In Macedonia, weasels were considered good omens! But weasels have long been seen as negative: sleazy, sneaky, snarky (hey, what's with the etymology?). In Greece, which was right next to Macedonia, they turned to the etymology for their superstition. They believed that weasels were disgruntled brides that had been turned into animals. A few tall tales was all it took to form the superstition that weasels destroyed wedding dresses and were bad luck to soon-to-be brides. (Wikipedia.org) According to the encyclopedia Wakan Sansai Zue, "the cry of a weasel was a harbinger of doom" (Wikipedia.org). Weasels were and are bad luck in many cultures: many Native American tribes believed that if you cross the path of a weasel, you will die soon. In Defoe, they are portrayed as evil, and also in Wind of the Willows.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Cultural Significance
In Macedonia, weasels were considered good omens! But weasels have long been seen as negative: sleazy, sneaky, snarky (hey, what's with the etymology?). In Greece, which was right next to Macedonia, they turned to the etymology for their superstition. They believed that weasels were disgruntled brides that had been turned into animals. A few tall tales was all it took to form the superstition that weasels destroyed wedding dresses and were bad luck to soon-to-be brides. (Wikipedia.org) According to the encyclopedia Wakan Sansai Zue, "the cry of a weasel was a harbinger of doom" (Wikipedia.org). Weasels were and are bad luck in many cultures: many Native American tribes believed that if you cross the path of a weasel, you will die soon. In Defoe, they are portrayed as evil, and also in Wind of the Willows.
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I like the comment about etymology.
ReplyDeleteYou need to include more positivity, its too pessimistic.
I like this post. It is something other then scientific facts about weasels (not that I don't like scientific facts).
Actually, collective society's view of weasels is pretty pessimistic. I seem to like animals like that (I like owls and crows too and zodiac-wise I'm a scorpion and a snake).
DeleteSO CUTE WHY HAZEL WHY DID YOU INCLUDE SUCH CUTE PICTURES.
ReplyDeleteCitations?
Sorry I can't get over how cute they are.
As always, you've produced superior work! Well done and very interesting! Thank you, Hazel.
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