowed to invoke their protection or to thank them. Christianity has reinterpreted this gesture with reference to the cross of Christ, but the practice retains its original protective function.
Note that this idea has never been supported by solid historical and scientific evidence. The 19th century saw the emergence of the Romantic movement, which very strongly idealized the Celts, presenting them as these people living in harmony with nature, endowed with mystical powers and occult knowledge. This view has helped to associate many beliefs and practices with these, even in the absence of evidence.
The evil eye: a universal talisman
The Nazar, this distinctive eye-shaped amulet characterized by its intense blue color, represents one of the oldest and most widespread mystical protections. This belief in an evil gaze capable of bringing bad luck has taken root in multiple civilizations, from the Mediterranean to the Middle East, from Central Asia to Latin America.
The protective eye takes different forms depending on the culture: set in precious jewelry, painted on pottery, inlaid in the walls of houses or suspended above the cradles of newborns. Its function remains invariably the same: divert the “ evil eye »this harmful force supposedly emitted by an envious or malicious look.
If today the nazar has become widely democratized, becoming a decorative element popular with tourists and a popular fashion accessory, it retains its protective dimension for many communities.
Ravens: messengers of the gods
The raven’s sinister reputation dates back to Greek mythology, where these birds held a special place in divine stories. According to legend, the raven, originally immaculate white, was one of the privileged messengers of Apollo, god of light and poetry. One day, Apollo entrusted the bird Corvus with a sacred mission: to bring water to perform a divine ritual. But the bird, distracted by a fig tree laden with ripe fruit, lingered on the way to feast.
Upon his late return, Corvus attempted to justify his delay by accusing a snake of having blocked his journey. Furious at this lie, Apollo cursed himturning its plumage jet black and condemning it to utter hoarse cries for eternity. This divine curse therefore made the crow a disastrous omen, whose croaking would announce imminent death.
Halloween: dressing up to trick the spirits
This tradition finds its origin in the Celtic festival of Samhaincelebrating the end of the harvest. During it, the veil separating the worlds of the living and the dead was supposed to be thinner, allowing spirits to pass through and interact with the human world. Bonfires were then lit there, which served as guides for the souls of the deceased to the afterlife and to repel malicious spirits.
The Scots disguised themselves to escape evil spirits supposed to be roaming around during this period. Irish immigration to the United States in the 19th century helped popularize Halloween, bringing with it Celtic traditions. If the modern celebration has completely lost its spiritual dimension, it unconsciously perpetuates these ancestral practices. Despite this evolution, certain Celtic symbols, such as pumpkins (representing severed heads) and bonfires, have remained associated with Halloween.
The funniest thing about all this is that even in the age of electric cars and AIsome of us sometimes continue to knock on wood when we talk about misfortune or avoid black cats. Homo sapiens is definitely never really far away of its mystical roots.
- Superstitions have their roots in ancient beliefs, often linked to protecting or explaining the inexplicable.
- Practices like touching wood or avoiding black cats illustrate the cultural and religious evolution of these beliefs.
- Despite scientific advances, these ancestral rituals can still influence our daily behaviors.
