The Symbolism

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    The Symbolism Of FruitsDo you know what cherries, apples, figs and other fruits mean in certain cultures?Find out in this article!

    There are many fruits which have a very long and interesting symbolic meaningalongside with mythical stories: apples, figs, cherries, pomegranate etc. For instance,

    the apple appears in European Biblical art as the forbidden fruit, which made the firstpeople commit the first sin and fall from Gods grace.

    Adam and Eve, lived in Eden, the Garden of Paradise. They were the first man andthe first woman on earth, and God forbade them to eat the fruit of only one tree thatgrew in the garden, the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil". When they gave into temptation and tasted the fruit, God drove them out of Eden for breaking Hiscommandment. Because the actual description found in the Holy Scripture does notspecify exactly the type of fruit, some traditions say its a pear, others say its a fig ora pomegranate.

    In Norse and Celtic mythology, apples appear again as symbols of immortality, of thefruit of the Gods.Applesappear in fact in many stories and legends around the world.These fruits seemed to play an important part in the Trojan war. Thus, according tothe legend, the Goddess of discord named Eris got very angry because she was notinvited to a wedding feast. She arrived uninvited and threw an apple onto a tablethere, and the apple was labeled "For the Fairest". Aphrodite, Hera and Athena eachassumed that the apple was for her, and they asked Paris the Prince of Troy to decidewho was the fairest. Because Paris chose Aphrodite, Athena and Hera plotted againstthe Trojans and supported the Greeks in the war that ended up with the fall of Troy.Even nowadays, people still employ the phrase "an apple of discord" in order to referto something that causes a dispute.

    As for Romans, they did too have their thing with apples. Thus, Pomona was theRoman Goddess of fruit trees in general and apple trees in particular. For theChinese, apples come to represent peace and apple blossomed flowers symbolize aladys beauty.

    As for the Japanese, their national flower is represented by the cherryblossoms whichare said to stand for modesty, courtesy and beauty, again, another fruit symbolizingimmortality, but this time for the ancient Chinese. In the Western world, cherry

    blossoms symbolize education.

    But, cherries also can appear in Christian folktales. Thus, in an old English Christmascarol, we are told how Joseph and Virgin Mary were walking through a cherry orchard

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    and Mary (the mother of Jesus) asked for Joseph to pick her some delicious cherries.But Joseph refused, saying that she should ask the one who "brought thee with child"to pick the cherries for her instead of him. On that moment, the yet unborn Christcommunicated with the cherry trees and asked them to lower their branches in orderfor Mary to pick cherries, and that happened, and Joseph repented for his attitude.

    Another fruit rich not only in vitamins but also in symbolism, is the fig. Fig trees are

    native in the Mediterranean region, and they appear in some representations of theGarden of Eden. Also, after eating from the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve took figleaves to cover their naked bodies.

    There was a custom in Europe, which is still held in some places, to plant a fruit treeat a wedding. According to this tradition, the longevity and the abundance of thetrees were believed to give marriage and future children strength. Also, when eachchild arrived, a pear tree was planted for each girl and an apple tree for each boy.Pears were also used in Russia in protective charms for cows.

    Pomegranates symbolized to the early Jews a faith affirmation. They believed eachpomegranate to contain 613 seeds, number which in fact corresponded to the numberof the Torah commandments. Also, pomegranate is another suspect of being theoriginal fruit of the Garden of Eden. In early Christian Art, the Virgin Mary is oftendepicted either with a pomegranate nearby, or in her hand. This was perhaps meantto symbolize the power Virgin Mary had over life and death, or the seed bearing theSon of God.

    Facts about the Number SevenEvery numeral of the series of numbers is associated with some interesting facts. Therepeating nature of a certain number in different spheres of life can be a coincidenceor simply a wonder! What do you think? Read on to know some interesting factsabout the number seven.

    The series of numbers that stretches till infinity is simply magical! Numbers manifestthemselves in various forms. They have gained importance in history in the form ofimportant dates. School history is filled with dates of important wars, births, deaths

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    and movements that revolutionized the world. Numbers are a part of geography whenit comes to latitudes, longitudes, heights and depths of landmasses and water bodies.In science, numbers appear in chemical formulae in chemistry, measurements inphysics and with various life forms in biology. Numbers continue their pursuitthroughout college years and eventually become a part of daily life. In fact life itself isabout counting, be it counting on people, counting bucks, counting days and countingyears. In this long-lasting system of counting, we come across interesting facts about

    different numbers. Some numbers repeat, some never appear while some follow acertain pattern throughout our life. The number seven is one of those magicalnumbers, which continue to interest the masses. Let us look at some interesting factsabout the number seven.

    Mathematical Facts about the Number Seven

    Seven has the highest probability of occurring as an addition when rolling dice. The number seven is the fourth prime number as also a Mersenne prime, the

    first Woodall prime, the fourth factorial prime, the second lucky and the second

    safe prime. Seven is the only number below 15 that cannot be represented as a sum of the

    squares of three integers. Wondering all other numbers can be represented?You will have to check out and see!

    Interesting Facts about the Number Seven

    There are seven wonders of the ancient world. There are seven continents in the world. There are seven colors of the rainbow. Their names are famously abbreviated

    as 'vibgyor'. There are seven days in a week. One of the most interesting facts about the number seven is its correlation with

    the cognitive abilities of a human being. The limits of human cognitive capacitylie within the range of 7 plus or a minus 2.

    There are seven basic musical notes, namely, 'do', 're', 'me', 'fa', 'so', 'la' and'te'. In Indian music they are 'sa', 're', 'ga', 'ma', 'pa', 'dha' and 'ni'.

