Appalachian superstitions

Allie-Gator

Member
I live in the hills of Appalachia. We have tons of superstitions that have been passed down from generation to generation. I'll tell you a few.

1. In the fall, make sure you get a buckeye and keep it in your pocket or purse until the next year when you can get another. This will bring you luck with money. My grandfather always did this and would get one for all of the grandchildren and his children to carry too.
2. If you have a goose pimples or shiver for no reason, someone is walking over the patch of ground in which you will be buried.
3. Never go in one door and out another, you will create bad luck.
4. Never sweep dirt out of your door after you sweep any of your floors. Make sure you pick it up and put it in the trash or you will sweep luck out of your house.
5. If you walk around with one shoe on and one shoe off, you will have bad luck.
6. Never make a "Lone Star" quilt because if you do, someone in the family will die.
7. Never light three cigarettes with one match, it's bad luck.
8. The number of rain drops or snow flakes on your wedding day is the number of tears you will cry during the marriage.
9. If your nose itches, it means someone is coming to see you. If it's the left side it's a man, if it's the right side it's a woman, because a woman is always right.
10. If your left hand itches, expect money. If your right hand itches, you'll soon shake hands with a stranger.

Ok-that's a few--does anyone have any others?
 

Quentin Woolery

New Member
I'm not in the Appalachians but I'll give you a few.

1. If a bride doesn't have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on her during the wedding ceremony, she will have bad luck in the marriage.
2. Don't spill salt. If you do, throw some over your left shoulder because that's where the devil stands and you will throw some in his eye and he won't be able to cause you trouble.
 

Goddess2u

Member
These are interesting I am not from or in the Appalachians either but I have heard two or three of these before. My husband says when your nose itches someone wants to kiss you. Don't know where he got that one.:D
 

Allie-Gator

Member
Never heard that one Rhonda. It sounds like something my mother would say though. Anyone else have any? I'm very interested in any old superstitions.
 

RLynn

Active Member
Just an observation. Like the wonderful music of the Appalachians, many of the superstitions probably derive from Scots-Irish folklore and tradition. I have always been in love with the Appalachian mountains and have a soft spot in my heart for its indiginous culture.
 

Allie-Gator

Member
Actually RLynn, I have discussed the language of the hills. A lot of the words used and expressions used are Scots-Irish and even English in origin. I've heard it all of my life and I didn't know that until I went to college and studied a lot of the history of our region. BTW-I play the Mountain Dulcimer. :)
 

RLynn

Active Member
Allie-Gator, I live very near the foothills of the Blue Ridge in North Carolina, and much of the folklore and music of the Appalachians has filtered down into this area. Playing the mountain dulcimer is a wonderful skill. The instrument has such a gentle and pleasant sound.
 

Rhonda Tharp

Active Member
Allie-Gator, I live very near the foothills of the Blue Ridge in North Carolina, and much of the folklore and music of the Appalachians has filtered down into this area. Playing the mountain dulcimer is a wonderful skill. The instrument has such a gentle and pleasant sound.
Aw, I miss the Blue Ridge Mountains, I used to live in Virginia. Texas is too flat for me!
 

Pegasus

Member
Here are some additional superstitions about luck you might find interesting.
Eat Black-eyed peas on New Years to bring you luck
Don't sneeze at the table - it will bring bad luck
It is bad luck to look in a mirror at midnight
Tell a dream before breakfast and it will not come true
If you sweep after the sun goes down, you will never be rich
 

Amoritia

New Member
I grew up and currently live in south-western West Virginia. My family's been here since the 1860s. :)
Here are a few I've heard from my grandmother and mom:

1. If you see the leaves turn upside down when the wind blows, a big storm's coming.
2. If it rains when the sun's shining, it's going to rain the next day, too.
3. Don't let a blister burst until after sundown or it'll be more painful and longer to heal.
 
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