Magic Superstitions Trivia

1. In ancient Babylonian mythology, Marduk forms the heavens and the earth from the remains of a dragon goddess who represents primordial chaos. What is her name?

From Quiz Dark Powers in Ancient and Modern Stories

Answer: Tiamat

Tiamat was the mother of the first generation of gods. Her husband Apsu was killed after going to war with the younger gods who were planning to overthrow him. Tiamat sought revenge against her husband's killers and gave birth to 11 monsters to wage war on them. However, she was killed by Marduk who sliced her body in half and used her body parts to create the world. Kingu was Tiamat's son and later lover (gods operate by their own rules in matters like this), who was also killed by Marduk, who used his blood to create the first human beings. Enki was an important god who murdered Apsu. Leviathan is a sea monster mentioned in the Bible.

From Quiz Avoiding Bad Luck

Answer: 13

Friday the 13th has been unlucky since the Middle Ages. Some historians speculate that this could be because the Last Supper had 13 people, and Jesus was executed the next day, on Friday.

From Quiz Kilted Kangas Superstitions, Magic and Legends

Answer: John Howard

In 2004, Indigenous Aboriginals "pointed the bone" at the then Prime Minister John Howard as a protest about his policies and programs. As of 2017, John Howard is still alive and has had no effects from the ceremony. This has not reduced the belief that "pointing the bone" does work; it is thought that one has to "believe" that pointing the bone works for it to be effective. Submitted by ClaudiaCat.

From Quiz Match the Manias

Answer: aerochoreomania

I wonder how aerochoreomania would manifest itself - you are at work or school and jump up and start doing aerobic exercise? Do you think Jennie Craig or Lucille Roberts might be afflicted? Seriously though, a mania is really nothing to laugh at; it is an illness involving an abnormally elevated mood state and can also include increased irritability, inappropriate elation, severe insomnia and poor judgment. 'Mania' comes from the Greek word for 'madness'. The incorrect choices are: apimania, an obsession with bees; ablutomania, a compulsion to wash or clean oneself; ailuromania, an intense love of cats.

From Quiz Mama Always Told Me So

Answer: Collards and black eyed peas

The greens symbolize folded money and the peas relate to coins. The tradition of eating peas actually has its roots in Jewish history, possibly as a gesture of humility. (My family's New Year feast also includes ham hocks for good luck!)

From Quiz Old English Customs

Answer: Cider

Have you ever seen a drunken worm? Neither have I, but I am sure there were plenty that went to sleep happy that night. Sprinkling cider (or tossing a bowl of cider) on a tree's roots has long been a common superstition to guarantee a good crop.

From Quiz Stroke of Luck

Answer: 7 and 8

Chinese people very much value the number eight, as its pronunciation is similar to Chinese words for wealth and prosperity. As a matter of fact, the 2008 Beijing Olympics started on August 8, 2008 (08/08/08) at 8:08 PM. Coincidence? In Japanese mythology, the Seven Lucky Gods are the gods of good fortune.

From Quiz Four Leaf Clovers

Answer: 10,000 to one

The odds of finding a lucky four leaf clover are 10,000 to one. Finding a five leaf clover is even more lucky and much more unlikely. According to Carly Berry, the odds of finding a five leaf clover are a million to one.

From Quiz The Evil Forebodings of Nostradamus

Answer: The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London occurred in 1666. It lasted for three days, destroying much of central London. "The blood of the just" could refer to the millions of flea-infested rats that perished. Civilian death tolls could not be verified but it is acknowledged that only six people died.

From Quiz Once in a while...

Answer: A cube of sugar

A cube of sugar would also calm any angry horses the couple met during the day. Another Greek wedding tradition calls for guests to pin money on the couple. This ensures that they will never know hunger.

From Quiz Folklore and Legends

Answer: Benjamin Lincoln

Cornwallis said he was sick, and had his second-in-command General O'Hara turn the sword over. First O'Hara tried to give it to the French, but they refused it and told him to give it to Washington. When Washington saw the second-in-command offering the sword, he had his second-in-command, Benjamin Lincoln, accept it in his place.

From Quiz British Creatures and Places in Legends, Part 2!

Answer: Gotham

The reputation of Gotham as a village of fools goes back to the early 16th-century and was recorded in several late-medieval books of folklore. The hills to the south of town were known as Cuckoo Hill. However, the men of Gotham are not alone: many cultures across the globe have similar towns of dunces, including the Yiddish town of Chelm, Boeo'tia in Ancient Greece, and Sabia in Germany. My wife has set up a permanent mailing address for me in pretty much every one of these.

From Quiz Old Wives Tales and Superstitions

Answer: Lightning

This originated in a Nordic legend where the god Thor took shelter from a storm under an oak tree. It's a superstition that has been around for a long time. Even today in some areas, the belief in this superstition can still be seen in the pull ring at the end of window blinds - which are designed to look like acorns.

From Quiz Yours Truly Stinks!

Answer: Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family. The leaves of the plant resemble mint leaves but when rubbed they produce a lemony scent, which give the plant its name. It is used commercially in cosmetic production. Historically, it has been used for soothing nerves but is also known for its antiviral properties and is often used to treat cold sores. Lamium, better known as 'deadnettle' is also a member of the mint family. Citron and tangelo are both citrus fruits.

From Quiz Sometimes You Eat the Bears!

