In total, six couples have arranged to get married at Manchester Register Office tomorrow with other offices opening their doors for the first time in history all because poeple whan too get married on the 10/10/2010 because they believe this is a lucky day.
Superstition what is it had where does it come from?
I personally don’t have any.
My hubby does as he has to sit in the same place to watch sports and he said if he sits in another chair they will lose.
I have pointed out his reasoning has let him down in the past on many occasions :giggle:
Are you superstitious?
Join the most popular community of UK swingers now
Login
What is superstition and where does it come from?
last reply
47 replies
2.1k views
0 watchers
0 likes
Orgasminator
I'm not superstitious at all but I've just come back from China where superstition is very important. It's interesting that they vary so much though. For example while I was there my Chinese friend opened an umbrella indoors. I laughed and told her that in England that would be considered very unlucky and rarely done. She's very superstitious by my standards but thought that was really bizarre. I couldn't tell her why it was considered so as I don't know where that one comes from. She also told me that in China you would never give an umbrella as a present. That would be very unlucky.
There are so many there that if you believe in them (as many Chinese do) it can become difficult and start interfering with doing things. Not walking under a ladder is one thing but not moving house until there's a 8 in the date and only being able to do it on a weekend because of work starts making life more complicated that it should be.
There are so many there that if you believe in them (as many Chinese do) it can become difficult and start interfering with doing things. Not walking under a ladder is one thing but not moving house until there's a 8 in the date and only being able to do it on a weekend because of work starts making life more complicated that it should be.
Sex God
Not at all superstitious.
I reckon it comes from the days when there was no understanding of the world, why crops fail, why babies die etc etc etc. We still don't always have an answer, but we have much more than before.
So in the dim and distant past people wanted ways to stave off disaster so they came up with superstition. Religion is a product of that - being simply superstition organised into a set of rules and rituals that are there to placate whatever 'god' has been made responsible for people's lives.
When people realise that nature doesn't have a consciousness, and doesn't think or care about people's suffering and just 'is'; they will realise that they don't need to wear lucky pants, touch wood or pray to any imaginary being. They can stop blaming other forces for whatever they are suffering from - it is possible for something to be no-one's fault and be simply a result of circumstances. Cancer is the body's response to a huge range of inputs (many of which we have no understanding of or control over), combined with an in-born tendancy to respond to those unputs by developing the cancerous cells. God isn't to blame, not wearing that 4-leaf clover didn't cause it, it just happened. Not comforting, but true.
Is that what superstition is, I wonder? Something to comfort people that there is a reason when no reason actually exists?
One of my favourite sayings is "pray to God, but row away from the rocks". The logic then applies that you don't waste time praying, just row - same thing will happen.
I reckon it comes from the days when there was no understanding of the world, why crops fail, why babies die etc etc etc. We still don't always have an answer, but we have much more than before.
So in the dim and distant past people wanted ways to stave off disaster so they came up with superstition. Religion is a product of that - being simply superstition organised into a set of rules and rituals that are there to placate whatever 'god' has been made responsible for people's lives.
When people realise that nature doesn't have a consciousness, and doesn't think or care about people's suffering and just 'is'; they will realise that they don't need to wear lucky pants, touch wood or pray to any imaginary being. They can stop blaming other forces for whatever they are suffering from - it is possible for something to be no-one's fault and be simply a result of circumstances. Cancer is the body's response to a huge range of inputs (many of which we have no understanding of or control over), combined with an in-born tendancy to respond to those unputs by developing the cancerous cells. God isn't to blame, not wearing that 4-leaf clover didn't cause it, it just happened. Not comforting, but true.
Is that what superstition is, I wonder? Something to comfort people that there is a reason when no reason actually exists?
One of my favourite sayings is "pray to God, but row away from the rocks". The logic then applies that you don't waste time praying, just row - same thing will happen.
Sex God
Quote by foxylady2209
Not at all superstitious.
I reckon it comes from the days when there was no understanding of the world, why crops fail, why babies die etc etc etc. We still don't always have an answer, but we have much more than before.
So in the dim and distant past people wanted ways to stave off disaster so they came up with superstition. Religion is a product of that - being simply superstition organised into a set of rules and rituals that are there to placate whatever 'god' has been made responsible for people's lives.
When people realise that nature doesn't have a consciousness, and doesn't think or care about people's suffering and just 'is'; they will realise that they don't need to wear lucky pants, touch wood or pray to any imaginary being. They can stop blaming other forces for whatever they are suffering from - it is possible for something to be no-one's fault and be simply a result of circumstances. Cancer is the body's response to a huge range of inputs (many of which we have no understanding of or control over), combined with an in-born tendancy to respond to those unputs by developing the cancerous cells. God isn't to blame, not wearing that 4-leaf clover didn't cause it, it just happened. Not comforting, but true.
Is that what superstition is, I wonder? Something to comfort people that there is a reason when no reason actually exists?
