Dear Jacqui and all,
some years ago a chain with mole claws was found in post-medieval layers
at Orth castle (Lower Austria), interpreted as charm/amulet, they were
also items at a local exhibition on witchcraft.
see also "charivari" on wikipedia
all the best
Karl
Jacqui Mulville schrieb:
> Activities for a summer afternoon....
>
> Besides zooarch evidence such as animal burials in houses, pits and
> tombs etc, the various mummified cats and horse skulls under floors
> and the deliberate selection of sides for sacrifices - can Zooarchers
> provide more examples of animals as being used in a 'Superstitious'
> context? Or as omens? Would animal mummies count?
>
> There are plenty of animal superstitions, lucky cats, single magpies
> etc as below - and indeed a National Geog show (with Henry Rollins!)
> mentions
> themhttp://tvblogs.nationalgeographic.com/blog/animal-underworld/
>
> but is there zooarchaeological evidence out there? Please provide any
> examples.
>
> Superstitions...
>
> It’s bad luck to bring peacock feathers into your home because of the
> ‘all-seeing’ eye markings.
>
> On a journey? Encountering a flock of sheep is a positive omen.
>
> Gazing at a wolf will cause blindness.
>
> If you’re heading out to sea, a cat aboard will bring good luck.
>
> A sweaty horse in the morning journeyed with witches all night.
>
> First catch of the day? Throw it back in the water for a lucky day of
> fishing.
>
> White birds foretell death.
>
> If a girl catches and releases a ladybug, her husband will come from
> the direction in which it flies.
>
> It’s a sign of good luck if a frog is found in a home.
>
> Letting a cat sleep in your bed will bring bad fortune.
>
> Spot a spider web in the afternoon? If the spider runs down its web,
> travel is in your near future.
>
> A flying bat may really be a transformed witch, ghost or vampire.
>
> Never kill a sparrow, spider, robin, raven or cricket, for it’s
> considered bad luck.
>
> Guinea fowl may bring sunshine to a farm.
>
> Dog howling in the silence of night? Someone close to you may soon be
> sick.
>
> A black cat walking towards you brings good luck.
>
> If a bee flies into your home, you may soon have a visitor.
>
> Moles emerge from their tunnels at night to hear angels sing.
>
> The hooting of an owl at night is an omen of death.
>
> Say the word ‘pig’ while fishing at sea and bad luck will come your way.
>
> White horses warn of danger.
>
> New year? If the first butterfly you spot is white, you’ll enjoy good
> fortune all year.
>
>
> Jacqui Mulville (PhD), Reader in Bioarchaeology
> Head of Archaeology,
> Tel: + 44 (0) 29 2087 4247
>
> Public Engagement and STEM Ambassador
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhOIbvYpKhE
> Social Media http://www.facebook.com/GuerillaArchaeology/ or
> http://www.facebook.com/CORGROUP, guerillaarchaeology.wordpress.com,
> Flickr guerilla_archaeology, twitter @GuerillaArchae
>
> School of History, Archaeology and Religion, Cardiff University, CF10 3EU
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