Let's explore some kitchen and food superstitions and beliefs, shall we? I've been wanting to do a post or two about this for a while but the book that I wanted was at my parents' house. I dug it out before I moved here in August but forgot that I had it. Isn't that always the case?
This book is called Strange Stories, Amazing Facts and is a Reader's Digest publication. I used to check this book out of the library so often when I was a youngster that the librarian gave me an extra copy.
Kitchen Folklore
Stirring: Many housewives believed that a meal would be ruined if the pot were stirred widdershins.
Eggs: In order not to offend hens and stop them from laying, no eggshells were ever thrown onto the fire.
Knives: The knife has probably more superstitions connected to it than any other kitchen implement. A knife made of iron is thought to be protection against many forms of evil. Another belief is that if two knives are crossed on a table, there will be a quarrel unless someone uncrosses them.
Bread: There are also many superstitions connected to bread. Bread is considered to be a very sacred food. I remember seeing a loaf of bread knocked to the floor in a grocery store in Turkey, and a woman picking up the bread and kissing it and pressing it to her forehead two or three times before placing it back on the shelf.
If bread did not rise in the oven, it was often thought that an evil spirit, or perhaps the Devil himself, were responsible. This is why crosses were often cut into bread. This let the Devil out. However, if both ends of a loaf are cut off, it is believed that the Devil will be freed and be able to fly all over the house.
The table: If a white cloth is left on the table overnight, the household will soon be in need of a burial shroud.
Thirteen people should never be allowed to sit at the table at one time. This superstition is thought to be associated with the Last Supper, when 13 people were present, including Judas Iscariot. Other sources say this superstition predates Christianity. In Norse mythology, 12 gods were dining at a table when Loki appeared and started a fight that ended in the death of Balder, the favorite of the gods.
These are some of the superstitions I have found. What are some folk beliefs and superstitions about food and the kitchen that you have to share? Drop me a comment and let me know what you've heard/read. Do you think there are any rational reasons behind such beliefs?
1 comment:
Take the same silver fork to a crossroads for three consecutive Sundays at dawn. On the 3rd days a dark one (faerie) or in the Southern part of the US the Devil will show up. He will grant you one wish to learn anything you dream. Pass the fork on to a family member to keep the knowledge stream flowing.
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