A relative of mine recently died. His mother, in her will, said that he should not be cremated as "he was born with a veil over his face, so he will not burn". Is this a common superstition?
2006-11-28 22:08:44 · 9 answers · asked by ligoneri 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The following superstition appears on the website below, but there's no mention of the body not burning! In medieval times the appearance of a caul (veil) on a newborn baby was seen as a sign of good luck. It was considered an omen that the child was destined for greatness. (Alexander the Great was allegedly born with a caul and he certainly had an interesting and powerful life, though short lived). Over the course of European history, a popular legend developed suggesting that possession of a baby's caul would give its bearer good luck and protect that person from death by drowning. It was, therefore, highly prized by sailors. Medieval women often sold their cauls to sailors for large sums of money as it was regarded as a valuable talisman. (Have looked at a number of other sites and they all say much the same).
2006-11-28 22:26:22 · answer #1 · answered by uknative 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never ever heard that one. The veil she speaks of the the sac in which the baby grows and comes away during the birth, but sometimes a piece sticks to the babies face, so I really do not believe that this will cause any complications when it comes to cremation. I have heard that people born which such a veil will never drown and that is why the sailors in the old days used to buy these for good luck
2006-11-28 22:10:05 · answer #2 · answered by London Girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he was born of 'the Caul', just looked in my superstition book and can find nothing about not been cremated, the only thing a Caul does is protect the child who was born of it from drowning, hope this helps.
2006-11-29 03:04:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know that this is an answer to your question but perhaps it will help. I think the veil as it is refered to is a reference to god and that he wont burn is a reference to going to heaven. I think that cremation is frowned upon in some religions (im not positive here but just giving you something else to think about perhaps) because they believe that you need your body in heaven. Never heard of that supersition before though. good luck
2006-11-28 22:31:34 · answer #4 · answered by kellabella24 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes an old wives tale. He was born with a caul over his face. Often these people are thought to have special powers. Its all nonsense
2006-11-28 22:12:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a new one on me! What did she mean, "born with a veil over his face"? Are you ethnic?
2006-11-28 22:36:31 · answer #6 · answered by Darkwing 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never heard of this -i have a big book of superstions and theres nothing in there either is there not anything on the net about it
2006-11-28 22:11:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
belive that has its origen from folk law
2006-11-28 22:11:32 · answer #8 · answered by cdp 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
was he a muslim women in a previous life?
2006-11-28 22:12:27 · answer #9 · answered by mark leshark 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