One of my favourite sayings is "pray to God, but row away from the rocks". The logic then applies that you don't waste time praying, just row - same thing will happen.
Of course God is not to blame
thats would be the devil silly! Ask your next friendly bunch of Jehovah's, they have a leaflet about it :thumbup: 
Quote by foxylady2209
Not at all superstitious.
I reckon it comes from the days when there was no understanding of the world, why crops fail, why babies die etc etc etc. We still don't always have an answer, but we have much more than before.
So in the dim and distant past people wanted ways to stave off disaster so they came up with superstition. Religion is a product of that - being simply superstition organised into a set of rules and rituals that are there to placate whatever 'god' has been made responsible for people's lives.
When people realise that nature doesn't have a consciousness, and doesn't think or care about people's suffering and just 'is'; they will realise that they don't need to wear lucky pants, touch wood or pray to any imaginary being. They can stop blaming other forces for whatever they are suffering from - it is possible for something to be no-one's fault and be simply a result of circumstances. Cancer is the body's response to a huge range of inputs (many of which we have no understanding of or control over), combined with an in-born tendancy to respond to those unputs by developing the cancerous cells. God isn't to blame, not wearing that 4-leaf clover didn't cause it, it just happened. Not comforting, but true.
Is that what superstition is, I wonder? Something to comfort people that there is a reason when no reason actually exists?
One of my favourite sayings is "pray to God, but row away from the rocks". The logic then applies that you don't waste time praying, just row - same thing will happen.
I love your logic :thumbup:
I do not walk under a ladder being used to paint, I splash paint, and expect others to do so. Is that superstitious or caution?
I do read the star, and smile, I do not believe a word of it. They are so vague they could fit anyone. Try reading the wrong star sign to someone. On the other hand, I do think that both my western and Chinese star sign describes me well.
Superstition, is perhaps an attempt to control and explain what the world throws at one.
I avoid risks, others are superstitious lol.
Travis
I do read the star, and smile, I do not believe a word of it. They are so vague they could fit anyone. Try reading the wrong star sign to someone. On the other hand, I do think that both my western and Chinese star sign describes me well.
Superstition, is perhaps an attempt to control and explain what the world throws at one.
I avoid risks, others are superstitious lol.
Travis
Orgasminator
Quote by
I do not walk under a ladder being used to paint, I splash paint, and expect others to do so. Is that superstitious or caution?
Travis
But actually thats a good point. Avoiding walking under a ladder because it poses a risk is one thing, quite sensible in fact. But avoiding it because you think that even if nothing bad happens under the ladder, it might prompt some other bad luck later on, that's superstition.
Some superstitions routes are more obvious - such as walking under ladders, but what about stepping on cracks in pavements, or 7 years bad luck for breaking mirrors, where do they come from?
Orgasminator
I have a friend who says some daft chant every time she sees a magpie.
Another funny one I know from years ago is if you drop a glove you're to only put it on if someone else picks it up for you. Now that's a nuisance if you're by myself and your glove is on the floor.... Do you risk it?
Another funny one I know from years ago is if you drop a glove you're to only put it on if someone else picks it up for you. Now that's a nuisance if you're by myself and your glove is on the floor.... Do you risk it?
Quote by vampanya
I have a friend who says some daft chant every time she sees a magpie.
Another funny one I know from years ago is if you drop a glove you're to only put it on if someone else picks it up for you. Now that's a nuisance if you're by myself and your glove is on the floor.... Do you risk it?
It might because if you see one magpie is for sorrow, 2 for joy?
Orgasminator
That's what she seems to believe. She says some sort of greeting to it. I've seen lots of lone magpies and never had sorrow from it though, or joy from a pair for that matter. Where does the magpie stuff come from? Why is it one for sorrow, two for joy? And isn't that for sneezes too?
Where does the magpie stuff come from? Why is it one for sorrow, two for joy? And isn't that for sneezes too? Quote by vampanya
That's what she seems to believe. She says some sort of greeting to it. I've seen lots of lone magpies and never had sorrow from it though, or joy from a pair for that matter.
Maybe from this
One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a story never to be told
Eight for Heaven
Nine for Hell
Ten for the Devil himself
The theme song from magpie :lol:
Sex God
Not superstitious at all, My friend also does the magpie chant I personally don't understand any of it
Along with tea leaves readings, My tea leaves tell me to wash the cup
I personally don't understand any of it Along with tea leaves readings, My tea leaves tell me to wash the cup
Sex God
Quote by Tan--Kinky
Not superstitious at all, My friend also does the magpie chant
Along with tea leaves readings, My tea leaves tell me to wash the cup
Or buy tea bags.
Sure the answers to all of these are Google friendly. I tend not to put shoes on the table and thats an easy one that relates to being hanged.
Quote by tweeky
Not superstitious at all, My friend also does the magpie chant
Along with tea leaves readings, My tea leaves tell me to wash the cup
Or buy tea bags.
Sure the answers to all of these are Google friendly. I tend not to put shoes on the table and thats an easy one that relates to being hanged.
