«Superstitions in Great Britain and Russia»

City science-practical conference

« A Step to Science-2013»

Junior group

English language Section

«Superstitions in Great Britain and Russia»

Shnireva Anastasiya, form 7 «a»

Science research supervisor: Lazareva Olga Sergeevna

Chita 2013

Contents:

1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………….….3

2. The plan of research ………………………………………………………….…6

3. The science article ……………………………………………………………..14

4. The list of literature …………………………………………………………….22

Introduction

The Desire of the person to protect itself from an unknown power or create for itself prettier fate has brought to thousands and thousands superstition in the world. At our days, in spite of development of the technology, sciences and cultures exist such notions as superstition and sign. The Life is unpredictable, but occasionally person notices some coincidences, separate events, after which follows lucky or unlucky event.

The Person always searches for the explanations on that or other cause is afraid of anything, dreams about anything. Liability to psychological dependency, manipulate by consciousness follows to superstition. Real life is unpredictable; there are many laws, principle and rules.

The Superstitions are reflected in culture of society (the custom, rites) and reveal itself in the forms of superstition.

The Study of superstition in English and Russian language presents for us enormous interest due to specific regularity of the conservation and issues them from generation to generation.

This subject is dedicated to study superstition in English and Russian cultures.

The objects of the study are the most known and commonly used superstitions in Great Britain and Russia.

Why this theme was chosen by me?

About sign and superstition people argue for a long time, and the people absolutely different professions, miscellaneous nature and temperament.

The Problem about superstition  have much disputes, after all when considering these questions are touched such subject, as religion, psychology, cultural and spiritual life of the people, questions about predetermination of the fate and uncleanly power.

The Second reason is the interest to culture and custom of the other country, in particular Great Britain. For people, studying English and have interest for culture this subject is particularly curious. The Knowledge of tradition, superstition of Great Britain help better to understand the English a literature, reasons that or other event in the course of histories.

In my opinion this subject is not so good studied.

The main aim of my work: to study and analyze superstition of Great Britain.

Our problems:

1. Make a list of superstition in Russia and Great Britain;
2. Study and analyze different literature, denoted sign and superstition in Russia and Great Britain;
3. Consider, compare and analyze the superstitions in two cultures   Russian and English.

I solve these problems through the following methods:

1) Work with literature about superstitions

2) Collection of information about superstitions in Internet

3) Analysis and comparison superstition in English and Russian culture

4) Pupils interrogation in the school № 2

When I prepare my work I followed such main methods as:

descriptive method

collection of the material

systematization of the material

study and analysis

making of conclusion.

I can make   conclusion that superstitions play some roles in people’s life.

Superstitions appeared much ages ago. The Ancient people tried to explain the world so, which they   presented it themselves. It was the reason of the appearance of superstitions. But majority of them practically do not contain the truths, people continue believe in them. The Persons cannot know all and he will continue to build the guessworks and made the hypothesizes about that, as world is made. We all are little superstitious. This is a mortgaged by nature in us.

Studied some superstitions of Great Britain and Russia, I have opened for myself something new. The Knowledge of the culture, tradition and superstitions help me closer to get acquainted with disposition of the other country.

Also I got acquainted with culture, historian, spiritual life of the inhabitants of Russia and Great Britain.

City science-practical conference

« A Step to Science-2013»

«Superstitions in Great Britain and Russia»

Shnireva Anastasiya, form 7 «a»

Secondary state school №2

The Plan of research

I analyzed all English and Russian superstitions (you can find them in the scientific article) and got these results:

1) The current levels of superstitious behavior and beliefs in Great Britain and in Russia are surprisingly high, even among those with a scientific background.

Touching wood is the most popular UK and Russia  superstition, followed by crossing fingers, not smashing mirrors, carrying a

lucky charm and having superstitious beliefs about the number 13.

2) Superstitious people tend to worry about life, have a strong need

for control, and have a low tolerance for ambiguity.

3) Women are more superstitious than men, and young people more

than old.

4) Personal superstitions.

1.1) General levels of superstitious behaviour and belief

Saying 'fingers crossed' or actually crossing fingers.

Avoiding walking under a ladder because it is associated with

bad luck.

Being superstitious about the number 13.

Being anxious about breaking a mirror because it is thought to

cause bad luck.

Saying 'touch wood' or actually touch or knock on wood.

Carrying a lucky charm or object.

The results indicate very high levels of superstitious beliefs and

behaviour.

77% of people in Russia indicated that they were at least a little superstitious and carried out some form of superstitious behaviour, and 42% indicated that they were very superstitious.

53% of people in England are at least a little superstitious and only 25% admitted to being very superstitious.

