We have called ourselves Happy Magpies quite spontaneously and only after some time started reading folklore behind this little creature. On our way to work most of the days magpies would greet us and we would greet them in return while singing:
One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told
We have never thought that this bird has such a major part in European folklore as being a negative character. Before Christian thought invasion in Middle Ages magpies were seen as a good fortune symbol and still is seen like it in Asia. Perhaps having parts of black colour and being quite loud was enough for Christians to announce this bird of being devils creation. Witches were believed to be able to turn themselves into magpies. In Eastern Europe regions magpies would be the postman of either good or bad news according to their behaviour. Good news about unexpected guests and wedding if they chat by the house or jump around, bad news about death if you see them standing on the roof. Although as superstitious as it sounds magpies also used to tell people about approaching foxes, wolves or army forces. Let’s not forget that before the tv and online weather forecast people used to watch birds and guess about the upcoming weather from the way they fly, how they interact or behave. On the other hand, most of us remember magpies as thieves stealing pennies or jewellery and bringing it to the nest. Most of the fairytales hold this bad connotation about this bird. Meanwhile, not long ago there was a study made by Exeter University in South West England showing that the birds are actually shy and quite scared of new things. Of course it’s only one research so far but my main point is that the image created about this intelligent and caring bird is so one sided and negative in European culture. Not many know that for example magpies have only one partner for life or that they share their nest with others or make a big one if its necesserary for winter and are quite tied to their birthplace.
We have chosen to call ourselves Happy Magpies because we like these little creatures.
Our home nest contains a little library, tiny cafe and handmade produce boutique.
And while we’re waiting for the soap to set and the library to be arranged before we actually will go on the journey across meadows and hills we offer you to take a look of what we’ve already experienced.
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about the Exeter university research:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28797519
scientific literature research about the magpie's image in lithuanian folklore (in lithuanian language):
http://www.llti.lt/failai/10%20Slekonytes.pdf
One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told
We have never thought that this bird has such a major part in European folklore as being a negative character. Before Christian thought invasion in Middle Ages magpies were seen as a good fortune symbol and still is seen like it in Asia. Perhaps having parts of black colour and being quite loud was enough for Christians to announce this bird of being devils creation. Witches were believed to be able to turn themselves into magpies. In Eastern Europe regions magpies would be the postman of either good or bad news according to their behaviour. Good news about unexpected guests and wedding if they chat by the house or jump around, bad news about death if you see them standing on the roof. Although as superstitious as it sounds magpies also used to tell people about approaching foxes, wolves or army forces. Let’s not forget that before the tv and online weather forecast people used to watch birds and guess about the upcoming weather from the way they fly, how they interact or behave. On the other hand, most of us remember magpies as thieves stealing pennies or jewellery and bringing it to the nest. Most of the fairytales hold this bad connotation about this bird. Meanwhile, not long ago there was a study made by Exeter University in South West England showing that the birds are actually shy and quite scared of new things. Of course it’s only one research so far but my main point is that the image created about this intelligent and caring bird is so one sided and negative in European culture. Not many know that for example magpies have only one partner for life or that they share their nest with others or make a big one if its necesserary for winter and are quite tied to their birthplace.
We have chosen to call ourselves Happy Magpies because we like these little creatures.
Our home nest contains a little library, tiny cafe and handmade produce boutique.
And while we’re waiting for the soap to set and the library to be arranged before we actually will go on the journey across meadows and hills we offer you to take a look of what we’ve already experienced.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
about the Exeter university research:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28797519
scientific literature research about the magpie's image in lithuanian folklore (in lithuanian language):
http://www.llti.lt/failai/10%20Slekonytes.pdf