Superstitions Regarding Infants
(Taken from Burroughs’ Encyclopedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889)
It is believed by many that if a child cries at its birth and lifts up only one hand, it is born to command. It is thought very unlucky not to weigh the baby before it is dressed. When first dressed the clothes should not be put on over the head, but drawn on over the feet, for luck. When first taken from the room in which it was born it must be carried up stairs before going down, so that it will rise in the world. In any case it must be carried up stairs or up the street, the first time it is taken out. It is also considered in England and Scotland unlucky to cut the baby’s nails or hair before it is twelve months old. The saying:
Born on Monday, fair in the face;
Born on Tuesday, full of God’s grace;
Born on Wednesday, the best to be had;
Born on Thursday, merry and glad;
Born on Friday, worthily given;
Born on Saturday, work hard for a living;
Born on Sunday, shall never know want,
is known with various changes all over the Christian world; one deviation from the original makes Friday’s child “free in giving.” Thursday has one very lucky hour just before sunrise.
The child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and good and gay,
While
He who is born on New Year’s morn
Will have his own way as sure as you’re born.
And
He who is born on Easter morn
Shall never know care, or want, or harm.
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