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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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FLOWERS BELIEF

RED ROSE MEANS LOVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Color

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FLOWER BELIEF

WHITE ROSE MEANS PURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 03031971 YEAR ASSUMED

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BLACK TABOO

IF YOU EAT BLACK GRAPES OR BLACK FIGS THEN SOME SORT OF BAD LUCK
WILL COME TO YOU, SUCH AS BAD NEWS, OR YOU WILL DO SOMETHING
THAT YOU WILL REGRET LATER. HOWEVER RED, WHITE , GREEN, AND BLUE
GRAPES AND FIGS ARE FINE TO EAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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HEALTH BELIEF

'BEETS GIVE YOU RED BLOOD.'
MY INFORMANT SAID THAT HER MOTHER STRICTLY BELIEVED THAT,

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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CEMETERY BELIEF

IF YOU ARE OUT IN THE EARLY EVENING AT MT. ELIOT CEMETERY
AT 6 MILE ROAD, AND YOU FACE THE WEST SIDE OF IT, YOU WILL SEE
A GLOWING RED TOMBSTONE, WHY THIS PARTICULAR TOMBSTONE GLOWS,
NO ONE KNOWS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE BLACK LINE

A BLACK LINE IN THE CEMENT OF A SIDEWALK IS A LINE TO AVOID.
IF YOU SHOULD PURPOSELY STEP ON A BLACK LINE YOU WILL GET COOTIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 10-03-1968

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BELIEF

THE PEOPLE OF LIBYA BELIEVE THE WHITE SPIRIT APPEARS AT NIGHT IN
SOME FORM OF LIGHT, SO WHENEVER THEY SEE ANY LIGHT AT NIGHT
THEY SHUDDER IN FEAR OF THE WHITE SPIRIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Color
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: 11-29-1969

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MOTHER'S DAY CUSTOM

IF YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR MOTHER A CORSAGE FOR MOTHER'S DAY, THERE ARE
THINGS YOU SHOULD FIRST KNOW. IF YOUR MOTHER'S MOTHER IS DEAD, YOU
SHOULD BUY HER A WHITE FLOWER. IF YOUR MOTHER'S MOTHER IS ALIVE,
YOU SHOULD BUY HER A PINK FLOWER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT A RED FLOWER
MEANS.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT MY MOTHER THE WRONG COLOR OF
FLOWER. I HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL SINCE THEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20
BELIEF -- Color

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EASTER

UKRAINIAN GIRLS DYE EXQUISITE EGGS TO CELEBRATE EASTER. THEY GIVE
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL EGG TO THE BOY THEY LOVE. TO A BOY THEY WANT TO
GET RID OF THEY GIVE A BLACK EGG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOLISM ; UKRAINIAN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 03-00-1970

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EASTER

GREEKS DYE THEIR EASTER EGGS ONLY A DEEP BLOOD RED WHICH
SIGNIFIES THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

Submitter comment:

FROM FAMILY TIES.

Where learned: MAIL

Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOLISM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 08-00-1967

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BELIEF IN LEBANON

A SMALL BLUE SPECIAL STONE WORN ON THE PERSON
WILL KEEP BAD LUCK AND EVIL AWAY.

Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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JAPANESE CHARM

WE GET CARDS FROM A SHRINE THAT ARE GOOD
FOR TRAFFIC IN A CAR. THEY PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
HERE IS MINE. THEY ARE WRAPPED IN RED CLOTH
BECAUSE RED IS THE COLOR FOR HAPPINESS AND
GOOD OMEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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BABY'S RASH

IF YOU PLACE A RED RIBBON UNDER A BABY'S PILLOW
THE BABY WILL NEVER BE BOTHERED WITH A RASH OR SKIN DISEASE.

Submitter comment: PAT HEARD THIS SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS MARRIED(APPR. 1954) FROM
A WOMAN WHOSE NAME SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 01-09-1964

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THE OPAL

IF YOU ARE WEARING AN OPAL WHILE YOU ARE FEELING WELL,
THE STONE IS A BRIGHT BLUE COLOR; AND WHEN YOU
ARE NOT WELL, THE STONE WILL TURN A DULL, GREYISH-BLUE.

