Superstitions

Last week I was preparing myself to give a lesson of Spanish to my student about superstitions. I would like to share with you some interesting superstitions from differents parts of the world that I found and that really surprised me.

 

First of all, in Spain you should not buy yellow clothing for a newborn baby. Furthermore, you shouldn’t give as a gift knife or scissors because it means the end of your relationship and friendship.

In China the number "eight" is very important. It symbolizes good fortune. That's why the Olympic Games in Beijing started 08.08.2008 at 8:08 o’clock.

According to the beliefs in Mexico, you shouldn’t sweep on Monday morning. 

In Argentina, having a fish tank or a cactus in your house brings bad luck.

One funny superstition is known in Japan, where it is believed that if a pregnant woman is cleaning a toilet, she will have a beautiful baby.

In Panama if a knife falls down, someone will visit you.

Another interesting belief, this time from Italy, says that during a funeral, the coffin should be brought to the cementary a different way that the family goes back home, in order to prevent the return of the soul of the deceased.

In some parts of Russia it is still believed that no one, except for the parents and  the midwife, should see a newborn baby for 40 first days of his life. Because at that time the baby is waiting for the soul.

And now it’s time for a game: how many superstitions you can find in the picture?

About "The artist"

Some time ago I watched in Kino Muza a movie titled The artist. It’s not an ordinary movie. Although it is modern, shot in 2011, it is stylized on silent movie. And this is incredible because there appears a combination of silent movie with some moments of modern cinematography. It’s a great procedure which gave him 5 Oscars, 3 Golden Globes and international fame. I would like to show you the trailer for the movie:

Silbo

You may not know but in the Island of La Gomera people can communicate with themselves by a whistling language- Silbo.

 

Years ago, before the arrival of Spanish settlers in XVI century to the Island, the original inhabitants- Guanches- were using this kind of language. It was a normal communication method in mountainous areas.

Now the language is adapted to the sound of Spanish language and it has 2 vowels and 4 consonants.

To prevent the extinction of Silbo, the government of Gomera  introduced the language to Gomeran schools.

You can watch and read more here.

"Kiwi!"

A few days ago I came across on youtube on certain short-length film in English, called “Kiwi!” which I would like to share it with you. This film, though looks simply, has a deep meaning.

I trully recommend you watching this kind of movies because many of them transfers values, sometimes already forgotten. I like watching them because they surprise me by the way they show the whole story and the moral in such a short period.