Sacred Egyptian Black Cat Statue
Have you ever noticed how a theory said out loud can travel far?
If I were to say, “Oh, I am sure the color you are painting your house is bad luck,” would you choose another? That’s how superstitions are born and evolve. A superstition has a life of its own and relies on people adding their touch of fear to enhance its power. And why are these seemingly irrational ideas still believed in the modern world? They include bad luck numbers, cracked mirrors, and the view about holding your breath when walking through a cemetery. In many of these nefarious notions, the spiritual meaning adds depth.
‘Wedding Day Wives’ Tales’
For example, the concept of a groom carrying his bride over the threshold. The ancient Romans hold the key to much of our modern wedding practices, and evil spirits were the source of concern. The rulers of an empire believed a certain kind of magic inhabited the threshold of a home, so the groom carried his bride over it to avoid spirits entering through the soles of her feet.
‘Bridesmaids wore a similar dress to avert these pesky spirits from ruining the couple’s special day.’
And it doesn’t end there, as a traditional wedding in China involves a red umbrella being held above the bride. This auspicious ritual is the privilege of a woman considered very lucky in life, and the objective is to stave off evil. Being blessed with English parents, various superstitions from Victorian times have been passed down and duly noted, including church bells ringing before the main event and the dropping of the rings to ward off evil. Also, the superstition that prevents the bride and groom from seeing each other before the wedding. Although some couples choose to flout wedding traditions, many brides still wear something old, borrowed, and blue. The origin is an old English rhyme that inspires optimism, happiness, and love in the new marriage.,
‘How many of us won’t walk under a ladder as it is bad luck?’
So, instead, avoidance becomes a natural form of survival and possibly a source of humor for the guy standing on the ladder, watching everyone go around except for the brave soul who defies centuries of ladder superstition and walks right under it. This highlights how word of mouth can carry a belief from Ancient Egypt until now that ladders are not just for climbing to clean your gutters. The Egyptians built ladders or stairways into their tombs so the person who had passed could ascend to the afterlife. It was also thought that harmful spirits believed to inhabit the space between the ladder and the walls, making this area a “no-go” zone for mere mortals. The Middle Ages continued the fear as Christians crossed their fingers in the sign of the cross if they walked under a ladder. Next time you climb a ladder to get to higher cupboards or paint the kitchen ceiling, have a thought for the centuries of rationale that ladders hold a sacred triangular space, where even angels might fear to tread.
Egyptian Black Cat
‘Black cat magic!’
The saga of the black cat is littered with good and bad luck symbolism. Ancient Egyptians and Romans were fans of the black cat and worshiped gods in their name. Cats became friends to the ancients because of their hunting prowess and how easily they could be tamed. They were so highly valued that it was an offense to hurt a cat, and the penalties were harsh. So, how does an infamous feline go from being mummified in honor of its place as a pet in Egyptian culture to being slandered as the devil’s advocate? The rise and fall of the black cat is a classic example of how superstition can take hold and stir the masses. In the Middle Ages, cats were hunted for their association with witches or anyone who performed magic. Witch hunts were a medieval pursuit that stormed through Europe and then onto America, where paranoia gave rise to the Salem witch trials. Black cats were also targeted and today are often considered a bad omen if they cross your path.
‘Number 13 is unlucky?’
Maybe even more so when considering the curse of the number 13 and how this number got such a negative stance. Or why are apartment buildings and hotels constructed without a 13th floor? Given time, you realize how an idea can escalate into a superstition without a factual basis. Hearsay from centuries ago that made an “old wives’ tale” credible in the modern world. It doesn’t help that Hollywood has capitalized on the number 13 with movies designed to scare us half to death, while the Last Supper with Christ and his disciples labels Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus, as the 13th apostle. On a brighter note, in China, 13 is considered lucky, along with the number 8, offering an insight into how other cultures view our superstitions. I can openly admit my birthday falls on a 13 and at times lines up with Friday the 13th. Apart from the typical attitudes, strange looks, and stares, I see my birthdate as lucky. Would I live in a number 13 home? Yes, I certainly would, as numerology brings it to the number 4, which changes the dynamics of luck. This highly decorative Egyptian Black Cat Statue measures approximately 7.25″ in height and is handmade. Blue and gold accents make this symbol of protection a stylish addition to your decor with its ambiance of antiquity.
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