    Felix Vasquez, an employee of the New York City Housing Authority was born onJuly 7, 1977. He was the winner of the New York's Bronze Medallion for hisbrave act of saving a three-week old child. He became famous in New York forthis courageous feat and appeared in many television interviews.

    Facts about the Number Seven in Science and Technology

    A ladybug commonly has seven spots! Most of the mammals' necks have seven bones. The number of rows in the periodic table is seven. The neutral pH value that lies between acidity and alkalinity is seven. The code for international direct dial phone calls to Russia and Kazakhstan is

    seven. Seven is also the number of digits in an American or a Canadiantelephone number.

    Digital devices use a seven-segment display. The OSI model has seven layers. There are seven logic gates namely, NOT, NOR, XNOR, XOR, AND, NAND and

    OR.

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    Facts about the Number Seven in Different Religions

    The Indian astronomy regards a constellation of seven stars as a group of itsseven prominent saints. It denotes this constellation by the name, 'saptarishimandalam'.

    Seven is also the number of stars in the constellation, Big Dipper. The number of celestial bodies visible to the naked eye is seven. The stellar

    objects visible to naked eyes are the Sun, the Moon and the five planetsnamely, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Earth is a stellar body butsince we are on it, it is 'invisible' in the 'sky'.

    The roman number seven, VII signifies the seventh discovered satellite of aplanet.

    In Christianity, the number seven has been made significant by the Seven Joysof Virgin Mary, the Seven Sorrows of Virgin Mary, the Seven Corporal and theSeven Spiritual Acts of Mercy of Roman Catholic. The number seven appears inthe Seven last words of Jesus on the cross, the Seven Virtues and the Seven

    deadly sins.

    In the Islamic tradition, there are seven heavens and seven Earths. Thenumbers of fires in hell and the number of doors to both the heaven and thehell is also seven.

    Now that you know about some amazing facts about the number seven, you cancheck if this magical number is lucky for you. For a fact, some numbers keeprepeating in a person's life. Some dates follow a particular pattern. It has beenobserved that there exists a certain pattern in which certain dates repeat in aperson's life. So, look back in time to see which number has followed you in life.Think. Was it 'seven'?

    What Does a Peacock Feather SymbolizePeacock is a splendiferous bird. Peacock and its feather is a symbol which findsdifferent meanings in various cultures around the world. So, what does a peacockfeather symbolize? Here are various peacock and peacock feather symbol meanings.

    Peacock is seen in many parts of the world. But, it is native to Pakistan, India,Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and western China. Peacocks are magnificent birds which have

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    multicolored stunning tail feathers. Only the male birds of this species have thesebeautiful multicolored tail feathers. A male peacock displays its magnificent tailfeathers in an attempt to attract the female. Peacocks due to their beautiful lookingfeathers and due to their habits are associated with different symbolic meanings.Here are various peacock and peacock feather symbolic meanings.

    Peacock & Peacock Feather Meaning

    In Greek mythology, the peacock was associated with Hera. Hera created the Peacockfrom Argus who had hundred eyes. Hence, the tail feathers of peacock symbolize thevault of heaven and the eyes of the stars. This symbolizes all seeing knowledge. InRoman Empire, peacocks were Juno's birds and on the coins they symbolized thefemales of the ruling houses, which were the lineage princesses.

    In Hindu mythology, the peacock is associated with the goddesses Lakshmi. This deityrepresents fortune, compassion, kindness and patience. Hence, peacock feathers arealso used to symbolize these qualities.

    In Asian spirituality, peacock is associated with Kwan-yin. Kwan-yin representsqualities like compassion, watchfulness, love, compassion and goodwill. Legend saysthat Kwan-yin remained a mortal even though she could be immortal. She remained amortal, to aid humanity in their spiritual growth.

    In Buddhism, peacock feathers are associated with openness, as they tend to displayall their feathers when they spread their tail. Peacocks also eat poisonous plants,which symbolizes that they have the ability to thrive in the face of suffering.

    In Christianity, the Peacock symbolizes resurrection, immortality, renewal associatedwith the spiritual teachings of Christianity. In Christianity, peacock symbolizes an allseeing church. In Persia and Babylonia, peacock is seen as the guardian to royalty,and is often engraved on the thrones of royals. According to a Muslim legend, thisbird of stunning beauty is used as a symbol in temples, royal garden and at the gatesof Paradise.

    Peacock feathers were worn by Mongol warriors, due to which in Eastern Europe,peacock feathers are considered as a symbol of bad luck. As peacock is considered tobe a seer of everything due to its multiple eyes, it is considered to be a symbol of badluck, and so it is never allowed inside a home. There is a superstitious belief, which

    states that a person sleeping on a bed which has peacock feathers on it, will bringdeath to the sleeper. Peacocks are also considered as vain and foolish birds. Theytend to display their feathers as a sign of vanity.

    Peacocks are very protective about their young ones, and so many times women getapeacock feather tattooto symbolize this. One more myth states that the peacock isa slayer of serpents, and it can transform the venom of snakes into solar iridescence,which is seen in its feathers.

    These were the various peacock and peacock feathers symbol meanings. So, all in all

    peacock and its feathers symbolizes vanity, pride, royalty, spirituality, kindness, love,compassion, good will, bad luck, protectiveness, glory, beauty, life, health, radiance,resurrection, renewal, stimulation and life.

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    Fun Facts About the Number ElevenDr. Earnest L.Martin in his book "The Birth of Christ Recalculated" claims the date ofbirth of Christ is September 11, 3 B.C.

    Number eleven has many interesting facts associated with it. Number eleven isassociated with symbolism and spirituality. Eleven is also associated with numerology.Here are a few interesting fun facts about the number eleven.

