Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that the concept of superstition is often commonly understood only in a vague sense as a term that is somehow related to the occult, magic and the paranormal. One of the central aims of this paper is to show that superstitions are often the remnants of knowledge that has been lost or neglected by modern science and forgotten and that they are in many cases not just false beliefs. This approach to the meaning of superstition is one that will allow the reader to understand the term in the context of and in relation to the occult and paranormal traditions in the world. The writer concludes that in the final analysis, the term superstition should be seen as the possible remnant of a larger body of knowledge, which is commonly known as the occult tradition. In this sense, superstition is understood as a watered down version of some greater truth. However, the writer notes that it should also be borne in mind that not all superstitions can be seen in this light and that many are fictitious constructions of fantasy.
From the Paper "These definitions point to two different ways of looking at superstition. The first and more conventional view sees superstition, as an empty and fanciful set of beliefs that have no foundation in any reality. This is a view that sees superstition as separate from the occult and paranormal traditions of knowledge.
"The second understanding of superstitions is related to the perception of superstitions as linked to other religious views or to the larger occult traditions in religious systems throughout the world. This meaning is more in line with the idea of occult and paranormal traditions. This view would therefore explain superstitions as being based to a greater or lesser extent on knowledge and lost traditions; or at least having its roots in such knowledge rather than seeing it as mere blind faith and empty fancy."
Abstract The paper describes various superstitions associated with baseball via a discussion of W.P. Kinsella's book, "The Iowa Baseball Confederacy". The paper first summarizes Kinsella's book and then goes on to discuss the many superstitions that abound in the game of baseball and explains how the main theme of the "The Iowa Baseball Confederacy" is about these superstitions.
Outline:
Introduction
Baseball and Superstition
From the Paper "The book The Iowa Baseball Confederacy continues the time honored tradition of superstition and myth by telling a fantastical tale of an Iowa exhibition baseball game played from July 4 to August 12, 1908 between the team called the Iowa Baseball Confederacy and the Chicago Cubs----a game that lasts for an incredible 2,614 innings. The author, W.P. Kinsella, tells the tale through Gideon Clarke, the protagonist who learns about the legendary game from his unusual father, Matthew. Matthew explains to Gideon that no record of the marathon-like game exists because of a great flood of biblical proportions that wiped out all evidence of the game. The flood took with it the Iowa Baseball Confederacy, all of which were lost in a crack in time. All knowledge of the game becomes actualized in Gideon's brain after his father commits suicide at County Stadium in Milwaukee by purposely putting his head in the path of a mean foul line drive. This leads Gideon to discover the crack in time, sending him back to July 4, 1908, where each team is preparing to play the big inning. The Chicago Cub players in the book use retired numbers from actual team members, and President Theodore Roosevelt appears as one of the cameo players, as he strikes out waving a big stick. Another well-known player, Leonardo da Vinci, also appears in the game proclaiming that he, not Abner Doubleday, invented the game of baseball. He states, "Unfortunately....I lived in a nation of bocce players. It took 300 years for baseball to become popular. By that time, my name was no longer associated with it" . Another player, Black Angel of Death, a cemetery statue, plays right field and is able to catch fly balls with her sculpted wings and no glove. Some of the stars on the Iowa Confederacy team include, Shoo Fly, Husk, Frank Pierce, Henry Pulvermacher, and Arsenic O'Reilly, while on the Cubs team players include Chance, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and the pitcher Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown Other key characters include an ancient Indian warrior named Drifting Away, whose wife was murdered by White men."
Abstract This paper examines how superstitions have firmly stood their place in the life of modern man. It points out that, unlike the unexplained signs we have come to associate with superstition, the Chinese have developed an age-old belief system, the Feng Shui, which hinges on tradition and nature. The paper asserts that, although much literature has been published on the subject, scholars are still left baffled by the reliability of this unstructured science. The paper then takes a look at some common beliefs and discusses how such superstitions have a foothold on logic. To conclude, the paper muses whether the gods are really behind this effective belief system of Chinese geomancy, which has turned into a lifestyle practiced by everyone, everywhere.
