Medieval omens

In Medieval Times, people were very superstitious and believed in omens. Some claimed to know the fates of people around them, such as friends, relatives, neighbours and nobility. While people thought they could predict how someone was going to live, or die, they could also read signs that interpreted the future. These people who could see the future were called soothsayers. 

During the Dark Ages (or Early Middle Ages), some people were worried if their dog howled inside the house. The usual barking was normal, if it alerted them, or when dogs howled outside, because it meant owners were in trouble or the dogs were afraid. But if dogs were indoors, and howling, this meant that someone was going to die. But that wasn't all regarding the home. It was believed that magpies perched on a rooftop of a house, then making loud squawks, would mean visitors were on the way. The 16th century English rhyme about magpies linked to a superstition traces back to the Medieval omens of magpies. To read more details of this rhyme, go to the Wikipedia page about it HERE. 

Cuckoos are often full of superstitious beliefs. These birds have a distinctive sound and they resemble birds of prey when in flight. Also they're a brood parasite that means they put their eggs in other birds species nests, to act as hosts, and then trick the adult birds into thinking they have all of their chicks. Medieval people considered cuckoos to be omens of bad luck and death. If a cuckoo is heard crying five times, it means the person has only five years left to live. 

In the Middle Ages people were afraid after spotting a wild hare on the pathway, as this was regarded as a bad omen. Also meeting a monk on the path was another sign of bad luck. However, seeing a frog or toad on the same path was a sign of good fortune. But seeing a hare running away from dogs was an omen of ill fate for that person. Hearing thunder in January would predict bad weather and war. 

For those interested in Medieval omens and superstitions related to creatures and monsters, check out information on Medievalists.net The Book of Marvels in an event running now until August 25th in the J Paul Getty Museum. 

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