Daniel Lacroix

PAGE Lacroix 12

Daniel Lacroix

Dr. Mariya LesivFOLK 3606 - 01

December 3rd, 2014

Remembering Luck

Have you ever knocked on wood when you want something good to happen? Have you ever found a four leaf clover? In an era driven by science and technology why do people still cling to superstitions and luck when there is no scientific evidence that supports it? Athletes, architects, business men, basically everybody have some level of superstitious belief within them. Every year about 10 million rabbits feet are sold in North America and around a third of North Americans believe that something bad happens on Friday the 13th. In recent decades the percentage of people that confess to being superstitious has risen by almost a quarter with those under 30 being the most superstitious. (CBC 2014) Good luck is something that everybody wants, even if they do not believe in it. To receive luck, most of the times, a person must carry out some kind of ritual such as knocking on wood or carry a lucky item such as a four leaf clover or rabbits foot. I believe that for most people these items are simply present with no attention paid to them. The amount of room that it takes in a persons wallet, pocket or purse is negligible. Only when they lose or misplace such an item will a person notice their lucky item is gone. The item itself gives a person some level of comfort and control over their lives. Whether it is because they truly believe it is lucky or because it has sentimental. In this paper, I will demonstrate that lucky charms help the user remember better times in their lives and allow them to exert control to let such a memory reoccur. I have always been on some level interested in luck rituals and belief. I kept asking myself where these ideas came from and just why a lucky item is lucky. My interest in this subject only increased when I purchased a book called The Encyclopedia of Superstitions by Richard Webster. The book offers a good general description and explanation on a myriad of superstitions. It also gives historical information such as; one of the reasons that the number thirteen is unlucky is because Judas, the thirteenth apostle, betrayed Jesus. Now whether or not this is true I do not know because the book focuses more on the aspect of entertainment rather than scholarly material. I would have liked if it gave specific historical references and quotes related to experts in the field, however as far as an introductory book on the subject I believe that it does a good enough job. Another reason I am interested in lucky charms and rituals, has to do with the more personal folkloric aspect of it. Instead of the mainstream/popular items, I am interested in personal luck and the stories that surround them. I am really interested in that first connection that binds the person to the belief. It could be to an object or some kind of ritual. But that initial time that something bad or good happens and it has such a large impact that the person tries to repeat or avoid those phenomena for the rest of their lives.

For this paper I am going to focus mostly on the aspect of good luck. I will have a designated paragraph to look at bad luck, but the positive is what I am truly looking. Even more specifically I am looking at what might be the memories and the first time appearance of a lucky item, as to how it all began for that specific person. I am not looking to discredit or slander beliefs in lucky objects or rituals, simply to look at what they mean. Another point I will be focusing on will be the control issue. Exploring how luck is supposed to give the user some level of control over things such as chance. The method that I used to conduct this paper was to hand out some questionnaires. I gave five of them to students around the age of late teens to early twenties, three females and two males. I also gave two of them to my mother and father; they are in their early fifties. One person did not write their name and will hereby referred to as Five. My own ideas and input will also be given. I am not looking to make some kind of universal claim with only eight people, I am merely trying to draw conclusions from the information I have gathered. I will also use some scientific studies which are published in scientific journals. A documentary called Superstitious Minds by DocZone will also be used to give some insight and examples. I have also gathered some examples from the internet which reference celebrities and sports. I will start by giving information on the studies and the examples, then I will analyse them using my information to give some comparisons and differences. Each paragraph will focus on a separate idea such as how luck perceived, or the traditional aspect of how these ideas are passed down, etc.First, I will be giving a general summary of the studies I am going to use. The first one takes a look at a large number of participants. (Figure 1) 4339 participants took part in the study, 1951 males and 2388 females. There were 450 individuals in the under 20 years age group, 965 in the 2130 category, 995 in the 31 40 category, 902 in the 4150 category, and 1027 in the over 50 years category.(Wiseman and Watt 2004, 1535) They were asked some questions concerning both the positive and the negative aspects of luck. The negatives were about walking under ladders, breaking mirrors, and black cats. However, not all superstitious beliefs fall into this category. Some, such as carrying a charm to bring good luck, touching wood, and crossing fingers, reflect a desire to bring about beneficial consequences by actively courting good luck or at least avoiding bad luck.(Wiseman 2004, 1534) The study also looks at how neurotic a person may be concerning these superstitions. It basically functions with how frequently the person does it or thinks about it. The results show that the female participants in the study are more superstitious than the males. In another study 116 participants were given questionnaires about their level of life satisfaction. (Figure 2) The results show that the difference in high and low life satisfaction is negligible in the positive superstition however there is a difference in negative superstitions. The general conclusion of their studies is:

belief in positive superstitions are conceptually similar to those that drive belief in negative superstitions. Alternatively, belief in positive superstitions could have their basis in quite different mechanisms, such as the promotion of self-efficacy and optimism, and thus may only be fully explained via theoretical approaches that are substantially different to existing models. (Wiseman and Watt 2004, 1540)

