Counting crows

greenkittie

1 for sorrow.. 2 for joy... etc.
Does anyone else do this? I always have done and place way too much significance on it.

6th

afaik its for magpies?

Aisling&M

Adrian (my husband ) hates them! Makes them fly off the walls as he thinks they are bad luck in general!
For some reason I don't believe God or the Gods above us deem birds as an accurate means of measuring fortune.....but hey, I like it when I see two!

6th

from answerbank:

Why are magpies bad luck?



A. Good question there from Nooti - and one that opens a real can of worms. This startling black and white bird is subject of many superstitions and rhymes.



Q. Such as?

A. The 'one for sorrow' verse. If you see one magpie, you can expect sorrow, but two means joy. The most popular version of the rhyme at the moment continues: Three for a girl; four for a boy; five for silver; six for gold; seven for a secret never to be told; eight for a wish; nine is a kiss; ten is a bird you just can't miss.



Q. 'For a bird you just can't miss'? What's that all about?

A. A bit of a cheat, actually: that's the song they sang at the beginning of a 1970s children's show called Magpie - ITV's rival to Blue Peter. An Irish version of the superstition is: To meet a magpie on the road is a sign of bad luck; two magpies for good luck; three for sorrow; four for joy; five for a wedding; six for gold.



Q. So it's good luck and bad luck?

A. Indeed - especially in China, where the magpie of a symbol of happiness.



Q. Go on.

A. The magpie's song foretells happiness and good luck. That's why Chinese people call it happy Magpie. The Manchu people in north-east China even regard magpies as sacred. There's even a magpie in their legends.



Q. You're going to tell me all about it, aren't you?

A. Thank you for the opportunity. A goddess called Fokulon and her two sisters were playing beside the lake when a beautiful magpie dropped a piece of red fruit. Fokulon picked it up and ate it. Soon she gave birth to a boy, named Bukulirongshun, and he became forefather of the Manchu people.



Bukulirongshun and his descendants were all heroic and skilled fighters, but neighbouring tribes felt threatened and combined to wipe them out. All but a boy called Fancha was killed. He escaped, pursued by the killers. As dusk fell, they almost caught up with him - but then a magpie landed on his head. He stood motionless - and the hunters mistook him for a tree trunk. Ever since, Manchu people look upon magpies as a symbol of happiness and luck. In 1644, a Manchu ruler became China's emperor and established the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and most Chinese people now accept the magpie story.



Q. I suppose you'd better tell me some ornithological details?

A. You took the words right out of my mouth. Here goes. There are 20 species of magpie and treepie in the world, mostly in India. The common one's Latin aname is pica pica. Magpies are believed to have evolved from a Jay-like ancestor and the 'pie' refers to their black and white or pied plumage. The common magpie was originally known simply as 'the pie', but in the 16th Century, 'mag' - meaning chatters - was added. Magpies are highly social and can mimic other birds. All species are omnivorous taking insects, small birds eggs, small mammals, and small reptiles as well as a variety of fruits.



Q. So they're a well-loved species?

A. No. They're killers and have been blamed for the decline of songbirds such as the thrush. As a result, they're often hunted by gamekeepers anxious to protect their birds and eggs. Magpies are however, cunning, and are difficult to trap.



Q. Any more superstitions?

A. If you see three of these on your way to a wedding, it is said to be good luck for the happy couple. When you are out in the morning, you should doff your hat to the first magpie you see, asking: 'Good morning Mr Magpie, and how is your lady wife and family?' This will help assure your good luck throughout the day.



Q. All rubbish, isn't it?

A. Of course. Except ... on the morning before my son was born I saw four magpies. And three of 'em on the lawn the day my daughter came into the world.

im_invisible

Believe in me/
because I don't believe in anything/
and I want to be someone to believe

6th

im_invisible wrote:

Believe in me/
because I don't believe in anything/
and I want to be someone to believe

Something worthwhile to add?

greenkittie

Oops i thought they were called crows stupid birds. I think they are meaningful, i usually see just 1 on its own... story of my life

im_invisible

not really

Aisling&M

I do believe, just to add that if you would like for the spirit world to give you signs of their presence you can ask to use Magpies as such....or feathers, or a certain song on the radio........or even dustbunnies!

Nevyn

Magpies, ravens and crows are all members of the Crovis family and renowned for being bright and very communicative.

xzanti

I'v heard of people saluting the feckers lol

ladybirdirl

That's a tradition in Limerick alright, the saluting that is.

Apparently prevents bringing bad news to you/ensures you'll see more than one throughout the day!

Don't know where it originated from but my Dad(in his 60's) would never not do it

Ladybird

magnumlady

In the Uk the tradition is that you say Good morning captain and spit over your right shoulder!
I don't bother doing this as we have about 15 magpies in the garden, I'd be spitting all day!
They are a blooming pain though, always rooting in the gutter in the early hours of the morning!

Nevyn

The tradition of saluting the crows or greeting them first thing is to acknowledge them as messagers of death or The Morrigan from how I have heard it told.