We are all to some extent susceptible to superstitions, and at the same time, each of us sometimes considers them silly inventions. Such commonly accepted, though illogical beliefs are inherent to all people regardless of religion, culture, or nationality. Perhaps the secret to the persistence of habits and superstitions lies in the fact that we enjoy performing all these little rituals. And even someone who claims to be non-superstitious discreetly crosses their fingers behind their back.
If the origins of some folklore beliefs can be easily traced, the history of others is shrouded in darkness and relies only on indirect indications. In Peter West's book, you will find an extensive list of superstitions and traditions that people adhere to around the world. The author describes popular superstitions in detail, explains their origins and meanings, and analyzes the similarities and differences in customs among different peoples.
"It is not always possible to confidently say how and why all these superstitions arose, but they persist to this day: people still believe in them, just as they did centuries ago. Establishing the origin of a particular custom and its original meaning is a very engaging task".
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