Chimney Sweeps are Lucky!



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 Lucky Love

Did you know that it’s good luck to see a chimney sweep on your wedding day, and most especially to shake his hand or be kissed by him? Many chimney sweeps today are still invited to weddings to help assure a good start to a happy marriage. The tradition goes back, so it is said, to a chimney sweep who lost his footing and fell from a roof. He was caught on the gutter and hanging by his foot when a young lass, whose hand was intended for another, reached through the window and pulled him in, saving his life. They fell in love and the two were later married.

The King’s Luck

 A Chimney Sweep is a sign of good luck, wealth and happiness. There are several legends why a Chimney Sweep is said to be “The” harbinger of good luck. One version of the legend has its origins in old England, where King George was riding horseback in a royal procession. A dog ran from the crowd, barking and nipping at the King’s horse. The horse reared, and to the horror of the crowd, almost threw the King! A lone figure, shabbily dressed and filthy, stepped into the road. He caught the horse’s halter and calmed the animal.

As quickly as he appeared, the man faded back into crowd. The King, wanting to reward the man, asked his name. No-one knew the man’s name, but many told the King that he is just a Chimney Sweep. The King declared that from that day that chimney sweeps should be regarded as Lucky!

 Photo: postcardcollector.org

Pigs and chimney sweeps are linked together in tradition as good luck charms. It once was customary for the town chimney sweep to tote a pig through the streets on New Year's Day; people paid a small sum to make a wish while pulling a hair from the pig. You don't see us doing that any more, and I'm sure the pigs are pretty happy about that; they probably weren't so enthusiastic about the custom, despite how they are depicted here.

Photo: polyvore.com

 http://www.cchimney.com/Sweepers.html/

 http://www.chimneynews.net