Post by GypsyMoon on Feb 6, 2011 14:32:12 GMT -5
Toothfairy. Demonic or Witchcraft or Faery?
Tradition in England holds that if a child's tooth falls out, that child must drop it into a fire, to avoid having to look for it after death. While this tale is pretty chilling, this may be the origin of the importance of a lost tooth. This tale was handed down during the Middle Ages to smaller children during the teething stage. The addition of fire into the mix may have conjured up images of sorcery. Early alleged witches were often burned because people believed money appeared after they threw articles into fire. From this tale comes the importance of keeping a tooth. When a witch burned a piece of hair, clothing or teeth from a person, she supposedly obtained power over them. Parents may have scared children into keeping teeth or burning them themselves in order to keep themselves free of demon possession.
Even more interesting is the fact that Vikings had a "tooth fee," or a fee that was given to children upon the use of a tooth. The teeth were later strung to make jewelry, some researchers claim. This old legend is surrounded in mystery. Alongside it is the superstition in early Viking days that children's articles and pieces contained great power. Having an article of a child, or a child in your possession was supposed to bring power and luck in battle.
Some of the rituals around tooth disposal weren't quite as dark. Some parents would bury their children's baby teeth in the garden so new adult teeth would grow in strong and straight. And the Vikings believed that having a child's tooth was good luck in battle, so they would often create jewelry from the teeth of children
From my research I have found baby teeth has talisman properties. Witches or Wise women would offer money or protection for exchange of a babies tooth. Parents would collect the teeth for the Witch in exchange would grant spells or money. Some would keep them as a necklace for protection. Also in Demonology there has been unnamed demonics who has stolen human teeth to gain power.
Tradition in England holds that if a child's tooth falls out, that child must drop it into a fire, to avoid having to look for it after death. While this tale is pretty chilling, this may be the origin of the importance of a lost tooth. This tale was handed down during the Middle Ages to smaller children during the teething stage. The addition of fire into the mix may have conjured up images of sorcery. Early alleged witches were often burned because people believed money appeared after they threw articles into fire. From this tale comes the importance of keeping a tooth. When a witch burned a piece of hair, clothing or teeth from a person, she supposedly obtained power over them. Parents may have scared children into keeping teeth or burning them themselves in order to keep themselves free of demon possession.
Even more interesting is the fact that Vikings had a "tooth fee," or a fee that was given to children upon the use of a tooth. The teeth were later strung to make jewelry, some researchers claim. This old legend is surrounded in mystery. Alongside it is the superstition in early Viking days that children's articles and pieces contained great power. Having an article of a child, or a child in your possession was supposed to bring power and luck in battle.
Some of the rituals around tooth disposal weren't quite as dark. Some parents would bury their children's baby teeth in the garden so new adult teeth would grow in strong and straight. And the Vikings believed that having a child's tooth was good luck in battle, so they would often create jewelry from the teeth of children
From my research I have found baby teeth has talisman properties. Witches or Wise women would offer money or protection for exchange of a babies tooth. Parents would collect the teeth for the Witch in exchange would grant spells or money. Some would keep them as a necklace for protection. Also in Demonology there has been unnamed demonics who has stolen human teeth to gain power.
