Every culture has its share of symbols and traditions where the legend or tradition has more meaning than can be described within a mere 200 words. The wishbone is one such interesting tradition which is somewhat derived from superstition, while at the same time can also be construed as a symbol or even a tradition. It is named the furcula in birds and shaped like a ‘V’ in most cases, but this small bone has come to represent luck, good fortune, and wishes granted in many cultures. But what’s the story behind the wishbone – how did it develop to become a common symbol? Let’s dive into the history of the wishbone as well as its role in ancient cultures before turning to its universal symbolism.
The Wishbone and Its History with Ancient Cultures
Exploring the wishbone’s history takes one back to the ancient Etruscan society of Italy, which was known to divine, among other styles, by use of a chicken oracle. They believed the furcula or wishbone, which translates to “little fork” in Latin, was divine because to them it emanated from the chicken, a sacred animal as they deemed it. When a chicken died, the Etruscans would save the wishbone and let it dry out of its own accord, forming a ‘V’ shape. This dried bone would be stroked by the Etruscans as they made wishes to their gods, and so the furcula gained its first associations of luck and desire in the height of their rituals.
The habit was later lifted by the Romans who always seem ready to borrow some more rituals and beliefs from the Etruscans. As Rome grew and the chicken population waned, this issue became more of merchandise or wish-making, actually starting to be competitive. That brought about a norm where two people would have to pull on the two sides of the bone while making wishes. The person who ended up having the larger piece is believed to have their wish come true.
The tradition of the wishbone is believed to go back to the days of the Etruscan civilization in which birds were employed as methods for divination, and the wishbone itself was thought to be sacred. Over time, that tradition of using the bone formed by the clavicle began with the Romans taking it to Britain and then the Pilgrims later taking it across the Atlantic to America.
Merely a Universal Symbol of Luck and Fortune
In the fullness of time and in the general sprawl of cultures, the wishbone crossed oceans and continents to find itself acknowledged as a universal token of good luck. In Celtic culture, for instance, the wishbone was called a ‘merry thought’, and widely recognised as a bearer of good luck, and good fortune in bistros of many countries. It had an ability to predict good luck, through its ‘V’ shape symbolising some sort of open gateway toward future prosperity or happiness, and success.
The meaning of the wishbone nowadays, today’s contemporary times especially, goes beyond just luck and fortune. Today it is seen as a token for good luck, harbinger for good fortune, and a means to make wishes. The breaking of the wishbone into two, where each person is ambitious aspiration of holding larger piece, however, symbolic and referred to variously as a struggle or competition, eager anticipation for successful outcomes in futures.
This is in addition to its application in other areas such as jewelry where it’s used for design simply because of the shape and essence in symbolism. The wishbone is widely accepted and utilized as an important symbol for human desire and aspirations, as well as their hope or version of the mythical tomorrows, particularly in the world of literature and cinema.
Whether that is an ancient Etruscan divining tool, a Roman tradition, or the modern day symbol of wishes and dreams, the wishbone carries within itself a fascinating blend of history, tradition, and cultural evolution. As we go on breaking the wishbone at festive dinners while making a most ardent wish no less silently, we unconsciously partake in an unbroken tradition passed on through countless millennia, a testimony to humankind’s faith in symbols and the magic of wishes.
Wishbones in Thanksgiving: An American Tradition
And so, snapping a wishbone came to America by the Pilgrims themselves, among whom wholesale adoption of numerous English customs was then noted. This one followed them across the ocean and ultimately worked its way into being associated with Thanksgiving, an undeniably American institution.
As far as the Thanksgiving feast is concerned, the wishbone of the turkey, or what is otherwise called the “lucky break,” has yet another dimension to this holiday. Once the Thanksgiving turkey has been carved and enjoyed, the wishbone is left to dry out — often until the next day. At that point, two participants each grasp one side of the bone, make a wish and pull. The person to get the bigger part of the bone is believed to have his or her wish come true. A light-hearted ritual that reverberates with the spirit of Thanksgiving – togetherness, supported by gratitude and hope for tomorrow.
