敗犬求婚日 Leap Year 精講之三

第一頁(yè)：片段欣賞
第二頁(yè)：巧學(xué)口語(yǔ)
第三頁(yè)：小小翻譯家
第四頁(yè)：文化一瞥

西方各國(guó)有關(guān)貓的迷信

 

 

 

西方人普遍認(rèn)為黑貓是不吉利的，原因有可能是黑貓與傳說(shuō)中的巫婆有關(guān)（巫婆是一個(gè)面目可憎、氣勢(shì)洶洶的老太婆，她頭戴黑氈帽，懷抱一只大黑貓，騎著一把飛帚）。由于黑貓總是不離巫婆左右，所以它被視為不吉利的象征。傳說(shuō)中的黑貓有九個(gè)靈魂，巫婆具有變九次黑貓的魔法，殺死一只黑貓，她還可以變八次（所以英語(yǔ)中諺語(yǔ)：A cat has nine lives，即貓有九命），可泛指某人或某物的生命力很強(qiáng)。在西方，黑貓走過(guò)的路人走了就會(huì)有厄運(yùn)降臨，或如果你看見(jiàn)黑貓從你面前穿過(guò)，你就要倒霉。除了有黑貓不吉利的迷信之外，還有關(guān)于貓的其他迷信。如果貓靜靜地在人身邊坐著，那意味著平平安安，順順當(dāng)當(dāng)；如果貓?jiān)谌松砩喜鋪?lái)蹭去，那意味著這個(gè)人將有好運(yùn)氣；如果貓?zhí)饺说耐壬希且馕吨歉哒?，官運(yùn)、財(cái)運(yùn)亨通；如果貓從人身邊跑開，那意味著他的秘密將很快被泄露。萬(wàn)圣節(jié)黑貓還會(huì)被一些人以血腥的方法殺掉，或燒死來(lái)完成某些迷信活動(dòng)。無(wú)家可歸的黑貓也不能得到善待，黑貓似乎沒(méi)人敢養(yǎng)。但也不全然這樣, 請(qǐng)看下面各國(guó)關(guān)于貓的迷信：

When a cat washes behind his ears you may expect visitors. (Dutch superstition)

A strange Black cat on your porch brings prosperity. (Scottish superstition)

A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. (Italian superstition)

It is bad luck to see a white cat at night. (American superstition)

Dreaming of a white cat means good luck. (American superstition)

If a cat deserts a house, illness will always reign there. (English superstition)

When you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb, stamp it in the palm of your hand, and make a wish. The wish will come true. (American superstition)

If a cat washes behind it's ears, it will rain. (English superstition)

A cat sleeping with all four paws tucked under means cold weather ahead. (English superstition)

English schoolchildren believe seeing a white cat on the way to school is sure to bring trouble. To avert bad luck, they must either spit, or turn around completely and make the sign of the cross.

A Black cat crossing one's path by moonlight means death in an epidemic. (Irish superstition)

It is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat. (French superstition)

In Britain and many parts of Europe, a black cat crossing the road, or entering your house is considered very good fortune.

In parts of Yorkshire the wives of fishermen keep black cats at home to ensure their husbands safety at sea.

In Southern England a black cat crossing the path of the bride as she leaves the church is said grant a fortunate marriage.

On every black cat there is a single hair that is white. If you remove it without the cat scratching, this white hair will bring you wealth or luck in love.