    Number Eleven Pyramids

    1) 11:11 x 11:11 = 12343212) 111 x 111 = 123213) 11 x 11 = 121

    Number Eleven in Numerology

    In numerology, number eleven is considered as a master number. The reason is thisnumber carries as a vibrational frequency of balance. Number Eleven signifies

    invention, refinement, fulfillment, vision and congruency in a person. In astrology, thenumber eleven is considered as a magical number that strikes a balance of emotion,thoughts and spirits.

    Fun Facts About the Number Eleven

    Total solar eclipse was observed throughout Europe on 11 August 1999 at 11:11 am.

    The winter solstice of the last day of the Mayan calendar is at 11:11 am on 21December 2012.

    Aquarius is the eleventh sun sign of the zodiac system.

    21December 2012 = 21/12/2012 = 2+1+1+2+2+0+1+2 = 11

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    The sunspot cycle or the solar cycle lasts for 11 years. The next solar cycle starts in2012.

    September 11 is the 254 day of a year: 2+5+4 = 11

    There are 111 days from September 11 to December 31.

    The World Trade Center stood line a number eleven: 11.

    The plane that hit the World Trade Center first was "Flight 11"

    The total number of crew on "Flight 11" was eleven.

    New York is the eleventh state of the US Constitution.

    It took eleven years to build the World Trade Centre (1966 - 1977).

    The spacecraft of NASA to Moon was "Apollo 11". The mission was a success.

    The total number of characters of in Jesus Christ is eleven.

    In a football team and a cricket team there are eleven players.

    Number Eleven is a prime number.

    Eleven is a time, when people around the globe take a morning break for a snack andtea.

    In England, the decoration of the Easter cakes sometimes has eleven flowers oralmond paste to represent the eleven good apostles of Jesus Christ. The treacherousJudas is excluded.

    The largest cat in the world is the Siberian tiger measuring 11 feet long.

    Do you know that a rocket should travel at over eleven kilometers per second toescape the gravity of the earth?

    The deepest point of one of the oceans of world is 11km at the Mariana Trench.

    Are you aware of the fact that the length of a rugby ball is 11 inches long?

    Another interesting fun fact about number eleven is the World War I ended on the11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour.

    The maximum number of Oscar awards for any movie is eleven. This figure wasachieved by "Titanic" and "Ben-Hur".

    In astrology, the eleventh house in astrology is the segment that rules one's

    friendship, hopes, social relations and desires.

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    Good Luck SymbolsMany of us believe in carrying good luck symbols or charms with us, so that we aresuccessful in our task. The article enlists some of the popular good luck symbols.

    Being lucky or unlucky is merely a mind game and the definition of luck may changefrom person to person. It is just a belief whether you consider a particular incidenceto be a good fortune or bad. A good luck symbol is nothing but an event or objectthat is believed to bring good luck. This good luck symbol can be anything, right froma geometrical figure like swastika to part of a tree like acorn. Each of these good lucksymbols has some interesting history behind its origin. The list of good luck symbols

    is quite big and here are some of the most popular good luck symbols.

    Good Luck Symbols and their Meanings

    Four-Leaf CloverA four leaved clover is rarely seen and hence, is considered as a good luck symbol. Itis believed that finding such a clover leaf bring lots of luck. Each leaflet of such cloverleaf is said to represent a unique sign. The first leaflet is for faith, the second forhope, the third represents love, while the fourth one stands for luck. In Irish culture,the 3 leaved clover, also called "Shamrock", was used to represent the Holy Trinity,

    by Saint Patrick. One leaflet is for Father, one for son and the third for the Holy Spirit.And when a Shamrock bears fourth leaflet, it represents God's grace. Some peoplelike to carry this good luck symbol with them in the form of a tattoo.

    HorseshoeHorseshoe is one of the ancient symbols for good luck that is believed to keep away"evil eye" from entering into a home or into an individual's life. Moreover, sincehorseshoe protects the horse, people believe that it will also protect humans.Horseshoes are made by blacksmiths and blacksmithing is considered as a very luckytrade, since they work with one of the major elements, "fire". Some theories state

    that the unique shape of the horseshoe, which is similar to the horned moon, bringsluck. Horseshoe when hanged with its ends pointed upwards is said to attract all thegood luck. People still practice hanging the horseshoe magnet over the doorways toattract good luck.

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    AcornAcorn is nothing but a nut of oak tree. An acorn nut is believed to symbolizeprosperity, youthfulness, power and luck to a person. Norsemen believed that the oaktree had some special immunity against lightening and hence, they placed an acorn inthe windowsill to protect themselves from lightening. English people carried driedacorn in their pockets to protect their lives during the Norman Conquest that began inthe year 1066.

    SwastikaThe Swastikais an age-old powerful good luck symbol. Its name is derived basicallyfrom the Sanskrit word svastika, which can be split as, "su" means good, "asti"means to be and "ka" is just a suffix. The symbol has been widely used in easternreligions, that include, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It bears different names invarious languages, like Hakenkreuz, gammadion, fylfot, tetraskelion, etc. The symbolwas used by Nazis in their flag, and because of the devastating results, some peoplebelieved that swastika symbolized death and hatred. The debate whether theswastika is a good luck symbol or bad omen, still continues.

    CaduceusThe shape of this good luck symbol is characterized by two serpents wrapped alongthe length of the rod, with wings on the top of the rod. Caduceus is a good lucksymbol used by many of the medical practitioners. The symbol is believed to bringgood health and boost the immune system. The two serpents present in this symbolare said to represent balance or polarity, while the wings represent Mercury, who wasthe messenger of the Greek Gods.

