Robin Superstitions

[Iain]

Hi,
I am a student in the north west of England conducting some research into superstitions surrounding some of our native birds.
I have heard from various sources the there is a superstition about robins which says that a robin is the soul of someone you knew and has recently died.
Unfortunately I can find no written information about this particular superstition, can anyone please give me any further information on this.

Many thanks,

Iain

[nightshade]

Hello Iain Google search robin superstitions throws up an awful lot but a quick skim nothing for souls

[StuartDH]

It may go back to when a Robin was supposed to have landed on Jesus's cross and got blood on it's chest - resulting in the red breast????

[henrya]

Quote
I have heard from various sources the there is a superstition about robins which says that a robin is the soul of someone you knew and has recently died.
Endquote

I've not heard this one - the superstition I have heard is that having a Robin enter the house means one of the occupants will soon die.

henrya

[nightshade]

if one flys over a maiden on valentines day,she will marry a sailor,
if you kill a robin you will never prosper

[Tursiops]

To go off at a slight tangent, there was an interesting radio programme about Robins on Monday night - Nature, Radio 4 - if you missed it, it can be heard again here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/nature.shtml
It mentions the tradition concerning Robins and Christ's Crown of Thorns.
Tursiops

[Iain]

Thanks Tursiops,

I have listened to the radio 4 program, very interesting and have contacted David Harper at the University of Sussex.

After 25 years researching robins he is a very good bet for further information.

Iain

[Tursiops]

Good. Glad that was helpful.
T

[henrya]

Might be worth looking at "The Folklore of Birds" by E A Armstrong in the New Naturalist series. Can't guarantee it will help, though!

henrya