Observed Superstitions

580 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay about superstitions

Observed Superstitions Over the weekend I was able to encounter three recognizable, superstitious remarks said by those who are very close to me. One remark was said by my father as we were walking inside the mall to go look at a pair of shoes to buy for my little brother as a surprise. The second remark was said by my little brother as we were talking about having company over to my parents’ house for a movie night to end the weekend. The last remark was said by my mother as we were watching television and enjoying our mother and daughter bonding time. I never knew how superstitious my family could be until this weekend when I was truly attentive to the kind of things my family members say on a daily basis. My family members, however, are not completely superstitious, but we do subconsciously participate in some superstitions that were passed down from generations to generations. It was quite interesting to tell them how superstitious they can be at times. When confronted about their superstitious remarks, they were completely shocked. As we were walking inside the mall to go look ...

Show More
Related

  • Superstition In George Gmelch's Baseball Magic

    913 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many cultures ascribe to some kind of superstition, magic, or faith. Merriam-Webster defines superstition as “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation” ("Superstition”). This definition makes superstition sound like it belongs in a lower developed country that lacks the ability to have scientific knowledge. However, magic and superstition are alive and well in developed countries, such as the United States. Sports are rife with superstitions. Many players use “ritual, taboos, and fetishes to manage the anxiety generated by unpredictable events that challenge human control” (Gmelch 266). Superstitions are entirely psychological; a way to create a reason for an event that has occurred. In his article “Baseball Magic,” George Gmelch examines the rituals, taboos, and fetishes of American baseball and how they compare to the magic of the Trobriand Islanders.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Langston Hughes The New Superstitions

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    Does anyone ever remember the first time someone said the silly childhood saying” Knock on wood.” Or even felt the infamous scare of when a black cat crosses their path because it was said to cause bad luck? These things are cultural superstitions that are normally used when trying to define why the most outlandish things happen to someone during their day. Some superstitions are used as to bring good luck and even protection, for example a young child may keep their blanket to keep the monsters at bay and to bring them comfort when they feel scared or even a Catholic wearing a cross necklace. Some may not agree with a religious figure being related to superstition, but in reality what is the difference between a cross necklace and a stuffed animal? Not much, when reading and comparing Margret Meads “New Superstitions for Old” and Langston Hughes “Salvation” there have been many similarities when between superstitions to the belief in God but one conclusion has been made when comparing both texts:

    Read More

  • We Arent Superstitious Summary

    459 Words  | 1 Pages

    In “We Aren’t Superstitious”, by Stephen Vincent Benet, the theme of accusation supports the superstitions for the Salem Witch Trials. Throughout the entire story, accusations are thrown left and right; Arguing on who is a witch and who isn’t. When Tituba arrived from the West Indies towards the beginning of the story, nobody could predict the mayhem she would unfold. The queer and interesting stories she told Elizabeth Parris later spread into the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Now, one doesn't know if this was part of her “evil voodoo-witch plan” or aimlessly come across, but it was catastrophic. The first individual to be accused of witchery was Sarah Good, who later was followed by Sarah Osborne. They were both accused of witchery because of their low social classes. Sarah Good was known as a whore and a beggar, while Sarah Osborne was married to a lower social class and was a horrible Christian. This accusation of the lower class portrays a lot of what happens today in the real world.

    Read More

  • Superstitions And Etiquette In Puerto Rico

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    Puerto Rico has many similar superstitions as the United States, as well some that are not as common. Some of the superstitions that are shared with the United States include black cats and walking under ladders bringing bad luck. Another similar one is that the number 13 can bring bad luck as well. Most high rise buildings in Puerto Rico do not have a thirteenth floor. The floor numbers jump from twelve to fourteen. Also, Tuesday the 13th is the equivalent of the United States Friday the 13th, however many in Puerto Rico view both days as a day full of bad luck. Some other interesting superstitions begin on New Years. These superstitions begin with throwing a bucket of water out the front door at midnight. To many in Puerto Rico, this symbolizes throwing out the all of the bad events of the previous year and emptying out the past year for a fresh new year.

    Read More

  • Pre-Christian Superstitions Of Witchcraft In Ancient England

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    In demonological theology, the familiar spirit was more commonly associated with a second type of witch, one which reflected the majority of biblical references to witchcraft far more accurately than the malefic witch. These were ‘cunning’ or ‘white’ witches, to whom Cooper connected the power of “Diuining, where…strange things are reuealed…[including] the past, present, or [things] to come”, whilst in popular culture they also provided the valuable services of healing and finding lost goods. Although historians have noted that the demonological writers of early Stuart England concentrated much attention on demonising the cunning-witch to wean the populace away from both ‘popish’ and pre-Christian superstitions, the influence of biblical precepts

    Read More

  • Essay On Superstitions In The Elizabethan Era

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    People during the Elizabethan era placed most of their luck on certain objects, or performed certain actions in hope that they will be endowed with good luck or protection. The main reason why people during the Elizabethan era took superstitions as an integral part of life was because most people during that time displayed ignorance and also lived in fear because of their minimal knowledge about anything more than the physical world around them (Alchin, “Elizabethan Superstitions”). This included unseen external forces such as the supernatural, nature, or God. Some superstitions that were a part of Elizabethan England still exist in today’s culture in America. One example is when a person sneezes,

