Why Can't You Sweep In The Evening

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Why can't you sweep in the evening

Many superstitions were once not so much superstition as rational and helpful advice. But time passes, our way of life is changing, and many of these tips are no longer relevant. Does the ban on evening sweeping apply to them? We'll find out now.

Sign about evening sweeping

Let's remember the exact formulation of this superstition - "Do not wash dirty linen in public at night." At one time, it was not only rational, but also deep, had a certain hidden meaning. Let's briefly analyze it.

The word "litter", that is, "garbage", earlier could also mean "quarrel", swearing. Thus, this superstition recommended not to take out not only garbage outside the house, but also problems in relations with households. Moreover, in this meaning, the saying could be used without mentioning the night: "Do not wash dirty linen in public." It meant something like: "Do not tell others about the unhappiness in the family." How correct this position is, everyone should judge for themselves.

And we will continue the analysis of superstition. Why is the night mentioned in the cleaning sign? The fact is that in low light (and when the superstition was born, there was no electric light in the houses yet), the hostess could accidentally sweep some valuable thing along with the garbage. Taking out the trash at night, she certainly would not have noticed it. This is the rational root of a sign that has lost its relevance.

Later, the omen was overgrown with mystical explanations. It was believed that if you clean the house during the day, it will be filled with light energy, but evening and night cleaning attracts evil spirits. Another reason was called the risk of a curse - supposedly under the cover of night, an evil sorcerer sits near your house, who is just waiting to grab some garbage thrown out by you and damage it. They did not forget about the participation of mythical creatures - for example, the kikimora, which roams around at night in search of seductive rubbish. It was believed that if she took possession of some garbage from the house, then there would be discord and quarrels in the family.

As if the kikimore has nothing else to do except steal someone's garbage

Rational reasons

Today, there are not so many adequate reasons for refusing evening cleaning. And if you consider that many work on a five-day schedule, the question arises: "When else, if not in the evening?" Oddly enough, but one of the rational reasons to refuse evening cleaning practically does not differ from the original meaning of superstition. By the evening, your eyes get tired (especially if you are working at a computer), and you really may not notice some valuable thing that is swept along with the trash.

Evening cleaning is usually not as thorough and accurate as daytime

Take your time to listen to every superstition. They often have a story that explains why people used to think this way - and all this without any mysticism or myth.