In another study conducted by a difference person we see the same questions relating to black cats and knocking on wood as the previous one. In this group 14 males and 24 females were in the low believer group while 12 males and 26 females were in the high believer group. (Dudley 1999, 1058-59) The same results on gender differences can be found by these two studies. This study came to the conclusion that The result of looking to ones self for explanations of behavior is often negative. This can produce a general negative outlook which can lead to low self-esteem or depression. Some people may effectively deal with this negativity by resorting to superstitions.(Dudley 1999, 1063) These two studies are good because they have a fairly large and diverse sample population. Although this is more numerical data rather than personal information, it is still interesting to look at what percentage of people believes in luck. To fill the gap in personal explanations, I will give some examples of people that believe in the use of good luck charms and rituals. Taylor Swift has the number thirteen for her lucky number. She paints it on her hand before every show. Some people think that thirteen is an unlucky number but not for Taylor. Some reasons she finds this number special are; she was born on December 13th 1989, she turned 13 on Friday the 13th, her first album went gold in 13 weeks, her first song has a 13-second intro. She has also said that every time that shee won an award she was seated in the 13th seat, the 13th row, the 13th sector or in row M which is the 13th letter of the alphabet. (Vena 2009) Another example I have relates to sports, more specifically hockey. Sports players and fans especially have some form of superstitions to allow them to play better. A prime example of this would be the Playoff beard in hockey. It started in about 1980 when the New York Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups. Some players had some beards, and some did not. I think some players made the association of having a beard and winning the Stanley cup had something to do with each other. Eventually more and more players from other teams started having beards. This then transferred to the fans wanting to support their team during the series. One reason given as to why they grow beards is that it is the ultimate display of team bonding. (Kaplan 2013)

