While baptisms are generally seen as positive and spiritually significant events in many cultures and religions, there are also some negative superstitions or concerns associated with them. These concerns or superstitions typically revolve around the idea of protecting the baptized individual from harm, bad luck, or negative influences. Here are some examples of negative superstitions associated with baptisms:
Evil Spirits and Envy:
Various cultures and religious traditions have developed protective measures to ward off evil spirits or negative influences that may be associated with baptisms. The specific practices and charms used can vary widely depending on the cultural and religious beliefs of the community. Here are some examples:
1. Protective Prayers and Blessings:
Prayers: Many religious communities incorporate specific prayers into the baptismal ceremony to seek protection and blessings for the child. These prayers often invoke divine intervention to safeguard the baptized individual from evil influences.
Blessings: Clergy members or spiritual leaders may perform blessings during the baptism, asking for God’s protection, guidance, and grace to be bestowed upon the child. These blessings are intended to counteract any negative forces.
2. Holy Water:
Baptismal Water: The use of holy water in the baptismal ceremony is a common practice in many Christian denominations. The water is typically blessed by a clergy member and is believed to have purifying and protective properties. It is sprinkled or poured over the child during the baptism.
3. Anointing with Oil:
Chrism Oil: In some Christian traditions, the baptized person is anointed with chrism oil after the immersion or sprinkling of water. Chrism oil is consecrated and is believed to impart the gifts of the Holy Spirit, offering protection and strength.
4. Crosses and Religious Medals:
Wearing Crosses: It’s common for the baptized child to receive a cross necklace or pendant as a gift. This symbol of faith is believed to offer protection from negative influences and serve as a reminder of their Christian identity.
Religious Medals: Some families provide the baptized child with religious medals depicting saints or angels. These medals are thought to act as protective amulets, guarding the wearer against harm.
5. Red String or Ribbon:
Tying a Red String: In certain cultures, a red string or ribbon may be tied around the child’s wrist or ankle. The color red is often associated with protection, and the string is believed to ward off evil spirits.
6. Incense:
Burning Incense: In some religious traditions, incense is burned during or after the baptismal ceremony to purify the air and create a sacred atmosphere. The fragrant smoke is thought to repel negative energies.
7. Protective Charms:
Evil Eye Charms: Some cultures use evil eye charms, often in the form of blue or Nazar beads, to protect the baptized child from jealousy and the evil eye. These charms are believed to deflect negative energy and envy.
St. Christopher Medallions: St. Christopher is considered the patron saint of travelers and protection. Medallions or pendants bearing his image are sometimes given to the baptized person to offer protection throughout their life’s journey.
8. Psalms and Scripture:
Reciting Psalms: In certain traditions, specific psalms or scripture passages are recited during the baptismal ceremony or afterward to seek divine protection and blessings.
Jealousy and the Evil Eye: It is believed in some cultures that jealousy and the “evil eye” can bring misfortune to the baptized child. To prevent this, various protective talismans or amulets may be worn or placed near the child. These objects are thought to deflect negative energy and ward off the evil eye.
Blue Nazar Beads: The Nazar, or Nazar Boncuğu, is a well-known protective symbol against the evil eye in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, including Turkey and Greece. It is often a blue and white bead or pendant featuring an eye-like design. The blue color is thought to ward off the evil eye, and the eye symbol is believed to deflect negative energy.
Horseshoes: In some cultures, a horseshoe may be used as a protective amulet against the evil eye. The horseshoe is often hung above the entrance of a home or near the child’s crib to prevent the evil eye from entering.
Red Strings or Ribbons: Red is a color associated with protection in many cultures. Tying a red string or ribbon around the child’s wrist or ankle is believed to keep the evil eye at bay. The red color is thought to repel negativity.
Amulets with the Eye Symbol: Various amulets, pendants, or jewelry featuring an eye symbol, such as the “Eye of Horus” or the “All-Seeing Eye,” are used as protective charms against the evil eye. These symbols are believed to watch over the wearer and guard against negative influences.
Garlic and Other Herbs: In some traditions, garlic or specific herbs are placed near the child’s crib or around the home to protect against the evil eye. Garlic, in particular, is thought to have strong protective qualities.
Coins: Coins, especially those with holes in the center, are sometimes used as protective talismans. They may be hung in the child’s room or worn as jewelry to ward off the evil eye.
Silver or Gold Jewelry: Silver and gold jewelry, such as bracelets, necklaces, or rings, with protective symbols or charms are often given to the child during or after the baptism. These pieces of jewelry are believed to offer ongoing protection.
Red Coral Jewelry: In some cultures, red coral jewelry is considered protective against the evil eye. Red coral is believed to absorb negative energy and protect the wearer.
St. Benedict Medals: St. Benedict medals, featuring the image of St. Benedict and a Latin prayer, are sometimes used as protective amulets against the evil eye. These medals are believed to provide spiritual protection and ward off negative influences.