People were also asked to indicate if they had a background in science. Interestingly, even 25% of people who indicated that this was the case said that they were very superstitious. The rank order and percentages of people endorsing these behaviours and beliefs are shown in the table below:

Rank Superstition % of people endorsing each superstition

2.2) What sorts of people are superstitious?

People who tend to worry about life are far more superstitious than others – 50% of worriers were very superstitious, compared to just 24% of non-worriers.

People who have a strong need for control in their lives are far more superstitious than others - 42% of people indicating high need for control were very/somewhat superstitious, compared to just 22% of people indicating low need for control.

People who have a low tolerance for ambiguity are far more superstitious than those with a high tolerance - 38% of those with low tolerance were very superstitious compared to just 30% of those with high tolerance.

3.3) Gender and age differences

Women are significantly more superstitious than men – 51% of women said that they were very superstitious compared to just 29% of men. When it came to individual superstitions, far more women than men cross their fingers (women: 75% and men: 50%), and touch wood (women: 83% and men: 61%).

These findings replicate other research concerned with belief and gender, and may be due to women having lower self-esteem and less perceived control over their lives, than men.

People become less superstitious as they age – 59% of people aged 13-17 said they were superstitious, compared to 44% of people aged between 31-40 and just 35% of the over 50s.

These findings do not suggest that superstitious behaviour and beliefs will be consigned to the past. Instead, they are strongly held by the younger members of society.

4.4) I made test in my school № 2 and analyzed 78 works.

My questionnaire consists of these questions:

1. Do you know what superstition is?
2. Have you got any superstitions?
3. Do you believe in «good luck» or «bad luck» superstitions?

Results (children gave answers):

To the first question:

98% - Yes,I do

2%- Just a little

To the second question:

67%-Yes,I have

33%-No,I have not

To the third question:

72%- believe in good luck superstitions

28%- believe in bad luck superstitions

I made analyze of this questionnaire and understood that the children from the 7-th forms are superstitious, but they believe (the great part of them) in good superstitions (and I am happy). I can say that girls are more superstitious than boys. These results gave the beginning of my work. In my opinion it is very interesting and I can tell about it at the English lessons to my classmates.

 I made comparison of English and Russian superstition and got these results:

 I can say that between English and Russian superstition there are many differences. Probably, one of the most important difference   is interpretation of superstition, for example, when black cat runs across the road. If in Russia that means the failures, in England black cat symbolizes just inverse   happiness and good luck. In English this superstition:  If a black cat crosses your path, you will have good luck. Possible, exactly so many famous people in Great Britain choose black cat as home pet.

But in Russia people fear the black cat. This is a religious prejudice about black cat; bring misery, appeared many thousand years back.

When people believed in existence of the witches, they associated turn black cat with witch. They believed that black cats were shown disguised witch. Kill the cat did not signify to kill the witch, since witch could take the type of the cat nine times. People started to think that the cat has nine lives.

There are many superstitions in Great Britain, which have no analogue in Russia. For instance, such sign:  If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck that means that if you are passed under stairway, that you will accompany the failures or say «white rabbits» at the first day of month.

I want to say about english and russian talisman, differing between themselves. For example, in Great Britain rabbits paw brings the good luck. The Rabbit is a symbol of the kindness, comfort, presents and protection. In Russia the similar talisman is the claw of bear. The Bear   is the king of forest, and a person, carrying these talisman, has a power of this animal.

In England and in Russia there is common superstition, connecting with a mirror. In English this sounds so:  If you break a mirror, you will have seven years bad luck.

City science-practical conference

«A Step to Science-2013»

«Superstitions in Great Britain and Russia»

Shnireva Anastasiya, form 7 «a»

Secondary state school №2

Scientific article.

Definition of the word «superstitions» and    reasons why people believe in superstitions.

Let's think, what means the word «superstition»? If we try to define it, it will be difficult to do it, wont it? We can say, for instance that this faith in that, what in realities does not exist. Really, around us much such, in what people believe and that it is impossible confirm. People believe in real facts, which we consider as superstition.

Superstitions can be defined as, "irrational beliefs, especially with regard to the unknown"

A belief in superstitions gives people an illusion of control in an uncertain world. Many superstitions originated at a time when little was known about how the physical world functions. Now established scientific principles were then shrouded in mystery and often thought to be influenced by unseen mythical forces. Yet new superstitions continue to develop even in today's more scientific world.

A superstition is a belief not based on logic or reason. Superstitions often promise to protect someone from harm or affect either their bad or good luck. For example, opening an umbrella in a house leads to bad luck, finding a four leaf clover is good luck, and wearing a special gemstone or crystal will ward off evil. These superstitions have no logical basis, yet they are still followed by millions.

