Why Is a Rabbit's Foot Good Luck?
Superstition is described by Robert G. Ingersoll, the noted American politician and activist, as a belief which is held "in spite of evidence or without evidence." These beliefs can manifest themselves in the form of lucky charms which are thought to help with everything from warding off evil spirits or bringing good luck, to granting wealth or protecting against sickness.
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Rabbits in Folklore
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For centuries in the United States, Great Britain and parts of Europe, rabbits have been connected to superstition, folklore and the occult. Most superstitions suggest that rabbits bring good luck, in particular because of their prolific springtime breeding which has linked them with fertility. Some also believe that rabbits are born with their eyes open, although this is not a theory believed to be accurate, and this has given rise to the thought that they have the ability to ward off the evil eye. Not all connections to rabbits are associated with good luck. Some believe that rabbits are witches in animal form and associate them with earth-dwelling evil spirits.
The Rabbit's Foot Lucky Charm
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The concept of good luck being associated with a rabbit's foot is believed to have begun centuries ago when people were fascinated by the creature's running style, in which its hind legs land first, before the front legs. The belief is that this happens because of magical qualities possessed by a rabbit's rear feet and as a result they have become popular as good luck charms. It is believed that carrying a rabbit's foot will bring good luck to the bearer, and superstition even suggests that rubbing a rabbit's foot on the skin of a newborn baby will assure the child good luck throughout its life.
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How to Get a Lucky Rabbit's Foot
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These days, it is possible to buy a fake rabbit's foot rather than a real one, but when real rabbit's feet were more common, one superstition suggests that it would only be lucky if it were shot in a cemetery at night and with a silver bullet. There are differences of opinion about which stage of the lunar cycle, and on which day of the week, the practice was best carried out. Another practice was said to require the severing of the foot while the animal was still alive.
Rabbit's Feet as Lucky Charms
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Although it is still possible to buy real rabbits feet as charms, particularly in South America and Africa where the superstition is still very much prominent, synthetic alternatives are readily available. They can take the form of amulets and key chains and are often dyed in a variety of colors. There are also postcards and coins which depict a rabbit's foot as good luck.
Rabbit's Feet and Bad Luck
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Although popularly believed to grant good luck, rabbit's feet are believed by some to harbor bad luck instead. One belief is that the owner of a rabbit's foot would only get good luck if he gave it away to another person rather than trying to keep it for himself. The new owner would be blessed by the same good fortune, unless the rabbit's foot was lost, a misfortune which would bring bad luck instead.
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References
- Photo Credit floppy eared rabbits image by Ken Marshall from Fotolia.com