Olive Branches: In certain Mediterranean cultures, olive branches or leaves may be placed in the child’s room or crib to provide protection against the evil eye.
Naming Secrecy: In some regions, there is a superstition that keeping the chosen name of the child a secret until after the baptism can prevent negative influences from knowing the child’s name and using it against them. This practice is believed to provide a layer of protection.
Avoiding Negative Words or Phrases: During the baptism ceremony, it is considered unlucky to use negative words, phrases, or predictions about the child’s future. Mentioning death, illness, or misfortune is thought to attract negativity to the child’s life.
Breaking the Child’s Silence: There’s a superstition that the first person to make a noise during the baptismal ceremony will bring bad luck to the child. This belief can lead to efforts to keep the child quiet and serene during the ceremony.
Avoiding Mirrors: Some superstitions caution against allowing the child to look into a mirror immediately after the baptism. It is believed that doing so may cause the child to see their own soul or invite negative spirits.
Tying Red String or Ribbon: In certain cultures, it is customary to tie a red string or ribbon around the wrist or ankle of the baptized child. The red color is thought to symbolize protection and ward off evil spirits.
Baptizing During Certain Phases of the Moon: The choice of the moon phase for a child’s baptism is often influenced by cultural and astrological beliefs rather than strict religious doctrines. Different cultures and traditions may have varying beliefs about the significance of moon phases in relation to baptisms. Here are some common beliefs associated with different moon phases for baptisms:
Waxing Moon: Many cultures consider the waxing moon (when the moon is growing from new to full) to be a time of growth, positivity, and increasing blessings. Therefore, some families prefer to schedule a child’s baptism during the waxing moon phase to symbolize the child’s growth in faith and spiritual blessings.
Full Moon: The full moon is often associated with completeness and abundance. Some people believe that baptizing a child during a full moon brings blessings and completeness to their spiritual journey.
First Quarter Moon: The first quarter moon is a time of growth and development. Baptizing a child during this phase may be seen as a way to encourage their spiritual growth and development in faith.
New Moon: In some cultures, the new moon represents new beginnings and fresh starts. Baptizing a child during a new moon may symbolize the child’s entry into the faith and their spiritual rebirth.
Avoiding the Waning Moon: Some cultures avoid scheduling baptisms during the waning moon phase (when the moon is decreasing from full to new) because it may be associated with diminishing blessings or spiritual decline.
Avoiding Certain Dates: The dates to avoid for baptisms can vary depending on cultural, religious, and regional beliefs. These dates are typically avoided because they are considered unlucky, inauspicious, or associated with negative energies. Here are some examples of dates that are commonly avoided for baptisms and the reasons why:
Unlucky Days of the Week:
Saturday: In some cultures, Saturday is associated with bad luck or considered an inauspicious day for celebrations like baptisms. This belief may be rooted in historical superstitions.
Friday: In certain cultures, Friday is seen as an unlucky day, especially Friday the 13th. This superstition can extend to avoid scheduling events like baptisms on Fridays.
Certain Holidays:
Easter Saturday: Some Christian denominations discourage baptisms on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday, as it is a day of reflection on the crucifixion of Jesus. However, Easter Sunday itself is a common day for baptisms, symbolizing resurrection and rebirth.
Good Friday: Good Friday is a solemn day in Christian tradition, marking the crucifixion of Jesus. It is generally avoided for joyous celebrations like baptisms.
Days Associated with Tragedy or Mourning:
Anniversary of a Tragedy: Families may avoid scheduling baptisms on the anniversary of a significant tragedy or loss, out of respect for the memory of those events.
Memorial Days: In some cultures, certain days dedicated to memorializing the deceased are considered inappropriate for celebrations like baptisms.
Days with Negative Superstitions:
Friday the 13th: Friday the 13th is often considered an unlucky day in many cultures. People may avoid scheduling events, including baptisms, on this date.
Days with Negative Numerology: Some people avoid dates that have numerological significance they consider negative, such as 666 or other combinations associated with superstitions.
Days with Eclipse or Celestial Events:
Solar or Lunar Eclipses: Some cultures avoid scheduling important events like baptisms during solar or lunar eclipses, believing that such celestial events carry negative or disruptive energies.
Major National or Cultural Mourning Periods:
During National Tragedies: In some countries, during periods of national mourning or after major disasters, celebratory events like baptisms are postponed or avoided as a sign of respect and solidarity.
Personal Family Reasons:
Anniversary of a Family Tragedy: Families may choose to avoid baptisms on dates that coincide with the anniversary of a significant family tragedy or loss.
It’s important to note that these negative superstitions are not universally held beliefs and may vary widely between cultures, regions, and individual families. While some individuals may take these precautions seriously, others may view them as cultural traditions or customs rather than strict superstitions.
