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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...
Magpies are thought of differently round the world. in the UK, they are "traditionally" feared by the superstitous if you only see one (and you're supposed to nod and say "Good morning Mr Magpie"); however in the East they are considered good fortune!
This page is devoted to the myth and lore surrounding one of the smarter birds in the sky.
- Good Luck or bad
- What can Magpies do?
- Country Interpretations
- Poem versions
Good luck or bad?
Western lore seems to be fairly mixed, but in China and Korea they are considered good luck.
Typically, seeing one Magpie (which should be bad luck!) can be undone by "tugging the forelock" (pretending to be touching the brim of your hat) whilst
saying "good Morning/afternoon Mr Magpie, I hope your family are well"
The Magpie is traditionally thought of as a kleptomaniac of the bird world, being attracted to "shiny things"; tradition dictates
that the magpie's next would be full of such treasures.
So what can Magpies do?
Legends would indicate that the Magpie has wisdom to understand Light and Dark, can bring wisdom to interpret omens and understand messages from the Spirit world
They can help with anyone grieving - and with all this have knowledge in the occult, provide the doorway to new realms.
The magpie spirit can be channelled to achieve things, but left unmanaged and it can be very destructive.
Country interpretations
| China |
A symbol of good fortune (unless you kill one); a singing magpie fortells happiness and good luck. |
| Korea |
Magpies deliver good news and invited good people. Another interpretation has the magpie as the village spirit |
| Mongolia |
A clever creature with control over the weather |
| Europe (generally) |
good luck (or bad) depends on the numbers sighted.(see the poem above) |
| Italy |
Generally bad (Rossini's opera, La gazza ladra, reflects the story of the magpie that steals shiny things, which leads to a servent being almost hanged).
Interestingly, the word gazza (magpie) has given its name to gazetta - the italian word for newspaper (a magpies sound is likened to chattering sometimes) |
| Greece |
The bird is sacred to Bacchus, the god of wine, so is linked to intoxication |
| Australia |
not seen in a good light, probably because the Australian Magpie is part of the Shrike family - an aggressive hunter bird |
| Native American |
The magpie is seen as an ally and helper of humans. |
Alternate version of the Magpie poem
There are a few versions of the poem at the top of the page; two variations I am aware of are:
One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three for a letter,
four for a birth,
Five for Silver,
Six for Gold,
Seven for a secret, never to be told...
One for anger,
Two for mirth,
Three for a wedding,
four for a birth,
Five for rich,
Six for poor,
Seven for a bitch,
Eight for a whore,
Nine for a burying,
Ten for a dance,
Eleven for England,
Twelve for France
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