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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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COLOR BELIEF

A BLACK CAT IN YOUR HOUSE, AS A PET, WILL BRING GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment: MISS ZITZEWITZ LEARNED THIS BELIEF AS A CHILD IN PANAMA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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

Date learned: 10-02-1963

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OMEN

QUITE OFTEN ONE SIGN OF A WITCH IS RED HAIR. THIS IS BECAUSE
JUDAS HAD RED HAIR AND DEALT WITH THE DEVIL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): COLOR ; DEVIL ; HAIR ; JUDAS ; Legend ; Red ; SIGN ; Witch

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 02-12-1968

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SCOTS SUPERSTITION (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; BAD LUCK: NEW YEARS (CLASSIFIERS TITLE)

NEVER LET A RED OR LIGHT HAIRED PERSON CROSS YOUR THRESHOLD ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY UNLESS THEY CARRY COAL WITH THEM OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: PAT HAND HEARD THIS FROM A NEIGHBOR OF SCOTS DESCENT.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; HAIR COLOR

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42

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MARCH 21- JUNE 20, COLOR, LUCK

ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, THE CHILDREN RECEIVE RED
ENVELOPES WITH MONEY IN THEM. THE COLOR RED IS CONSIDERED TO BE
LUCKY.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HAS COLLECTED RED ENVELOPES ON THE CHINESE NEW YEAR
EVER SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 11-04-1971

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IRISH NEW YEAR CUSTOM

THE FIRST PERSON TO WISH YOU A "HAPPY NEW YEAR" IN THE NEW
YEAR SHOULD BE A DARK-HAIRED PERSON BECAUSE THEN YOU WOULD
HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAID HIS GRANDMOTHER MADE IT A POINT TO SEE HIS
FATHER EACH NEW YEAR FIRST BECAUSE HE HAS DARK-HAIR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; OFFICE ; BRIGGS 338

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 P881.42
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 02-00-1971

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NEW YEAR'S VISITOR

IF THE FIRST PERSON TO VISIT YOUR HOME
HAS DARK HAIR, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK
ALL YEAR. IF HE IS FAIR, POOR LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F690 F690.1231
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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SCOTTISH-IRISH CUSTOM

THEY CALL THIS FIRST-FOOTING. IT IS A SCOTTISH CUSTOM ALSO FOUND
IN SCOTTISH INFLUENCE AREAS OF IRELAND.
YOUR HOME AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK IF YOUR FIRST VISTOR IN THE
NEW YEAR IS A DARK HAIRED MAN, ESPECIALLY IF HE BRINGS YOU A PIECE
OF COAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): COAL ; GIFTGIVING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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EXPECTANT MOTHER

IF YOU EAT DARK FOODS, BABY WILL BE DARK AND WHITE FOODS WILL MAKE
FAIR BABIES.

Submitter comment: HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 12-00-1977

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DREAMS

IF YOU SEE GREEN IN YOUR DREAMS YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT YOU MOST
WANTED OR ANTICIPATED GETTING

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT BELIEVES IN DREAMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Dreams Objects in color

Date learned: 10-00-1977

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DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY

A WOMAN WHO HAS JUST HAD A CHILD SHOULD HAVE A RED RIBBON ON HER HEAD SO THAT THE FAT RED FAIRY DOESN'T STEAL HER LIVER
IN TURKEY BEFORE LEAVING THE HOSPITAL A RED RIBBON WAS PLACED IN HER
HAIR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 10-00-1977

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ON ST PATRICK'S DAY THE IRISH WEAR THE COLOR GREEN FOR GOOD LUCK

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 02-23-1979

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ANIMAL

IF YOU EAT A HOG'S EYE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE COLOR
OF THE WIND.
THE WIND IS SAID TO BE RED.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER STATED THAT MY GRANDFATHER ATE A HOG'S EYE AND
SAW THE RED WIND. SHE SAID IT SCARED HIM TO DEATH.

Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Insect
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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FOOD BELIEFS

IF YOU BOIL ANYTHING GREEN DURING DOGDAYS IT WILL SPOIL.

Submitter comment: MY AUNT DOES NOT COOK ANYTHING GREEN DURING DOG DAYS. THIS
INCLUDES COLLARDS, TURNIPS, BEANS, AND PEAS.

Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer
Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process
BELIEF -- Measure of time Summer
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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TO PREVENT ANY ONE FROM GIVING A BABY THE EVIL EYE PUT A RED
RIBBON ON THE DIAPER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW WHY THE RIBBON HAD TO BE RED AS OPPOSED
TO ANY OTHER COLOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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TO CURE A SORE THROAT TIE A BLACK THREAD AROUND THE NECK.

Submitter comment: TO BE EFFECTIVE THE THREAD SHOULD BE FIRST DIPPED IN TURPENTINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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DEATH CUSTOM

IF A WHITE DOVE FLEW DOWN YOUR CHIMMEY, THAT WAS A SIGN THAT SOMEBODY
WAS GOING TO DIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 03-00-1979

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BODY PART BELIEF

RED HAIR IS CAUSED BY EATING CARROTS

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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LOVE SPELL

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SOMEONE FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU, USE EITHER A RED
OR PINK CANDLE. THESE COLORS REPRESENT LOVE; IT'S USUALLY BETTER TO
USE A PINK CANDLE, BECAUSE IF YOU USE RED, YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO
GET RID OF YOUR INTENDED LOVER, EVEN IF YOU WANT TO. SIT COMFORTABLY
IN A QUIET PLACE THAT HAS GOOD ENERGY FOR YOU. PIERCE THE CANDLE
ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY DOWN WITH THREE STRAIGHT PINS, SO
THAT THEY GO AROUND THE CANDLE. PUSH THEM IN ONLY FAR ENOUGH SO THAT
THEY STAY IN PLACE. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND LIGHT THE CANDLE.
CONCENTRATE STRONGLY ON THE PERSON YOU HAVE IN MIND--USE MIND-
PICTURES AND SOUNDS. IMAGINE CONVERSATIONS, SITUATIONS, ANY KIND OF
INTERACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIS PERSON. CONTINUE UNTIL ALL THREE OF
THE PINS FALL AWAY FROM THE CANDLE. THIS SPELL SHOULD BE CAST WHEN
THE MOON IS WAXING.

Submitter comment: I'VE USED THIS SPELL SUCCESSFULLY.

Where learned: UNKNOWN

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Favorites
BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Color

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SUPERSTITION

WEAR WHITE UNDERWEAR ON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR TO BE
PROTECTED FROM EVIL SPIRITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Submitter comment: WHITE, AS THE SIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS CAN NOT BE
TOLERATED BY EVIL SPIRITS, ACCORDING TO THE INFORMANT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LOUNGE

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 02-22-1979

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SUPERSTITION

WEAR DARK COLORED CLOTHES AFTER A DEATH TO ALLOW THE SOUL OF
THE DEAD TO REST.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT STATES THAT BRIGHT CLOTHES, BECAUSE OF THEIR
EMITTING PROPERTIES, STIMULATE THE SOUL AND PREVENT ITS REST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CLASSROOM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 02-12-1979

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