Superstition in France?

Camino Chrissy

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MadridWay- Fall '23

• Oct 25, 2020

• #1

While walking on the Via Podiensis (Le Puy camino) during the month of June my friends and I passed many of these dried wreaths on doorways in certain villages and towns along the way. We asked a local resident what they were, and the answer was in broken English, so couldn't fully get the gist of the reply. I concluded they were some kind of superstition or tradition to ward off evil spirits from their homes.
Can anyone provide better information about these? I tried a google search, but found nothing about them.

 

henrythedog

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• Oct 25, 2020

• #2

It’s called a ‘cardabelle’ and is a good luck charm or protection against evil spirits. It’s from the thistle family and is also claimed to be a weather forecaster in that it curls up before bad weather. Possibly due to the change in humidity?

 

SabsP

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some and then more. see my signature.

• Oct 25, 2020

• #3

La cardabelle

La cardabelle est aussi le symbole du plateau du Larzac.

www.etapedularzac.com

 

amancio

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• Oct 25, 2020

• #4

Eguzkilore, flower of the sun, in Basque, traditional in the Basque area too. Protects the house against evil spirits and witchcraft

 

Camino Chrissy

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• Oct 25, 2020

• #5

Thanks, everyone! I had the right idea, but when I googled French superstitions, these thistles weren't one of about ten listed.
I knew I would find an answer here...isn't this forum just the best in many ways!

 

Isca-camigo

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Various ones.

• Oct 25, 2020

• #6

I am pretty sure they are the same wreaths that I saw on nearly every door in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert on the Chemin Arles, I could be wrong, so that is a mystery cleared up for me.

 

Texas Walker

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• Oct 25, 2020

• #7

henrythedog said:

It’s called a ‘cardabelle’ and is a good luck charm or protection against evil spirits. It’s from the thistle family and is also claimed to be a weather forecaster in that it curls up before bad weather. Possibly due to the change in humidity?

Click to expand...

Cardoon flower and top of stem?

 

Felipe

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• Oct 25, 2020

• #8

I would call that "a tradition"
In rural Mexico, people put Easter palms on doors and windows, until they naturally decay.
It is supposed to somewhat protect homes.
Or, simply, it is because they look good.

 

C clearly

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• Oct 25, 2020

• #9

Felipe said:

I would call that "a tradition"

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That's a good point. Many of our traditions of today have origins in beliefs and/or superstitions of the past, some of which we don't even know about today when we blindly follow the traditions. For example, I have just learned a lot by googling "meaning of wreath on door".

 

hecate105

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'09 Portuguese Estellas '14 Aurelia '16 St Davids '17 Via Augusta/V dl P. '18/'19 Michael Mary Way

• Oct 25, 2020

• #10

In the uk its traditional to use rowan sprigs for the same reasons...!

 

henrythedog

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• Oct 26, 2020

• #11

Texas Walker said:

Cardoon flower and top of stem?

Click to expand...

Yes, I think that’s it.

 

D

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• Oct 26, 2020

• #12

Look up "Corn Dollies". Similar tradition in the UK and probably all over Europe.

 

N

nathanael

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Frances, Norte, Plata,

• Oct 26, 2020

• #13

henrythedog said:

It’s called a ‘cardabelle’ and is a good luck charm or protection against evil spirits. It’s from the thistle family and is also claimed to be a weather forecaster in that it curls up before bad weather. Possibly due to the change in humidity?

Click to expand...

definitely superstition.

 

cathietherese

Catherine Davis

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• Oct 26, 2020

• #14

Camino Chrissy said:

While walking on the Via Podiensis (Le Puy camino) during the month of June my friends and I passed many of these dried wreaths on doorways in certain villages and towns along the way. We asked a local resident what they were, and the answer was in broken English, so couldn't fully get the gist of the reply. I concluded they were some kind of superstition or tradition to ward off evil spirits from their homes.
Can anyone provide better information about these? I tried a google search, but found nothing about them.
View attachment 86159

Click to expand...

Good noticing! I loved walking the Via Podiensis and want to return - you know when we can and all that.xo