Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P684 returned 334 results.
When a baby is born to a Polish mother, you are supposed to put
a red ribbon on a safety pin so the child is always protected by
their guardian angel; a medal of a saint, angel, or the Mother of
God may be added also-- but the red ribbon is essential. This
will protect the child from ladies with evil eyes who will look at
your child, and the child may get sick, get a rash all over its
body, or could even die; this also protects the child from evil-
eyed women who may abduct the child, also.
Submitter comment:
This is yet another custom that my mother has passed on to her
children. It has worked with all my grandmother's children and
grandchildren so far.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001920S
Representations
I wonder how many people know that the colors of Africa (black,
red and green) are representations of the people of the land, the
blood shed for the land and the land.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
Representations
People generally wear white on Easter and they may not be aware
that the color white worn on Easter represents the resurrection of
Christ.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
Superstition-Good luck
If a white spider crawls on you or is near you, that means
you'll have good luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 01-01-1978
THE FIRST PERSON IN THE HOUSE AFTER MIDNIGHT ON NEW
YEAR'S EVE HAS TO BE A RED HAIRED PERSON TO INSURE
GOOD LUCK FOR THE HOUSE FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
A BLACK HAIRED PERSON WILL BRING BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS MAKES SURE EITHER THE
RED HAIRED BROTHERS OR SISTERS ARE THE FIRST ONES
IN THE HOUSE NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
WHEN SOMEBODY DIED, NO ONE WOULD GO TO THE FUNERAL.
THEY WENT THE ROUNDS INSTEAD. (THEY DID THIS TO NOTIFY
PEOPLE OF THE DEATH, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO NEWSPAPERS
TO LET PEOPLE KNOW.) THE ROSARY WAS SAID IN THE
DEAD MAN'S HOUSE. NO ONE WOULD GO TO THE BURIAL
WITHOUT A BLACK SUIT OR BLACK DRESS. THE PEOPLE WERE
VERY FRIENDLY AND IF A FAMILY DID NOT HAVE A BLACK
SUIT FOR THE OCCASION THEY WOULD BORROW IT ; THIS
WAS VERY COMMON. ALSO BLACK WAS WORN FOR WEDDINGS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE THEN HAD ONLY ONE GOOD
SUIT AND IT WAS BLACK AND HE ALSO SHOWED ME SOME WEDDING
PICTURES OF HIS RELATIVES WHO WORE BLACK ON THEIR
WEDDING DAY.
THIS TOOK PLACE IN BELGIUM ABOUT TWENTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BELGIUM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1951
A NEW YEAR'S MEAL CONSISTING OF GREENS, MEANS THAT YOU
WILL INHERIT SOME MONEY, BLACKEYE PEAS MEANS THAT YOU'LL
HAVE GOOD LUCK, SOMETHING RED MEANS THAT THERE WILL NOT
BE VERY MUCH ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY AND CHITTERLINGS
MEANS THAT GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU IN A VERY SPECIAL
WAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S NEW YEAR'S MEAL HAVE INCLUDED THOSE THINGS
(FOODS) FOR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-07-1971 ; 00001940S
IN THE SPRINGTIME YOU COUNT:
100 RED CONVERTIBLES (CARS, AUTOMOBILES)
A WOMAN WITH A PURPLE DRESS
A MAN WITH A GREEN TIE.
AND THEN THE FIRST BOY YOU KISS AFTERWARD, YOU'LL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
WHENEVER SIGHTING A (PURE) WHITE HORSE IN OUR MANY
TRAVELS AS CHILDREN, GOOD LUCK WOULD VISIT US IF
WE:: LICKED OUR THUMB OF THE RIGHT HAND, THEN WIPED
THE PALM OF OUR LEFT HAND WITH IT, FINALLY SMACKING
THE STILL-OPEN LEFT HAND PALM WITH THE RIGHT-HAND
CLINCHED FIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck Animals SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
SEE A WHITE HORSE, SPIT, AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MENZIES COULD NOT REMEMBER WHERE SHE HEARD
THIS BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck Body parts and functions BELIEF -- Good luck Animals |
Date learned: 07-14-1964
ITALIAN
FOR GOOD LUCK WITH A NEW CAR, HANG A RED BOW SOMEPLACE
IN THE CAR. THIS WILL ALSO KEEP YOU SAFE FROM
ACCIDENTS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER ITALIAN MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PLEASANTVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
RACING DRIVERS WON'T HAVE A GREEN CAR. GREEN IS AN
UNLUCKY COLOR. A GREEN RACING CAR IS CALLED THE
"DEATH CAR."
Where learned: SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
NEVER HAVE ANY GREEN IN A KITCHEN BECAUSE IT BRINGS
IRISH PEOPLE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
COLOR
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 04-08-1967
IN IRELAND IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE COUNTY FAIR AND ON
YOUR WAY YOU CHANCE TO SEE A REDHEAD, YOU WILL RETURN
HOME AT ONCE AND NOT GO TO THE FAIR, FOR IT WOULD
BE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS FROM MY IRISH ROOMMATE WHEN I WAS IN
SCHOOL IN DUBLIN LAST YEAR. THE GIRL I HEARD IT FROM
WAS FROM THE WEST OF IRELAND AND BELIEVED IN THE
SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: IRELAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH AT NIGHT, YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK THE NEXT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
WHEN YOU SEE A BLACK CAT IN THE MORNING, AND HE
PASSES IN FRONT OF YOU, IT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 03-03-1971
IT'S BAD LUCK TO LET A BLACK CAT WALK IN FRONT OF YOU.
Where learned: INDIANA ; Jeffersonville
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 04-18-1971
BLACK CATS ARE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN