Compasses of Life. Dima Darraji 9B

 Compasses of Life

 











    Do you believe in superstitions? If so, then you are not alone! Superstitions are beliefs that stem from trust in magic and a false perception of causation. I firmly believe that these beliefs exist due to the influence of one's environment and the mark of historical events. 


    To begin with, the environment one is in impacts the basis for a belief system. Picture growing up in a community where others tend to be more superstitious; then, it is probable that you adopt this trait. As community members exchange tales and stories that concern superstitions, these stories become more influential with every retelling, furthering individual beliefs. Numerous literary works depict this concept, such as the poem “The Hollow” by Kelly Deschler, as it portrays the poet’s trust regarding the tale “The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow.” Her perspective is affected by the small town she calls home, demonstrating her fear of it when she has to reassure herself that there is no presence of ghosts or the supernatural in the last stanza using the phrase “of course.” This reassurance indicates a lack of confidence in her safety. History is also why many are superstitious, so let us go to a time-travelling machine and witness what it is all about. 


    Another factor to consider is history. Historical events change the trajectory of whether you are superstitious or not. Occurrences in the past can serve as warning signs about actions or behaviours. It is evident by the fact that Ancient Romans believed that “mirrors held fragments of our soul, and that shattering them, therefore, represented a crack in our souls, too.” Moreover, ‘In England in the 1600s, criminals were forced to walk under a ladder on their way to the gallows” (The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Superstitions). Fear is present in actions such as walking under a ladder being hazardous. These historical beliefs and traditions have been passed down through generations, manifesting as a protective belief system, like a compass guiding people to good.  


    To sum up, historical occurrences and the environment can dictate to what extent someone is superstitious. I am convinced that others still trust superstitions based on the factors discussed. It is a fascinating component of cultures that continue to be of interest. 



Works cited:  

  • published, by Natalie Wolchover. ‘The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Superstitions’. LiveScience.Com,19 Sept.2011, https://www.livescience.com/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html. 
  • “The Hollow” by Kelly Deschler  
  • ‘Turtles, Eggs, and Rocks: Vietnamese Superstitions in Practice.’ The Amherst Student, 5 Apr. 2023, https://amherststudent.com/article/turtles-eggs-and-rocks-vietnamese-superstitions-in-practice/. 

 




Comments

  1. Farah Al AssafMarch 2, 2024 at 11:11 AM

    Interesting how you were inclusive to people believing in superstitions, although you might disbelieve in it yourself. Your blog is well-organized and I enjoyed reading it. You made me look at superstitions through two lenses, environment and history. Your explanation is comprehensive, and the examples you gave are interesting. I liked how you analogized superstitions as a compass to guide people's beliefs, even if they are false and irrational.

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