    Good Luck Symbols Around the World

    Nautical star Rabbit's foot Wishbones Chinese symbols for luck Number "7" Dolphins Bamboo Falling Star Red Chinese Lanterns Red bats

    This was a summary on good luck symbols. One should never rely completely onthese good luck symbols for success and should view them as mere confidenceboosters. Good Luck!

    The Magic BirdMythology has its stories on magic birds and they are found in different colors but themain idea is similar: the bird is simply wonderful! See more!

    In the Romanian mythological fauna, the so-called Pasarea Maiastra (the Magic Bird)is considered to be the queen of all thebirds. It is the fairies messenger. Like anyrespectable supernatural being endowed with magical powers, it shows itself quite

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    rarely to the mortals. It is therefore a "rara avis" of unique beauty and spreadingcelestial light to enchant only the vision of the happy few. As for its song, which canonly be heard in solitude, it is said to give back the youthfulness to any listener.

    The Magic Bird is a justice maker bird, with inexhaustible magic powers that belongsto the Other Side, which leads an isolated life and which very rarely exposes itssuperb colorful plumage. It is a magic bird with a way of singing that out-passes all

    the earthly music and which has the gift of guessing the future and to read intopeoples hearts.

    Such a bird with exceptional characteristics can be found in all cultures around theworld. For instance, the Phoenix bird and her unique beauty which is famous fromEurope to the Far East and to America, is in fact an equivalent of the Magic Bird. Butwhat makes the Phoenix bird different, apart from the fact that it is born out of a goldegg which used to float above the waters of the Primordial Ocean, is its capacity to godown in flames and to be born again out of its own ashes. Thus it is a symbol of thecreative fire which can also destroy the world. For Christians, the Phoenix bird is a

    symbol of the Archangel Michael.

    Also, the Fire Bird is the equivalent of the Magic Bird in the Slavic mythology. InRussianfairy tales, it appears as a miraculous bird, with shiny golden and silveryplumage and crystal-clear eyes. It is said that even one feather of the Fire Bird canlight up an entire room. Her beauty and immortality is due to the gold apples that itfeeds on. When it sings, pearls come out of its beak and her music has the power togive sight to the blind.

    In the old Chinese tradition a Red Bird is mentioned, called Feng Huang, protector ofthe immortal love. It can be viewed as the embodiment of the Yin-Yang symbol. Fengmeans the male bird, whereas Huang means the female bird.

    The Magic Bird from the Romanian legends is similar also to the Simorgh bird,mentioned in the Persian culture is the symbol of divine wisdom and humanperfection. Perhaps the most picturesque description of the Magic Bird is given by thestory-teller ofRomania, named Petre Ispirescu in his homonymous fairy tale:"Everyone was astonished by the beauty of that bird, with thousands of colors, itsfeathers shining like a mirror in the sun; and the steeple of the church was no longerfalling down; the bird lay its crib into that steeple. But one thing was to be noticed;the bird seemed to be mute, because it made no sound, and everybody who saw it

    was sorry for such a beautiful bird was unable to sing a single tune, because theemperor also, with all his joy for the church and its steeple, was sad because the birdcould not sing."

    The ineffable beauty and flight of the Magic Bird have been immortalized by thesculptor Constantin Brancusi in his sculpture chosen in 2000 as the sculpture of the20th century: "The Magic Bird is a symbol of the flight which frees the man of thelimits of inert matter. Here I had to solve two different problems. I had to show in aplastic form the sense of the spirit, which is linked to the matter. At the same time, Ihad to fuse all shapes in perfect unity. Even contradictory shapes had to unify in a

    new, final communion and in my philosophy of life separating matter from spirit is anillusion. The soul and the clay form a unity. By this oval of the Magic Birds body Iseparated and combined two necessary movements-one above the oval and the otherunderneath. I asked myself: how could I balance the shapes to give the Bird a sense

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    of flying-without effort? As you may notice, I somehow managed to make the MagicBird float." - Constantin Brincusi (Oana-Ilinca Moldoveanu)

    Animal SymbolismWhy do we often associate an animal with certain traits? This is known as animal

    symbolism. In this article, we tell you which are the most widely accepted animalsymbology associations.

    Have you ever wondered why we often use metaphorical references while talking?Like referring to a person and saying that he is as wise as an owl or that he is ascourageous as a lion. This is just a result of the use of animal symbolism. Usingsymbology associated with animals in everyday life is a tradition that can be tracedback to many years. Today animal symbols are deeply entrenched in our conscious.From native American animal symbolism to Japanese animal symbolism, the origin ofthis form of symbology can be traced to mythology andreligious symbols. According

    to the many studies of animal symbology according to different cultures, you will seethat there are certain animals that are associated with secret codes and deepmeanings. While there are other characteristics that are less secretive and more of anopen book, perceptible even by the most unobservant observer.

    For the past many decades, animal symbolism has moved beyond the traditionalmythological references. In fact, there are many poets and authors that have usedtraditional affiliations and associations in entire literary works, for example thepoems. The Lamb and The Tiger from Songs of Innocence and Experience by WilliamBlake is a great example of animalsymbolism in literature. Many artists also use the

    same to create deeper meanings in their poetry. You will often notice use of animalsymbolism in movies, novels, and even plays.

