Lots of superstition associated with white deer too - on Arran seeing a
white deer presages a death in the chief's family etc etc. Not to mention
white whales and white rabbits leading people to madness. Lots of white deer
myths mentioned in Michael Bath's 1992 book 'The Image of the Stag -
iconographic themes in Western Art' Saecula Spiritalia 24 publ Verlag
Valentin Koerner.
-----Original Message-----
From: Günther Karl Kunst
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 9:11 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] Animal superstitions - Zooarchaeological evidence
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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