Superstitions are an intrinsic part of our cultural history in the UK, defining traditions and influencing decisions since the beginning of civilised society. Today, superstitions are less directly considered in day-to-day life, but nonetheless, three quarters of the UK population consider themselves superstitious – and some superstitions have had more staying power than others…
Black Cats
Black cats have been an unfortunate victim of superstition for centuries, as they are widely considered bad luck by communities in the UK and Western Europe for a wide variety of reasons. Those believed to be witches in Medieval Europe were seen befriending animals, cats especially – resulting in the belief that black cats were instruments of dark magic. This was coupled with early Modern ideas of the black cat as incarnation of the devil, and was compounded by the cat’s potential involvement in spreading the Bubonic Plague. These ideas endured in public memory, leading to the contemporary idea that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck; it could either be the devil, or doing the witches’ bidding. These beliefs are so intrinsically held by the British public that adoption rates for black cats are significantly lower than those of other cats!
Horoscopes
Perhaps the most pervasive superstition on this list, horoscopes have become an everyday part of our lives in the UK. Cribbed from Babylonian astrology and acquiring new meaning following the phasing-out of paganism in the Early Modern era, horoscopes today look a lot different than they used to – but millions of Brits continue to consult their star signs to understand themselves and to interpret their near future. Banner specialists instantprint recently published a survey on belief in horoscopes amongst the UK’s working population, and found that just shy of one in five of UK workers believed star signs influenced workplace compatibility – indicating the breadth of impact western astrology has had on the UK public.
Don’t See the Bride Before the Wedding!
This marital superstition is a definitive part of the wedding for the vast majority of betrothed couples, and stretches back as a tradition almost as long as the wedding ceremony itself. The superstition maintains that it is poor luck to see the bride in full ceremonial attire before the day of the wedding – resulting in that unforgettable moment when the groom sees the bride in their wedding gown for the very first time. Today this superstition holds as a form of symbolism, for the couple’s new married life together, but originally the practice was a result of arranged marriages between families. Any chance that the bride or groom might call off proceedings was eliminated by ensuring they didn’t see each other until the last possible moment. Romantic!
Carried Over the Threshold
Another age-old wedding superstition is that of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold of their home following the marriage. Again, this practice has gained new significance in the form of contemporary symbolism, as the groom supports their partner through the beginning of a new life together – but the superstition is rooted in beliefs which are a little more arcane in nature. In the UK, the threshold was thought to be a potential breeding ground for evil spirits, and the groom lifting the bride over the threshold was thought to protect her from corrupting influence.