Answer: The Big Lebowski

The line is spoken by The Stranger, who narrates the story. The Stranger has a strong western accent, and the word "bear" sounds more like "bar", which may or may not be linked to the frontiersman Daniel Boone, who is said to have carved the words "D. Boon Cilled a Bar on (this) tree in the year 1760". Team Quiz Question Author: Megrim

From Quiz Cosmopolitan Beliefs, Customs and Gestures

Answer: A V-sign identical to Churchill's Victory sign

The Charger was a revolution in Aussie cars, and with its swept-up rear spoiler and very sleek lines, it was instantly recognizable even by non-car enthusiasts. Valiant was the Australian counterpart to the American Chrysler company. This excellent question is from our very own ozzz2002!

From Quiz Famous Haunted Places

Answer: Indra Shira

This famous photo was published in a British magazine called "Country Life" on the 26th December 1936, 7 days later than when the picture was actually taken. The "Brown Lady" is so called due to the brown brocade dress that she has often been seen wearing while wandering around Raynham Hall, which is located in Norfolk, England. George IV also had an encounter with the "Brown Lady" which lead him to flee this house, "I will not spend another hour in this accursed house, for tonight I have seen that which I hope to God I never see again". The "Brown Lady" is thought to be the ghost of Lady Dorothy Walpole who was the sister of the prime minister of England in 1722. Eventually when she married, her husband Lord Townshed is believed to have locked her in her room as he had received some knowledge about her having an affair with Lord Wharton.

From Quiz Superstition, Folklore & Myth from Ireland

Answer: Shoemaker

The most famous of the Irish little people, these cute creatures are handy cobblers and the other fairies put up with their many bad habits (smoking, drinking and bad language and many more unmentionable ones) due to obvious necessity. If a human manages to catch one they can demand that it hand over any stashes of treasure and it is duty bound to comply. They apparently like to hide some of that treasure in the form of a 'pot of gold' at the end of a rainbow and it is doubtful that they would be allowed a job in a bank. Although, in some instances the normal fairies expect them to guard all the accumulated fairy gold. They like their beer too much to spend all evening working in a pub and serving it to anyone else. Well... It has never been recorded of leprechauns giving 'cut and blow drys' or 'blue rinses'.

From Quiz Myth, Superstitions, Lore

Answer: Macbeth

This theatrical classic is considered the unluckiest play in theatre. It is associated with so much bad luck that actors do not like to mention the title. They refer to it as 'The Scottish Play' or 'Mr. and Mrs. M' or 'That Play'. One explanation for this is, that often it would go hand-in-hand with the fact that the company was not having the best ticket sales throughout the season, and because of this the company would decide to show this popular play at the end of the season to boost flagging ticket sales. Even with this last ditch attempt, many theatrical companies still had made too much of a loss to survive. Therefore, the fear of "Macbeth" was generally the fear of bad business and of the entire staff losing their jobs. "MacTavish" is the subject of a Celtic based song which is another story. "Braveheart" is a movie about William Wallace which is also another story. "39 Steps" is a gripping Alfred Hitchcock thriller set in Scotland.

From Quiz Old Superstitions, Myths and Customs

Answer: On the table

Apparently, it is not a good idea to do this as it means bad luck for the remainder of the day! This comes from when a condemned prisoner, who was due to be hanged- the guards placed a pair of new shoes on the table for the prisoner to wear. On the correct feet would be better than the opposite, otherwise it could incur a few painful blisters or at the worst disfigurement! Sitting submerged in warm water and bubbles, with a floral bath hat, loofa and nice new pair of shiny loafers could be construed as rather strange behavior and a complete waste of money! In the boring, old, correct storage place that they are supposed to be kept in seems rather pointless to mention!

From Quiz Scottish Faeries

Answer: Earth

Brownies are very benevolent faeries who give aid to deserving humans around the house. They always appear as male dwarf faeries with jet black eyes. Brownies hate lying, cheating and pretentiousness.

From Quiz Strange Twists of Luck

Answer: Sir Henry Morgan

The Sewards were shipwrecked on Old Providence Island which was uninhabited. Edward Seward was exploring the island when he found a cave. The cave had a slight fissure which he opened finding the huge treasure of Sir Henry Morgan. The treasure included gold chains, 200,000 gold doubloons, cases of gold leaf, and numerous other gold items.

From Quiz Warding off bad luck

Answer: Throw a pinch of the spilled salt with your right hand over your left shoulder

I remember making a horrible mess on the floor by throwing too much salt over my left shoulder! I was reminded that it was a PINCH of salt not a bowl of salt.

From Quiz Faerie

Answer: Turn the Wheel of the Year

Jimaninos (Jimaninas for female Fae) shy away from people until El Dia de Muerte or the Day of the Dead. On this day they pull pranks on mortals, play in cemeteries and dance in the streets.

From Quiz Medieval Magic and Its Origins

Answer: De Magicus Artibus

Magic was a word derived from Magos - which is a Greek derivation of a Persian term. Magos is a Persian term for a priest. There were 3 primary tests derived in the Medieval era, which in large part derived from Isidore's "Etymologies".

From Quiz Chinese Art of Feng Shui

Answer: wood, water, earth, fire, metal

These elements are the building blocks to all things, living or non-living.

From Quiz Jinx Illustrated

Answer: Eddie Mathews

Milwaukee Braves power-hitter, Eddie Mathews was on a nine-game winning streak, when he was featured on the cover of the first issue of 'Sports Illustrated'. He lost the very next game, and a week later he suffered an injury that kept him out for seven games.

From Quiz Black Magic and the Supernatural

Answer: Franz Joseph Gall

At least he called some attention to the important function of the brain. As to the meaning of the "bumps", however, there's not much that modern science has to say in support of his theory.

From Quiz The Colors of Magick

Answer: white

White is also used for dispelling evil spirits.

From Quiz Marie Laveau & Voodoo

Answer: Queen

She was sometimes referred to as 'Pope of Voodoo'.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:44 AM

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