When I sat down to write this article, I did not want to cover the popular superstitions, beliefs, charms, and sayings about ankles. I wanted to dig deep and find a few obscure facts about the lore of ankles.
And so, from India to the United States, from Ireland to China, here is a collection of ankle lore from across the world.
1. She Sprained Her Ankle
Pointing out a pregnancy was, at one time, considered rude. This was especially true if the woman in question was unmarried.
To avoid rudeness, other phases were used to note a pregnancy. For instance, according to the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue,
“A girl who is got with child, is said to have sprained her ankle.”
2. Jail
In the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, we also find the phrase:
“Spring-ankle Warehouse. Newgate, or any other gaol: Irish.”
How Newgate got this unusual name is not exactly known.
The prison once held traitors, felons, and debtors. It was also said to have been so filthy that the floor crunched when walked on due to bugs and debris. (Source: https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Newgate-Prison-Wall/)
“Spring-ankle warehouse” could have also come from all the hangings that took place at the public gallows.
3. Ointment Made of Ankle and Blood of a Weasel
If you are wondering if people ever used ankle bones in charms, here is an unusual find from The Mysteries of All Nations by James Grant:
“If an enemy desire to render any one hateful to friends and neighbors, to may be done by the touch of an ointment composed of the ashes of a calcined ankle-bone of a man, oil extracted from the left foot of the same body, and the blood of a weasel.” (P. 342)
4. Silver Anklet for Protection
I have heard that one should wear a silver anklet on the left side for protection and a gold anklet on the right side for the same reason. However, I found this little tidbit from the Encyclopedia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World (Cora Linn Daniels, 1903):
“A daughter born after many years of the parents’ marriage is considered very unlucky in China; such girls are therefore given a silver ring to wear on their ankles for protection.”
5. Thin Ankles Superstition
According to this same book:
“It is said that thin ankles indicate a tidy housekeeper.”
6. A Good-looking Ankle
Good-looking ankles and narrow feet mean that you are fond of literature and prefer privacy. The well-turned ankle is a sign of success.
7. Thick Ankles
Thick ankles, whether on a man or woman, are a sign of bravery. Thick ankles mean you are a great walker and a go-getter.
8. Dime Luck
At one time in the United States, silver dimes were considered very luck. People would wear dimes in their stockings or put them in their shoes.
Curious enough, people would also wear dimes around their ankles so that they would always step into good luck. (The Frank C. Brown Collection of NC Folklore Vol. VII: Popular Beliefs and Superstitions from North Carolina, Pt. 2, 2013)
9. Something Itchy
Superstition tells us that an itchy right ankle means money is coming to us. On the other hand, an itch on the left ankle tells us we should expect a bill. (The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions, 1999)
10. Hair Charm
Hair charms have always been a popular way to protect oneself and others, especially from the Evil Eye.
In the following account found in Omens and Superstitions of Southern India (Edgar Thurston, 1912), we find a mother protecting her baby with her hair tied around its right ankle.
“In an account of the Mandulas (medicine-men) of the Telugu country, Bishop Whitehead records that a baby three days old had an anklet made of its mother’s hair tied round the right ankle, to keep off the evil eye. The mother, too, had round her ankle a similar anklet, which she put on before her confinement. One of the men was also wearing an anklet of hair, as he had recently been bitten by a snake.” (P. 193)
11. Ankle Attraction
Finally, in 1916, this following short article tells us that a women’s ankles and men’s wrists are the main attraction:
“At last the sexes have come to an understanding! It is a man’s wrists that attract women and women’s ankles that attract men!
“No lesser authority that the Supreme Court here brought that out. Mrs. Rebecca Fogg, witness in an alienation suit, said the defendant in the case asked her how he could make himself more attractive to women. She told him it was the shape of a man’s wrist that counts.” (The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 16 Oct. 1916.)
I guess I will have to dig up some folk beliefs about wrists.
Extra: Gods of Ankles
Feet are governed by the Greek god Hermes, the Roman god Mercury, and the Norse god Odin.
Who knew so much attention was given to ankles in the past?