Wishbone Rituals across Different Nations
Although, the wishbone ritual is most popularly known due to Thanksgiving because of American culture, it is not a tradition exclusive only for the United States. World-wide, cultures have included their own versions of the wishbone with adaptions and variations that resulted because of myths, religion, and believes.
The tradition in Britain is quite the same although not limited to any one particular day like Thanksgiving. In the UK, the wishbone is often called a “merry thought,” and it is usually broken by two people, at least in part of British tradition, usually at a Sunday roast dinner or alternative tea, and the person who ends up holding the larger piece of bone being considered as winning the good luck from this one.
On the other side of the world, in Australia, the wishbone routine is not practiced as far and wide but is known in that part of the world due to the global influence of American culture. Be that as it may, some Australians indulge in the act “breaking the wishbone” during Christmas celebrations.
On the other hand, in Ireland, a Country Dripping with Folklore and Superstitions, the wishbone, or “lucky fork,” was saved from that Sunday’s roast chicken to dry. As in most other cultures, two people made a wish and broke it, the one who got the longer piece was assured of some good luck.
From one continent to another, the wishbone tradition survives on modified and molded so as to be polished in respect to local customs and celebrations. And, in fact, a universal symbolism of the wishbone is that common thread tying all these cultures together – it still remains the token of fortune, an invitation to make a wish, as well as a symbol of hope for more fortunate and much-better tomorrow. However, the simple fascination with the wishbone remains regardless of cultural context because it does represent universal human sentiments – those of optimism and anticipation.
Two individuals from the United States will refer to “pulling the turkey’s foot,” as two people pulling apart the wishbone, uttering a wish.
Interpreting the Wishbone: Symbolism in Modern Times
As the world moves to be more and more connected, symbols like the wishbone tend to outgrow the boundaries of its specific cultural origins. Today, wishbone is a global symbol. It appeared in many aspects of modern living and transformed itself in type of all-purpose-good-luck-charm, good luck merged with version for wishes-come-true; it became a symbol of hope spread across several areas.
In the fashion industry, for example, the wishbone is a common design in the art of jewelry. From necklaces to pairs of ear studs, the desire to have the wishbone type of a design is often sought after due to its aesthetic value and goodwill it signifies. It’s not uncommon to gift wishbone jewelry to wish someone luck or to express hopes for their prosperous future.
The wishbone has also been featured in tattoos where it is often used as a symbol of good luck or as a representation of personal wishes, or ambitions of different kinds. In home decor, furniture that is designed in the shape of a wishbone-referred to as ‘wishbone chairs’-has become an increasingly popular trend which subtly infuses meaning into an everyday environment.
Still, even in the digital world, the wishbone has been able to make an impression. For example, in a popular app by the name “Wishbone,” children are made to choose between others thereby creating the meaning of the wishbone as representing potential and power of decision.
The Wishbone and Folklore: Myth-stories and Legends
The wishbone carries with it quite the load of interesting myth-stories and legends that have fueled its use and need. Many of these such stories served to explain and expand upon meaning as well as tradition in the bone.
The Norse mythology also narrates of a wishbone that was associated with the apple tree. According to the myth, this ‘wishing bone’ would grant every wish one made, and so its acquisition led to a dispute between the gods. And finally, with time chief god Odin decided to obtain the boon to the worthier god thus introducing the idea of competition and a struggle connected with the wishbone.
Folklore makes a wishbone found on New Year’s Day particularly lucky – it was traditionally hung up over the kitchen door, and whosoever walked under it first who hadn’t been in the house over the New Year was invited to pull it apart and make a wish.
Even one legendary tale in English recounted that a maiden found a wishbone and hung it over the front door then the first man to walk under it and he would become her husband. This clearly proves that the wishbone was not only a symbol of luck, but it was an instrument of divination amongst love matters.
That this bone plays such an integral role in these myths and legends shows just how deeply it is ingrained in our collective cultural consciousness. For centuries it grew from the plain poultry bone to an object saturated by meanings, surrounded with a plenty of rich in folklore. Indeed, wishbone has quite gone far from its humble beginnings bolstering for iconic status clinching that it currently enjoys in varying cultures across the globe.
