From Amulet to Kitchen Tool: The Evolution of the Knife's Symbolism throughout Time
The things that surround us in our everyday life, since ancient times, carry a certain symbolism, meaning and subtext, sometimes changing its meaning over time. The most ancient human tool - the knife - is no exception. Its peculiarity in the modern world is its intermediate position - in the mass consciousness it is both a tool and a weapon. This is what determined the uniqueness of the knife in the system of modern stereotypes and prejudices. Today, when the population buys even bread and sausage already sliced by a special machine, the experience of handling a knife in many people is minimized and limited to cooking. This situation is an ideal environment for the growth of modern superstitions, because there is a very approximate notion of knives and their purpose.
In old folk beliefs and customs, the knife appears as a faithful helper and friend, which at the same time demanded attention and respect. It serves as a symbol of a free and full-fledged man, as well as an amulet from evil forces. The knife is used to protect a baby, a woman in the prenatal or postnatal period, a bride and groom during the wedding ceremony. Small children were especially protected in this way. Sometimes a mother put a knife under her when breastfeeding.
In Siberia it was noted that evil spirits were afraid of iron, and the hunter's knife served not only as a tool, but also as an amulet. It is believed that only yellow metal can scare a malicious spirit, so the details of the hilt and sheath had brass elements. To this day, knowledgeable people put a knife under the bed or mattress at night. They stick it in the window sills and hang it above the door as a defense against thieves and the evil eye, as they did in ancient times. Those who feel that the owner of the evil eye is nearby should hold something iron. For example, knives or daggers, which have an even stronger protective effect than the metal itself.
There are many beliefs and omens associated with the knife; - If you found a knife on the street, it is necessary to pick it up and in return throw a coin, as if to buy - it is a sign of victory, fulfillment of long-standing desires, finding a knife (regardless of its condition) promised good luck. - There is a prohibition to touch a fire with a knife, this “cut off the fire head”. - It is forbidden to give knives and other sharp objects as gifts - to quarrel. Giving a knife as a gift spoke of the desire to break off relations. - Knowledgeable hunters still have a cult of personal knife. It is cherished, it is idolized, the owners even give their knives names. To give your own knife into the wrong hands is considered bad luck.
The breakage of a knife in many cultures is perceived as a warning of disaster, spoilage, and the purchase of a new one causes jealousy of the old one - it stops cutting and begins to rust rapidly in retaliation.
Today, most people communicate with a knife is only in the kitchen, but here new omens are born. - If the knife fell - it means the arrival of the guest, but only if the knife stuck in the floor. In general, there are many variants of interpretation of this ordinary event, depending on where and how a knife fell, on what day of the week, etc. - A special relationship between a knife and bread at the table. You should not pass someone a piece of bread on the tip of a knife - there will be trouble. - A knife between two talking people - to enmity, and if the knife lies with its edge on the table - to quarrel. - If when sharpening a knife its tip points at another person - also to a quarrel. The presence of sharp knives in the kitchen is usually interpreted as the presence of a housekeeping and economic man, but blunt knives - a direct insult to the skills and diligence of a house owner.
In Siberia it was noted that evil spirits were afraid of iron, and the hunter's knife served not only as a tool, but also as an amulet. It is believed that only yellow metal can scare a malicious spirit, so the details of the hilt and sheath had brass elements. To this day, knowledgeable people put a knife under the bed or mattress at night. They stick it in the window sills and hang it above the door as a defense against thieves and the evil eye, as they did in ancient times. Those who feel that the owner of the evil eye is nearby should hold something iron. For example, knives or daggers, which have an even stronger protective effect than the metal itself.
There are many beliefs and omens associated with the knife; - If you found a knife on the street, it is necessary to pick it up and in return throw a coin, as if to buy - it is a sign of victory, fulfillment of long-standing desires, finding a knife (regardless of its condition) promised good luck. - There is a prohibition to touch a fire with a knife, this “cut off the fire head”. - It is forbidden to give knives and other sharp objects as gifts - to quarrel. Giving a knife as a gift spoke of the desire to break off relations. - Knowledgeable hunters still have a cult of personal knife. It is cherished, it is idolized, the owners even give their knives names. To give your own knife into the wrong hands is considered bad luck.
The breakage of a knife in many cultures is perceived as a warning of disaster, spoilage, and the purchase of a new one causes jealousy of the old one - it stops cutting and begins to rust rapidly in retaliation.
Today, most people communicate with a knife is only in the kitchen, but here new omens are born. - If the knife fell - it means the arrival of the guest, but only if the knife stuck in the floor. In general, there are many variants of interpretation of this ordinary event, depending on where and how a knife fell, on what day of the week, etc. - A special relationship between a knife and bread at the table. You should not pass someone a piece of bread on the tip of a knife - there will be trouble. - A knife between two talking people - to enmity, and if the knife lies with its edge on the table - to quarrel. - If when sharpening a knife its tip points at another person - also to a quarrel. The presence of sharp knives in the kitchen is usually interpreted as the presence of a housekeeping and economic man, but blunt knives - a direct insult to the skills and diligence of a house owner.
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