Victorian Death Superstitions Explained

The Victorian Obsession with Death and the Macabre

The Victorian era, a period spanning from 1837 to 1901, was a time of profound social change, industrial advancement, and a deeply ingrained fascination with death. While we might find some of their customs peculiar or even unsettling today, these practices were born out of a complex interplay of fear, respect, and a desire to control the unknown, particularly the transition from life to the afterlife. The Victorians held a unique perspective on mortality, often romanticising death while simultaneously developing elaborate superstitions to ward off perceived dangers from the departed.

This article will explore some of the most prevalent Victorian superstitions surrounding death, burial, and the mourning period. We will delve into the reasons behind these beliefs, the rituals they inspired, and how they reflected the era's anxieties about life, death, and the spirit world. Understanding these customs offers a window into the Victorian psyche and their profound relationship with mortality.

Rituals of Mourning: Protecting the Living from the Dead

A significant portion of Victorian death superstitions revolved around protecting the living from the spirit of the deceased. It was widely believed that the spirit, even of a loved one, could linger and potentially harm those left behind. This fear manifested in a variety of protective rituals:

• Covering Mirrors: Upon a death in the house, mirrors were immediately covered with black crape or veiling. The belief was that the deceased's spirit could become trapped in the looking glass, or worse, the first person to see their reflection in a mirror after the death would be the next to die. This practice aimed to prevent the spirit from finding a new dwelling or claiming another victim.
• Stopping Clocks: It was customary to stop all clocks in the room where the death occurred precisely at the moment the person passed away. This was not just a symbolic gesture; it was believed that leaving the clocks running would invite further bad luck or even prolong the transition of the spirit. Some believed that failing to do so would result in continued misfortunes for the household.
• Carrying the Coffin Feet First: When a body was carried out of the house for burial, it was almost always done feet first. This was to prevent the deceased's spirit from looking back into the home and beckoning another family member to follow them into the afterlife. The idea was to ensure the spirit couldn't cast a longing glance back at its former life.
• Turning Photographs Face Down: To further prevent the spirit from influencing or possessing living relatives and friends, family photographs were often turned face down. This was a visual barrier, a way of symbolically severing the spirit's connection to the living and protecting them from its potential influence.
• The "Waking" or Vigil: For several days before burial, the body was watched over continuously by family and friends. This practice, known as a "wake," served a dual purpose. Firstly, it was a safeguard against premature burial; in an era before widespread embalming and with a fear of being buried alive (taphephobia), the wake ensured the person was truly deceased. Secondly, it was a period of communal mourning and a final opportunity to bid farewell. The presence of flowers and candles, while also for remembrance, helped to mask any unpleasant odours before embalming became common.

Graveyard Anxieties and the Resurrection Men

The Victorian era also saw a rise in anxieties related to the sanctity of the grave and the potential for desecration. The demand for anatomical study by medical schools led to the illicit trade of bodies, with "Resurrection Men" (or "body snatchers") digging up fresh corpses from graves. This grim reality fuelled further superstitions and protective measures:

• "Bricking-Over" Graves: To deter grave robbers, some families would opt to have the grave "bricked-over" after the burial. This involved constructing a brick structure over the burial site, making it much more difficult for thieves to access the body. It was a tangible measure against a very real threat.
• The "Saved by the Bell" Coffins: The fear of being buried alive was so profound that coffin makers developed innovative, albeit macabre, safety features. These "safety coffins" included a system of bells, connected to the coffin's interior by a string. In the event of premature burial, the distressed individual could ring the bell to alert those above ground. This led to the well-known expression, "Saved by the bell."
• Grave Orientation: The practice of orienting graves with the head to the West and feet to the East is a very old custom. While it has pagan roots related to sun worship, Christians attributed it to the belief that at the Last Judgment, people would rise to face the Messiah coming from the East. This orientation was seen as preparing the deceased for their final awakening.

