It is rude to point…
ACTIONS AND GESTURES
Never light three cigarettes with the same match
It is considered very unlucky to light three cigarettes with the same match, and it is especially taboo in military circles. This superstition harks back to the Boer War, although it is more often associated with the long nights in the trenches of the First World War. Snipers from enemy lines would notice the match being struck to light the first cigarette; they had time to load their gun as the second cigarette was being lit; and they could confidently aim and fire at the unlucky third smoker as the burning match reached his cigarette. Remember this the next time you find yourself in a battle situation and the nicotine cravings kick in.
Crossing fingers
To cross one’s fingers is a gesture used to ward off evil and bring good luck. It is thought to be an attempt at conjuring up the protection of the Christian cross and Jesus Christ. It is considered unlucky, however, to arrange objects (especially silverware) in the shape of the cross, as this is seen as an offence against God. Fingers are thus crossed on the same hand forming a slanted cross, rather than across hands in true cross shape. Crossing fingers is also a gesture used as a countermeasure when one has accidentally walked under a ladder, and it is commonly used by children when telling a lie as a way of protecting themselves in advance for the consequences of the bad deed. There is little evidence of people crossing fingers as a sign of good luck before the late nineteenth century. In the past it was much more common to cross one’s legs or to wrap one’s thumb with the other fingers of the hand. The practice of folding thumbs inside one’s hands is still used in Switzerland in the same way crossing fingers is used in the British Isles, Ireland and North America.
Touching wood
Touching wood is a gesture (or simply an invocation when the expression ‘touch wood’ is spoken) used to counter the threat one may incur when boasting or willing something to happen – or not to happen. Today simply saying ‘touch wood’ is considered enough, but in the past it was always necessary actually to touch wood. The practice of touching wood may be an inheritance from the ancient understanding that speaking of one’s good fortune would anger the gods and tempt fate. The practice is often associated with seeking the protection of the wood of the cross, or with ancient beliefs in benevolent wood gods and spirits that could be conjured up for protection by a knock or a touch. Other sources, however, argue that the custom of touching wood is not ancient at all and is simply derived from a nineteenth-century children’s game called ‘tig-touch-wood’, in which children would be ‘safe’ during a game of tag when they were touching wood. All of the explanations have their merits, but which is the definitive origin is uncertain. Americans, incidentally, say ‘knock on wood’ rather than ‘touch wood’.
Throwing a shoe for luck
It was customary, from as far back as the sixteenth century, to throw an old shoe after a person departing (on foot, by carriage or by ship) for good luck. The custom was extended to cars, and remains today only in the disappearing practice of tying an old pair of shoes to the back of newlyweds’ cars. The shoes are meant to bring good luck and fertility to the couple. The origins of this superstition are unknown and puzzling. It may be that since shoes were precious goods in the past, to throw one behind a person would suggest abundance and wealth, throwing the shoe being something equivalent to throwing a coin into a fountain, constituting a sacrifice of sorts. Another possible explanation might relate to the journey: since the shoe being thrown is old, the gesture may bring good luck in the sense of suggesting that the person departing might return with a new shoe (or hopefully a pair) for the loved one left behind.
Pointing a finger brings bad luck
In the past, to point a finger at somebody was considered very unlucky. To point at somebody was seen as equivalent to cursing them because it was thought that the index finger would concentrate evil forces in the direction it was pointed; it would also bring misfortune to the person pointing the finger by causing anger and conflict. It was considered particularly unlucky to point at a funeral procession as this gesture was bound to bring a new death in the town. Similarly, it was thought to be unlucky to point at rainbows, stars or the moon – these gestures, in fact, were seen as sinful and disrespectful (this belief may be a remnant from ancient times when these natural phenomena were worshipped). At times of heightened hysteria about witchcraft, women were arrested simply for pointing their finger in the direction of someone. Today the action of pointing a finger and the expression ‘to point a finger at someone’ are both read as gestures of accusation and we no longer see it as a gesture that brings bad luck. It is likely, however, that the idea that it is rude and inappropriate derived from this old superstition.
Throwing coins into a fountain for luck
It is considered good luck to throw coins into a fountain. The origins of this gesture are ancient, dating back to a time when all bodies of water were thought to be inhabited by gods, spirits or fairies. Originally it was customary to throw pieces of a sacrificed body into the water (only very early on would these sacrifices have been of human bodies – they soon consisted rather of animal sacrifices, or even statues and figurines made out of wood, stone or bone) in order to appease the water spirit. Today the gesture is thought to bring good luck in the form of a wish come true. If one makes a wish, it is normally customary to throw the coin over one’s shoulder, tossing it backwards into the fountain or well. In Rome, when one throws a coin into the famous Trevi Fountain, visitors are recommended one day to wish to return to Rome. So when in Rome …
Making the sign of the cross
To make the sign of the cross was thought to bring luck and protection from misfortune and was often used as a gesture against evil forces. Today it is common for sportsmen to cross themselves before attempting a particularly challenging sports feat, or for gamblers to sit cross-legged in the hope of having luck on their side. In the past, the sign of the cross was more commonly seen, for example, written on bread before being put in the oven or marked on doors and cribs to protect from evil witches. The sign of the cross was also thought to bring healing from very early in history, as far back as AD 1000. The gesture is a general symbol of blessing bestowed upon the congregation during Catholic ceremonies. It is still common for people to cross themselves upon seeing a funeral procession so as to bless the deceased and those dear to him or her and to ensure protection from any ill will coming from the dead. There is also the familiar childhood saying ‘crossing my heart’, often followed by ‘and hope to die’, when making a promise, calling the power of the cross against oneself if the promise is broken. The origins of this expression are obscure but its use seems confined to the world of child play, probably only dating back to the nineteenth century.