    Read More

  • Definition Of Superstition

    2002 Words  | 5 Pages

    “Superstition is a belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and faith in magic or luck: a belief that certain events or things will bring good or bad luck” (Merriam-Webster). “Superstition is an irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome” (The Free Dictionary). “Superstition is the belief in supernatural causality—that one event causes another without any natural process linking the two events—such as astrology and certain aspects linked to religion, like omens, witchcraft and prophecies, that contradict natural science” (Wikipedia). Superstition, a belief or practice generally regarded as irrational and as resulting from ignorance or from

    Read More

  • Ritual Observation

    1541 Words  | 4 Pages

    I arrived at the destination of where the ritual observation was to take place at 9:45 a.m. on February 23, 2014. The ritual takes place in Brockville, Ontario in a building called the New Hope Brockville Tabernacle. The tabernacle is a large building that has a tower, also known as a steeple, erected on the roof. On the steeple is the symbol of the cross. The front doors opened up to a large foyer where the majority of the people inside were gathered in various small groups. These groups were composed of members similar in age. Everyone who entered through the doors was greeted with lots of hugs and welcomes.

    Read More

  • What Is The Journey In Where The Wind Leads By Vinnh Johnson Summary

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tradition is passed down from generation to generation. However, there is a cultural barrier that

    Read More

  • Examples Of Sociological Observation

    1810 Words  | 4 Pages

    Observation allows researchers to experience a specific aspect of social life and get a firsthand look at a trend, institution or behaviour. It promotes good communication skills, improves decision making and enhances awareness.

    Read More

  • Essay on The Supernatural in Toni Morrison's Beloved

    596 Words  | 2 Pages

    Superstitions are a natural part of any culture's make-up. However, some superstitions are firmly rooted in one specific culture. This is evident in Baby Sugg's statement to Sethe where she says, "Not a house in the country ain't packed to its rafters with some dead negro's grief" (Morrison 5). Similarly, Ella comments to Stamp Paid, "You know as well as I do that people who die bad don't stay in the ground" (188).

    Read More

  • In this assignment I will discuss how fate and superstition contribute

    927 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this assignment I will discuss how fate and superstition contribute to the final Tragedy. I will also consider other elements in the play, such as social class, education, poverty, and coincidence, which are highly significant to the story. In the play there are many references to the devil and the bogeyman, both figures representing evil and control. Most of the characters are strongly influenced by these; the "kids," who believe in the bogey man, and incorporate him into their games, "will he get me mummy?" and their mothers, who are influenced by the devil.

    Read More

  • Omens: Superstition versus Reality

    1415 Words  | 3 Pages

    As soon as we hear this so-called word 'Omen' we squeeze our nose and feel like the people of this modern age. The people who are living in the 'Scientific era' and this appears to be a matter of great shame if they believe upon this seemingly trash. But I ask you one question and please give me your answer right straight to your heart. Have you ever searched about these things like an unbiased scientist? Science says that we must leave out some of the things since they are nothing but mere co-incidences without any significance at all. Conversely, saints say in the God's creation everything has reason. Who is right saint or scientist? Have you ever taken enough pain to search out the reality? Or you just veiled yourself in the scientific dogmatism as soon as you come across these things? Tell me are you just the gramophone that runs on to sing the already recorded song? Newton invented the theory of gravity since he did not pass on the so-called common phenomena occurring from centuries. He got something uncommon in the falling of the 'Apple'. The 'Apple' which has become legend now. If Newton would have passed on this incident as mere co-incidence he had lost his eternity. He got eternity because he saw the uncommon in the common. He was not a common man who sees everything without any new perspective at all. But what about you? Every man is a born scientist, once he understands that he has also the same mind as all have. The difference borders on very thin line when we turn ourselves escapists to say 'Friends we are not scientists we are common human beings'.

    Read More

  • Family Culture And Culture, Tradition And Cultural Legacy

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    My family has always been big on family traditions ever since I can remember. However, growing up I never really understood the value of tradition, or the role they played on connecting the family. I really began to understand that

    Read More

  • Are Superstitions Still relevant in Contemporary Society in The UK?

    1991 Words  | 4 Pages

    Origins of superstition are deeply rooted in history and have a variety of reasons for the appearance, such as psychological, religious and economic aspects. Despite the fact that superstitions had different origins, according to Smith (2008), their function was to express the ideological associations of people and to indicate fears and anxieties of society at that time. To begin with, the psychological foundation of superstitions is the most deep-seated. It refers to the lack of knowledge and the impossibility to explain occurring events because of this. As Lindeman and Aarino (2007) argue, this fact can be compared with an understanding of the world by a child. As authors said, this understanding is explained by developmental psychologists by a notion of a core knowledge, which means process of cognitive learning about physical, psychological and biological entities and processes without any explanation, help or instructions. For instance, Lindeman and Aarino (ibid) recognize that animated subjects, such as ...

    Read More

More about Observed Superstitions

Open Document