From the Paper "Feng Shui is a system of beliefs supported by experts. However, it is important to note that its principles are essentially practical and can be observed by anyone. This means that the knowledge and practice of Feng Shui is not the exclusive prerogative of the Feng Shui master. Feng Shui can be learned and applied by ordinary individuals. In fact, the Chinese consider it as a way of life. It is also viewed as a fusion of art and science which has shaped Chinese palaces, villages, and cemeteries. Moreover, they consider it as an active force in the environment. They believe that aligning our activities with its flow, which is also the flow of the universe or Tao, will cause good fortune in the form of health, prosperity and happiness. Extreme steps need not be taken in order to achieve this harmony. Something as simple as having as an appropriately positioned door or an aquarium filled with goldfish can be enough to improve your fortune. In fact, most Feng Shui principles are anchored in practicality and are thus easy for anyone to follow. This means that the knowledge and practice of Feng Shui is not the exclusive prerogative of the Feng Shui master. Its practicality is among the main factors behind Feng Shui's wide reach beyond China."
Abstract This paper discusses the history and current practices of the Chinese New Year. It looks at the origins of the festivities and at the Chinese New Year traditions that have been carried on throughout the ages. It then discusses the superstitions that are associated the lead-up to and celebration of the Chinese New Year. Finally, the paper discusses the significance of each of the fifteen days of the Chinese New Year.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Ancient Chinese New Year
Traditions
Superstitions The 15 Days of Chinese New Year
Conclusion
From the Paper "On the actual New Year's Day, hair should not be washed as this will wash away good luck for the New Year. Red is the color chosen for clothing, as it is a bright, happy color which encourages a bright future (as well as serves to fend off Nian). Children and unmarried friends are given "lai see", which are small red envelopes containing money for good fortune (ibid). Other superstitions include the consulting of an Almanac before heading out (in order to find the "best time" for doing so), the prohibiting of scissor and knife use (as this may "cut off" good fortune), avoidance of people in their bedrooms (this is considered bad luck) and external environmental cues. These include the words one first hears on New Year's Day (these are considered to reflect one's fortune) and signals such as songbirds or red-colored birds (these are supposed to be good luck) (ibid)."
Abstract This paper discusses the conflux of medieval ideas and institutions with the resurrection of Greek and Roman philosophy in the period between 1350 to 1600, that is known as the Renaissance. The writer describes how the church of England, while undergoing constant reformation, still dominated all walks of life and continued to mete out violent punishment for sedition and sectarianism. The writer then cites examples from Shakespeare's "Henry V" and "Macbeth" that show the prevalence of superstition in Elizabethan England. The paper concludes that even today, with the highly technological and vast knowledge we possess, remnants can be found of medieval superstitions and ideas about religion.
From the Paper "However, going back to the old ways, one can see how the attitudes intermingled with what should have been the birth of the new. In the arts, which the Renaissance had practically resurrected, Christian and pagan themes were irreverently blended, causing people of that era to be unable to distinguish what was the "new Christian" way or the "old pagan medieval" way. For example, bas reliefs displayed Adam of the Bible and Hercules of mythology in alternate scenes. Then, pagan heroes like Jason complimented Biblical heroes like Gideon. Alongside each other would be shown Christian portrayals of the Crucifixion, The Nativity and others, along with Jupiter (featured as a monk), Apollo, Venus, Mercury, Diana, Mars, Narcissus and Saturn with Centaurs and other, well-known pagan figures."
Abstract This paper examines the genre of horror movies with focus on the movie "The Exorcist". The author provides detailed analysis o the film, its events and characters and explains how and why this film falls into the category of horror genre films arousing images and superstitions and reflecting thoughts from our psyches and our personal and social world.
From the Paper "Horror is genre that can be defined under certain character types and story elements. The horror movies can be supernatural, biological or psychological. It can take place almost anywhere. The horror film becomes a reflection of the fears of the audience who cannot face the reality or fears that they have in their life. In the horror films they see a method to face their fears. It is a function by which reality is transformed into fantasy and faced with bravado. The horror genre projects images of our superstitions as the points of focus: our own psyches, science and technology, pain, death, the dead and all forms of hostile forces which may at any moment intrude upon our patched up social and personal worlds. Thus, they are most feared and most appreciated. The Exorcist was one such movie."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth look at the superstitions and mysticism of ancient Rome. The author discusses how magic and witchcraft conflicted with Rome as a modern society. The paper examines the history of spell-casting as a powerful tool among ancient civilizations, and explains the different types of spells and rituals that were popular among the Romans.
From the Paper "To a culture acclimated to the traditional control and directive demands of a host of unseen dominant deities, belief in the potency of divination, binding spells and ritualistic curses came easy and a strong faith and belief in the might and power inherent in the art of magic soon became deeply rooted within much of Roman society. In the arcane secrets and influential chants of magic, the ancients perceived the chance to gain a measure of control over a life and a death traditionally dependant on the whims of the gods as well as a method of counteractive defense against deities whose offenses frequently affected success and often determined survival. Although the philosophers of Rome continued to condemn the practices of magic, much of the ancient citizenry of Rome readily accepted the principles of the magic arts and eagerly embraced its ritualistic practices."
