The Magical Turkey Wishbone: Uncovering the History and Tradition of This Lucky Charm
As Thanksgiving approaches, families across America eagerly anticipate the iconic turkey dinner, complete with all the fixings. But there is one particular part of the turkey that holds special meaning – the wishbone. This peculiar forked bone is shrouded in tradition and folklore. So what is the story behind the lucky turkey wishbone? Let’s unravel its fascinating history and symbolism.
What Exactly is the Wishbone?
The wishbone, also known as a furcula, is located in the breast meat of a turkey, just above the cavity It is formed by the fusion of the two clavicles or collar bones. Its distinctive V-shape has led to names like “merrythought” and “lucky bone”
Wishbones are found not just in turkeys but also chickens, geese, and other birds. However, the turkey wishbone has become the bone of choice for ritual and superstition.
A Brief History of the Tradition
The origin of the wishbone tradition can be traced back thousands of years. The ancient Etruscans in Italy believed the furcula had divining powers They would stroke dried chicken wishbones while making wishes
Later, the Romans adopted the practice but wishbones were scarce. So they started breaking the bones in two and sharing the luck. The person who got the larger piece was destined for good fortune.
This custom traveled to England and then to America with the arrival of the Mayflower. Since wild turkeys were abundant, colonists began using turkey wishbones for divination. And thus a new tradition was born.
How to Break the Wishbone
The proper way to prepare a wishbone is to let it dry and become brittle for 3-5 days. Two people each take one side of the bone, hooking their pinky fingers around it. Silently, they make a wish then pull until the bone snaps. Whoever is left holding the larger portion gets their wish granted.
Other playful versions include balancing the bone on your nose before pulling or hiding each half and guessing which fist has the bigger piece. Many also carry wishbones as pocket charms. But for the magic to work, you must break the bone first!
Far Reaching Traditions and Symbolism
Similar wishbone practices exist across the world. In parts of India, Muslims break goat leg bones on Eid al-Adha. Chinese children break chicken bones during the Moon Festival. Scandinavians break dried cod heads on Christmas.
This worldwide resonance reveals the timeless, universal nature of luck and superstition. The wishbone embodies imagination, optimism, and our shared longing to influence fortunes.
Its V-shape represents cooperation, human duality, tenacity, and hope. Breaking the bone is a communal experience, bringing families together through meaning. And for the lucky holder, that little turkey bone fuels aspirations.
The Ritual Lives On
While its power may be more allegorical than supernatural, the ceremonial breaking of the wishbone continues to captivate. It bonds us through heritage and the collective desire for good luck.
So as you gather for Thanksgiving this year, take a moment to make a wish over the furcula. Revel in this peculiar yet charming tradition, as enduring as it is magical. For the wishbone remains an endeavor of hope, fortune, and the joys of gathering round the table.
The Assyrian evil eye
A popular evil eye talisman in Turkey’s Mardin province is the Assyrian evil eye, which either comes in the form of an oval turquoise bead with two horizontal holes to resemble eyes or a circular seven or nine-holed bead. They are often wrapped or embedded in silver or gold and are said to never crack when smashed or dropped. These beads are traditionally worn on necklaces.
In the Mount Kaz (Ida) region of Çanakkale and Bayramiç, there is a popular good luck charm carved from terebinth wood. The terebinth, or turpentine tree, is widely used in Turkey, including as an aromatic for coffee and as a soap used to shampooing hair, but it also serves a more spiritual purpose. The wood is carved into a tiered totem that is said to be the “life tree,” a reference to the woods ability to endure all difficult conditions. Smaller versions, which are about 2 centimeters in height, are used as charms on necklaces, while larger versions can be hung up on walls.
On every New Years Eve households across Turkey smash a pomegranate in front of their door, a superstition thought to bring prosperity in the year to come. According to superstition, having pomegranate ry in the home, in whatever form, can be symbolic and will also encourage prosperity.
The evil eye is everywhere
Dating back to at least the sixth century, the concept of the evil eye as a protective talisman persisted throughout Greek classical antiquity, the Phoenicians the Persians, the Roman Empire and the Ottoman era. While it is also the most popular souvenir among tourists, the evil eye in some shape or form adorns practically every home or place of business and can be found in the jewelry box of every Turk there ever was. The “evil eye” is generally a blues glass bead or object with a white and black eye at the center. The theory is that they distract from malevolent or jealous gazes, which according to superstition could result in harm or bad luck.
There are a variety of beads available in an assortment of shapes and sizes, with some made from recycled glass. The most minute can be used to adorn jewelry, while beads 1 centimeter in size are fastened to clothes with a safety pin, a regular practice for babies. Larger evil eyes are hung as is or incorporated into wall hangings and can often be spotted hanging from trees. The evil eye can also be seen hanging in trees. (Shutterstock Photo)
How to Identify the Parts of a Turkey
FAQ
What part of the turkey is good luck?
Expert-Verified Answer. The wishbone, or furcula, of a turkey is saved and snapped as part of a superstitious good luck custom.Nov 6, 2014
What is the lucky symbol in Turkey?
The lovely crystal blue eye charm known as the nazar boncuğu is by far the most popular good luck amulet in Turkey and is part of the Bodrum logo. These amulets can be found everywhere and are commonly sold in tourist shops as a small souvenir.
What is the turkey bone for good luck?
Breaking a turkey wishbone is a tradition that’s been around for thousands of years. It’s believed to have started with the ancient Etruscans in Italy who believed that chickens had magical powers.
Which part of a chicken or turkey is considered good luck to pull on?
The tradition of pulling apart the wishbone, or clavicle, may be as much as 2,500 years old. Ancient Etruscans in what is now Italy kept chickens in their temples to aid priests in interpreting signs of the future. When one of the sacred birds died, the collarbone was dried and saved.