What links this bird with spells and charms? Let’s find out.
The bird pictured above is a jynx [dʒɪŋks], Eurasian wryneck or northern wryneck. It’s related to woodpeckers, and can be found across temperate regions of Europe and Asia during the summer, and in parts of tropical Africa and southern Asia in the winter.
It’s Latin name, Jynx torquilla comes from iynx (wryneck), from Ancient Greek ἴϋγξ (íünx – Eurasian wryneck, spell, charm, passionate yearing), and from Latin torqueō (to spin, whirl, twist, hurl, torment) [source].
It was once thought to be a bird of ill omen, perhaps because of how it twists its snake-like head and hisses as a threat display. As a result, it has sometimes been called the “snake-bird” [source].
Apparently wizards and witches used to tie wrynecks to a wheel and then whirl them round, believing that it would charm men into obedience and help to retreive unfaithful lovers [source].
The English word jinx [dʒɪŋks] comes from jynx the bird. As a noun, it means a hex, or an evil spell or a person or thing supposed to bring bad luck. As a verb, to jinx means to cast a spell on; to bring bad luck to; to cause something to happen by mentioning it, often used sarcastically; to cause a bad outcome through verbal expression of certainty about a good situation or result [source].
In order to mitigate the effects of a jinx, you might touch wood or knock on wood. This tradition apparently comes from ancient believes among Germanic peoples that trees influence fortune. Ancient Celtic peoples believed that touching wood would call on the spirits or gods of trees, and Christians connect(ed) the practise to the touching the wood of cross. There are similar traditions in many other places as well, apparently [source].
Do you ‘touch wood’ or ‘knock on wood’ to avoid ‘tempting fate’ after making a favourable prediction or boast, or to avoid jinxing something?
If not, do you have other traditions?