    Animal Symbolism Chart

    Why is animal symbolism as important as it is? Well, if you think about it seriously,you will see that the symbology associated with different animals play a huge part inour lives. There is always a certain association with personality traits and animals. Inmany cultures like the Native American culture, the Japanese, and the Chinese, thereis a strong belief in the rebirth and resurrection of life and the association with

    animals in previous life. Most cultures believe that animal symbology and discoveringour animal totem (our relationship with a specific animal) can help us understandmore about our past life, and in some cases things about our future as well. In thetable that is given below, we give you a list of the different personality traits that aretraditionally associated with different animals. While this may vary greatly according

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    to cultural differences, these are some of the most widely accepted associations whichincludeNative American symbols and meaningsand symbology from other cultures.

    Name of Animal Symbology Associated

    Adder Rebirth

    Alligator Aggression

    Ant Perseverance, Hard work

    Antelope Beauty and grace

    Ape Cunning

    Badger Wisdom

    Bat Night guardian, longevity

    Bee Immortal life

    Birds Free spirit

    Bear Sovereign power with gentleness

    Beaver Gatherer

    Blackbird Guiding light

    Boar Gluttony

    Buffalo Sacred power

    Bull Masculinity

    Butterfly Transformation

    Cat Detachment

    Cock Vigilance

    Cougar Power

    Cow Nourishment.

    Coyote Duality

    Crane Independence

    Crocodile Treachery

    Crow Wisdom

    Deer Gracefulness and gentleness

    Dog LoyaltyDolphin Intelligence

    Donkey Humility

    Dragon Guardian

    Dragonfly Carefree

    Eagle Clear vision

    Elephant Wisdom and power

    Elk Agility

    Fox Cunning

    Frog Sensitivity

    Goat Fertility

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    Goose Providence

    Grizzly Bear Protection

    Hare Balance

    Hawk Clarity

    Heron Quiet power

    Horse Strength and nobilityHummingbird Messenger

    Jackal Soul guider

    Jaguar Spirit of the forest

    Kingfisher Beauty

    Leopard Aggression

    Lion Majesty

    Lizard Regeneration

    Moose StubbornOtter Feminine power

    Owl Wisdom

    Python Dark power

    Rabbit Mother like

    Ram Headstrong, virility

    Raven Healer

    Salmon Persistence

    Seahorse Confidence

    Serpent Malice, fertility

    Shark Survivor

    Snake Shrewdness

    Spider Connecting link

    Stag Independence

    Swan Grace

    Tiger Ferocity

    Turtle Long life

    Unicorn Purity, magic

    Whale Regeneration

    Wolf Teacher, intuition

    Woodpecker Prophetic

    Wren Witchcraft

    Hopefully, this list of associations and animal symbolism has helped you gain an

    insight into how many age-old traditions work, and why there are some specificanimals with personality traits related to them. These are just some of the animalsymbolism and meanings that are widely accepted.

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    Superstitious BeliefsA compilation of some of the most common superstitious beliefs and practices fromaround the world. While some people follow them religiously, others dismiss them asmere irrational beliefs. Continue reading to know more about the world of

    superstitions.

    The moment you sneeze, the person besides you has to come up with 'god bless'.This incident happens at least once in everybody's life, and you and me are noexceptions. This superstition started in the 16th century in Europe, wherein it wasbelieved the person throws the evil spirits within his body out when he sneezes. Mostof these superstitious beliefs are backed by some illogical knowledge, and spread bygullible people. Basically, superstitions are the beliefs which are not at all backed byscience, and far from rationality. FromFriday the 13thtotwitching right eye,everything has a superstitious belief associated with it, and some people just can'tseem to survive without them. Read more onfaiths and beliefs.

    Superstitious Beliefs and PracticesOver a period of time, superstitious beliefs have rooted themselves firmly in oursociety, so much so that it is virtually impossible for the person to ignore them. Theyhave made a place for themselves in all the walks of life, including politics and sports.Politicians resorting to the astrological predictions is not at all rare. On the otherhand, examples of superstitions in sports include cricketers carrying a coloredhandkerchief in their pocket, or soccer players putting their right foot first when theyenter the field. Such superstitious practices are found all over the world. While Africais (in)famous for its voodoo culture, India has its own customs wherein animals are

    sacrificed to appease the gods. The problem arises when these very superstitions turnout to be a hindrance for the society, or any living beings for that matter. Basically,superstitious beliefs and practices are illogical assumptions based on one particularincident, and followed by the gullible. For instance a cricketer who casually carried ared handkerchief in his pocket and played a magnificent innings that day is bound tobelieve that the good luck was brought upon him by this very handkerchief, andtherefore carry it in his pocket every time he goes out to bat. Read more onwhy arepeople so superstitious.

    List of Superstitious Beliefs Around the World

    There are thousands of superstitions, ranging from itchy palm being a sign of goodluck to knocking on the wood twice to reverse the bad luck. Given below is a list ofsome of the most common superstitions which are still practiced in various parts ofthe world.

    If a black cat crosses your path, it is a sign of bad luck. Read more onbad lucksuperstitions.

    When a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune. Similarly, when a black cat walks away from you, it takes away your good

    fortune.

    Walking beneath a ladder is a bad omen. If the 13th day of the month is Friday, it is an unlucky day. Read more

    onhistory & superstitions on Friday the 13th. Hanging a horseshoe in the bedroom tends to keep your nightmares at bay.

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    A bird entering the house is a sign of the death of some family member. You should never turn a loaf of bread upside down after a slice has been cut

    from it. Finding a four leaf clover is a sign of good luck coming your way. Gifting a wallet without money in it, will bring the receiver bad luck. The sight of a white butterfly on the very first day of the year will ensure a

    prosperous year for the person.