Scientific Perspective of the Wishbone Ritual
The scientific concept behind the ritual boils down to the basic principle of physics: tension and compression. The clavicles are fused together to form the wishbone or furcula, naturally strong since it carries pressure like an architectural arch. This is because the birds, especially those that are flight organs make use of it in the process of flying where it acts as a spring that stores and releases energy.
When those two people pull on the wishbone, there is not an even distribution of the pressure applied to the bone whereby it splits in half. Instead, it will break at one particular spot, which is under the most pressure or wherever appears to be less resilient than another spot along that bone. This unpredictability provides the element of excitement and randomness to the tradition of wish-making, a play of chance and luck as it were.
From a more statistics-based point of view, however, does the concept of the wishbone bringing in good luck have any base at all? Objectively speaking, none at all. Because luck is a psychological construct rather than a quantifiable variable, the belief that such objects or rituals could have an effect on one’s luck would definitely inspire an impact on the individual’s mindset and thus indirectly upon their actions and outcomes. This is what usually referred to as the “luck factor” or “illusion of control” and it actually proved that belief and expectation can be really potent.
Psychological Implications behind the Wishbone Tradition
The wishbone tradition demystifies the human mind, and to the concepts of luck, probability as well. Psychologists often refer to this practice as an example of magical thinking where the person believes that their thoughts, actions or rituals can somehow affect within the outcome regarding an event. This type of thinking, although logically unsound, is extremely prevalent and firmly rooted in many aspects of human culture.
The act of making a wish on a wishbone also demonstrates our love for ritualistic behaviors. Rituals can provide participants with a sense of control over indeterminate unruly events, as well as reduce anxiety and pain and also stimulate a sense in community and mutual experience. The ritual of breaking the wishbone does all these things, which is why it has been done for centuries.
Moreover, the tradition may emphasize the power of positive thinking. When encouraging us to make a wish and wait for a better tomorrow, the wishbone may help in forming a more optimistic state of mind. Research has shown that optimism may lead to having some positive benefits, and these are better general health, resilience, strength, as well as more satisfaction with life.
Essentially, while the wishbone may not magically embody any inherent properties within it, the tradition surrounding the wishbone is a potent symbol of our hopes and our dreams. It gives a material way to express our wish and keeps bringing back our shared human inclination for hoping and the custom and quest for good luck.
Wishbone Symbolism in Literature and Film
The wishbone’s symbolic power extends even further into the worlds of literature and cinema, often serving as a motif for desire, aspiration, and sometimes conflict. Its presence could subtly connote a turning point or the tension that might well be present between characters.
In literature, various themes have been used to describe the wishbone from signifying hope and desire to division and choice. In fact, most of the authors have used the phrase ‘break a wishbone’ as a metaphorical device to describe a turning point in one’s life or a decision that one has to come up with at such a moment where two choices present themselves.
So, for example, in the work “Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury, the character of Grandmother used the wishbone so as to describe, in an alert way, the end of summer. The broken wishbone became an effective symbol that time is merciless and happiness was not able for a long time.
In cinema, the wishbone could be a powerful visual symbol. It could connote longing for something impossible to attain, or symbolic of a choice that will then lead down different paths. An interesting example is depicted in the film “The War of the Roses”, where the wishbone scene was used as a metaphor for the competitive destruction between two people going through divorce.
Moreover, breaking a wishbone between two characters has the potential of creating an instance of harmony, conflict, or rivalry. This simple act can bring out character traits, relationships and underlying themes in a visually appealing and symbolism rich manner.
Including the cultural artifact of the wishbone in their narratives, writers and filmmakers tap it for its universal symbolism as well as its deep cultural resonance. Whether representing luck or dreams, conflict or choice, the wishbone therefore presents a versatile and potent symbol within the world of storytelling. Its power to convey complex themes in a simple, relatable way is testament to its enduring cultural icon.