Omens and Portents of Death

The Victorians were highly attuned to omens and believed that various natural phenomena and everyday occurrences could foretell death. These superstitions provided a framework for understanding and preparing for mortality:

Common Death Omens:

The following were widely considered signs that a death was imminent:

• Sudden Raindrops: Large, individual drops of rain were often interpreted as tears shed by angels or a sign that a death had just occurred.
• The Cry of Birds: The mournful cry of a curlew or the hoot of an owl, particularly at night, was believed to foretell death. Similarly, if a bird pecked at or crashed into a window, it was seen as a death omen. A sparrow landing on a piano was also a particularly grim sign for those within the home.
• Unusual Smells: The sudden, inexplicable scent of roses when none were present was thought to signify that someone was about to die.
• Dreams: Certain dreams were particularly ominous. Dreaming of oneself, dreaming about a birth, or seeing an owl in the daytime were all considered strong indicators of impending death.
• Unexplained Noises: Hearing three distinct knocks when no one was there, known as the "three knocks of death," was a potent superstition suggesting that someone close to the hearer had died.
• Falling Objects: A picture falling off a wall without explanation was believed to portend the death of someone known to the household.
• Fireflies and Spiders: The appearance of a firefly or lightning bug inside the house was thought to signal an approaching death.
• The Diamond Fold: A diamond-shaped fold appearing in clean linen was considered a death omen.
• Dog's Howl: A dog howling at night, especially when someone in the house was ill, was a dire omen. This could supposedly be reversed by reaching under the bed and turning over a shoe.

Superstitions for Protection and Luck:

Just as there were omens of death, there were also superstitions aimed at warding off misfortune or ensuring a safe passage:

• Yawning: It was considered essential to cover one's mouth when yawning to prevent one's spirit from escaping the body or to stop the devil from entering.
• Funeral Processions: It was considered bad luck to meet a funeral procession head-on. If unavoidable, one was advised to hold onto a button until the procession passed. Conversely, rain falling on a funeral procession was a good omen, suggesting the deceased would go to heaven. Thunder after a burial was even better, indicating the soul's successful arrival in heaven.
• Spilled Salt: Spilling salt was an ill omen, and to counteract it, a pinch of the spilt salt had to be thrown over the left shoulder, the side believed to be where the devil lurked.
• New Clothes at Funerals: It was considered disrespectful and unlucky to wear new clothing, especially shoes, to a funeral.
• Speaking Ill of the Dead: Victorians believed strongly in not speaking ill of the deceased, lest they return to haunt the speaker or bring misfortune upon them.
• The Number Three: The superstition that two deaths in the family meant a third was sure to follow highlights a fear of escalating tragedy.
• Flowers: If a person had lived a good life, flowers were believed to bloom on their grave; if they had been wicked, only weeds would grow.
• Black Ribbons: If multiple deaths occurred within a family, black ribbons were tied to all living creatures entering the house, including pets, to prevent the spread of death.
• Flowers in Vases: Having only red and white flowers together in a vase, particularly in a hospital setting, was seen as a precursor to death.
• Umbrellas: Dropping an umbrella or opening one indoors was believed to portend a murder within the house.
• Graveyards: People were advised to hold their breath when passing a cemetery to avoid a similar fate. Whistling in a cemetery was strictly forbidden, as it was thought to summon the devil.
• Funeral Bills: A rather pragmatic superstition suggested that as long as the funeral bill remained unpaid, the dead would not rest in peace.

The Psychology of Superstition: Fear of the Unknown

At its core, superstition often stems from a fear of the unknown and a desire for control. Death, being the ultimate unknown, naturally attracted a multitude of fears and rituals. The Victorians, living in a time of rapid change and with a less scientific understanding of many phenomena, developed these elaborate systems of belief to navigate their anxieties. They sought to placate the spirits, protect themselves from harm, and find meaning in the often-unpredictable nature of life and death.

The superstitions surrounding death were not simply quaint traditions; they were deeply felt beliefs that provided comfort, a sense of order, and a way to actively participate in the process of mourning and remembrance. They offered a tangible way to deal with the grief and fear associated with loss, allowing people to feel they were doing everything possible to ensure the deceased's peaceful rest and the safety of the living.

Conclusion: Echoes of the Past

While many of these Victorian superstitions may seem archaic today, they offer a valuable insight into the historical human experience of death and grief. The Victorians’ elaborate rituals and deep-seated beliefs highlight a profound respect for the departed and a powerful drive to understand and manage the mysteries of mortality. As our understanding of science and the afterlife evolves, some of these fears may diminish, but the human need to remember, to protect, and to find meaning in the face of death will undoubtedly continue to shape our customs and traditions for generations to come.

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