敗犬求婚日 Leap Year 精講之三

第一頁：片段欣賞
第二頁：巧學口語
第三頁：小小翻譯家
第四頁：文化一瞥

西方各國有關(guān)貓的迷信

 

 

 

西方人普遍認為黑貓是不吉利的，原因有可能是黑貓與傳說中的巫婆有關(guān)（巫婆是一個面目可憎、氣勢洶洶的老太婆，她頭戴黑氈帽，懷抱一只大黑貓，騎著一把飛帚）。由于黑貓總是不離巫婆左右，所以它被視為不吉利的象征。傳說中的黑貓有九個靈魂，巫婆具有變九次黑貓的魔法，殺死一只黑貓，她還可以變八次（所以英語中諺語：A cat has nine lives，即貓有九命），可泛指某人或某物的生命力很強。在西方，黑貓走過的路人走了就會有厄運降臨，或如果你看見黑貓從你面前穿過，你就要倒霉。除了有黑貓不吉利的迷信之外，還有關(guān)于貓的其他迷信。如果貓靜靜地在人身邊坐著，那意味著平平安安，順順當當；如果貓在人身上蹭來蹭去，那意味著這個人將有好運氣；如果貓?zhí)饺说耐壬?，那意味著吉星高照，官運、財運亨通；如果貓從人身邊跑開，那意味著他的秘密將很快被泄露。萬圣節(jié)黑貓還會被一些人以血腥的方法殺掉，或燒死來完成某些迷信活動。無家可歸的黑貓也不能得到善待，黑貓似乎沒人敢養(yǎng)。但也不全然這樣, 請看下面各國關(guān)于貓的迷信：

When a cat washes behind his ears you may expect visitors. (Dutch superstition)

A strange Black cat on your porch brings prosperity. (Scottish superstition)

A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. (Italian superstition)

It is bad luck to see a white cat at night. (American superstition)

Dreaming of a white cat means good luck. (American superstition)

If a cat deserts a house, illness will always reign there. (English superstition)

When you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb, stamp it in the palm of your hand, and make a wish. The wish will come true. (American superstition)

If a cat washes behind it's ears, it will rain. (English superstition)

A cat sleeping with all four paws tucked under means cold weather ahead. (English superstition)

English schoolchildren believe seeing a white cat on the way to school is sure to bring trouble. To avert bad luck, they must either spit, or turn around completely and make the sign of the cross.

A Black cat crossing one's path by moonlight means death in an epidemic. (Irish superstition)

It is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat. (French superstition)

In Britain and many parts of Europe, a black cat crossing the road, or entering your house is considered very good fortune.

In parts of Yorkshire the wives of fishermen keep black cats at home to ensure their husbands safety at sea.

In Southern England a black cat crossing the path of the bride as she leaves the church is said grant a fortunate marriage.

On every black cat there is a single hair that is white. If you remove it without the cat scratching, this white hair will bring you wealth or luck in love.