The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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

Date learned: 00001920S