Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for LUCK returned 195 results.
UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
IN SPITE OF THE OBSERVATION OF A BLACK FAST, 12 DIFFERENT KINDS
OF FOOD ARE SERVED.
STRAW IS SCATTERED UNDERNEATH THE TABLE IN REMEMBERANCE
OF THE STABLE WHERE CHRIST WAS BORN.
"DIDUKH" IS A SHEAF OF STRAW IN THE FORM OF A MAN WHICH IS PUT
IN A CORNER AND SYMBOLIZES LAND FERTILITY.
THE FAMILY SITS DOWN TO SUPPER ONLY AFTER THE APPEARANCE OF THE
FIRST EVENING STAR.
IF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEATED IS AN ODD NUMBER, AN EXTRA CHAIR
IS SET TO SYMBOLIZE A DECEASED RELATIVE OR FRIEND, OR A MEMBER OF
THE FAMILY WHO IS UNABLE TO BE PRESENT.
THE FATHER CUTS THE BREAD INTO THE NUMBER OF PIECES AS THERE
ARE PEOPLE PRESENT, DIPS EACH PIECE IN HONEY (SYMBOLIZING LAND
FERTILITY), GIVES ONE TO EACH PERSON, KISSES HIM AND WISHES HIM
GOOD LUCK.
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD TAKES A SPOONFUL OF ONE OF THE TWELVE
DIFFERENT DISHES, KUTYA, (MADE OF BARLEY AND POPPYSEED AND
SEASONED WITH HONEY) AND THROWS IT UP TO THE CEILING. IT IS A
SIGN OF GOOD LUCK IF IT STICKS, AND OF BAD LUCK IF IT DOESN'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; LUCK
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
SLICE OF BREAD
AT THE BEGINNING OF A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, EVERYONE
IS GIVEN ONE PIECE OF BREAD. THIS ONE SLICE MUST LAST THEM
FOR THE ENTIRE MEAL.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO CONSUME THE BREAD BEFORE THE MEAL HAS BEEN
COMPLETED; YOU WILL GO HUNGARY (HUNGRY) OR NOT FULFILL SOME
DESIRE DURING THE COMING YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; LUCK ; POLISH ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2 |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
JAPANESE SEA-HORSE
PREGNANT JAPANESE WOMEN WILL WEAR A DRIED SEA HORSE.
IT IS A CHARM FOR SAFE CHILD BIRTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK CHARM ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LUCK
IF YOU HAVE A HORSESHOE ON THE WALL MAKE SURE THE OPEN END IS AT
THE TOP SO THAT ALL YOUR LUCK WILL STAY AND NOT LEAVE.
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL: HORSESHOE AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12 BELIEF -- Conversions P883.12 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR GOOD LUCK
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM TO PUT SALT IN A HOUSE A FEW DAYS
BEFORE MOVING IN AND THIS WILL BRING THE OCCUPANT GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.17 |
Date learned: 01-16-1968
BAD LUCK PREVENTION: (ITALIAN)-SALT
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM ENTERING A HOUSE, PLACE SALT IN LITTLE
BAGS AND PUT THE BAGS IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOMS WHERE NO ONE SEES
THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD TO DO THIS WHEN A NEW BABY ARRIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
BASKETBALL SUPERSTITION
IF A BASKETBALL TEAM HAS A VERY GOOD SEASON THE CAPTAIN'S SHOES ARE
HUNG PERMANENTLY IN THE LOCKER ROOM. THIS IS SAID TO BRING THE TEAM
GOOD LUCK IN FOLLOWING YEARS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Keyword(s): SOCIAL RELATIONS ; SPORTS ; SUPERNATURAL: CAPTAIN'S SHOES AS LUCKY CHARM
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck P881.19 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
"ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MARDI GRAS MY MOTHER MAKES FOSHNUTS
(WHICH IS A TYPE OF FRIED DOUGHNUT) FOR GOOD LUCK."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT HER MOTHER WILL ONLY MAKE THEM ON THAT DAY.
SHE SAID THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY CRAVE AND WANT THEM, HER
MOTHER WILL NOT MAKE THEM.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras BELIEF -- Good luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 00001965CA
MY FATHER BROUGHT BACK A QUITE UNUSUAL GIFT FROM HIS
BUSINESS TRIP-- AN OSTRICH'S TOENAIL KEY CHAIN. THIS
KEYCHAIN IS POLISHED QUITE NICELY, IT IS SAID TO BRING
GOOD LUCK TO THOSE WHO HAVE IT.
Submitter comment:
THEY SAY THAT AN OSTRICH'S TOENAIL CAN KILL SOMEONE
IF THEY ARE STUCK BY THE OSTRICH'S FOOT.