Submitter comment: MY INFORMANT IS NOT SURE WHERE SHE OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LATHRUP VILLAGE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Color

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A DANCE OF DEATH

A GIRL DANCED A DANCE OF DEATH WITH THE DEVIL.
HER PARENTS FORBID HER TO DANCE BUT SHE USED TO
SLIP OUT AND GO TO THE DANCES ANYWAY. ONE NIGHT
SHE PUT ON RED SHOES AND WENT TO THE DANCE.
THERE SHE MET THIS STRANGER WHO WAS DRESSED DIFFERENTLY
FROM ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE AT THE DANCE. HE WAS VERY
SHARP. HE ASKED HER TO DANCE AND SHE SAID YES. THEY
DANCED AND DANCED AND DANCED. FINALLY SHE ASKED
DANCE SAID THAT IF SHE TOOK OFF HER RED SHOES
TO STOP AND HE SAID NO. THE REST OF THE PEOPLE AT THE
THAT THIS WOULD MAKE HIM
STOP BUT SHE COULDN'T. FINALLY SHE DROPPED DEAD FROM
EXHAUSTION AND WHILE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE CAME TO SEE
WHAT HAPPENED THE STRANGE MAN HAD DISAPPEARED. THE STRANGER
WAS THE DEVIL FOLKS SAID AND HE TOOK HER WITH HIM BACK
TO HELL. ON THE DEATH OF THIS GIRL A FEW OF THE
PEOPLE SAID THEY SAW THE MAN'S HORNS
AS HE RAN OUT.

Submitter comment: MRS. LEWIS SAID THAT THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER
GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. HER GRANDMOTHER
SAID THAT THIS WAS A TRUE STORY.

Where learned: FREE PRESS SERVICE DESK

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Color

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SUPERSTITION-BAD LUCK

RED-HAIRED PEOPLE ARE UNLUCKY.

Submitter comment: DOES NOT REMEMBER.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 10-26-1967

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BLACK CAT

IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY.

Submitter comment: LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD IN DETROIT WHERE
PLAYMATES AVOIDED BLACK CATS.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 00-00-1949

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COLOR SIGNIFICATION

THIS WAS COLLECTED ON MONDAY 3-6-67 FROM
MY SISTER. SHE MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF CERTAIN COLORS WORN ON CERTAIN
DAYS OF THE WEEK.
IF YOU WEAR BLUE ON MONDAY, THIS MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE A BABY.
IF YOU WEAR GREEN AND YELLOW ON THURSDAY,
THIS MEANS YOU ARE A QUEER.
IF YOU WEAR RED ON FRIDAY, THIS MEANS YOU ARE A DEVIL.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Color

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THE OLD GRAY MARE?

IN THE FALL OF 1961, MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK A FRIEND
OF OURS TO THE RACE TRACK. OUR FRIEND, JIMMY, IS NOW
74 YEARS OLD, AND IS BLIND (HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS).
JIMMY COMES FROM ENGLAND AND HE HAD A FONDNESS FOR HORSE RACING
WHEN HE WAS SIGHTED.
WHEN WE TOOK HIM TO THE TRACK, WE HAD TO BE HIS "EYES",
SO I WOULD READ THE RACING SHEET ENTRIES TO HIM.
BEFORE EACH BET, HE WOULD ASK, "WHAT COLOR IS THE HORSE"?
UNLESS IT WERE GRAY, HE WOULD NOT BET ON IT BY HIMSELF:
HE WOULD, HOWEVER, SPLIT THE BET WITH US.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK RACEWAY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 05-00-1965

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COLOR BELIEF

THE FIRST DARK-HAIRED PERSON TO COME TO YOUR DOOR
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment: MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD FROM HER RELATIVES.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 11-03-1963

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