Body Superstitions

Body Superstitions

THE HAIR

The 'crowning glory' is one of the most indestructible parts of the body. As such, a sudden loss of hair is unlucky, forecasting a decline in health, loss of property or failure in business, or the death of a closely related child. Red hair is associated with fiery-tempered people (e.g. Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I); black and dark brown hair indicate strength; fair hair implies timidity. On a man, if the hair grows low on the forehead and back above the temples he will have a long life; if a woman's hair grows in a low point on her forehead ('widow's peak') she will outlive her husband. If a woman suddenly develops curls on her forehead her man has not long to live.
Lank hair = a cunning nature; Curly hair = good natured, full of fun; Long hair = strength (e.g. Samson) and luck.
It is said to be unlucky to have your hair cut when the moon is in the wane as this will cause it to fall out and lose its lustre. Cutting your own hair will tempt fate. To determine your future: set fire to some strands of your hair - cut them off first!. If they burn brightly, you are in for a long life. If they splutter and smoulder, it is said to be a death omen. Never pull out grey hairs, for one will be replaced by ten. It has often been believed that a sudden fright can turn hair white.

THE EYES

Are the 'windows to the soul' and the colour leads to differing beliefs.
Dark blue eyes = delicate and refined souls; Light blue or grey eyes = strong and healthy ones; Green eyes = hardy souls; Hazel eyes = vigorous, deep-thinking folk.
Itching eyes: if the right eye tickles, it's lucky, and vice versa. Theocritus has it, 'My right eye itches now and I shall see my love.'
'Trust not the man whose eyebrows meet,
For in his heart you'll find deceit.'

THE EARS

Feature prominently in superstition, i.e. 'My ears are burning, someone is talking about me.' Small ears denote a delicate character and thick ears a person of a sensual/coarse nature.
Thin, angular ears = a bad temper; Long or prominent ears = a person with musical inclinations. The larger the ear lobes, the greater the intellect.

THE NOSE

Indicates the character of the man.
Prominent noses = intelligence and determination; Thin noses = jealousy and uncertainty; Receding noses = bad temper and obstinacy; Tip-tilted noses = bright and lively characters.
There is said to be a connection between the size of a person's nose and their sexual organs. A tickling nose (Britain) = a fight or an important communication or (America) a kiss.

THE LIPS

Itch or tingle when someone is about to kiss you. If you bite your tongue while you are eating then you have recently told a lie.
A large gap between the teeth = lucky in life; Large teeth = physical strength; Small, regular teeth = careful and methodical in your habits.
It is not good for a child to be born with any teeth showing. Never eat anything when a funeral bell is tolling or toothache will follow.

THE HAND

IIs a symbol of power and an instrument of healing, justice and blessing. The right hand is lucky and the left unlucky because the Devil is supposed to have sat on the left-hand side of God before being cast out of heaven. From the time of Edward the Confessor, kings of England are said to have had the power to 'heal by touch'. Conversely, the hand of an executed criminal, cut from his body while still on the gallows, was said to have healing powers as well as providing its owners with the ability to commit crime and robbery without fear of detection by stupefying all those who saw it.
Large, thick hands = strength of character; Small, slender hands = weak and timid character; Long hands = ingenious nature; Short ones = careless and foolish nature; Hard hands = rudeness; Soft hands = wit; Hairy hands = a person who likes luxury. A damp hand = an amorous disposition; while 'a cold hand means a warm heart'.
If the palm of your right hand itches you will receive money; if the left palm, you will lose some ('left, lose; right, receive'). Two people should never wash their hands together in the same water - this will lead to a quarrel between them.
Crossed fingers (imitating the sign of the cross) wards off bad luck.
Long fingers = artistic; Short, thick fingers = intemperate and silly; a crooked little finger = omen of wealth; the first finger (the 'poison finger') should never be used to administer medicines; the third finger (the 'wedding' finger) is said to be linked directly to the heart.
It is unlucky to cut fingernails on a Friday or Sunday.
Specks on the nails:
yellow = death; black = ill-luck; white = good fortune to come.
If a woman cuts the nails of her right hand with her left hand she will have the upper hand in marriage.

THE FEET

Also have their own superstitions: an itching foot = a journey to somewhere new; Flat feet = bad temper; do not enter a building left foot first, to avoid bad luck.