People believe in superstitions because they want to believe in them. They will look for coincidental connections and label them as proof.

Interestingly, a belief in superstitions can actually affect a person's "luck", although what it actually affects is their outlook. Events that are pure chance will not be affected, yet any event that is based on a person's performance can be influenced by their belief in superstitions.

Superstitions are so prevalent among athletes, actors, and students. Some athletes may decide that they have to perform a certain ritual, like turning in three circles before leaving the locker room or wearing a certain pair of lucky socks. Thespians do not wish each other good luck before a play, as that is supposed to have the opposite effect, and instead tell each other to "break a leg".

There are many superstitions that have arisen in every culture. Some superstitions even have opposite meanings in different countries. In the United States, both black cats and the number 13 are unlucky. Yet black cats are lucky in Britain and the number 13 is lucky in Italy.

Though superstitions have some interesting background stories and people believe in them, they all come back to a matter of control. People want to have control over the events in their lives. They will believe in many strange ideas to gain even an illusory sense of control.

Now I study general Superstitions of Great Britain and Russia.

General Superstitions of Great Britain

English traditions, superstitions and beliefs include superstitions and customs of English people. Many of them are now inseparable parts of everyday life, or simply common social etiquette, though they often have their origins in superstition. The awareness of them, and their perceived importance, depends on various factors including region and age. Some are extremely common and practiced by the vast majority of the population, while some are extremely obscure. There are popular superstitions in England:

Good Luck

Lucky to meet a black cat. Black Cats are featured on many good luck greetings cards and birthday cards in England.

Lucky to touch wood. People touch; knock on wood, to make something come true.

Lucky to find a clover plant with four leaves.

White heather is lucky.

A horseshoe over the door brings good luck. But the horseshoe needs to be the right way up. The luck runs out of the horseshoe if it is upside down.

Horseshoes are generally a sign of good luck and feature on many good luck cards.

On the first day of the month it is lucky to say "white rabbits, white rabbits white rabbits," before uttering your first word of the day.

Catch falling leaves in autumn and you will have good luck. Every leaf means a lucky month next year.

Cut your hair when the moon is waxing and you will have good luck.

Putting money in the pocket of new clothes brings good luck.

Bad Luck

Unlucky to walk under a ladder.

Seven years bad luck to break a mirror. The superstition is supposed to have originated in ancient times, when mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods.

Unlucky to see one magpie, lucky to see two and many.

Unlucky to spill salt. If you do, you must throw it over your shoulder to counteract the bad luck.

Unlucky to open an umbrella in doors.

The number thirteen is unlucky. Friday the thirteenth is a very unlucky day. Friday is considered to be an unlucky day because Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

 Unlucky to put new shoes on the table.

Unlucky to pass someone on the stairs.

General Superstitions of Russia

Russians are very superstitious and are attentive to various omens. The majority of these omens emerged in the pre-Christian era, and neither the traditional religions that arrived in Russia more than 1,000 years ago nor the ideologues of the Communist regime during the almost 70 years of Soviet rule were able to stamp out faith in them. There are popular superstitions in Russia:

Spit on or touch wood

 Like many other peoples, Russians believe in the evil eye—an evil look that brings bad luck or trouble—and fear it. You will often see that after someone has said something complimentary about someone else’s child, the child’s parents will appear to spit three times over their left shoulder and touch a wooden surface three times. This will also happen if, for example, someone is telling you about some potentially imminent success, or that, for example, they’re about to go on vacation. Russians are afraid of putting the evil eye on any good event or any compliment, and will touch wood so as not to suffer misfortune. Incidentally, if there is no wood handy, most Russians will tap their own head, saying with a smile that it has the same effect.

Do not carry an empty bucket

 If you see someone with any empty container—bucket or a cart—it is considered a bad omen. Russians believe that if you meet a woman carrying an empty bucket, for example, in the countryside, or a street cleaner with an empty cart in the town, you won’t have a good day. That’s why street cleaners try to put any piece of equipment—brooms, rakes or something similar—in their empty carts.

Don’t put money into someone’s hands

 Russians have a lot of “money” omens. For example, a taxi driver or shop assistant might decline when you try to hand them your money, and ask you to put it on the vehicle’s dashboard or in a special tray next to the till. This does not mean at all that they cannot stomach touching your hands. It is believed that the money can transmit energy from its owner, including negative energy. Once the passenger has left the vehicle and the customer moves away from the till, the link with their energy is broken and someone else can pick up the money without fear.

Don’t take anything out of the house at night

 If you live under the same roof as Russians, you would be advised not to try to take out the trash at night. It is believed that this can bring ruin on the house. To avoid having an unpleasant smell spreading through the house, put the rubbish into a more substantial bag and tie it, so that it is more or less sealed.