    Keeping an acorn at the window will save your house from lightning. The howling of a dog when someone in the house is sick is a bad omen. You should always leave the house from the same door from which you

    entered. Similarly, you should leave the bed from the same side from where you entered

    it. Yet another common superstitious belief is that if you break a mirror, you will

    have seven years of bad luck. If a mirror in the house falls on its own, and breaks, it is a sign of somebody's

    death in the house.

    If you can catch a falling leaf on the very first day of autumn, you will have anentire year without catching cold. Wearing a rabbits foot around your neck brings in good luck. When someone dies in the house, all the windows should be kept open for the

    soul to leave. The groom dropping the wedding band during the wedding ceremony is a sign

    of a bad marital alliance. Throwing a pinch of salt over your shoulder ends your bad luck. A lizard coming in your dream is a sign of an enemy attempting to harm you. Setting out for a trip on a Friday is bound to spell a disaster for you. Lighting three cigarettes with a same matchstick brings in bad luck for all the

    three people. In China, left eye twitching is considered to be a good sign, while the same in

    India is considered to be inauspicious. Read more onleft eye twitchingsuperstition.

    If you can blow out all the candles on your birthday cake in the first breath, youwill get whatever you wish for.

    These were just a few among the several superstitious beliefs which have reached anall new height of popularity. Surprisingly enough, the followers of these superstitiousbeliefs are not just restricted to illiterate people, but also include the likes of doctors,

    engineers, teachers, etc. That just highlights the very fact that, being literate neednot necessarily mean the person is educated.

    More reading about superstitions:

    Superstitions of the Elizabethan Era Taboos and Superstitions related to the Chinese New Year

    These were some of the most common superstitions which continue to be followedreligiously in different parts of the world. Various rationalist organizations across the

    world are working to eradicate these superstitions, but the fact that they have beenrooted deeply in the society means it will take a mammoth effort on the behalf of therationalist fraternity to make the world free of these baseless superstitions.

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    PS: If you know about any such superstitions that we have missed, we would be gladto see you posting them here in form of comments.

    What Does it Mean When Your Eye TwitchesEye twitching refers to an involuntary spasms of the muscles of the eyelid. However,

    this condition is shrouded by a large number of myths and superstitions, which oftenmake people wonder, 'what does it mean when your eye twitches constantly?' Findout more about eye twitching and its causes.

    Eye twitching is the condition, which refers to the involuntary movement or musclespasms of the eyelid. Sometimes, this can cause repetitive and rhythmic movementand contractions of the muscles of the eyelid, which can cause the eyelid to close attimes. Such involuntary muscle contractions can be caused by several factors. Bynow, you must be wondering, what does it mean when your eye twitches for days orall the time.Eye twitchingis associated with several myths and superstitions. Manybelieve that eye blinking is lucky, while others think quite the opposite.

    Many people also believe that twitching the right eye is a sign of good luck, whiletwitching the left eye is the sign of bad luck. Many times, the twitching of a particular

    eye can have different meanings based on the gender. For example, twitching the lefteye is considered good for women, but bad for men, while twitching the right eye isbad for women, but good for men. But in reality, eye twitching is related to certainmedical conditions. So, let's find out the eye twitching causes and answers to somecommon queries like, what does it mean when your eye twitches all the time? Findout more aboutleft eye twitching superstitionandtwitching right eye.

    What Does It Mean When Your Eye Twitches a Lot

    Though many superstitions have been associated with eye twitching, it is actually a

    type of blinking disorder, which is also termed as blepharospasm. It can be of varioustypes, some minor, while others can be a bit more serious. People generallyexperience the 'benign essential blepharospasm', that is usually a harmless condition.However, the exact causes of this condition are not known. But, certain factors have

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    been observed to be more commonly associated with this type of eye twitching. Asfor example, sometimes, stress, excessive fatigue and not getting enough sleep canact as the triggering factors for eye twitching.

    Many times, eye strain or vision related stress can also cause eye twitchingcontinuously for a considerable period of time. If eye twitching is persistent in nature,then one should get his or her eyes properly checked, as this can be associated with

    vision problems. Apart from these, factors like, excessive intake of alcohol andcaffeine,allergiesand nutritional deficiency, especially deficiency ofmagnesiummayhave an association with eye twitching. Another condition that can cause the eyelid totwitch is dry eye syndrome. Severe eye blinking disorder can be experienced byindividuals with the condition known as Tourette's Syndrome, and those withneurological disorders of basal ganglia. Read more oneye twitching causes.

    Eye Twitching Treatment and Remedies

    Usually, eye twitching resolves on its own, without requiring any medical intervention.

    In the meantime, you can reduce the discomfort by using a warm compress on theeye, or massaging it gently. Even washing the eyes can help to provide relief, if it iscaused by allergies. It can also help to refresh the tired and strained eye muscles. Forallergies, you can also use the antihistamine eye drops and oral medications.However, keep in mind that overuse of antihistamines can causedry eyesat times.For eye twitching, caused by dry eyes syndrome, artificial tears may be of some help.

    Identification of the triggering factors and avoiding them in the future can play a veryimportant role in the treatment of eye twitching. If stress, fatigue, tiredness, and eyestrain are the factors responsible for causing eye twitching, then give your eyes somerest. Similarly, eye twitching associated with vision problems would resolve withvision corrections. If eye twitching or blinking disorder is of serious in nature, thenmedical intervention would be required. Usually, the condition is treated with certainmedications and botox injections. Botox injection is the most common treatmentoption for eye twitching, and it can help to relax the eye muscles to alleviate theinvoluntary twitching. The effect of botox injections can however, disappear within afew months, after which it has to be repeated.

