Superstitions and signs in the UK and in

Superstitions and signs in the UK and in Russia Performed Tsyrkov Nikita Teachers: Rab Polina Alexandrovna Poltavets Oksana Viktorovna

The meaning of superstitions • According to Macmillan English dictionary superstitions mean believing in the power of magic or luck • According to Wikipedia superstitions mean belief in supernatural causality • According to Oxford dictionary superstitions mean excessively credulous belief in and reverence for the supernatural

Introduction Subject • To study superstitions in English and Russian cultures Object • To study the most known and commonly used superstitions in Great Britain and Russia

Introduction The main aim 1. To study and analyze superstitions of Great Britain and Russia Our problems 1. Make a list of superstition in Russia and Great Britain 2. Study and analyze different literature, denoted sign and superstitions in Russia and Great Britain 3. Consider, compare and analyze the superstitions in Russian and English cultures

Introduction Methods to follow - Work with literature - Describe - Collect information - Collect material - Analyze and compare - Study and analyze - Interrogate pupils - Make a conclusion

General levels of superstitions behavior and belief Russia 35% England a little superstitious very superstitious 65% 32% a little superstitious very superstitious 68%

General superstitions of Great Britain Good luck • To meet a black cat • To touch wood • To find a clover plant with four leaves • To have horseshoe over the door • To catch falling leaves in autumn Bad luck • • • To walk under a ladder To break a mirror To see one magpie To spill salt To open an umbrella indoors

General superstitions of Russia Good luck • • • To touch wood To see a spider To sit before a journey To have horseshoe over the door To break a dish Bad luck • To carry an empty bucket • To put money into someone’s hand • To see a black cat • To spill salt • To sit on a table

Rank superstition % of people endorsing each superstition 1 Touch wood 74% 2 Finger crossed 65% 3 Smashing mirrors 39% 4 Number 13 26%

What kinds of people are superstitious? 32% 68% worried people non-worried people

Results • The current levels of superstitious are surprisingly high • Worried people are more superstitious

Questions for tests • Do you know what superstition is? • Have you got any superstitions? • Do you believe in “good luck” or “bad luck” superstitions?

Test № 1 Do you know what superstition is? 2% 98% Yes, I do No

Test № 2 Have you got any superstitions? 33% 67% Yes, I have No, I have not

Test № 3 Do you belive in "good luck" or "bad luck" supestitions? 28% 72% Good luck superstitions Bad luck superstitions

The differences of superstitions Superstitions Russia Great Britain To meet a black cat Bad luck Good luck To see a spider To get a letter To have new clothes A cat sharpening its claws on a table leg Bad weather Fine weather To knock on the wood 3 times Good luck Bad luck

The similarities of superstitions Superstitions Russia Great Britain To touch wood Good luck To break a mirror Long days of setbacks Bad luck To open an umbrella indoors Tears 21 day of bad luck To have horseshoe over the door Only good luck Good luck

Conclusion • Superstitions play some roles in people’s life • Superstitions show development of our culture • We must obey and respect superstitions

Thank you for your attention!