fortune-telling

fortune-telling

* * *

      the forecasting of future events or the delineation of character by methods not ordinarily considered to have a rational basis. Evidence indicates that forms of fortune-telling were practiced in ancient China, Egypt, Chaldea, and Babylonia as long ago as 4000 BC. Prophetic dreams and oracular utterances played an important part in ancient religion and medicine.

      Predictive methods of fortune-telling include astrology (interpretation of the movements of heavenly bodies as influences on earthly events), numerology, and the utilization of objects such as playing cards, tea leaves, crystal balls, dice, fire, water, and scattered salt. Fortune-telling as a process of character analysis can take such forms as graphology (study of handwriting), physiognomy (study of facial characteristics), phrenology (study of contours on the skull), and palmistry (study of lines on the palm of the hand). See divination.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Fortune-telling — is the practice of predicting the future, usually of an individual, through mystical or supernatural means and often for commercial gain. It often conflates with the religious practice known as divination.European and Euro American fortune… …   Wikipedia

  • Fortune telling — Fortune For tune (f[^o]r t[ u]n; 135), n. [F. fortune, L. fortuna; akin to fors, fortis, chance, prob. fr. ferre to bear, bring. See {Bear} to support, and cf. {Fortuitous}.] 1. The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fortune-telling — fortune teller ► NOUN ▪ a person who tells people s fortunes. DERIVATIVES fortune telling noun …   English terms dictionary

  • Fortune-Telling —    Although comparatively few Gypsy women practice fortune telling, it provides a useful first or second income for those families who pursue this profession. Many Kalderash families specialize in fortune telling, with the daughters learning from …   Historical dictionary of the Gypsies

  • fortune-telling — I. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun Etymology: fortune (I) + telling, gerund of tell : the art or practice of telling fortunes II. adjective Etymology: fortune ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • fortune-telling —    The urge to know one s future takes many forms. Children count cherry stones or daisy petals, adults observe *omens and interpret *dreams; formerly, young women performed *love divinations on set nights such as *Halloween or *St Agnes Eve to… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • fortune-telling — noun or adjective see fortune teller …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • fortune telling — 1. noun The act of predicting a persons future. 2. verb Predicting a persons future …   Wiktionary

  • fortune-telling — noun The prediction of future events, especially those of a personal nature …   Wiktionary

  • fortune telling — for·tune tell·ing || ‚fÉ”rtʃn‚telɪŋ /‚fɔːt foretelling the future, predicting the future …   English contemporary dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”