Abstract This paper analyzes the socio-economical culture of ancient Egypt through the poem, "The Great Hymn" by Akhenaten. The paper describes the poem's psychological manipulation of the Egyptians through superstition. It examines their religious the beliefs and the rule of the Pharaoh.
From the Paper "Ancient Egyptian culture has fascinated the world with its mysteries and secrets that seem unreachable. From the pyramids to the scattered literature, researchers are struggling to uncover the secrets that have long been buried with the lost power of the Pharaohs. Yet, at times with a little insight the culture of the Egyptians becomes much easier to understand than would seem possible. While archaeologists are fascinated with the pyramids it is the sociologists that have realized that if understood it is the literature of the ancient Egyptians that holds the key to the mystery of the past. Consider just one Pharaoh and his contribution to the cultural literature of his times. Through an analysis of just one piece of poetry we can come to an understanding of the socio-economical culture of his times and the values, which the society upheld in its power."
Tags: egypt, pharoh, values, superstition, culture, society, psychological, god, ancient
Abstract This paper explains that, although many people view the religion of the Middle Ages as a monolithic institution centering on the Catholic Church and its doctrines, authors Rosalind and Christopher Brooke in ?Popular Religion in the Middle Ages: Western Europe 1000-1300? show that this picture is too simplistic. The author points out that these writers approached the topic not in terms of the church and its clergy, but from the point of view of the laity, believers, and non-believers, including beliefs in superstition and magic.The paper concludes that the issues examined by the writers serve to define religious belief in any era, although in the period they discuss, the choices of the people were clearly fewer than would be true today.
From the Paper "To explain this, they discuss the social structure of the period from the royalty at the top to the peasants toiling at the bottom of the social scale. The authors also note that there was a religious revival in the 9th and 10th centuries and that the "monastic cloister was the center of a deeply influential, deeply admired way of life B a ritual life with elaborate liturgy at its center - a life for relatively few dedicated monks, not in itself an expression of popular religion" (48). This way of life is still seen as central to the life and belief systems of the time, for the religious orders influenced the people and colored how they viewed religion and religious expression."
Abstract This paper discusses Carol Laderman's book, "Wives and Midwives: Childbirth and Nutrition in Rural Malaysia", presenting an anthropological evaluation of the effects of nutrition on the women of Malaysia. The paper examines Laderman's focus on women, including marriage, childbirth, and sexual values. The paper analyzes the cultural superstitions regarding food and nutrition for women.
From the Paper "Medical anthropology, which combines the disciplines of physical anthropology, ethnography, linguistics and archeology, presents a ?picture of the human condition in the round,? author Laderman writes in her Introduction. And medical anthropology can also be employed to try to understand ?the workings of a culture,? she adds. Indeed, the way a culture works in one part of the world sheds light and understanding on how cultures work in all corners of the world, which is the principal reason for anthropological study. As for the purpose behind her studies and her book, Laderman writes (7) that she intended to focus on the diet (nutrition) of women following childbirth, but to be thorough, she needed to know if ?the diet during pregnancy varied from the non-pregnant diet,? in order to understand the changes that take place "during the puerperium" (the time between when a woman gives birth and when her uterus returns to its normal size)."
Abstract This paper explains that Jim, Miss Watson's slave and Huckleberry Finn's companion and father figure on their rafting journey, is a more remarkable character in Twain's novel than Huckleberry Finn. The author points out that the novel contains several intertwining themes, including friendship and social norms; however, the most significant theme of the book is freedom. The paper relates that superstition serves a specific purpose in Huck's character development by offering an alternative form of wisdom and an alternative means of viewing the world.
From the Paper "Jim serves several roles in Huckleberry Finn. He acts as surrogate father for the title character. As a father figure, Jim replaces Huck's alcoholic and abusive parent. Jim's kindness and sensitivity appear in sharp contrast to the mean qualities of Huck's biological father. The contrast is further enhanced by Jim's love for and loyalty toward his own family, from which he is estranged. In his role as father figure, Jim helps Huck mature and grow up. The two share a common bond as runaways who must mututally support each other, a situation that psychologically empowers both Huck and Jim. Jim's role as a slave also forces Huck to think deeply about moral issues, which contributes further to Huck's growth."
