What is magpie rhyme?

The magpie rhyme is a traditional nursery rhyme used in the British Isles to count magpies and foretell the future based on the number seen. It exists in various regional variations, but the core concept remains the same.

The rhyme typically starts with:

• One for sorrow
• Two for mirth
• Three for a wedding
• Four for a birth
• Five for silver
• Six for gold
• Seven for a secret, never to be told.

However, after "seven," the rhyme varies significantly. Other versions include:

• Eight for a wish
• Nine for a kiss
• Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss
• Eleven for health
• Twelve for wealth
• Thirteen beware it's the devil himself.

The origins of the rhyme are unclear, but it is believed to be rooted in folklore and superstition surrounding the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/magpie">magpie</a>, a bird often associated with both good and bad omens. The number of magpies seen is thought to influence the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/fortune%20telling">fortune telling</a>.

The rhyme is primarily used for entertainment and is considered a lighthearted superstition, although some people may still take it seriously. It is a widespread element of British <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/folklore">folklore</a>.