異域採風:英語文化中的幸運符(雙語組圖)

不同的文化往往有着截然不同的風俗習慣，然而古今中外的人對一樣東西的企盼卻是相同的，那就是好運。在東方文化中，紅色、數字8、貔貅等常被視爲好運的象徵。而在西方英語文化中，又有哪些代表好運的文化符號呢？
　 People in most cultures believe in superstitions. From earliest times, the English, for instance, have believed in certain symbols and customs which could bring good fortune as well as ward off evil spirits. Old customs seldom die, so don't be surprised because some of these customs are still practiced daily in today's society.
　　大多數文化背景下的人都信一些迷信。比如，從古代開始，英國人就一直認爲某些符號和習俗會帶來好運、驅除邪靈。舊習俗很少會消亡，因此，如果當今社會仍然日復一日地遵循着這其中的一些習俗，也沒什麼好大驚小怪的。

Horseshoe 馬蹄鐵 　　

The horseshoe is considered a lucky symbol in English customs. It resembles the other symbols associated with good fortune in other cultures such as the crescent, half circle or "U". Crescent or "U" shapes are often said to be the symbol of fertility and also possesses power to ward off evil spirit. As it is made of iron and used for horses, horseshoes are also linked to strength and power. As such, combining all these signs of good luck, the horseshoe is regarded as a powerful device to bring fortune and keep evil spirits away. It is usually nailed to the front door to protect the household from uninvited visitors like witches and evils. However, the horseshoe must be placed in an upright "U" position so that the good fortune will be retained6) by the household.

在英語文化中，馬蹄鐵被看做是一種幸運符。它類似於其他文化中與幸運有關的標誌，諸如新月、半圓或者是“U”形。新月或者“U”形往往被認爲是豐饒肥沃的象徵，並且還具有驅除邪靈的魔力。而馬蹄鐵由於是用在馬身上的鐵製品，因而又被人們看作與力量和權力有關。因此，集所有幸運象徵於一身的馬蹄鐵就被人們看做是能招福辟邪的利器。人們通常將馬蹄鐵釘在房子的大門上，保護家人免受諸如巫師或者邪靈等不速之客的打擾。不過，釘的時候馬蹄鐵的U形口一定要朝上，只有這樣，這家人才能留得住好運。

　Rabbit's Foot 兔腳
　　
In the old English custom, the hare (not rabbit) was said to have an evil eye), whose glance can only be countered by people who own a hare's hind foot. In the olden days, it was said that the warrior Queen Boadicea of Norfolk, East Britain, brought a hare with her to ensure luck in battle against the Roman Empire who had invaded her kingdom. This brought people to believe that the hare had miraculous) powers. However, the pagan) practice of worshiping the hare eventually stopped after most Britons were converted) to Christianity in the 6th century by the first Archbishop) of Canterbury. Nevertheless, many Britons carried hare's feet in their pocket or purse. Later, rabbits were introduced in Britain from the other European countries, and since rabbits can be caught more easily than hares, the rabbit's foot replaced the hare's foot as a lucky charm).

在古代的英語文化習俗中，據說野兔(不是家兔)長着一隻邪眼，只有擁有一隻野兔的後腳的人才能正視它的目光。據說，很久以前，來自英國東部諾福克的勇士博阿迪西亞女王在與入侵其王國的羅馬帝國軍隊打仗時，就隨身帶着一隻野兔來確保逢戰必勝。這個傳說令人們相信野兔具有不可思議的魔力。然而，到了公元6世紀，隨着大多數不列顛人在坎特伯雷大主教的教化下改信基督教，這種異教徒對野兔的膜拜行爲最終停止了。儘管如此，還是有很多英國人的口袋或者錢包中放着兔腳。後來，家兔從別的歐洲國家被引進到英國，由於家兔比野兔更容易獲取，所以家兔的腳便取代野兔的腳成了幸運符。

Wishbone 如願骨
　　
Wishing upon a wishbone is an ancient custom. It involves two people who would break the wishbone and the one with a bigger piece makes a wish. The wishbone is actually the forked bone from a fowl's breast, better known as the "furcula". In many cultures, fowls are regarded as special creatures which can bring luck and good fortune. The wishbone shape itself is good luck symbol of life and fertility.
　　向如願骨許願是一項古老的習俗。這個習俗是指兩個人各執如願骨的一端將其折斷，得到較大塊骨頭的那個人就可以許個願。其實，如願骨就是取自家禽胸部的分叉狀骨頭，也就是人們所熟知的叉骨。在許多文化中，家禽被看做是能夠帶來吉祥與好運的特殊生靈。如願骨的形狀本身也是表示生命和多產的幸運符號。

