Category Archives: Folk Beliefs

Snake belief

Context: “We weren’t even allowed to have the textbook with a snake on it! Even the white teachers bought into it. Burger King down the street had a snake decoration up, and you know what happened to it? It shut down! No one ate there.”

Analysis: In Navajo culture, snakes are a bad omen. It is taboo to touch and even look at snakes, especially not when eating, mating, or shedding, as these are considered sacred. Watching it can allow a Navajo malevolent spirit enter your life. The belief was so deeply held, the public school system and economy was affected, with textbooks that had snakes on the cover being replaced or defaced and a Burger King in the area closing down after decorations of a snake went up. It signifies the important place animals and nature have in their culture, as it is a deep respect for the snake that causes the taboo rather than fear. 

Coyote belief

Context: “My dad was so scared whenever we saw coyotes. He said that whenever it crossed your path from left to right, it was warning you to turn around. Bad trouble is ahead.”

Analysis: This superstition has its roots in Navajo cultural beliefs. The coyote serves as a more benevolent figure in Navajo folklore, offering guidance and safety. In some myths and beliefs, such as this one, he is a wise protector rather than a trickster. Its place as a deeply sacred creature and the cultural reverence for nature means even brief encounters hold spiritual significance – a warning to turn back.

Rainbow superstition

Context: “My friends used to get mad if you pointed with your pointer finger like that at a rainbow. Didn’t matter how big or small, you point with that pointer, you’d get an earful about how your nose was going to fall off. Always had to point out a rainbow with my thumb and look! I still have my nose.

Analysis: This was a superstition that taught pointing at a rainbow with your index finger would make your nose fall off. It was commonly played amongst school children as a light-hearted taunt whenever anyone forgot. It has no clear source, but is geo-specific, with this particular school the only one in the area that references the belief and it serves as a quick filter for those familiar.

Clothes Are Wings

Age: 24

Text:

“Clothes are wings.”

Context:

The informer tells me that this is a Korean proverb, and essentially means “Clothes make people better”. They’re not sure where they learned it from, but they assume it’s from their parents, or from watching k-dramas.

Analysis:

I thought it was very interesting that Korea would have a proverb about physical appearances and how it affects how people may perceive you. Korean society is very much one where one’s physical appearance absolutely determines how you are treated, where you are in the social hierarchy, and what people think your character and personality is like–this is all determined by how you look. It can become so extreme to the point where it may becomes toxic–one must always be skinny and slender, conventionally attractive, pale, chic, with impeccable fashion taste regardless of your socioeconomic status.

I feel like this emphasis on physical appearance has something to do with how homogenous Korea is, and its values on community rather than the individual. By having the mindset that “clothes make the man”, it creates a standard that everyone must strive to meet in order to not stand out and disrupt the flow of what is considered “normal”. This is a Confucian ideal(community over individual), which is a foundational aspect of Korean culture and social roles.

Sana, Sana, Colita de Rana

Age: 20

AGE: 20
Date of performance: Feb 20
Informant Name: AM
Language: Spanish
Occupation: Student
Primary Language: English
Residence: Santa Ana

Text:

“Sana, sana, colito de rana. Si no sana hoy, sanara mañana”

Context:

According to the teller, it translates to: “Heal, heal, tail of frog. If you don’t heal today, you’ll heal tomorrow.” It is a phrase that parents tell their children whenever they got hurt, essentially wishing them a faster healing. They learned it from their parents, specifically their mother, who would “rub her hand over the cut or scratch” whenever they got minorly injured.

Analysis

Although this quote is one of many variants, they all follow the same strand of silliness and nonsense. When I heard this phrase, I thought it was silly and funny, and wondered why adults would say this to their children. Then I thought that perhaps that was exactly why they said this phrase. It is so nonsensical and lighthearted that the child who got hurt could perhaps laugh and forget their pain for a little. This goes hand in hand with the practice of distracting little kids with a more engaging, eye-catching stimulant to take their attention off of more serious, dire matters. Furthermore, frogs are known for their regenerative abilities, thus signifying the manifestation of quick healing. By saying this phrase, the parents are reassuring their child that no matter what, it will heal.