With good luck bad luck follows. Even though this paper follows mostly the aspect of positive rituals, to truly understand how one side works the other side has to be analysed as well. An example of negative superstition can be found with Alex Tagliani a Formula One race car driver always wears white underwear and jumps into the car from the left hand side. He also believes that double digit numbers causes the driver bad luck after his friend Greg Moore was killed in a race while driving the car number 99. When Alex had the number 33 he got in to an accident with number 66 Alex Sinarti. Dan Weldon, also an F1 driver died while driving number 77. Ocean fishermen also have superstitious beliefs. Whistling on a ship is considered a wind breeder. Having a turkey on a boat is supposed to bring bad winds. Launching a boat on a Friday is never supposed to be done. Richard Gilot, a fisherman in Twillingate Newfoundland set sail twice on a Friday and both times his ship sank. Superstition gives the person confidence to try something instead of just giving up. (CBC 2014) One can often escape learned helplessness by looking outside of oneself for explanations of behaviour. Superstitious beliefs provide such an outlet.(Dudley 1999, 1062) All seven participants in my mini study said yes to the aspect of knocking on wood. I have never done this. While talking with some of the people I noticed that most of them learned this idea of knocking on wood from someone in their family whether it was their parents or grandparents. When you boast of any good fortune you knock on wood, and you cross your fingers for various reasons.(Deerforth 1974, 9) Sara and Kathryn (my mom) both mention that their families taught them some of their ideas and superstitions. For these two people I see that their willingness to use lucky objects or rituals is because of their families. By using it they feel closer to their families. It is used as a way to bond to separate generations together; with the young and the old. My own personal experience in this is not very effective. My mother never really taught me or told me about anything. Individuals have emotional natures. Their intellects are controlled by the prevailing thought of the times. Their reason is overwhelmed by what they have been taught from childhood. Thus we see people resolve to cure their troubles on false premises.(Deerforth 1974, 19) When a person is a child they are more susceptible to believe in imaginative ideas. From the moment of birth the human brain is busily processing input from the senses to generate beliefs about what is and what isnt so in the strange world.(Park 2008, 119) This can be seen when I child plays make believe or creates an imaginary friend because they are lonely. Even if a childhood beliefs is later discovered to be lie or fake. The memory still stays with a person. If they simply dismiss it as lie at first then the memory will mean nothing or no memory will be created in the first place. Another point to bring up would be the relationship between science and luck. Another way to see it would be why people still believe in something with no scientific evidence in a time where science is the main source knowledge. An experiment was conducted by researchers. They divided their subject, 80% of them believed in luck, in to two groups. Both groups were given golf balls to put. One group had lucky balls while the other had normal golf balls. The group that had the lucky ball successfully made more puts than the ordinary group. (CBC 2014) The point about good luck is that it does not focus on the scientific aspect. It does not vastly change the laws of physics and bend the universe to that persons will because they a rabbits foot. Most of my participants believe that these lucky charms exist to explain the areas that science has no explanation for. People respond to uncertainty with superstitions actions or beliefs.(Vyse 1997, 5) It is very important to note that a believer in lucky charms is not always dull, anxious or gullible; these are merely stereotypes. (Vyse 1997, 56) Stereotypes in any case are mostly based on misconceptions or misinformation about that subject. I would relate belief in luck with religious belief. We readily respond to the everyday suggestions we receive from those about us and thus our religious views and prejudices, our politics and our habits are formed. The Impressions made on an impressionable mind by the suggestions received in early life are not easily lost.(Deerforth 1974, 61) The difference that I find important would be the organisation pertaining to the group. Believers in good luck do not have a place where they can gather and discuss ideas pertaining to their beliefs. Basically the reason why in an age of science people still believe in lucky objects and various other superstitions is because science does not have all of the answers. There is still a void of uncertainty that needs to be filled. A problem that comes is that science is considered rational while luck is considered irrational. These two definitions are inherently at opposites and cannot explain each other. Trying to explain luck rationally would be like the saying trying to explain colour to a blind person. Luck based rituals have existed for a long; so long in fact that they predate the Common Era. The idea of substitution was widespread throughout early religions.(Deerforth 1974, 3) The idea behind substitution is that an event, either good or bad, occurs and is associated with an object or action that occurred with it. An excellent example of this would be in sports. The idea of a lucky article of clothing that will grant a person a better out come in the game, or even doing the same ritual every game so the person does not bring bad luck to himself or teammates. Paranormal beliefs can allow one to make external and specific attributions by placing the blame for failure outside oneself.(Dudley 1999, 1058) Another group of people that participate in this idea would be gamblers. Historically, many gamblers have put faith in luck and the belief that chance events are, to some extent, under their control.(Vyse 1997, 31) All bad luck in gamblers is mostly attributed to an outside factor and not the player. This is used as a coping mechanism to that they do not lose hope. It seems that any conveniently small human bone could be used to gain luck in gambling or protection from the law.(Ellis 2002, 74) It all has to do with bringing back memories of either a good or bad time. Good luck charms bring back good memories while bad ones are associated with negative events. Chance is something that needs to be controlled to allow people victory. They do not like uncertain factors that may go against their favour. No matter what the era people continue to believe in luck to exert control on the uncontrollable. People blame that believing in luck is something that dates to our old ideas and brain We adopt ideas corresponding to our time. The ancients did not discover and adopt modern things and ways. Moderns do not adopt ways and things of a thousand years hence.(Deerforth 1974, 18) The distant past has no place in todays in view on luck. Beliefs might go back a few years such as parents and grandparents, however a large number of the population do base their ideas on beliefs of old because they do not it exist.

Control is one of the main reasons why lucky charms are used. Control can separated into two types. First is the way that gamblers use; as a way to influence outside factors to bring them benefits. For instance, many authors have suggested that paranormal and superstitious beliefs may develop in anxious individuals with a strong need for control, in an attempt to overcome perceived uncertainty in their surroundings. (Wiseman and Watt 2004, 1534) Most of my participants believe that this idea of control has something to do with good luck. They believe it was a way to provide security against uncertainties. Possessing a fetish that embodies the essence of a dangerous Other whether trickster, badman, or witch and using it for one's own purposes effectively neutralizes the threat represented by that Other. In short: We do unto Others what they would do unto us. And that's why a lucky rabbit's foot is lucky.(Ellis 2002, 78)

This is simply another matter of control, however this is taking it from one person and displacing it to oneself. Basically it is taking away a persons control. People need to find meaning in things because it allows them to have a complete picture. [Coincidences] very improbability leads us to search for their deeper significance.(Vyse 1997, 102) Coincidences fall into the category of uncertainty but it also allows some level remembrance. The second matter of control is a way to remember the past as I have previously mentioned. Happiness and sadness can be controlled through the use of lucky charms; whether it comes from remembering something or making new memories, emotional attachment occurs no matter what the event good or bad. Age and gender is another aspect that plays a role in believing in luck. The studies mentioned that female were more superstitious than males. Pretty all of my participants used some form of good luck charm. The only person who did not exhibit a more focused behaviour would be my father Roger Lacroix. I my self do not really have any luck based rituals, so I was wondering if it had something to do where we grew. We both grew in Quebec, while my mother grew up in Ontario and she has many more beliefs than we do. My mother believing this proves the results of the studies; however Michael has his own special belief. He has a lucky drum roll after playing every time that he learned himself. He even mentioned that he needs good luck to through my day. As for the age factor, at the beginning I mentioned that younger people tend to believe more in superstitions. In a survey, 20 to 30 percent of three hundred students at the University of Manitoba used some kind of ritual or charm as a way to bring good luck or ward off bad. (Vyse 1997, 30) Only Michael and Sara had any rituals which related to luck. In a survey, 20 to 30 percent of three hundred students at the University of Manitoba used some kind of ritual or charm as a way to bring good luck or ward off bad. (Vyse 1997, 30) My mother mentioned birthday candles, which I think fall in the luck based ritual category. I am sure that every person no matter how old tries to blow out all candles in one breath to some kind of wish granted. Both my parents think that as a person gets older they gain more life experience and are less likely to believe in superstitions because of the knowledge that it never worked for them. I believe that age might have a relevance concerning luck however gender has no impact whatsoever even with what the studies say.