    Read more on:

    Eye Twitching - What Does It Mean Eyelid Twitching Remedies

    If botox injections and other treatment options fail to alleviate the condition, thenphysicians may opt for surgery to remove the nerve responsible for causing eyetwitching. Sometimes, the physicians also recommend the removal of the spasticmuscles. So, the treatment for eye twitching basically depends on the severity of thecondition. Therefore, if eye twitching lasts for several days, then it is better to seekmedical attention. Hope this article on 'what does it mean when your eye twitches'has provided a satisfactory answer to the queries related to this condition.

    Why are People so Superstitious

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    Do you remember the last time you used some lucky chant, hopped around and didall sort of weird things so that your favorite team wins a match? Well, that'ssuperstition for you...

    Everybody in this world, whether knowingly or unknowingly, does have a particularway of responding to situations. Superstitions are instinctive reactions, completely

    devoid of reason or logic. These are a set of irrational beliefs one possesses, quiteoften to satisfy our own psyche to adjust with the prevailing circumstances. A remark,'God Bless You', when you sneeze, the bad luck associated with black cats or simplynot walking under a ladder and so on; people get affected by many things. Theapproach ofHalloween- a festival full of superstitions is also a period of greatskepticism. The word 'superstition' has a Latin origin, which means 'standing in awe'.People and cultures around the world assign different meaning, or importance toevents, actions and things. They feel that one can affect the situation, to reflect theirown interest.

    Superstitions and PeopleThe origin of superstitions cannot be traced to a particular race, religion orgeographical area. In fact, every place has its own 'special' set of theories as to why aparticular ritual is followed. So, any belief or practice based on luck, prophecy,religious symbols or spiritual phenomena which is thought to influence action orfuture events, is called superstition. There seems to be no convincing theory, as towhy superstition exists. One idea is that people were scared into good behavior bystories of natural calamities or demons and evil causing havoc in case of anti-socialactions. This practice might have led people to assume and imbibe some notionswhich hold good till today.Ancient religionsbased many of their traditions on thesupport of the unexplained and undecipherable events faced by early societies.

    For example, in Western folklore, people would throw salt over their left shoulder, incase they spilled it, as it was thought to blind the demon.Beeswere thought to be agift from the heavens. They make wax which is again considered a holy thing.Therefore, humans use wax candles at holy places. Ironically, some of the funniestand the most illogical superstitions are associated with a practice considered bad inmany cultures, which isgambling. The superstition demands that you should nevergamble with your legs crossed; dogs shouldn't be allowed near the gambling table; ascore of 'one' both times on a dice is a devil's sign and so on.

    One of the most popular and famous superstition is the unlucky 'Friday the13th'.Jesuswas crucified on Friday and the 'Last Supper' had a total of 13 peoplearound the table. Another legend associated with this tradition goes that the KnightsTemplar were routed and killed by the opposing forces on Friday the 13th. Hence, for

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    many people around the world, Friday, the 13th of any month is a day to watch outfor. Indian andChinese cultureand some pockets ofEuropeare some of the placeswhere traditional superstitions have a huge history. So much so, that the localpopulation encounters a psychological impact on their work, family or daily routine,courtesy these traditions. The age-old beliefs associated with such 'irrational'reasoning have now taken shape as a habit. If these cultures are devoid of thesebeliefs, people feel insecure. Though, no amount of explanation may convince a

    person with strong convictions, it is important not to let these practices hinder thenatural life processes.

    For instance, inIndiait is considered bad for a pregnant woman to step out of thehouse on the day of a solar eclipse. Imagine, if she had a medical emergency, thesuperstition could have negative implications.People are superstitious because it makes them feel good about themselves whenthey follow a certain behavior pattern. It can be an asset if a superstition promotes apositive attitude and approach towards the prevailing circumstances. Again forinstance, a person is psychologically inclined to step out of the house only after a

    prayer session, which is a healthy trend and fosters greater peace of mind. So thenext time your favoritebaseballplayer looks towards the heavens on hitting a homerun, you know it was not going to help unless he actually hit the shot. But as theysay, 'Anything goes, as long as your team wins'! So cheer on!

    Tree SymbolismFrom time immemorial, trees have been used to symbolize a variety of things. Here,we give you a list of some of the most common tree symbolism which have been usedfrom ancient times. Read on

    Trees, from ancient times, have had a symbolic meaning, irrespective of whicheverculture you look at. There are numerous mythic qualities symbolized by trees, besides

    common metaphors like the Tree of Life which gives us an idea of the symbolicsignificance of trees. The Vedic school of thought believed trees to be the primaryform of living beings. On the other hand, in Christianity, the Christmas tree issymbolic of several things. As per Christian tradition, Jesus Christ is depicted as a

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    carpenter and the ultimate sacrifice which He made is symbolized by the woodencross. Here, we give you some common tree symbolism and their significance in thelives of people.

    Oak Tree Symbolism

    Symbolizing courage and strength, theoak treeis believed to be the most powerful of

    trees. In ancient times, the Romans conceived that oak trees were responsible forattracting lightening. So they associated it to Jupiter, the sky God, and Juno, theGoddess of Marriage and the wife of Jupiter. So this tree is symbolic of fulfillment andconjugal fidelity. Socrates believed that the oak tree had divine powers andconsidered it to be authoritative. The pre-Christian priests of the Celts are believed tohave eaten acorns while preparing to preach. Moreover, they also believed that itsleaves had healing properties.

    Christmas Tree SymbolismChristmas trees hold a special significance in our lives, isn't it? We all decorate

    Christmas trees while we celebrate the birth of Christ. But what does it symbolize? Itsymbolizes the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. As per Christian tradition, theChristmas tree is related to St. Boniface, as it's said that he cut down the Thor tree soas to prove to the local tribes that he disapproved of Norse gods. Today,Christmastreesare decorated with lights, lamps, garlands, ornaments, etc., and an angel or astar is placed at the top. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem while the angelssignify the angel who told the shepherds about the birth of Jesus. More onmeaning ofChristmas tree.

