Проект. Суеверия в Великобритании и Росии

Superstitions in Britain

The main aim of the work: to study and analyze superstitions of Great Britain and compare them with superstitions in Russia.

Both Great Britain and Russia like any other countries are known for their rich culture, traditions and folklore. And there are a lot of superstitions in these countries, of course. Sometimes they are different, but very often they are just the same.

Superstitions can be defined as, "irrational beliefs, especially with regard to the unknown"
(Collins English Dictionary).Superstition is a part of British culture today and people in Great Britain are very superstitious. I found out that women are more superstitious than men.

General Superstitions in Great Britain.

These superstitions bring GOOD LUCK.

- Lucky to meet a black cat.

- Lucky to touch wood.

- Lucky to find a clover plant with four leaves.

- White heather is lucky.

- Catch falling leaves in Autumn and you will have good luck.

-Putting money in the pocket of new clothes brings good luck.

These superstitions bring BAD LUCK.

- Unlucky to walk underneath a ladder.

-Seven years bad luck to break a mirror.

-Unlucky to spill salt. If you do, you must throw it over your shoulder

- Unlucky to open an umbrella in doors.

-The number thirteen is unlucky. Friday the thirteenth is a very unlucky day.

Quite a lot of superstitions arose in the folklore. English and Russian folklore differs greatly, therefore superstitions are different. One of the most important differences is the interpretation of omens, connected with black cats. A black cat crosses the road. While in Russia, this means failure, then in England the black cat symbolizes happiness and good fortune. Literally it sounds so: «If a black cat crosses your path, you will have good luck». In Russia people always fears the black cats.

Despite the fact that Russian culture differs from English one, many omens and superstitions are the same. First of all, there are some marks that are common throughout the world, for example, the happy and unhappy numbers, superstitions about mirrors, the weather and the animals.

Both England and Russia have many superstitions connected with the mirror. The most common superstition says: «If you break a mirror, you will have seven years bad luck». In Russia we have the similar superstition. Literally in Russian it sounds so: “Разбитьзеркало –терпеть 7 летнесчастия».

The British often found this omen: «If you touch wood, your good luck will continue». In Russia, there is also a belief that if you touch the tree, then you will become not only successful, but still will not get sick.

And I can’t mention one of the most important superstition of Great Britain. In some parts of the UK meeting two or three Ravens together is considered really bad. One very English superstition concerns the tame Ravens at the Tower of London. It is believed if they leave then the crown of England will be lost.

I made the survey…

I asked students some questions about Superstitions.

Here are the answers:

1. Do you believe in Superstitions? Yes- 65 % No- 35 %

2. A black cat brings bad luck. Do you believe? Yes- 80 % No- 20 %

3. Have you ever heard about General Superstitions in Great Britain.

Yes- 40 % No-60 %

And I came to the conclusion that in our 21stcentury we’re all a little bit superstitious. It’s in our nature.

Today we know that the good or bad mood of people affects what happens to them. Good things happen to positive people. But if you are afraid of something, you will most likely experience exactly that. This can explain the popularity of the superstitions.

Set yourself only for the best, cut away negative emotions and pessimism. Remember that we ourselves, and not some otherworldly forces, whether good or bad, are building our lives. And not only our lives but also the lives of our relatives and people close to us will depend on the scenario that we conceive.