1171 – Melted lead
- Physical description:
- 3 pieces of melted lead - example of type of divination where molten lead is dripped into water. Dates from Halloween 2002.
- Museum classification:
- Divination
- Size:
- 40 x 40 x 15 mm (largest)
- Information:
From a German divination kit.
In Austria it is still a widespread custom to use molten lead divination around midnight on New Year's Eve to predict your future for the coming year. A shape resembling a pig is considered particularly lucky. In fact it is also the custom to give model pigs or pig-shaped gifts as New Year presents.
In Finland small lead horseshoes are used - they are heated on a shovel over the fire (again on New Year's Eve), and then tipped into water, and a prediction made either from the shape of the lead or the shape of its shadow.
(Information provided by visitors to the Museum.)For lucky pigs associated with New Year, see the postcard object no. 3708.
- Resource:
- Object
- Materials:
- Lead
From a German divination kit.
In Austria it is still a widespread custom to use molten lead divination around midnight on New Year's Eve to predict your future for the coming year. A shape resembling a pig is considered particularly lucky. In fact it is also the custom to give model pigs or pig-shaped gifts as New Year presents.
In Finland small lead horseshoes are used - they are heated on a shovel over the fire (again on New Year's Eve), and then tipped into water, and a prediction made either from the shape of the lead or the shape of its shadow.
(Information provided by visitors to the Museum.)
For lucky pigs associated with New Year, see the postcard object no. 3708.