異域采風:英語文化中的幸運符

　不同的文化往往有著截然不同的風俗習慣，然而古今中外的人對一樣東西的企盼卻是相同的，那就是好運。在東方文化中，紅色、數字8、貔貅等常被視為好運的象征。而在西方英語文化中，又有哪些代表好運的文化符號呢？

　 People in most cultures believe in superstitions. From earliest times, the English, for instance, have believed in certain symbols and customs which could bring good fortune as well as ward off evil spirits. Old customs seldom die, so don\'t be surprised because some of these customs are still practiced daily in today\'s society.

　　大多數文化背景下的人都信一些迷信。比如，從古代開始，英國人就一直認為某些符號和習俗會帶來好運、驅除邪靈。舊習俗很少會消亡，因此，如果當今社會仍然日復一日地遵循著這其中的一些習俗，也沒什么好大驚小怪的。

Horseshoe 馬蹄鐵 　　

The horseshoe is considered a lucky symbol in English customs. It resembles the other symbols associated with good fortune in other cultures such as the crescent, half circle or "U". Crescent or "U" shapes are often said to be the symbol of fertility and also possesses power to ward off evil spirit. As it is made of iron and used for horses, horseshoes are also linked to strength and power. As such, combining all these signs of good luck, the horseshoe is regarded as a powerful device to bring fortune and keep evil spirits away. It is usually nailed to the front door to protect the household from uninvited visitors like witches and evils. However, the horseshoe must be placed in an upright "U" position so that the good fortune will be retained6) by the household.

　　在英語文化中，馬蹄鐵被看做是一種幸運符。它類似于其他文化中與幸運有關的標志，諸如新月、半圓或者是“U”形。新月或者“U”形往往被認為是豐饒肥沃的象征，并且還具有驅除邪靈的魔力。而馬蹄鐵由于是用在馬身上的鐵制品，因而又被人們看作與力量和權力有關。因此，集所有幸運象征于一身的馬蹄鐵就被人們看做是能招福辟邪的利器。人們通常將馬蹄鐵釘在房子的大門上，保護家人免受諸如巫師或者邪靈等不速之客的打擾。不過，釘的時候馬蹄鐵的U形口一定要朝上，只有這樣，這家人才能留得住好運。

　Rabbit\'s Foot 兔腳

In the old English custom, the hare (not rabbit) was said to have an evil eye), whose glance can only be countered by people who own a hare\'s hind foot. In the olden days, it was said that the warrior Queen Boadicea of Norfolk, East Britain, brought a hare with her to ensure luck in battle against the Roman Empire who had invaded her kingdom. This brought people to believe that the hare had miraculous) powers. However, the pagan) practice of worshiping the hare eventually stopped after most Britons were converted) to Christianity in the 6th century by the first Archbishop) of Canterbury. Nevertheless, many Britons carried hare\'s feet in their pocket or purse. Later, rabbits were introduced in Britain from the other European countries, and since rabbits can be caught more easily than hares, the rabbit\'s foot replaced the hare\'s foot as a lucky charm).

　　在古代的英語文化習俗中，據說野兔(不是家兔)長著一只邪眼，只有擁有一只野兔的后腳的人才能正視它的目光。據說，很久以前，來自英國東部諾福克的勇士博阿迪西亞女王在與入侵其王國的羅馬帝國軍隊打仗時，就隨身帶著一只野兔來確保逢戰必勝。這個傳說令人們相信野兔具有不可思議的魔力。然而，到了公元6世紀，隨著大多數不列顛人在坎特伯雷大主教的教化下改信基督教，這種異教徒對野兔的膜拜行為最終停止了。盡管如此，還是有很多英國人的口袋或者錢包中放著兔腳。后來，家兔從別的歐洲國家被引進到英國，由于家兔比野兔更容易獲取，所以家兔的腳便取代野兔的腳成了幸運符。

Wishbone 如愿骨

Wishing upon a wishbone is an ancient custom. It involves two people who would break the wishbone and the one with a bigger piece makes a wish. The wishbone is actually the forked bone from a fowl\'s breast, better known as the "furcula". In many cultures, fowls are regarded as special creatures which can bring luck and good fortune. The wishbone shape itself is good luck symbol of life and fertility.

　　向如愿骨許愿是一項古老的習俗。這個習俗是指兩個人各執如愿骨的一端將其折斷，得到較大塊骨頭的那個人就可以許個愿。其實，如愿骨就是取自家禽胸部的分叉狀骨頭，也就是人們所熟知的叉骨。在許多文化中，家禽被看做是能夠帶來吉祥與好運的特殊生靈。如愿骨的形狀本身也是表示生命和多產的幸運符號。

Old Boot 舊靴子

　　In ancient days, old boots or shoes were said to hold the good spirit and courage of their owners. Therefore, it was a common belief that an old boot was a good luck charm. For instance, if a fisherman caught himself an old boot instead of fish, it is believed that at the end of the day he would be able to catch and take home a huge amount of fish. In north England for instance, the wives of sailors would usually toss old boots or shoes at the departing ships to ensure their husbands\' safe journey. Old boots were also left on the roofs of old houses to fend off evil spirits.

