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Dictionary definition: hair
- Article from:
- A Dictionary of English Folklore
- Author:
Copyright© A Dictionary of English Folklore 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information)
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hair.
This makes many appearances in
superstitions
, cures, tales, popular errors, and
divination
. One should be particularly careful in the disposal of hair after cutting or brushing, as such removable parts of the body can be used in
witchcraft
against you. Birds must also be prevented from using your hair to make their nests, as this would mean a headache, or if a magpie, death within a year, so the only safe method of disposal is to burn it ( Opie and Tatem, 1989: 184). Most
regional folklore
collections include examples of the divinatory use of hair. When it is thrown on the fire, for example, if it burns brightly then a long life is to be expected, but smouldering means the opposite. ...