Does anybody else have a superstition about magpies?

Question

Ie, one for sorrow, two for joy etc! And what do you do if you see only one magpie!!!

Answer 1

Your supposed to touch green (never seen) I really try not to be so silly, but when I see magpies I really can’t help it. Although I have improved, I no longer scream if I can’t get my hands on something green.

Answer 2

If I see only one Magpie I feel sorry for it!

Magpies mate for life so if you see only one Magpie it means its partner has died. That is where the 'one for sorrow' originated.

For some reason people believe that seeing one Magpie brings them bad luck when it is the Magpie who has had the bad luck to lose its mate (or perhaps has never found one).

To offset the bad luck people 'address' the Magpie - there are different ways of doing it but one is to say "Good Day, Magpie. I trust you, your partner and your family are well?"

This particular address implies that this particular single Magpie is not widowed but has a mate and family tucked away somewhere thus negating any possible bad luck.

Aren't people weird?.

Answer 3

If i see one magpie. i always say hello mr magpie b4 he flies away. that way you dont have bad luck. one for sorrow. two for joy. three for a girl. four for a boy. five for silver. six for gold. seven for a story never to be told.

Answer 4

When my Gran was younger this rhyme was about ravens!!!! So Ithink that this rhyme is a product of society, and therefore nothing more than a childrens song. Seeing a solitary magpie means nothing more than seeing any other solitary bird.

Answer 5

i've always said " Morning Mr. Magpie, How's the rest of the family?"

Answer 6

Yes i do and if i only see one i salute and say "morning major"
which is supposed to take away the bad luck, but just makes you look really silly, especially when a stranger happens to be walking by as you do it, lol

Answer 7

Your are meant to say "good morning Mr Magpie and how's your lady wife"

I remember seeing Bruce Forsyth on t.v. once and apparently he salutes and says "good morning Colonel".

Answer 8

if you see one magpie your supposed to salute him and say either good morning/evening mr magpie hows your wife and family then you wont get bad luck...apparantly!

Answer 9

As far as I know, if a black bird pecks on your window it is a sign of sorrow , I have had it happen to me and one of my brothers died shortly after the bird came around. I,m very superstitious about the black birds.

Answer 10

I do not have a superstition about them, but think that they are an awesome bird! They are so hardy. They are great survivors.