　　很久以前，據說舊的靴子或鞋子能夠留存住其主人的美德和勇氣。因此，過去人們通常認為舊靴子是一種幸運符。比如，如果一個漁夫釣上來的不是魚而是一只舊靴子，人們就會認為，過完這一天的時候，這個漁夫將會捕獲大量的魚，滿載而歸。再比如，在英格蘭北部，水手的妻子們通常會朝離港的船只扔舊靴子或者舊鞋子，以保佑自己的丈夫平平安安。人們還將舊靴子放在老房子的屋頂上來驅除邪靈。

　不同的文化往往有著截然不同的風俗習慣，然而古今中外的人對一樣東西的企盼卻是相同的，那就是好運。在東方文化中，紅色、數字8、貔貅等常被視為好運的象征。而在西方英語文化中，又有哪些代表好運的文化符號呢？

　 People in most cultures believe in superstitions. From earliest times, the English, for instance, have believed in certain symbols and customs which could bring good fortune as well as ward off evil spirits. Old customs seldom die, so don\'t be surprised because some of these customs are still practiced daily in today\'s society.

　　大多數文化背景下的人都信一些迷信。比如，從古代開始，英國人就一直認為某些符號和習俗會帶來好運、驅除邪靈。舊習俗很少會消亡，因此，如果當今社會仍然日復一日地遵循著這其中的一些習俗，也沒什么好大驚小怪的。

Horseshoe 馬蹄鐵 　　

The horseshoe is considered a lucky symbol in English customs. It resembles the other symbols associated with good fortune in other cultures such as the crescent, half circle or "U". Crescent or "U" shapes are often said to be the symbol of fertility and also possesses power to ward off evil spirit. As it is made of iron and used for horses, horseshoes are also linked to strength and power. As such, combining all these signs of good luck, the horseshoe is regarded as a powerful device to bring fortune and keep evil spirits away. It is usually nailed to the front door to protect the household from uninvited visitors like witches and evils. However, the horseshoe must be placed in an upright "U" position so that the good fortune will be retained6) by the household.

　　在英語文化中，馬蹄鐵被看做是一種幸運符。它類似于其他文化中與幸運有關的標志，諸如新月、半圓或者是“U”形。新月或者“U”形往往被認為是豐饒肥沃的象征，并且還具有驅除邪靈的魔力。而馬蹄鐵由于是用在馬身上的鐵制品，因而又被人們看作與力量和權力有關。因此，集所有幸運象征于一身的馬蹄鐵就被人們看做是能招福辟邪的利器。人們通常將馬蹄鐵釘在房子的大門上，保護家人免受諸如巫師或者邪靈等不速之客的打擾。不過，釘的時候馬蹄鐵的U形口一定要朝上，只有這樣，這家人才能留得住好運。

　Rabbit\'s Foot 兔腳

In the old English custom, the hare (not rabbit) was said to have an evil eye), whose glance can only be countered by people who own a hare\'s hind foot. In the olden days, it was said that the warrior Queen Boadicea of Norfolk, East Britain, brought a hare with her to ensure luck in battle against the Roman Empire who had invaded her kingdom. This brought people to believe that the hare had miraculous) powers. However, the pagan) practice of worshiping the hare eventually stopped after most Britons were converted) to Christianity in the 6th century by the first Archbishop) of Canterbury. Nevertheless, many Britons carried hare\'s feet in their pocket or purse. Later, rabbits were introduced in Britain from the other European countries, and since rabbits can be caught more easily than hares, the rabbit\'s foot replaced the hare\'s foot as a lucky charm).

　　在古代的英語文化習俗中，據說野兔(不是家兔)長著一只邪眼，只有擁有一只野兔的后腳的人才能正視它的目光。據說，很久以前，來自英國東部諾福克的勇士博阿迪西亞女王在與入侵其王國的羅馬帝國軍隊打仗時，就隨身帶著一只野兔來確保逢戰必勝。這個傳說令人們相信野兔具有不可思議的魔力。然而，到了公元6世紀，隨著大多數不列顛人在坎特伯雷大主教的教化下改信基督教，這種異教徒對野兔的膜拜行為最終停止了。盡管如此，還是有很多英國人的口袋或者錢包中放著兔腳。后來，家兔從別的歐洲國家被引進到英國，由于家兔比野兔更容易獲取，所以家兔的腳便取代野兔的腳成了幸運符。

Wishbone 如愿骨

Wishing upon a wishbone is an ancient custom. It involves two people who would break the wishbone and the one with a bigger piece makes a wish. The wishbone is actually the forked bone from a fowl\'s breast, better known as the "furcula". In many cultures, fowls are regarded as special creatures which can bring luck and good fortune. The wishbone shape itself is good luck symbol of life and fertility.

　　向如愿骨許愿是一項古老的習俗。這個習俗是指兩個人各執如愿骨的一端將其折斷，得到較大塊骨頭的那個人就可以許個愿。其實，如愿骨就是取自家禽胸部的分叉狀骨頭，也就是人們所熟知的叉骨。在許多文化中，家禽被看做是能夠帶來吉祥與好運的特殊生靈。如愿骨的形狀本身也是表示生命和多產的幸運符號。

Old Boot 舊靴子

　　In ancient days, old boots or shoes were said to hold the good spirit and courage of their owners. Therefore, it was a common belief that an old boot was a good luck charm. For instance, if a fisherman caught himself an old boot instead of fish, it is believed that at the end of the day he would be able to catch and take home a huge amount of fish. In north England for instance, the wives of sailors would usually toss old boots or shoes at the departing ships to ensure their husbands\' safe journey. Old boots were also left on the roofs of old houses to fend off evil spirits.

　　很久以前，據說舊的靴子或鞋子能夠留存住其主人的美德和勇氣。因此，過去人們通常認為舊靴子是一種幸運符。比如，如果一個漁夫釣上來的不是魚而是一只舊靴子，人們就會認為，過完這一天的時候，這個漁夫將會捕獲大量的魚，滿載而歸。再比如，在英格蘭北部，水手的妻子們通常會朝離港的船只扔舊靴子或者舊鞋子，以保佑自己的丈夫平平安安。人們還將舊靴子放在老房子的屋頂上來驅除邪靈。