Concetti Chiave
- The number thirteen is considered unlucky because twelve was seen as a lucky number and due to associations with the Last Supper.
- Friday the thirteenth is viewed as particularly unlucky, partially because significant negative events, like the death of Jesus, occurred on a Friday.
- Breaking a mirror is believed to bring seven years of bad luck, stemming from the Roman belief that mirrors reflected a person's spirit.
- In ancient times, salt was extremely valuable; spilling it was seen as unlucky, leading to the custom of throwing it over the left shoulder.
- In Britain, black cats crossing your path is considered lucky, while horseshoes and touching wood are seen as protective and bringers of good fortune.
Indice
Origine della sfortuna del numero tredici
The number thirteen is very unlucky. This is true in many countries. But Why? One suggestion is that twelve was a lucky number in ancient times so thirteen is unlucky. Another suggestion is that at the Last Supper there were twelve apostles and Jesus. Friday the thirteen is a very unlucky day. This is because a lot of bad things such as the death of Jesus happened on a Friday. Some countries do not have a thirteenth floor!
Superstizioni legate al sale e agli specchi
Breaking a mirror brings seven years’ bad luck. The Romans believed the reflection in a mirror was a picture of a person’s spirit. As a result it was very bad luck break one. Spilling salt is also very unlucky. This is because salt was very valuable in the past. At the time f the Roman Empire soldiers received salt instead of money. This is the origin of the word ‘salary’. Salt was also used as a medicine. If you spill salt, you must throw it over your left shoulder so that you don’t become ill.
Gatti neri e ferri di cavallo
In Britain, it is good luck if a black cat crosses in front of you. This is because in ancient Egypt the cat was sacred. Many people believed that cats have nine lives. Horseshoes are also lucky. Witches are afraid of horse and a horseshoes on the door protects the people inside. A horseshoe is also the shape of the crescent moon which brings good luck. Today you often find small silver horseshoes and wedding cakes. Finally, touching wood is good luck and comes from the time when the Celts believed that gods lived in trees.
Domande da interrogazione
- Perché il numero tredici è considerato sfortunato?
- Quali sono le superstizioni legate al sale e agli specchi?
- Qual è il significato dei gatti neri e dei ferri di cavallo nella superstizione?
Il numero tredici è considerato sfortunato perché dodici era un numero fortunato nei tempi antichi e tredici è visto come il suo opposto. Inoltre, alla Cena Ultima c'erano dodici apostoli e Gesù, e il venerdì tredici è particolarmente sfortunato poiché molti eventi negativi, come la morte di Gesù, sono accaduti di venerdì.
Rompere uno specchio porta sette anni di sfortuna perché i Romani credevano che il riflesso fosse l'immagine dello spirito di una persona. Versare il sale è anche considerato sfortunato poiché era molto prezioso in passato. Per evitare la sfortuna, si deve gettare il sale versato sopra la spalla sinistra.
In Gran Bretagna, un gatto nero che attraversa la strada porta fortuna perché nell'antico Egitto il gatto era sacro. I ferri di cavallo sono considerati fortunati perché le streghe ne hanno paura e proteggono le persone se appesi alla porta. Inoltre, la forma del ferro di cavallo ricorda la luna crescente, simbolo di buona fortuna.