Signs, omens and superstitions

Chapter 61: CHAPTER XI PLANT SUPERSTITIONS

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About This Book

A compendium of traditional beliefs and practices that surveys superstitions, omens, and charms across domestic, social, and occupational life. It traces proposed origins in ignorance, fear, and attempts to explain natural phenomena and religious rites, then catalogs customs and signs connected with weddings, rings, lucky and unlucky days, bodily portents, household rites, divination methods, animal and weather omens, plant lore, and professional taboos. Chapters treat charms, mascots, the evil eye, holiday observances, and regional variations, presenting folkloric explanations and usages without endorsing their validity.

CHAPTER XI
PLANT SUPERSTITIONS

Quaking grass, also called maidenhair, if brought into the house brings bad luck.

If mandrake is turned up in one’s garden it should be burnt at once. Many strange beliefs centre about this root. Some believe it will cause blindness if looked at too long.

To pick flowers before they are full blown, is said to cause a stye.

March marigolds will cause drinking habits if looked at too long.

If poppies are held to the eyes, it is believed they will blind one.

Primroses should not be brought into a house where there are laying hens, or the chickens will not hatch out.