SUPERSTITIONS: A Handbook of Folklore

We read about voodoo and Santeria gods and goddesses, Native Americans, Inuit taboos and mythical monsters, Hindu superstitions and vampires, Egyptian mythical monsters like Ammit devourer of the dead and Apep enemy of light, African gods and goddesses and superstitions like if you stumble, someone steps over you, if you hit a man with a broom, not to whistle or draw water from a well at night, not to kill a gecko, and hearing an owl hoot which means that someone in the household will die soon. Across all cultures and spanning centuries, superstitions rooted in cultural legends and myths have formed and influenced daily life. Covering myths and legends from around the world, the book explains how and why these legends and the associated behaviours behind them developed accompanied by beautiful illustrations. For example, the belief that you will have seven years' bad luck if you break a mirror is said to come from the Romans who were the first to create glass mirrors. In Japanese culture, cutting your nails at night is thought to lead to a quick death because the two phrases sound similar. And of course, black cats are evil and don't drink water from a coconut or you will immediately become a moron. Itchy palms signify that good luck is coming to you, and if you spit on the floor and someone steps on it you will get a sore throat. Organised by region here are engrossing stories of impossible feats, legendary monsters, mighty heroes and curious beliefs from around the world in current and past cultures. 192pp, beautiful decorations, colour.