    Olive Tree SymbolismThe olive tree has a long history of symbolism, and there are a number ofrepresentations which an olive tree is linked to. It acts as a symbol for reward,victory, strength, purification, fruitfulness and peace. In Greek mythology, the treewas considered sacred and it was believed that the tree was formed from the quarrelbetween Athene, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, and Poseidon, the God of Sea andEarthquake. As per Christian and Jewish tradition, the olive tree was symbolic ofpeace. Old fables say that the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified was madefrom an olive branch. Read more onCeltic tree of life meaning.

    Cherry Tree SymbolismNew awakenings and rebirth are symbolized by a cherry tree. Cherry trees are today

    grown in several countries where they were traditionally not grown, as they are ofhigh value not only as a food plant but as an ornamental plant as well.

    Cherries bloom in bunches, and so in ancient Japan, a cherry symbolized clouds.Moreover, it was also used metaphorically to show that life of a person is short. Theshort-lived nature of cherries and their extreme beauty are often associated withmortality. In addition to that, blooming of cherries is considered a sign of goodfortune and is also a symbol of love and affection. Cherries were used as motivationfor the Japanese people during the Second World War to stir up militarism andnationalism. It is said that Japanese pilots took branches of cherry trees with them

    during their missions.

    Tree Symbolism in LiteratureFrom time immemorial, trees had a symbolic significance in literature. Several great

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    writers used trees to depict ideas. Several writers used tree symbolism to signifygood vs evil, and the most important symbolic significance of trees was the Tree ofKnowledge according to Christian mythology.

    Also read abouttree of life meaning.

    Thus, tree symbolism has played a significant role to mean a variety of things from

    ages. The most common example of tree symbolism is the Christmas tree which isused by most of us, especially during Christmas.

    Tree of Life MeaningThe Tree of Life meaning is explained by means of different belief systems in thefollowing article. The Celtic Tree of Life meaning along with other beliefs followedacross different cultures are considered and explained in short in this article.

    The concept of Tree of Life has been used in different fields such as religion, science,mythology, philosophy, etc. Meaning associated with the concept of Tree of Lifediffers in different contexts. In different mythologies, theologies and philosophiesacross the world, it is used as a motif. The concept of Tree of Life is also used in

    reference to evolution. This phenomenon is also used metaphorically in explaining theconcept of common descent.

    Tree of Life MeaningThe Tree of Life meaning is presented in different ways by citing different knowledgesources. As per the Britannica Encyclopedia, Tree of Life and tree of knowledge aretwo forms of the world tree/cosmic tree. The Tree of Life connects different forms oflife/creation, while Tree of Knowledge connects the heaven and underworld.

    Significance in Different Cultures

    There are different concepts and mythologies associated with the Tree of Life invarious cultures. Let us have a look at them one-by-one through followingparagraphs.

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    Egyptian Culture: Acacia tree of 'Saosis' is considered by Egyptians as the Treeof Life. As per the Ennead system (nine deities) of ancient Egyptian culture, Isisand Osiris are believed to be the first couple. They emerged from the Tree ofLife i.e. the acacia of Saosis.

    Baha'i Belief System: As per the Baha'i faith, manifestation of God in realitytakes place through the Tree of Life. 'Baha'u'llah', the founder of Baha'i faith isconsidered to be the Tree of Life. The 'Book of Covenant' too is associated with

    the Tree of Life. Assyrian Beliefs: In the Assyrian civilization, a series of criss-crossing lines and

    nodes were used to depict the Tree of Life. Meaning of this symbol is said to bemulti-valent and priests have not yet concluded as to what is the exactinterpretation/translation.

    Chinese Mythology: A dragon and phoenix are included in the depiction of Treeof Life in Chinese mythology. The dragon is revered for immortality and'Fenghuang' a creature similar to the phoenix is second only to the dragon interms of the respect being offered. There is a reference to the tree in a Taoiststory which bears a peach fruit, once in three thousand years.

    Celtic Tree of Life MeaningThe Celts of ancient times believed that trees had several powers and provided peoplewith food, shelter and warmth. Different life forces including insects and animals tookshelter in these trees. These creatures were in turn sustained by the Tree of Life.Thesymbol of Celtic tree of lifehas been preserved for centuries and is portrayed invarious ways today. Different parts of this tree are assigned specific meanings. Rootsof Tree of Life are considered to be the foundation and they symbolize the otherworld. Trunk of this tree joins branches and roots. It is therefore associated with themortal world. The branches connect different worlds that are present above andbelow. The reason behindCeltic tree of lifebeing revered is that 'Nature' is worshipedthrough this symbol. In the Gaelic language, the Tree of Life is known as 'crannbethadh'.

    Tree of Life SymbolismThe symbol of Tree of Life represents different qualities and virtues like wisdom,strength, protection, beauty, bounty and redemption. It is also considered to be thesymbol of 'Creator'. This tree is associated with the creator because it providesprotection, supports abundant fruit production and thereby, regeneration. Thisanalogy can also be used to describe the life of humans. We as humans develop'roots' of our beliefs, 'branch out' by means of wisdom and the 'trunk' (mind & body)

    keeps them connected.

    The Tree of Life meaning as perceived in different faiths, belief systems and cultures,resonates with a simple and strong message of unity. This symbol indicates that allforms of life are connected through a cosmic energy and that we as humans shouldlive in harmony with rest of the living beings.

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