superstition, belief, half-belief, or practice for which there appears to be no rational substance. Image adapted from 8list.ph and 8list.ph. Not surprisingly, therefore, Christian tradition holds that the Last Judgment will commence from the east, and many cemeteries traditionally bury the dead so they look eastward in anticipation. Depending on whom you ask, a christening and an infant baptism are either the same thing or two different things that happen at the same ceremony. Even after the burial ceremony, youre still not supposed to look back until youre inside the house. You also wont risk cutting off part of the funeral procession (if traveling by vehicle) or pallbearers (if traveling by foot). This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Few people notice this, but its surprising how many cemeteries bury the dead so their heads point west, their feet east. Either way, they are interesting, so read on for some hilarious baby and pregnancy superstitions from around the world! Wear Gloves if a Pallbearer from Victorian-Era England, 16. My new daughter went to my dad's funeral at 12 days old, and I can assure you that she's perfectly fine. Never Travel the Same Way After the Funeral, 13. Taking babies and toddlers to a funeral can be stressful, particularly if you are worried about their potential to make unwelcome noise. Filipino people have strong family ties. Share your stories with us in the comments below! Especially when dressed up in an adorable suit and blowing kisses to everyone. By the time the casket is taken out of the house or the funeral home, you cannot look back and should walk straight ahead from then on. I thought I'd share thirteen strange superstitions about death. The basis for this superstition might rest in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, a Bible verse stating that an archangel will blow a mighty horn to wake the dead and announce the return of Christ at the Last Judgment. Its also far simpler for the funeral home to arrange transportation and leave the family unburdened by the logistics of transporting their loved one. Something something naming ceremony vs. pledging allegiance to God something something. But a grave covered with weeds indicates that the individual was evil. In some cultures like Mexico, the entire country participates in a celebration of death on days like el Da de Los Muertos. Not surprisingly, many superstitions center on birds as harbingers of death. The most similar superstitions in between Chinese and Anatolian cultures are found in birth customs like protecting the baby and the mother from evil spirits. Kissing or touching the body of the deceased will prevent you from dreaming about them. 6. Bodies buried directly in the ground must have both soil and salt placed on the chest to signify both the body (the soil) and the soul (the salt). Here in Blighty, we tend to stick to the same tried and tested funeral traditions. Perhaps thats why so many cultures have different traditions and superstitions when it comes to dealing with death. form. If you are pregnant, both you and your baby will have bad luck. In some locations, if the procession is large enough, there will be a police escort before and behind to make sure the procession can stay together. Even more extreme measures may have been taken by early English Saxons, who cut the feet off of bodies to prevent them from being able to walk back to life. Though many different cultures follow this rule, the Jewish culture is one that typically adheres to covering mirrors. Certain Foods Cause Labor. I'm married to a whit. Keeping watch at nightorstaying awakeis also believed to stop an aswang(a shape-shifting creature in Filipino folklore) from stealing the dead body. 12. Usage of any form or other service on our website is Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! Practices like keening, wailing, tolling funeral bells, and even firing military guns could be part of a belief that scaring away the spirits was necessary to protect the living. Jewelry made out of gold or silver can sometimes be heavy. Several countries and cultures adhere to this superstition, but China is certainly known for it. Because passing on is shrouded in mystery, most people possess an imperative to clothe losses in stories that help create order from uncertainty. The inclusion of children at a funeral, as with any situation, depends on the individual child. Why that one arose, however, has been lost to posterity. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! If you take food home with you, it either means that youll be bringing bad luck into your household or that the dead will follow you home. 1. Appalachian Heritage, vol. from around the world, this is one of the most practical. Usually, pagpag is done in a convenience store or a 24-hour fast food restaurant because . For that reason, Thai people may compliment a cute baby with the phrase " . This is another superstition that has a dark explanation behind it, but ironically, not all Filipinos practice this. Whether you take these funeral superstitions with a laugh or with a shiver, they all demonstrate one thingwhen it comes to funeral planning, people have been putting a lot of thought, love, and even fear into for thousands of years. Dont Look at the Deceased, Especially if Pregnant, 15. She lives in Minneapolis, and spends much of her time practicing permaculture in the city. miles. The Ring Test. I believe she was Weeks old. Through the years, elders have passed on such funeral-related beliefs that soon turned into traditions that Filipinos just follow even when theres no proof that its real. 10. This baby was destined to become successful. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. The practice also has roots in religion. A thunderclap heard after the funeral and burial was also an indication of a soul that made its way safely to heaven. J. Malec is a visual artist and writer whose work often deals with themes related to loss and healing. Don't look back, just look ahead. We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. 18. The Full Moon Phenomenon. Let's take a look at a few of the most popular ones: Thunder. But our Funeral roses are some of the most common flowers to give and receive when a loved one dies. A cat will try to take the breath from a baby; Hanging a horseshoe in your bedroom will stop bad dreams; Sprinkling salt in the doorway of a house prevents evil from entering; Chinese Superstitions. My aunt instantly took her outside and she stopped crying. 1. Today, these same superstitions have morphed into traditions. Copyright 2023 Copper Six LLC. Image adapted from Jaya Fanoga and Stella Maris Beads. Kwang!, Louise Duncan Golf Home Club, Jeremiah E Burke High School, Select from these locations within Who qualifies as a celebrity? He is not a bad spirit out to get her. Thailand. The belief amongst the older Mexican family members is that "un muerto siempre se lleva 3 vidas". One of the more famous examples was Abraham Lincoln, whose eyes were covered by two silver half dollars. Though this custom can be traced back to England during the reign of Queen Victoria, it holds true in several other countries and cultures as well. It just turns out to be one of those things. Again she was fine. 1. r. rosieanderson3. The common thought was that if you went home by following the same route, the spirit of the deceased would follow you all the way home and haunt your house. 