Signs accompany us all our lives, even if we ourselves do not realize it. Many of them appeared among the Slavs in the most ancient times, before the formation of the state of Kievan Rus.
Knocking on wood
Wanting to protect himself in something, a person habitually knocks on wood. This is an ancient omen, rooted in the pagan past of the Slavs. Russian people thousands of years ago believed that some kind of deity lived inside each tree. It could be a forest spirit or a special tree spirit. By knocking on the trunk, the person expressed his gratitude to him for the fulfillment of the desire or coaxed him in advance, counting on help.
Ears are burning
People say that reddened auricles are a sure sign that someone is discussing a person. This sign also formed a long time ago. It is based on knowledge of human psychology and anatomy. When a person is intrigued or frightened, their adrenaline levels rise. From this, the skin turns red.
In Russia, it has long been noticed that the person behind whom some kind of sin is found, at any hint of him, his face and ears turn red. Of course, the secrets caused a lot of speculation, discussion and gossip. The omen was formed, as it were, from the opposite: if someone is already talking about a person, then his ears should automatically turn red. And vice versa: your ears turn red - someone is discussing you.
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Cross the road with empty buckets
A very popular sign is about empty buckets. If someone crossed the road, while holding an empty bucket in his hand, it means that the whole day will not work. This sign is also very ancient. Many centuries ago, every morning hostesses went to the well to fetch water. If a woman was walking towards her with full buckets, then everything is fine - the well is full. If empty, the well is dry. The fat is in the fire. Now water is supplied to every apartment through a plumbing, and people are still afraid of empty buckets.
You can't greet across the threshold
This tradition dates back to ancient times, when the ancestors of the Russians buried their dead at the doorstep of the house. Cemeteries, as such, did not exist. A person could be buried somewhere in the garden, by his favorite tree, or right next to the hut. If the guest began to greet the hosts even beyond the threshold, he could disturb the deceased, buried somewhere nearby. To prevent this from happening, the Slavs started the custom to greet each other only after crossing the threshold of the house.
Sprinkled salt
Sprinkle salt - to quarrels in the house. Many people know the origin of this sign. And even more people believe in it. Previously, the Slavs mined salt in very difficult conditions and only in some remote areas. It was brought to cities and villages from afar, so the price for this necessary product was very high. Salt in the house literally meant prosperity, wealth, so it was impossible to scatter it. If someone accidentally knocked over a salt shaker, he immediately received a scolding for his awkwardness. So the omen was born that spilled salt always leads to scandals.
You can't throw your trash in the evening
This sign was formed in connection with the belief of the Slavs in witches. According to the beliefs of our ancestors, witches could do their black deeds only in the dark, closer to midnight. For witchcraft, they used a person's personal belongings, so it was considered a bad sign to throw something out of the hut in the late afternoon. The witch could grab some little thing in the dark and use it in her magical rite.
The black cat crossed the road
Another sign is associated with witches: if a black cat crosses the road, expect trouble. In the old days, it was believed that witches could turn into black cats and in this form unexpectedly appear among people. When out of nowhere a black cat ran in front of a man, he was always frightened, suspecting the presence of a witch. Later, when people began to believe in witchcraft a little less, the omen changed its meaning. It is now believed that meeting a black cat on your way is simply bad luck. No one even remembers witches.