Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Seventh son, daughter

Myths, folklore, and symbolism
seventh son, daughter: From the 16th century onwards, a seventh son (or, more rarely, seventh daughter) was widely thought to have psychic powers, usually as a healer, but sometimes as a dowser or fortune-teller; even more powerful was one whose father (or mother) was also a seventh son (or daughter)...A related idea was that a seventh son was destined to become a doctor, for he would have a natural aptitude for the profession; some said he would have a birthmark like seven stars. (Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore)

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