Red-Headed Woman

If a red-heded woman was 'ceilidhing' on New Year's Eve it was customary for her to bring along a piece of coal. When she entered the neighbour's premises she would have to give the piece of coal to the man of the house before she was allowed across the doorstep, but only if she was the first red head to visit.

If a red-headed woman was sighted by a fisherman on his was to sea it was believed to be exceptionally bad luck, so the man would turn on his heels and go home as no fish would be caught that day.

For a man to meet a red-headed woman on the way to his wedding was an omen of bad luck and the marriage was doomed from the start.

There is a belief that if a red-headed princess who dwelt in a castle fell out with her lover and refused to speak to him for several months she would be turned into a beautiful black cat that would be coveted by all but her former friend.

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