Isn't that just new shoes?
So isn't putting old shoes on the table seen to be ok?
BTW I wouldn't put either on the table but if I had to choose would rather new ones than old :lol:
Sex God
Quote by duncanlondon
there has to be something in it. and it has more relevance in different parts of the world, and with different peoples.
Why?
It's not like humans are all that rational.
Sex God
Quote by Kaznkev
there has to be something in it. and it has more relevance in different parts of the world, and with different peoples.
But superstitions vary so widely across the world that is no argument at all.
For example i had no trouble telling people my son was 4,whilst the children i taught in Taiwan were 3 or 5 but never 4 as it is a homonym for are specific to time and place,there is no universality.
Isn't that proof that superstitions are in the mind only? So putting shoes on the table will not trigger a family death, saying your child is '4' rather than 'almost 5' will have zero effect on that child's health.
Since there is no measurable, repeatable effect from ignoring superstitions then surely they should all be ignored in any practical terms and remembered soley as quaint evidence of a less knowledgeable period of human development.
Is there actually any proof that these superstitions actually have any substance at all?
Or is it just the human mind, doing mad things?
All this lucky number stuff....I bet there are as many people who believe thirteen is lucky for them, as there are people who think it is unlucky.
Seems to me it falls into the religion category....
People believe but without any real proof or facts that it actually exists, but it usually has the desired effect, of making the believer feel better in themselves.
I still think it is a load of old rubbish without any substance, but am willing to open my eyes if anyone out there can prove it is not just superstitious clap trap.
Or is it just the human mind, doing mad things?
All this lucky number stuff....I bet there are as many people who believe thirteen is lucky for them, as there are people who think it is unlucky.
Seems to me it falls into the religion category....
People believe but without any real proof or facts that it actually exists, but it usually has the desired effect, of making the believer feel better in themselves.
I still think it is a load of old rubbish without any substance, but am willing to open my eyes if anyone out there can prove it is not just superstitious clap trap.
Orgasminator
I dont think there's anything in it either but I am interested in where the ideas come from. Most have origins in our far history when science couldn't explain things and people needed to beleive in things like lucky charms.
Its interesting how so many things have made there way into our every day language that you might not notice. Sayings like 'Take it with a pinch of salt', 'Touch wood' (why are salt and wood lucky???) and saying bless you if someone sneezes to ward off the bubonic plague.
The other side is that it implants doubt and fear into some. Anyone who really believes that something bad will happen if they dont chuck spilled salt over their left shoulder, or if they break a mirror will probably see something bad happen and attribute it to superstition.
As far as i can tell what happens, happens regardless of lucky charms, avoiding unlucky charms or praying. Superstition and religion, i believe are the exact same thing, just ones more organised.
Its interesting how so many things have made there way into our every day language that you might not notice. Sayings like 'Take it with a pinch of salt', 'Touch wood' (why are salt and wood lucky???) and saying bless you if someone sneezes to ward off the bubonic plague.
The other side is that it implants doubt and fear into some. Anyone who really believes that something bad will happen if they dont chuck spilled salt over their left shoulder, or if they break a mirror will probably see something bad happen and attribute it to superstition.
As far as i can tell what happens, happens regardless of lucky charms, avoiding unlucky charms or praying. Superstition and religion, i believe are the exact same thing, just ones more organised.
I think humans are not very good with 'maybe'. We like to know. So finding ways to predict the future has become an obsession. Even the comfort of knowing that after one disaster there will be two more. Everything comes in threes.
...and we know the mind plays tricks on us. We all remember when things work out right, or we win. We do not recall other things.
Superstition is a trick of the mind.
...and we know the mind plays tricks on us. We all remember when things work out right, or we win. We do not recall other things.
Superstition is a trick of the mind.
if the general feeling is that such things are not logical or rational etc. then its also not easy to rationalise them.
i think many are 'gut feelings' and 'instinctive' responses. why do you make some decisions in a different way to others. and would you do so in an emergency etc.
so 'folk lore' simply provides some kind of history and legacy to these things. keeping them as a store of behaviourial monitors or such like.
even the most rational people will exercise some sense of caution why?
i think many are 'gut feelings' and 'instinctive' responses. why do you make some decisions in a different way to others. and would you do so in an emergency etc.
so 'folk lore' simply provides some kind of history and legacy to these things. keeping them as a store of behaviourial monitors or such like.
even the most rational people will exercise some sense of caution why?
Sex God
Quote by Kaznkev
i am fascinated by the number of unconscious superstitions people have,i am often challenged about my Christianity by people who have no trouble throwing salt over shoulders,believing in ghosts,horoscopes and pixies for all i know.
That`s cos ghosts and pixies actually exist !! Ya donut
We need to have a little talk about Father Christmas petal.:evil2:
We know Father Christmas exists, its been proven!
Sex God
What is superstition and where does it come from?
The uninformed
We now live in an enlightened era
The uninformed
We now live in an enlightened era
