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Apotropaic magic (from Greek αποτρέπω, apotrépō 'to ward off') or protective magic is a type of magic intended to turn away harm or evil influences, as in deflecting misfortune or averting the evil eye.
Alternatively, prey animals may ward off attack, whether by advertising the presence of strong defences in aposematism, by mimicking animals which do possess such defences, by startling the attacker, by signalling to the predator that pursuit is not worthwhile, by distraction, by using defensive structures such as spines, and by living in a group.
This innocent meaning may exist alongside the obscene one. [5] In Portugal, Brazil, and some places in Spain, such as Galicia and Asturias, it is a gesture of good luck, or even wishing good luck. It is also believed to ward off evil eye and protect oneself from evil.
In its native Himalayas the plant is best known under its Kumaoni name भूतकेशी (bhutkeshi), meaning ghost's hair [2] - in reference to the fibres derived from dead petioles surrounding the top of the rootstock, which are traditionally used to ward off the evil spirits known as bhuts - and it is under this name that the dried root is traded locally.
Instead, their morphology is frequently tough and resistant to injury, thereby allowing them to escape once the predator is warned off. [ 50 ] Aposematic species do not need to hide or stay still as cryptic organisms do, so aposematic individuals benefit from more freedom in exposed areas and can spend more time foraging, allowing them to find ...
As opposed to "no offense", absit invidia is said in the context of a statement of excellence, to ward off envious deities who might interpret a statement of excellence as hubris. Also extended to absit invidia verbo ("may ill will/envy be absent from these words"). cf. absit iniuria verbis. [3] absit omen: absent from omen
Omamori are also used to ward off bad luck and are often spotted on bags, hung on cellphone straps, in cars, etc. Omamori have changed over the years from being made mostly of paper and/or wood to being made out of a wide variety of materials (i.e. bumper decals, bicycle reflectors, credit cards, etc.). [ 2 ]
Shocked, Wang returns to the Taoist priest and begs him to help. The priest agrees but ambivalently wishes to be lenient with a fellow sentient being, and thus offers Wang only a charm meant to ward off demons. [4] [a] Wang returns home and hangs the charm outside his bedroom; but it has no effect on the demon.