Superstitions

Superstitions often show the difference
between different cultures and peoples
better than many other indicators.
This page will show a small sample of Icelandic Superstitions,
and be added to from time to time.

If sheep gnash their teeth during round-up in the autumn,
the winter will be hard.
If sheep gnash their teeth somewhere else,
it presages very bad weather.

If the first calf born during the winter is white,
the winter will be a bad one.

The first snows of winter are called winter-calves.
If these happen early in the season that means the winter will be good.

If somebody throws away a dead mouse,
the wind will soon start to blow from that direction.

Seldom the rains of Saturday last till Sunday Mass.

If cows lick trees you can expect rain.

The usage of firewood depends on the weather on Maundy Thursday.

Good hay drying weather can be expected
if a falcon or a merlin sit on a haystack in the field.

If your head itches, you can expect wet weather.

In late winter it is forbidden to knit on the doorstep,
as that is known to lengthen the winter.

If someone drops a knife, while cleaning fish,
and the knife points to the sea, that
presages good fishing when next you go to sea.

If someone drops a knife, while cleaning fish,
and the knife points to the land, that
presages bad fishing when next you go to sea.

If something is spilled, a drunken man will soon visit.

If you itch in the mouth, you will receive a mouthful of knuckles.

If a sick person sneezes three times on a Sunday,
that is considered a sign of better health.

If you sneeze three times before breaking fast on a Sunday,
you will gain something in that week.

If it rains when someone moves house,
it bodes the wealth of those moving.

If you see nine cows in a shed
with a gray bull next to the door,
and all of them lie on the same side,
you are in luck, because you will be granted one wish.