From shoes on the bed, to inside-out shirts, Fashion Editors Alice Keegan discusses various beliefs about style unique to Ireland, and considers their origins.
Unique superstitions are ingrained in Irish people - saluting magpies, avoiding fairy forts, and black cats crossing roads. Irish myths and traditions range from quirky, such as the connection between the Child of Prague statue and good weather for a wedding, to creepy, such as the banshee acting as a harbinger for misery. We all know the one about broken mirrors, but here are some more weird and wonderful Irish rituals and beliefs related to personal appearance and style.
The "Luck of the Irish" is a phrase used all around the world, though the opposite may be true when you consider our miserable weather, centuries of colonisation, and numerous recessions. However, we still have odd rituals which hopefully bring luck and prosperity.
On Pancake Tuesday, a wedding ring is sometimes placed in the batter. It is believed that whoever finds it will receive a loving marriage. For weddings, the tradition of needing "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue" promises to ensure a long-lasting happy marriage.
The colour green is a standard of Irish identity, part of a cacophony of iconic symbols that represent Ireland, including shamrocks. Pinning a shamrock to your shirt is also said to enhance your fortunes. Many superstitions, rituals, and traditions have roots in celtic mythology. Wearing the colour green takes on a spiritual dimension in paganism, representing divine power, fertility, and luck.
One of the most bizarre style-related superstitions in Ireland is that if you accidentally wear your shirt inside out, it is a sign of good luck. However, this does not mean that if you fancy finding a fiver on the ground, you deliberately wear your top inside out - it must be a complete accident, and you must be totally oblivious to this blunder. So if you have messed up your outfit by mistake, you must leave it as it is for the rest of the day. If you attempt to fix it, you will bring misfortune upon yourself.
Not all superstitions relate to good luck. There is a tradition in Ireland of distrusting those with red hair, particularly women; "Let not the eye of a red-haired woman rest upon you". This suspicion supposedly stems from the bible, where Cain and Judas were believed to be red-headed. The Vikings’ fiery hair was also synonymous with their violent raids. In folklore, mischievous little leprechauns were always represented as having bright orange hair.
Never put new shoes on your bed. This practice is said to bring about nightmares, and even darker, a visit from death itself. This superstition will have you thinking twice about where you place your new shoes - maybe it's better to be safe than sorry and keep them outside your door, in your wardrobe, or firmly on the floor.
While some of these beliefs and traditions may seem far-fetched today, many old wives tales' have led to a lasting preference for herbal treatments and healing remedies within beauty products here in Ireland. Some of these superstitions are still culturally relevant, so keep an eye out for some good luck charms, but also be wary of where you place your new shoes, and be wary of the red hair dye!