Using lucky charms can bring both positive and negative outcomes. The positive aspects are fairly obvious such as gained confidence. For example a student only writes his tests with his lucky pencil, if he doesnt than he will fail. That is not to say that the pencil has no outcome on the student. The pencil inspires confidence and a sense of tranquility and relaxation that allows the student to focus properly on his exam and score a higher. Participants that hold a higher level of superstitious belief may benefit from that belief in certain situations. A sense of helplessness may be avoided by resorting to superstitious reasons for failure.(Dudley 1999, 1060) However, negative effects can come from good rituals, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) would be part of this. If the ritual takes charge of a persons that they can no longer function normally, that would be a problem. For example knocking on wood is a fairly common good luck ritual. A harmful reversal of it would be knocking on wood precisely 147 times because it is that persons lucky number. Once it takes hold on a persons life it is no longer good luck but bad. Another negative aspect would be the over dependence on lucky items. The lucky pencil, previously mentioned, might be a confidence booster but if he did not study the pencil will not help him no matter what. Basically, personal superstitions, the little rituals we all perform to re-create the conditions we associate with some moment of high gratification, or to avoid those things we associate with unpleasantness.(Park 2008, 121) Lucky charms and rituals allow people to believe they have the ability to control uncertainty in their lives. It also promotes remembering good memories of the item succeeding People in general like mysteries but they like having an answer more. These answer are found in non scientific belief, that can relate to religion or maybe luck. A fetish is more than a good-luck token; it is an object specially constructed to carry social power. The making, commodifying, and possessing of rabbits' feet need to be seen in the context of broader belief-language and analogous practice.(Ellis 2002, 53) No matter what the lucky object it always has some kind of story behind it or sentimental value. As for further research I would expand my pool of participants and ask more personal questions. I would like to focus on a single lucky charm about a person and pick apart every single detail I could find. To conclude, I think that this paper offers some good insight into good luck and the impact it has in everyday life. Appendix

CBC. 2014. Doc Zone: Superstitious Minds. Ann Marie MacDonald. aired October 30.

Accessed Nov 10. http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episodes/superstitious-mindsDeerforth, Daniel. 1974. Knock wood! Superstition through the ages. Detroit: Brentanos Publishers.

Dudley, Thomas R. 1999. The effect of superstitious belief on performance following an unsolvable problem Personality and Individual Differences, Vol. 26.6, (1 June): 1057-1064. Accessed Nov. 11, 2014http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886998002098Ellis, Bill. 2002. Why Is a Lucky Rabbit's Foot Lucky? Body Parts as Fetishes. Journal of Folklore Research, Vol. 39.1 (Jan. - Apr.): 51-84. Accessed Nov. 11, 2014. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3814831Kaplan, Emily. 2013. Playoff beard tradition in NHL continues to grow The Boston Globe, June 15. Accessed Nov 15 2014. http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/06/14/nhl-playoff-beard-tradition-has-grown-over-time/yIyV7B4RcZETb8GJwbw7KK/story.htmlPark, Robert L. 2008. Superstition : belief in the age of science. New Jersey: UP Princeton.Vena, Jocelyn. 2009. Taylor Swift Explains Why 13 Is Her Lucky Number. MTV, May 07. Accessed Nov 15, 2014. http://www.mtv.com/news/1610839/taylor-swift-explains-why-13-is-her-lucky-number/Vyse, Stuart A. 1997. Believing in magic : the psychology of superstition. New York: Oxford UP. Wiseman, Richard and Caroline Watt. 2004. Measuring superstitious belief: why lucky charms matter. Personality and Individual Differences, Vol. 37.8 (December): 1533-1541, Accessed Nov. 11, 2014 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886904000418Figure 1(Wiseman and Watt 2004, 1536)Figure 2

(Wiseman and Watt 2004, 1538)