| 词源 |
St. Barbara. The ancients held that persons struck dead by lightning were incorruptible and honored them. However, many used charms to protect themselves against lightning. The Romans believed that the eagle, sea calf, and laurel warded off lightning, while people in medieval times grew houseleek on the roofs of houses to ward it off, Charlemagne ordering all his subjects to do so. People still invoke St. Barbara to protect themselves against lightning. She is the patron saint of those besieged by lightning because a lightning flash killed her father after he had tortured her and was about to lop off her head with a sword. See lightning never strikes twice. |