Don’t put empty bottles, keys or change on the table

 Russians believe that you must not put empty bottles, keys or change on the table. These are all bad omens of financial loss and tears. Also, this omen works not only in the kitchen at home, but also in public places. If one of the guests at a dinner party in a restaurant grabs a bottle that has just been emptied and puts it under the table or starts looking around for a waiter, it in deference to this omen.

Never give knives, clocks or scarves as a present

 These things are not considered the best present for a Russian. Scarves, for example, are an omen of tears, knives an omen of enemies, and clocks an omen of parting. Even if you are prepared to give a Russian girl a luxurious Hermès scarf as a present, she would prefer to buy it herself, if only to save herself the tears. If you do nevertheless give somebody one of these things, do not be surprised if they give you a small coin in return. This is to create the illusion of buying the item. You must definitely take this coin, even if it surprises you that they are trying to pay you for an expensive gift with small change.

The threshold of a house is a place of evil

 You must not stand on the threshold of a house or apartment, and you must not talk across it or hand anything across it. The ancient Slavs believed the threshold was a place where demons dwelled. If, say, you have to sign for a package with a courier, you must either cross the threshold of the house or at least put one foot across it.

Look at yourself in a mirror if you have had to go back

 For Russians, going back to the house is a bad omen, a portent of bad luck. So if a Russian discovers after leaving the house that he has forgotten something, he will first decide whether it is something he really needs, and if it is, he will go back, but will make a point of looking himself in the eye in a mirror. This is another trick of the trade to deceive an evil omen.

Don’t sit on a table

 Many Russians are disturbed when they see scenes in American films where the hero sits on a table or puts his feet on a table. And it is not just because it is unhygienic—sitting on a table is variously seen as an omen of death or poverty.

Never give unmarried girls a corner seat

 In ancient Russ, it was usually the old maids, poor relatives and dependants who took the humblest places at the table—the corner seats. From this developed the idea that if a girl sits at the corner of the table she will not marry for seven years. It is true that if modern girls nevertheless like a corner seat and someone mentions this omen, they will cleverly reply, “My husband will have a corner,” in other words, they will have a home, but regardless, most Russians try not to put girls in corner seats and avoid them themselves.

Sit before a journey

 When a guest in someone’s home or a member of the family is getting ready for a long journey, everyone in the house has to sit down before they set off. This scene recalls the children’s game “musical chairs.” There is usually nowhere to sit in the hall, especially with all the luggage, but unlike the game, everyone has to sit down, and quickly, as soon as someone says, “Let’s take a seat before the journey.” This is a Russian omen for a safe journey. Everyone in the house has to sit somewhere for a minute. This omen, incidentally, is very useful, because it helps people to calm down after the chaos and remember whether they have forgotten to pack anything.

Good omens

 Not all Russian omens are precursors of misfortune. There are also lots of good omens. For example, if a spider or a “message from a pigeon” appears on your clothes, or if, for example, you accidentally step in some dog dirt, don’t be in a rush to curse your fate. These are omens of great financial success.

 Another amusing omen of wealth comes not from ancient times, but from just a couple of centuries ago. If you find yourself in a car with Russians one day and you’re going to drive under a bridge that a freight train is crossing, don’t be surprised when your companions start to shake out their purses and put money and credit cards on their heads with cries of, “Freight train, give us money, give us money!” According to Russians who believe in omens, this “spell” often works, bringing unexpected profit to those who believe in it.

 There are many more Russian omens and superstitions. They cause a lot of everyday inconvenience and it’s difficult to remember them all, I can assure you that Russians actually think the same! They too find all these frightening old wives’ tales a torment. But the power of superstitions is that they are passed on from generation to generation. Moreover, often just the realization that they have broken some commandment can change a person’s mood, and their inspiration and success may forsake them for a while.

The List of literature

1. Barbin A.V.  The Superstitions. M.:  Eksmo , 1999
2. Hoggarth S.  Culture and traditions of Great Britain   M.:  White city, 2004

3. Mathews B. Customs, traditions and superstitions in Great Britain, Prosweshenie, 2005.

4. Shalaeva G.P. The Great encyclopedia :  M.:  Word , 1994.

5. Great thoughts of the great people .The Anthology of the aphorism. In 3-h t. M.:  Ripol-classicist , 2000.
6. Lavrova R. Russian superstitions. M.: Prosweshenie, 2001.

Internet-resource

1. wiki.answers.com › ... › United Kingdom
2. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition
3. www.michellehenry.fr/supersti.htm
4. www.answers.com › ... › Dictionary
5. www.jstor.org/stable/1413662
6. www.britannica.com
7. www.merriam-webster.com