PURCHASED AT BUSH GARDENS, FLORIDA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): ART ; GOOD LUCK CHARM ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1978
BAD LUCK
IT IS A BELIEF IN PUERTO RICO THAT IF YOU WALK BACKWARDS
INTO ANY OCEAN, THAT IT WILL TAKE AWAY ALL OF YOUR BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HER GRANDFATHER TOLD HER THIS
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Still water Large body. BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 11-00-1987
Good Luck
Standing on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean just before
sunrise can put you in a great state of mind and can bring
you a world of good luck. If you then take a quarter out
of your pocket
and throw it out into the ocean as far as you can it will
bring you 25 days of good luck. This all must be done before
the sun rises.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; FORT LAUDERDALE
Keyword(s): Buying luck
James Callow Keyword(s): East ; POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 00-00-1991
Tale of Kate Elshender
A woman in the highlands, Named Kate Elshender, went to
a quarry hole to wash her clothes. As she passed the
village shop, she went in and bought a half pound of
soap and proceeded to wash; the soap slipped from her
hands, and she went back and bought another half pound.
The shopkeeper warned her to be careful, remembering the
old superstition...(when soap slips from your hand it
means death)...It slipped from her hands once again and
she returned for a third half pound of soap. This time
the shopkeeper was thoroughly frightened and begged her
not to go back again, but Kate went. Shortly after the
shopkeeper went to the quarry to find no one there. She
gave the alarm, and Kate Elshender was discovered drowned
at the bottom of the quarry hole.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond.... BELIEF -- P447 BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
In Greece, many people wear a charm known as a "fielahto" which
means "protector." It is a small triangular piece of jewelry
(triangular signifying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) made of
cloth. Within it is a piece of the cross on which Jesus was
crucified. It is worn on the inside of one's garments and is supposed
to ward of any evil that could possibly inflict harm to the wearer.
Submitter comment:
My informant is unsure whether or not a real piece of the cross
used to crucify Jesus is in the cloth triangle but that is what she
was told when she was given hers and has no reason to doubt it.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): LUCK
James Callow Keyword(s): relic
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 00001943CA
In Greece, it is strictly believed that all good and all evil
will come in three's. My informants gave me an example to help me
understand:
"If you steal something, you may get away with it once, twice, but
the third time you will get caught."
Submitter comment:
Even though I don't believe in this superstition, I have
experienced it on a few occasions.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001943CA
Custom
Pounding a preacher is a Methodist custom of welcoming a new preacher by having a fellowship supper and at the end surprising him with the homemade gifts each person has brought.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Covered ; CUSTOM ; Dish ; Fellowship ; FOOD ; Gathering ; GIFTS ; Homemade ; Potluck ; Pounding ; Preacher ; RITUAL ; Supper ; SURPRISE ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Custom
Fellowship Supper is a custom that Methodists have of a covered dish supper.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Community ; Covered ; CUSTOM ; Dish ; Fellowship ; FOOD ; Gathering ; Methodist ; Potluck ; RELIGION ; RITUAL ; Supper
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
TO FIX A MOUSE EATEN HOLE IN A GARMENT BRINGS BAD LUCK
TO THE MENDER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 09-01-11
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; BELZONI
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; Fix ; Garment ; Hole ; LUCK ; Mend ; Mouse ; Sew
James Callow Keyword(s): MENDING SEWING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 06-06-1973
STUMPING YOUR TOE MEANS BAD LUCK, BUT IF YOU TWIRL
AROUND ONCE YOUR LUCK WILL CHANGE FROM BAD TO GOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 09-01-11
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GALLATIN
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; GOOD LUCK ; LUCK ; STUB ; Stump ; TOE ; Twirl
James Callow Keyword(s): REVERSAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 08-20-1973
Custom
Luck in a Custom:
When a stranger enters your home for the 1st time, make sure that he enters and exits from the same door. Otherwise it is bad luck for you.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P532] is crossed out and replaced with F533.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; Domestic ; DOMESTIC RELATIONS ; Domesticity ; Door ; Entrance ; Guest ; Host ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Superstition: Baseball
Never mention a shutout or a perspective no-hitter to a pitcher or anyone in a Major-League dugout during the feat or it will be lost to fate.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
The original BN [P880] is crossed out and replaced with P536.
The words Bad Luck are also crossed out from the top left-hand corner of the card.
Where learned: NBC TELEVISION ; RADIO PROGRAM
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BASEBALL ; BASEBALL STADIUM ; CHANCE ; CUSTOM ; Fan ; FATE ; jinx ; LUCK ; No-Hitter ; Shutout ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |