Superstition Essay: Superstition is nothing but irrational belief in something. Weakness, fear, melancholy, together with ignorance are the true sources of superstition. If a Hindu believes that a dip in holy Ganges will wash away all his sins, it is just an irrational belief without any basis. It is often a tradition passed down to us from our forefathers.
Superstition is the religion of feeble minds. – Edmund Burke
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Long and Short Essays on Superstition for Kids and Students in English
Given below are two essays in English for students and children about the topic of ‘Superstition’ in both long and short form. The first essay is a long essay on the Superstition of 400-500 words. This long essay about Superstition is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on Superstition of 150-200 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.
Long Essay on Superstition 400 Words in English
Below we have given a long essay on Superstition of 500 words is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.
Superstition flourished in the past when mystery surrounded everything, and man had no knowledge and could not understand the phenomenon of nature. He believed in supernatural and worshipped various gods and goddesses. Every ordinary fact which he could not understand was considered a miracle. Later the people who were more intelligent became his teacher, also befooled him into believing their clever performances to be miracles. The objects of nature, changes of seasons and everything he could not understand became a miracle and thus a superstition.
Every country has its own superstitions, but it can be agreed without contraction, that the east is more contemplative and thus more superstitious than west.
There are some superstitions which are universally recognized. For instance, a shooting star is considered a very bad omen universally. Shakespeare writes in his play Julius Caesar:
When beggars die there are no comets seen in the skies. Heavens themselves set forth the death of princes.
Both in England and India the howling of a dog at night is supposed to show the presence of an evil spirit nearby.
Some more popular superstitions prevalent in India. If a person is to start a journey and another person happens to sneeze only once, it is considered ill for the person who is to begin his journey, although two or three sneezes are considered harmless. Among the Hindus it is considered an ill omen to begin a new task on Saturday.
Again, studies can be started on Saturday it is considered lucky. If a cat crosses your path, it is not a good omen. The screech of an owl is considered ill omen and harbinger of some calamity. If a man’s right eye throbs, it is indicative of some good but if a woman’s right eye throbs, it is considered ill-omen. The itching of right palm is indicative of the arrival of money. If a crow sits on the head of a person, his death is supposed to be imminent. Considering buying or bringing iron in the house on a Saturday is dangerous is another superstition.
In England, even today, the number thirteen is feared and avoided. They avoid walking under a ladder to avoid disaster.
Short Essay on Superstition 200 Words in English
Below we have given a short essay on Superstition is for Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. This short essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 6 and below.
There are many superstitions based on ghosts, witches and spirits. Often, houses are supposed to be haunted. Lincoln’s ghost is still seen in White House. When a woman suffers from hysteria, she is supposed to be overpowered by some ghost or witch. Many people, even the educated ones go to some so-called fraudulent people to get rid of evil spirits. Such people are another version of witch-doctor of South Africa.
The source of superstition lies in the thinking of man. When some problem is not removed by earthly efforts or is not understood, we tend to be superstitious and try to find its solution by other means. Burke has rightly said that superstition is the religion of feeble minds. In reality weakness, fear of the unknown, ignorance and illiteracy are the true sources of superstition.
Modern era with all its progress of education, science and technology is not devoid of superstition. New superstitions in idolizing child, laborer and other factors are present. Therefore superstitions, it seems, are going to persist. To some extent, everyone is superstitious, only when it goes to its extremes, it is dangerous. According to Goethe superstition is the poetry of life.
Superstitions stand in the way of progress and civilization and make our perspective limited and enhance our weakness. We hesitate and falter in taking decisions and therefore we cannot contribute to progress thoughts. Superstitions are a hindrance to clear thinking, reasoning and logic. Superstition, at best, should be avoided and not encouraged otherwise we will also be doing the same what our forefathers did.