polish folk beliefs and superstitions

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Polish Folk Polish Folk Beliefs and Beliefs and Superstitions Superstitions

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Page 1: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

Polish Folk Pol ish Folk Beliefs and Beliefs and

Superst it ionsSuperst it ions

Page 2: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

CirclesCirclesCircles play a large part in Polish mythology. Most Circles play a large part in Polish mythology. Most

ancient Slavic people worshipped in natural circles and ancient Slavic people worshipped in natural circles and

groves; and it plays a large part in all kinds of folk groves; and it plays a large part in all kinds of folk

magic. In all traditions, circles can be made of with magic. In all traditions, circles can be made of with

lighted candles, drawing circles in the soil, or with lighted candles, drawing circles in the soil, or with

natural objects and tools. They are used to surround evil natural objects and tools. They are used to surround evil

or protect oneself from it.or protect oneself from it.

Page 3: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

CrossroadsCrossroadsAs in other European traditions, the crossroads in Polish mythology are a sacred As in other European traditions, the crossroads in Polish mythology are a sacred

and magical place where both divination and invocations were uttered. Talismans and magical place where both divination and invocations were uttered. Talismans

and amulets were hung or buried there, as well as other spell work was conducted. and amulets were hung or buried there, as well as other spell work was conducted.

The crossroads were a place where all places and directions meet; and all time The crossroads were a place where all places and directions meet; and all time

faded away into the present moment.faded away into the present moment.

The legacy of this tradition can be seen all across present-day Poland, where tens of The legacy of this tradition can be seen all across present-day Poland, where tens of

thousands of crosses and statues of the Virgin Mary stand next to major and minor thousands of crosses and statues of the Virgin Mary stand next to major and minor

crossroads. The Catholic Church, as with many other cultures, absorbed what was crossroads. The Catholic Church, as with many other cultures, absorbed what was

good in the symbolism of what she found there while utterly transforming its' good in the symbolism of what she found there while utterly transforming its'

purpose. Accordingly crossroads were marked by crosses and statues, as special purpose. Accordingly crossroads were marked by crosses and statues, as special

places where wayfarers would be under the protection of saints.places where wayfarers would be under the protection of saints.

Page 4: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

DivinationDivinationForms of divination in Polish mythology that were Forms of divination in Polish mythology that were

practiced in Poland included the following: Candle wax practiced in Poland included the following: Candle wax

dripped in a glass of water was held up to the light for dripped in a glass of water was held up to the light for

interpretation; herbs thrown on the fire produced smoke interpretation; herbs thrown on the fire produced smoke

that could be interpreted by the shape of patterns it that could be interpreted by the shape of patterns it

made; finding pysanky patterns in the natural world made; finding pysanky patterns in the natural world

would yield a prediction of fortune.would yield a prediction of fortune.

Page 5: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

Fire FlowersFire FlowersIn Polish mythology, fire flowers are mystical blooms. To find this powerful In Polish mythology, fire flowers are mystical blooms. To find this powerful

plant the seeker had to enter a forest before midnight on the Eve of Kupala. plant the seeker had to enter a forest before midnight on the Eve of Kupala.

The flower would climb up the stalk of the fern, and precisely at midnight The flower would climb up the stalk of the fern, and precisely at midnight

it would bloom so brightly that no one could look directly at it. In order to it would bloom so brightly that no one could look directly at it. In order to

harvest it a circle had to be drawn around it, and the seeker had to deal harvest it a circle had to be drawn around it, and the seeker had to deal

with demons trying to distract him/her from doing so. It was said that if with demons trying to distract him/her from doing so. It was said that if

you answered the voices, or faltered during the task, it would sacrifice its you answered the voices, or faltered during the task, it would sacrifice its

own life. Anyone possessing this flower gained the ability to read minds, find own life. Anyone possessing this flower gained the ability to read minds, find

treasure, and repel all evils.treasure, and repel all evils.

Page 6: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

Magic Belt of PolandMagic Belt of PolandThe Magic Belt of PolandThe Magic Belt of Poland is a special belt in with inscribed symbols significant in is a special belt in with inscribed symbols significant in

Polish folk practices which has been missing since the end of the Second World Polish folk practices which has been missing since the end of the Second World

War. Replicas of some of the symbols are still sold to this day in occult shops onlineWar. Replicas of some of the symbols are still sold to this day in occult shops online . .

