Do you believe in superstitions?
Comprehension of traditions and customs comes from family kind of life. So, sometimes people believe that certain things mean something. In such a way person makes connection with the outer world, with its events and with other people as well. Choosing the present, take into consideration what it could mean.
For example, both on the East and on the West knives are considered to be a bad gift as they symbolize grief, evil thought, and sharp conflicts in the relationships. But you can avoid this doom if you pay for such present. It means that you buy a knife, but purchasing is not a gift. So, everybody is happy and glad.
It concerns the mirrors as well. It seems to me that it is connected with the ancient times when reflection in the mirror was like calling from the outer world. Many literal works describe fortune-telling by the mirrors or hiding the mirrors when grief comes into the house. So, presenting mirrors is something mysterious that deeps into the old times and human darkest prejudices.
A valet is one of the most popular presents in spite of the fact that it could symbolize loss of money. Forgetting about bad signs, who would buy a very expensive valet if a simple one is not so bad? But a present is another issue. Some people put a coin into the new valet in order to wish much money.
Crying is not one of the most desirable events in the human life. So, the pearls, handkerchiefs and holy pictures are symbols of tears.
There is another sign I have never could understand. But it exists and I can not leave it. If you are presented a pet (usually a cat), you have to pay for it as well. No matter how much – even the smallest coin, but to pay. And then you get guaranty that a pet will be living for long and happy times at your house.
But most superstitions are connected with the wedding ceremony. I think it is great as wedding is one of the merriest and happiest events in life. Plus it is the event that unites as many people as it is possible. A wedding pie is an important part of a ceremony. It is baked by happily married women. The widows, childless and unhappy women are not allowed to take part in the process. You know, they wish only good to a young couple.
A wedding pie has holy meaning and plays a role of a protecting sign not only in a life of newly-married people, but in some other life situations as well. For example, a grandmother put a piece of wedding bread into my pocket. It means that bread is to protect me in life, on the road, in the far countries...
Before eating wedding bread, a bride has to give the presents to every close relative. For the second day a young husband and a young wife are to exchange with the hand made goods – shirts, towels. It guaranties that they will be living happy ever after.
The psychologist from the folk do not recommend to present things connected with health and diseases, for example, thermometers, hot water bottles etc.
The most symbolic presents are flowers. It is one of the presents that can not be neutral in any way, but can speak in many languages. It is the only gift that does not undergo any, even slightest doubt, evil, envies or any other negative feeling. If you present flowers, you should do it with pure soul or, they say, flowers will not be living for a long time. They "feel" mood of a giver. Life of the flowers is a part of your soul. So, in such a way we came to one of the most interesting and deep issue in art of gift giving.