SUPERSTITIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1938, Page 5

SUPERSTITIONS

BELIEFS ABOUT ANIMALS. Everyone knows the popular superstition that black cats bring good luck, but few people are aware that other animals are reputed to indicate good or bad fortune. For instance, the spectral tarsier of Borneo is thought by the natives to possess the evil eye, and is rigorously avoided. On the other hand, the Aye Aye lemur receives something like adoration, and if one is found dead it is given an elaborate and expensive funeral. In the Malay States lives a tiny furred creature called the loris. Its varying moods are declared to be behind all sorts of incidents, from tidal waves to happy marriages. The eyes of the loris are very delicate, and in strong sunlight it covers them with its paws, thus promoting the legend that it is hiding ghosts from its vision. From these same eyes are brewed magic love-drops. Owls and bats are still detested in some quarters for the evil they are said to do by night; and in the insect world the ladybird has a reputation as a luckbringer. The langur, or sacred monkey, of India sometimes causes great trouble with its thieving and ravaging, but superstition renders the natives powerless to touch the pest. In certain temples cobras are given a life of luxury and protection. The elephant is stated to be lucky, and ivory charms in its image hang from many bracelets and watch chains. Necklaces formed from twisted elephant’s hair find a market among white races, though they originated among barbaric tribes. Arabs"know of a fish called vaichu, which is considered lucky because it bears markings of coloured scales on its sides reminiscent of written words. ■