Abstract This paper provides a general overview of the common superstition that performing "Macbeth" leads to disaster. Opposing theories are provided and disbelievers are quoted. Several true accounts of the curse are described along with quotes from the actors who witnessed the curse firsthand. Facts are provided about the supposed curse, including the fact that Abraham Lincoln was reciting lines from "Macbeth" the night before his death.
From the Paper "In 1961, the Stratford Shakespeare Company was plagued with bad luck. In the final month of their "Macbeth" tour, an actor's daughter fell and died. During that same month, another actor was stabbed to death in a nearby park. Additionally, the manager of the Stratford Shakespeare Company was found dead in his apartment after being beaten, strangled, and stabbed multiple times with a carving knife.
In another incident, the Old Vic company encountered its first disastrous production of Macbeth. By the end of the tour, there had been, among the actors, an attempted suicide, two abortions, an electrocution, a gouged eye, and accidental stabbing resulting in death."
Tags: curse, performance, shakespeare, superstition, literature
Abstract This paper explains that, through the literature review, it is obvious that the Catholic Church wielded enormous influence over culture, society, politics and the economy of Latin America and, to a great extent, still does. The author points out that the oppression of women and the fate of the peasants were controlled by the Church who used Catholic superstitions and rituals to control the people. The paper relates that the Church controlled a great deal of the wealth in Latin America, that most clergy lived in affluent conditions in comparison to the members of their churches in other areas and that the church controlled much of the politics with some clergy even serving as politicians. Several long quotes.
From the Paper "The influence of the Catholic Church over the Republican troops was important. In spite of the brutal battles, in the thirty month war, the evidence of Catholic influence can be seen in Colonel Manuel Rodrigues de Macedo know affectionately as "Fuliao" by his soldiers. "Fuliao was known for his uncouth language but also for having his men pray before and after the fray." However, as in other Latin American countries where the Catholic Church, the disparity of wealth between the peasants and landowners was immense."
Tags: dutch, portuguese, peasants, superstition, women
This paper reviews and analyzes Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved" while focusing on the author's depiction of African culture through ancient folklore and superstition.
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the plot and main characters of Sethe and Beloved in Morrison's novel. This paper details Morrison's unique manner of incorporating mythology and superstition in this particular novel, while also discussing its significance in ancient African culture. Morrison's novel illustrates the horrors of slavery as seen through the eyes of Sethe, a slave struggling to gain her freedom and Beloved, a ghost wracked by the pain of slavery and death. This paper also delves into African views regarding death and the afterlife by focusing on Beloved's spirit which is connected to slavery as a collective whole. The writer contends that Morrison's use of mythical images unites African heritage and culture resulting in a novel that his both authentic and believable.
From the Paper "In connection with Sethe and her journey, we discover that the promise of freedom is often prettier than the reality of it. Sethe was soon found out by Schoolteacher and rather than go back with him to Sweet Home, Sethe decides that jail time would be a better choice for her and her small baby. Here we see the devastation of slavery portrayed in Sethe's short response to Paul D when she tells him, "Any life but that one. I went to jail instead." Here we discover an interesting aspect about Sethe and he search for freedom--even though the dream did not turn out as she once intended, it was still better than the life she once knew. Beloved explores many different realms, the most predominant being that of the supernatural. Morrison successfully captures how the African culture readily accepted the notion of a ghost or premonition, thus articulating the mythological presence in African culture."
Abstract This paper discusses how Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleep Hollow" appears to subscribe to the aspect of the supernatural not only in its plot, but in the setting and characters, as well. It also looks at how superstition, a belief in something that results from ignorance of its true meaning, and is usually associated with the magical, or out-of-the-ordinary, is also employed in the "Sleepy Hollow" text. In addition, the paper looks at how critic Wilton Eckley uses his formalist theory to develop the supernatural theme in Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" to entertain readers and how critic Samuel Bellman projects an unconvincing analysis of bad humor in his use of reader-response.
From the Paper "One may ask why Irving chooses the supernatural theme to utilize in the first place. Well, according to Eckley, Irving's choice was precipitated by the people's lifestyles in the United States in the beginning of the 18th century, amidst changing economic and social times. Most of them were uprooted from some quieter, rural lifestyle, into an industrialized and noisy metropolis, so they did not share a connection with a "past." Also, during Irving's era, society was concentrating on new ideals in newly found lifestyles. The old was definitely out, and people had to be entertained in fresh, different ways in the literary sense. The tension that Irving feels in the 18th century in trying to discover a new literary topic, while battling the changes of the newly formed cultural influence, led him to utilize the supernatural and discover a very interested audience (Eckley). "