The original belt was 2.28m (89" long) parchment scroll with the magic symbols The original belt was 2.28m (89" long) parchment scroll with the magic symbols

inscribed on the outside and the prayers for them written on the inside of the Belt. inscribed on the outside and the prayers for them written on the inside of the Belt.

The Knights of Poland used it to protect them from all possible danger. Invoking The Knights of Poland used it to protect them from all possible danger. Invoking

the talismans, one would take the belt off and stand in a circle with their hair the talismans, one would take the belt off and stand in a circle with their hair

loose. These belts held knives, ladanki and were wore by both women and men. It is loose. These belts held knives, ladanki and were wore by both women and men. It is

possible in these everyday belts and magic belts were embossed with the symbols possible in these everyday belts and magic belts were embossed with the symbols

and possibly come from the origin of the Key of Solomon.and possibly come from the origin of the Key of Solomon.

Page 7: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

SpoilingSpoilingIn Polish mythology, In Polish mythology, spoilingspoiling is a term used to mean a curse being is a term used to mean a curse being

on someone, or working magic against someone. One way of doing on someone, or working magic against someone. One way of doing

this is measuring out the exact length of someone’s footprint with a this is measuring out the exact length of someone’s footprint with a

string, and then burning the string. A footprint in mud or snow string, and then burning the string. A footprint in mud or snow

was dug up and buried under the victim’s house to cause grief. was dug up and buried under the victim’s house to cause grief.

Spoiling may be averted by lighting a candle if you are not face to Spoiling may be averted by lighting a candle if you are not face to

face with the culprit, or by spitting on the ground, or by throwing face with the culprit, or by spitting on the ground, or by throwing

dirt in the direction of the culprit walking away.dirt in the direction of the culprit walking away.

Page 8: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

SuperstitionsSuperstitionsSuperstitions have existed since the beginning of Superstitions have existed since the beginning of mankind. They are the belief that particular events, mankind. They are the belief that particular events, rituals, actions and objects bring good or bad luck. rituals, actions and objects bring good or bad luck. Poland, like any other culture, has its own Poland, like any other culture, has its own superstitions which we are going to have a closer superstitions which we are going to have a closer look at in this article. look at in this article.

Page 9: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

Spilling the saltSpilling the saltAs for the spilling salt As for the spilling salt superstition, known of superstition, known of bringing quarrels, it has its bringing quarrels, it has its own history too, that dates own history too, that dates back to Middle Ages when back to Middle Ages when salt was very expensive. salt was very expensive. Only the richest could afford Only the richest could afford to buy this rare spice. You to buy this rare spice. You can imagine a huge quarrel can imagine a huge quarrel when a servant spilt it. This when a servant spilt it. This is why people remembered is why people remembered salt spilling as salt spilling as something something that brings that brings bad luck. bad luck.

Page 10: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

Red slip-knotRed slip-knotRed slip-knots are also a Red slip-knots are also a popular superstition in popular superstition in Poland. As red is said, in Poland. As red is said, in many cultures, to undo many cultures, to undo spells, it is very common spells, it is very common for Polish people to attach for Polish people to attach red slip-knots to a babies red slip-knots to a babies strollerstrollerss or clothes to or clothes to protect the baby protect the baby from bad from bad charm.charm.

Page 11: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

TalismansTalismansPeople also believe in the magic power of lucky People also believe in the magic power of lucky objects such as horseshoes, elephants with raised objects such as horseshoes, elephants with raised trunks and four-leaf clovers. Many superstitious trunks and four-leaf clovers. Many superstitious people wear talismans or carry lucky stones to people wear talismans or carry lucky stones to scare evil spirits away. Some students often bring scare evil spirits away. Some students often bring their lucky pens to examstheir lucky pens to exams..

Page 12: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

Superstitions connected with holidaysSuperstitions connected with holidays

There are also superstitions typical of particular There are also superstitions typical of particular holidays. It is believed that if the first person to holidays. It is believed that if the first person to enter a house on a Christmas Eve is a woman, it is enter a house on a Christmas Eve is a woman, it is a bad omen, thus is it more preferable when a man a bad omen, thus is it more preferable when a man is the first to cross the threshold of the house. is the first to cross the threshold of the house. During supper on Christmas Eve, each dish has to During supper on Christmas Eve, each dish has to be sampled. A traditional meal consists of twelve be sampled. A traditional meal consists of twelve dishes. The more you eat, the more pleasure will dishes. The more you eat, the more pleasure will await you in the upcoming year. await you in the upcoming year.

Page 13: Polish folk beliefs and superstitions

THANKS FOR THANKS FOR WATCHING!WATCHING!

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