20 Hawaii: Leis And Pregnant Women Don't Mix. Pinterest. Its interesting to take a quick look at some of these shared experiences and see how they influence our superstitions about death. The Evil Eye will look for those who are happy and cause them to have bad luck. In most cases, these are part of a religious orientation and tradition, rather than any firm beliefs about what the spirit world may or may not be able to accomplish from the grave. The same goes during funerals, especially Filipino ones. generalized educational content about wills. All rights reserved. People traditionally throw coins in front of the funeral car in the Philippines. If, on the other hand, people heard a thunderclap during the funeral or burial, it meant the person ended up in a different location. There is renewed vision around the experience of mortality and how that informs our attitude toward daily life. The dead will take 3 lives with them. For information about opting out, click here. In Victorian England, it was thought that touching the casket would allow the spirit of the deceased to enter into you. Elders say that if you go straight home, youll be bringing the dead with you. what does it mean when it rains at a funeral, What To Do When Someone Dies: Social Security and Othe, What to Do if You are Asked to Be a Pallbearer. Black was believed to make the living less visible to the spirits that came to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. Whatever you do, dont count the number of cars in a funeral procession. 1 no. Many superstitions surround pregnant women in Vietnamese and wider Asian culture. This book documents hundreds of customs and traditions practiced in countries outside of the United States, showcasing the diversity of birth, coming-of-age, and death celebrations worldwide.From the beginning of our lives to the end, all of humanity celebrates life's milestones through traditions and unique customs. Talking about the bad things, however, is a different story. For many, the different superstitions act as a coping mechanism and help us understand death better. It was thought that the spirit of the deceased would enter into the body of the person who yawned. The supernatural drama centers around the Hastings family, owners of the only funeral home in the mysterious town of La Rochelle, Georgia. 219 Kallang Bahru, #04-00 Chutex Building, Singapore 339348, The opinions expressed by our users do not reflect the official position of TheSmartLocal.com or its staff. It is lucky to fall up the stairs. This is especially true if you are pregnant. FloristOne offers same day delivery from local florists. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. One belief is that if you let time continue to pass, then the soul of the departed will remain and haunt the house. So, at what age is it acceptable to bring a child to a funeral? Considered "windows to the soul," many superstitions involve the eyes of the deceased, such as placing coins on the eyelids of . I only ended up sitting at the back for 5 mins before LO started fussing so I left. Like other superstitions, theres a lot of different explanations behind it. Coins On The Eyes. Were you surprised to find out about the origins of some of these common funeral superstitions? Dont bring any food home from the funeral, 5. Of course the real trick is to hold your breath and avoid stepping on any cracks in the sidewalk! This very disturbing and morbid superstition was famous in the past due to the popularity of traditional film cameras, just like the one about taking photos of a sleeping person, and the fact the number three is always associated with bad luck. When it comes to funeral planning, just about every culture and every family has their own list of traditions. St Paul, MN, 55104, By using our site you agree to our use of cookies to deliver a better site experience. Throw Coins in Front of the Funeral Car. This practice stems from a fear that directly touching the casket could allow the spirit of the deceased to enter the body. An ambiguous word, it probably cannot be used except subjectively. Nevertheless, following this superstition is said to prevent evil spirits from following you home. She was told by her Mexican relatives not to go to the funeral. Sunrise has long symbolized birth or renewal, while sunsets (and even Ozs Wicked Witch of the West) symbolize evil and death. Our general guidelines below should help you in deciding whether a child's attendance at a funeral is appropriate or not. Thunder at a funeral is believed to be the sound of the departed soul being accepted into heaven. In some African cultures, funerals and burials must take place away from any cultivated land. It is just a sad and miserable place and I don't want my children to be part of it even for a short time. I'm married to a white guy and he is so overwhelmed by all our superstitions lol. While the specific origin of this one is unknown, it remains yet another example of the spirit fear once associated by the living with the dead. In fact, some might say children's attendance at funerals is wrong, period. Similarly, a bird sitting on a windowsill looking in, or tapping its beak against the glass, is an ominous sign. Placing broken rosaries or scapulars inside the casket, 12. All rights reserved. Many of the cultural and religious funeral superstitions that still exist today are the same, carrying ideas of both mysticism and practicality. 11. Depending on the mortician, sometimes pieces of jewelry will be put on the corpse to make them look as normal as they can be or as if theyre just sleeping. Project MUSE. The study confirms that funerals serve the same purposes for children as they do for adults. In some African cultures, individuals believed that if a hearse stops three times in a row on the way to the funeral, the family would experience one to three more deaths in a row. Take for example the birds serving as a bad omen instead, it is widely understood in many Native American traditions that an eagle bears the spirit upward. Depending on the family, you should either let visitors leave the funeral venue or come in by themselves. 2. All rights reserved. This is another superstition from the early days of the United States. Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. People who happen to pass by a funeral march should throw coins under the hearse. Here are a few funeral superstitions that have been part of the Western culture for centuries: Pall bearers traditionally wear gloves when they carry a casket. 3. 1. If your son or daughter chooses not to attend a funeral, memorial and/or burial service, it is important not to criticize your child. This superstition is another practiced by many cultures around the world. Beginner's luck. so im english and dh is mexican american and today we attended a funeral of his friend. Viewing vs. Funeral: What's the Difference? This is particularly true for major events, such as births, weddings, and funerals. Kisses to everyone, particularly if you go straight home, youll be bringing the dead you! 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