Old Boot 舊靴子
　　
　　In ancient days, old boots or shoes were said to hold the good spirit and courage of their owners. Therefore, it was a common belief that an old boot was a good luck charm. For instance, if a fisherman caught himself an old boot instead of fish, it is believed that at the end of the day he would be able to catch and take home a huge amount of fish. In north England for instance, the wives of sailors would usually toss old boots or shoes at the departing ships to ensure their husbands' safe journey. Old boots were also left on the roofs of old houses to fend off evil spirits.

很久以前，據說舊的靴子或鞋子能夠留存住其主人的美德和勇氣。因此，過去人們通常認爲舊靴子是一種幸運符。比如，如果一個漁夫釣上來的不是魚而是一隻舊靴子，人們就會認爲，過完這一天的時候，這個漁夫將會捕獲大量的魚，滿載而歸。再比如，在英格蘭北部，水手的妻子們通常會朝離港的船隻扔舊靴子或者舊鞋子，以保佑自己的丈夫平平安安。人們還將舊靴子放在老房子的屋頂上來驅除邪靈。

　　Wood 木頭
　　
　　Back in pagan times, trees were considered as sacred symbol of immortality. Touching the tree was a sign of respect to the gods after a favor has been requested, or thanks to the gods for a request that had been fulfilled. After the English embraced Christianity, the people retained their belief that wood is holy as Christ died on a wooden cross. People at that time wore wooden crucifixes16) and often touched them as a sign of penitence17). Even now, people who are superstitious will try to touch or knock on wood after gloating18), talking bad things about other people, making any rash19) statement of intent or so on, so that the action will get rid of any bad lucks during the day.

早在異教徒的時代，樹就被視爲是永生不朽的神聖象徵。人們在祈求神靈庇佑之後，會觸摸樹以示對神靈的尊敬；或者是在祈求得到應驗後，觸摸樹以表達對神靈的感激。在英國人皈依基督教之後，人們依舊堅信樹是神聖之物，因爲耶穌就是被釘死在木製十字架之上的。當時的人們佩戴木製的十字架，並且經常觸摸它們以示懺悔。甚至現在，迷信的人還都會在沾沾自喜、講別人壞話、說出任何輕率的言論或者是做出類似的事情時，試着去觸摸木頭或者敲打木頭，期望這樣做能夠驅除一天之中所有的黴運。

Coin 　硬幣

　　Coins, especially gold coins, were said to bring good fortune to the person who possessed them. Gold, like in any other culture, was always a symbol of wealth. In the past, "lucky" gold coins were turned into rings to be worn as a remedy20) for many types of illness. Sometimes, brides put them in a shoe to ensure a good married life. The English also dropped coins into wells to protect themselves from being bewitched and to make a wish in hope that their dreams would come true. This is due to the fact that people at the time believed there were good spirits who lived in the wells, fountains or springs.

據說硬幣尤其是金幣會給擁有它們的人帶來好運。和在其他任何文化中一樣，黃金一直都是財富的象徵。在過去，人們會將“幸運”金幣做成戒指戴在手上，當做治療多種疾病的良方。有時候，新娘會把它們(金幣)放進一隻鞋子裏，來祈求婚姻美滿。英國人還會將硬幣投入水井中，來保佑自己不會被人施予巫術，並且會許一個願，期望着能夠夢想成真。這一切都是因爲：過去的人相信在水井、噴泉或者泉水裏住着善良的神靈。

Four-leaf Clover 四瓣三葉草
　　
　　Clover is actually a type of wild plant with flowers shaped like cotton balls and usually has three leaves on each stem. In fact it is very rare to find a four-leaf clover. It is believed that to accidentally find a four-leaf clover is a sign of good luck. Moreover, the shape of four-leaf clover resembles the symbol of the crucifix. There is also an English saying "to live in clover" which basically means "to have enough money to be able to live comfortably".

三葉草實際上是一種野生植物，它的花朵形狀如同棉花球，通常在每一支梗上有三片葉子。事實上，四個瓣的三葉草是非常罕見的。人們相信，偶然發現四個瓣的三葉草是一種幸運的象徵。而且，四瓣三葉草的外形和十字架相似。英語中還有一句諺語叫做“住在三葉草裏”，其基本意思就是“擁有足夠多的錢，能夠十分安逸地生活”。