| Omens are essentially events or occurrences that are | | | | and South America all have stories that speak about |
| thought to tell the future. They often signal the | | | | omens, especially as they relate to the birth of famous |
| beginning of a great change, and though many people | | | | people or to the birth of a new era. |
| feel cautious about bad omens and what they might | | | | What are some things that can be read as omens? |
| mean, the truth of the matter is that omens could | | | | One common omen that people run into in the modern |
| traditionally foretell good things or bad things. | | | | day is Friday the Thirteenth. This is a date that can |
| Most cultures have some history of using omens, and | | | | happen once or twice a year and it is usually seen as |
| in some cases, the omens were even used to predict | | | | a day of bad luck. Some people are indifferent to it, |
| the actions that a great leader might have taken. | | | | while other people become very concerned about |
| Some of the earliest mentions of omens in human | | | | what it might mean to them. Similarly, thirteen itself is |
| history come from the ancient Romans. Omens were | | | | often seen as a number that is unlucky as well. |
| such an important part of public and private life that | | | | Because of this, there are some hotels that will skip |
| there were two types of omen readers. Haruspices | | | | the number thirteen when they were numbering their |
| found omens in the entrails of sacrificial animals, while | | | | floors, going right from twelve to fourteen. |
| augers watched the flight of birds. | | | | It is interesting to note that people can be seen as |
| These offices were held in high regard and would be | | | | being omens as well. For instance, there was once a |
| consulted before any major event was to take place. | | | | tradition of making sure that a chimney sweep met the |
| During times of peace, they might foretell the perfect | | | | bridal couple on their wedding day. Seeing a chimney |
| day for weddings or festivals, and during more | | | | sweep meant their good luck would last throughout the |
| turbulent times, they might decide when the city went | | | | year. Another bridal omen involved the lighting of |
| to war. | | | | matrimonial candles in China; as long as both ends |
| There were many events that might have seemed like | | | | burned bright, the couple would have a long and happy |
| omens to the ancient people of the world, and | | | | life together. |
| astrological phenomena were often associated with | | | | Omens are things that have played a large part in the |
| events that were going to happen. For instance, | | | | history of the world and they are very much |
| Halley's Comet was recorded on the Bayeux tapestry | | | | intertwined with the practice of fortunetelling. Consider |
| and there are many people who saw it as a portent | | | | omens and how they affected the lives of people in |
| of great things to come. The Romans were certainly | | | | the past and how they even affect the lives of people |
| not the only people who believed in omens and what | | | | today! |
| they might mean. The ancient cultures of India, China, | | | | |