Hey, I'm just curious: You're probably familiar with the Disney classic "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio. Well, I've had a listen recently and I was just wondering where that particular expression originated from. Whether wishing on a star or falling star, it sounds like an old religious practice to my ears. Even if it's not, there's still some level of superstition associated with it. I would gladly appreciate any information on its origin and/or groups practiced by and beliefs of said group(s). Points go to the first reasonably thorough answerer. First reasonably thorough, meaning outdoing a preceeding answer won't guarantee points if it's much of the same information. Thanks!
2007-08-15 16:55:49 · 7 answers · asked by raymanbk 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
"One of the first festivals of the summer in Japan is Tanabata on July 7th, known as the Star Festival. On the evening of Tanabata, it is traditional to write wishes on long thin strips of coloured paper and tie them to bamboo branches. Like western traditions of wishing on a shooting star or throwing pennies into a wishing well, you can wish for anything you like... and if you wish hard enough it just might come true!"
"The origin of this festival is a very romantic ancient legend imported from China to Japan in the 8th Century. It is a tragic story of star-crossed lovers. The tale goes as follows:
Once upon a time, the emperor of the galaxy and his beautiful daughter, princess Orihime, lived on one side of the Milky Way. The princess was a very hard-working girl; every day she wove from early in the morning till late at night, so she never had time to go out and meet a nice man.
The emperor, who was concerned about this, decided to introduce a man to his daughter. He chose a hard-working cow-herd called Hikoboshi, who lived on the other side of the galaxy. Orihime liked Hikoboshi at first sight and the two soon fell deeply in love. However, the princess soon started to neglect her weaving. This infuriated her father, and in anger he separated the lovers, sending Hikoboshi back to the other side of the Milky Way. They were so upset that they wept day and night.
The emperor, thinking it was too harsh on them, decided to let the couple meet just once a year. So on the seventh day of the seventh month each year he allows Orihime and Hikoboshi to go across the bridge of the Milky Way and meet each other. However, they can only meet if the weather is fine. If you look up at the night sky on July 7th, you might see two stars Vega (Orihime) and Altair (Hikoboshi) meet in the sky."
"Ironically though, July 7th is in the midst of the rainy season in Japan, so the two lovers cannot always meet."
"In some areas, the festival is held in August instead of July, in accordance with the old calendar. The Tanabata festival in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, is among the most famous in the country."
2007-08-17 13:59:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Falling stars were considered gods falling to (or arriving on) the earth from the heavens. Nearly all Pagans and early polytheists felt it fortunate to see such an event, as it could bode well for them if they asked the god for a boon, as he/she arrived. They felt that only they were blessed with the perception of this arrival, and that it would be to their advantage, only if they told noone else of the event.
This has translated, as have nearly all superstitions, to fairy tales, old wives' stories, and sailors' yarns (who are very superstitious), to today's strange, illogical beliefs in things we don't know anything about. Go figure.
2007-08-23 15:15:32 · answer #2 · answered by kmsmncs 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many cultures have, and still do, believe stars are heros that leapt into the heavens at their death. The people left on Earth pick there favorite hero and make there wish/prayer to that Hero.
2007-08-15 18:11:38 · answer #3 · answered by Terry 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wishing on a star is there for people that are so down and out, that's all they have left and sometimes if you believe really hard, your wish might come true.
2007-08-23 01:35:12 · answer #4 · answered by DEEJAY 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My Mom said it was Chicken Little "wishing it wouldn't fall on his head". Her version is much sweeter than the Greek origin.
2007-08-23 12:05:44 · answer #5 · answered by R M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That started with very ancient man.. When a falling star crashed into this earth and brought fire to man............ And man learned thru hit and miss about how to use fire and then make fire on his own... When that first fire went out and after man-kind felt its warmth and ate the dead cook animals that were killed and burned by that fire.... How many men do you think wish on a star for that fire to come back to them...............................................................................................
2007-08-15 20:00:25 · answer #6 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
not my answer ; but once i was told
a fallen star was a fallen angel
putting it in your pocket was becoming "kin "to it
a that rainy day was the coming of the flood.
-------------------------weird story
but i respect the man that told me that.
2007-08-22 18:02:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