Wild wacky sports

45 + English Magpie Feathers with their beautiful iridiscent black/blue/green colours, cleaned, dried and ready for use in any number of craft projects. These are wing and tail feathers with a few smaller ones included as extras. They vary in length from 6cm to 20cm. There may be a little end fraying to some tail feathers. This is quite normal with any species of wild bird. Magpie Superstitions Around the World: In China, instead of being a sign of misfortune, European magpie is considered to be a lucky sign. The name is literally "happiness magpie." In China a singing Magpie foretells happiness and good luck. An old English folk tale states that when Jesus was crucified on the cross, all of the world's birds wept and sang to comfort him in his agony. The only exception was the magpie, and for this, it is forever cursed. In many parts of Europe, the Magpie is honored due to the fact it warns people of the approach of wolves and armed men. In German folklore the magpie is seen as a thief. In ancient Greece, the Magpie was associated with Dionysos and intoxication. In both Italian and French folklore, magpies' penchant for picking up shiny items is thought to be particularly directed towards precious ones. In Korea, the Magpie delivers good news and invites good people into your life. He is also seen as the village spirit. Therefore in Korea, the Magpie is seen as the symbol of good luck and happiness. In the Middle Ages and during the witch-hunts in Europe, the bird was considered to be connected with witchcraft - just like crows, ravens and black cats. In Mongolia, the Magpie is considered a clever bird with control over the weather. In Native America, the Magpie is considered as a friend and helper. In Native American folklore, wearing a magpie feather is a sign of fearlessness in some tribes as the magpie is bold and has little fear. In Norway, a magpie is considered cunning and thievish, sometimes wicked, but a playful and loud bird is also bringer of good weather. In Ancient Rome, the Magpie is sacred and linked to the god Bacchus. In Scandinavia, the Norse snow shoe goddess Skadi was associated with Magpies. In Scotland, a Magpie near the window of the house foretells death. In Scottish folklore, (in a story possibly related to the above) magpies were long reviled for allegedly carrying a drop of Satan's blood under their tongues. In South Dakota, there is a myth that all the animals had a race to determine if the two legged animals had the right to eat the four legged ones or if it was the reverse. The Bison was winning, but the Magpie was sitting between his horns. As he got close to the finish line she burst forward and won. The Magpie straddles both the inspiration and chaos archetypes. In many parts of the United Kingdom spotting a single magpie is considered bad fortune and saluting it is a way of showing the bird respect in the hope that the magpie won't pass on some of the misfortune that follows it. The Magpie is featured in some creation myths and one myth is that it allows its tail to be used as a bridge for people needing to cross a river into this world. More Magpie Superstitions: If a flock of magpies suddenly abandon a nesting area, hard times are ahead. A chattering magpie denotes the arrival of a stranger. Reversing the Magpie Myth of Bad Luck: As you can see, the solitary Magpie is very often seen as bad luck, something to be feared. Perhaps this should be reversed and the solitary Magpie will then become a lucky symbol, a symbol to be revered. When you see this solitary Magpie make a wish. When the wish materializes you will understand the true magic of the Magpie and you will understand that someone created this fearful superstition to prevent us from truly understanding and utilizing the magic of the Magpie. We have been dealing in rural and countryside related items for nearly 40 years, and have acquired a reputation for quality and reliability with thousand’s of satisfied customers worldwide. We specialise in books and other items and curios relating to Natural History, Countryside, Wildlife, Field Sports, Farming, Dogs, and other similar topics. ALL ITEMS FOR SALE ARE SOURCED LEGALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATURAL ENGLAND LICENCES AND WITHIN THE WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN OBTAINED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESALE BUT ARE THE BY PRODUCTS OF GAME KEEPING AND GAME DEALING.