When you see a magpie, you say 1 for sorrow, 2 for joy etc, why ??
2006-12-03 07:01:02 · 17 answers · asked by pesky_imp 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
The magpie is common in European folklore. Generally speaking, the bird is associated with unhappiness and trouble. This may be because of its well known tendency to "steal" shiny objects, as well as its harsh, chittering call.
An old English folk tale states that when Jesus was crucified on the cross, all of the world's birds wept and sang to comfort him in his agony. The only exception was the magpie, and for this, it is forever cursed.
In Britain and Ireland a widespread (mainly found in England and Scotland and less common in Wales and Northern Ireland) traditional rhyme records the myth (it is not clear whether it has been seriously believed) that seeing magpies predicts the future, depending on how many are seen. There are many regional variations on the rhyme, which means that it is impossible to give a definitive version.
However, in the Chinese culture the magpie is one of the most popular birds, and is seen as the messenger of good news and fortune. In fact, its name in Chinese means "bird of joy".
2006-12-03 07:08:22 · answer #1 · answered by JACQUI S 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Magpie Bad Luck
2016-10-16 07:11:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These answers are interesting but the religious link is so childish surely no one can believe it. The reason I looked up more info about this bird is 'cos I've just carried one out of my sitting room and put it back in the garden.I heard a loud noise earlier and found the bird trying to get out through a closed window. The bird fell down my open chimney breast from the roof what a mess it made. I'm so glad I was at home otherwise goodness knows what would have happened as the poor thing was clearly terrified. I'm glad to find out that the Chinese consider the Magpie as good luck as I sure need some at this moment. from, Verna Ducker.
2014-06-04 20:27:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magpies are supposed to be great hoarders, having an eye for anything shiny, making them bad luck to have around.
"Crow or Magpie Augry (the practise of foretelling the future based on the number of birds seen) has been around for centuries, and spawned many versions of the "counting rhyme". These are a few of the ones I've collected. As you can see, there's quite a variety, but most follow the same themes..."
2006-12-03 07:11:44 · answer #4 · answered by tommynocker001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All my life I have only ever seen a single magpie. One for sorrow two for luck....So far I have been involved in a car accident where i became disabled, my fiance left me, I lost my job, ain't got any mates, and am an alcoholic. Err me thinks there maybe something to the single magpie.
2016-03-13 03:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure of the exact origins of the song.
However, magpies mate for life, so if you were to see one it was bad luck as the other had died and it would have to spend the rest of their life alone.
2006-12-03 07:13:53 · answer #6 · answered by David 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because in the book of Genesis in the bible the magpies refused to go into Noah's Ark 2 by 2. That's where the rhyme originates from.
2006-12-03 07:17:41 · answer #7 · answered by Quizard 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are not bad luck. Its just superstition that i have no patience with. Mind you i saw 6 altogether the other day on the ground and i wont say no to any gold!
2006-12-03 07:55:25 · answer #8 · answered by Caroline 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
duno where the saying comes from but magpies were considered so evil that it was said they carry a drop of the devils blood under their tongue, also said that they were the only bird not to wear the full black colour for mourning the death of jesus
2006-12-03 15:16:20 · answer #9 · answered by NightOwl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original rhyme (1 for sorrow, etc) actually referred to crows, but over the centuries has changed to magpies.
2006-12-03 07:10:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