The Story of Superstition

By Philip F. Waterman

Book Overview

"The Story of Superstition" provides a fascinating and comprehensive exploration into the origins, evolution, and enduring power of human beliefs that defy rational explanation. Philip F. Waterman meticulously traces the roots of common superstitions, uncovering how ancient religious rites, misunderstood natural occurrences, and primal fears transformed into the omens and taboos that still influence modern society.

This work delves deep into the psychological and sociological underpinnings of superstition, examining how magic, luck, and the supernatural have played a pivotal role in the human experience. From the significance of numbers and colors to the rituals surrounding birth, marriage, and death, the book offers an illuminating look at the cross-cultural history of myth and folklore. By connecting the dots between prehistoric rituals and contemporary habits, Waterman provides readers with a thought-provoking analysis of why the human mind remains susceptible to the irrational.

As a significant contribution to the study of folklore and social history, "The Story of Superstition" serves as an essential resource for those interested in the hidden meanings behind everyday customs and the historical development of human thought.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1026011353
• ISBN13: 9781026011355
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"