Superstitions connected with bodily activities - Stumbling and Falling

Interesting Myths and Superstitions around the world Part VI

STUMBLING & FALLING:

• Falling has always been associated with the idea of evil, and its effects can only be averted by a quick-witted remark or a muttered invocation.

• To fall while going upstairs is a sure sign that the victim will not marry within a year.

• The falling of a picture from the will is universally regarded as a bad omen and frequently foretells the death of the original of the picture in the case of a portrait.

• It is related that a well-known English archbishop on entering his study one day, found his portrait lying on the floor, the cord that held it on the hook, having snapped. The sight so unnerved the prelate that he became ill, and died shortly after.

• A fall from a horse, besides being very inconvenient and often painful, is supposed to bring evil consequences. If two person’s part on horseback and one of them falls off his mount, the two will never meet again.

• The fall of a window blind is accounted unlucky, but the evil can be averted by at once replacing it in its sockets.

• The fall of a knife or fork to the floor is usually considered a good omen and foretells a visit from a friend; a female in the case of a knife, or a male in the case of a fork.

• To fall downstairs is a very bad sign and signifies loss of health or money.

• To stumble in the morning on coming downstairs is a sign of ill luck during the day.

• A horse stumbling on the highway brings bad luck to his owner.

• If you stumble over a stick or stone, turn back and kick it out of the way to avert trouble.

Source: Omens, Signs and Superstitions