- For centuries, they have been a place around which many superstitions have arisen to protect the living and the dead.
- Folk beliefs warn against specific behaviors, such as sitting on graves or taking items from the cemetery.
- Discover why heather, although associated with death, has completely different symbolism in other cultures.
Superstitions have accompanied humanity for centuries. They concern almost every area of life, including death. Although many people treat it with a pinch of salt and know perfectly well that a black cat does not bring bad luck, still, just in case, it will spit three times over its left shoulder or knock on “unpainted blanks”. What about superstitions regarding behavior in a cemetery? It turns out that there are a lot of them. The belief that heather or chrysanthemums are flowers only for the cemetery is just the tip of the iceberg.
What is not allowed to do in a cemetery?
The answer to this question is simple – nothing that violates the law or offends others. However, apart from generally accepted rules, there are also a lot of superstitions. Most of those related to the cemetery concern behaviors that none of us generally accept anyway. An example is an absolute ban on sitting on a grave or walking on a slab, which, according to superstition, is supposed to bring misfortune. If pregnant women commit such an act, they may be at risk of foot disease. We should also not take tablets with death dates or photos from graves, because we will lose our memory. You are also not allowed to pick flowers, chestnuts or anything that grows in the cemetery, because you will bring death to yourself or your loved ones. According to superstitions, candles should not be lit with a lighter used for cigarettes – it may result in bad luck. If we do not want misfortune at home, it is also better not to bring home tools, vases or flowerpots that we used at the cemetery.
Chrysanthemums are cemetery flowers?
Even though most Poles associate these plants with sadness and November All Souls’ Day, their symbolism is completely different. The name chrysanthemum comes from a combination of the Greek words chrysos (golden) and anthemon (flower) and means golden flower. In Asia, these plants are considered lucky and their health properties are said to prolong life. In turn, in Western Europe, they are a permanent element of the autumn decor of houses, balconies and gardens.
What about heather?
In folk tradition, heather, due to its modesty and durability, has become a symbol of memory and grief, which is why they are often planted on graves. However, in some cultures, heather also symbolizes protection and happiness, which shows how differently the same symbols can be interpreted.
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