There are several explanations for this problem.
First, the broom is the symbol of the comet. In ancient times, there was another name for the broom star, which was similar in appearance.
Witches had a low status and recognition in ancient society. At the same time, witches come from people's collective legends and literary creation to a great extent. Using brooms as flying machines proves people's subconscious contempt for them. For example, when we scold a woman, we often use jinx's nickname. In addition, brooms are daily necessities, and using words as flying tools can increase the mystery of witches.
If a witch can ride a man's neck to heaven, it's a bit neither fish nor fowl.
The second is folklore books, from which we can know that broom is a kind of "symbol of sex". Abnormal sexual psychology can easily lead to hallucinations in women, which is the basic skill of witchcraft.
Thirdly, according to legend, brooms are the most commonly used means of transportation for wizards. /kloc-in the 9th century, a very popular American writer named Oliver Vendel Homas wrote the following poem on this subject:
Essex has many roofs,
He knew that they were symbols of witches and demons;
You can see clearly through the small square window.
The midnight witch flew out of there,
Sailing on a trained broom,
Like a shadow through the high zenith;
Through the orbits of owls and bats,
Hug their coal-black cat.
Women use this tool more easily than men, probably because brooms are used for housework, and men generally don't touch them. If wizards really want to fly, they usually ride pitchforks. Compared with Britain, witches in Europe and America fly more often on brooms, and the reasons have never been explained.
It is said that witches use a magical ointment to wipe their brooms and make them fly. Then, according to legend, the witch flew straight out of the chimney. This may be a very vivid statement, which evolved from people's practices in reality. People often stretch out a broom from the chimney to let neighbors know that they are not at home. Besides, it sounds a bit like a flying road powder trip.
Fourthly, I think it was actually an accident, and then such an accident was popularized and became very common, so in modern literary works, witches must ride brooms.
There are wizards in fairy tales, but there are few such names. In ancient times, female performers were called wizards and men were called wizards.
To find out the origin of the word "witch", we have to go back to the early history of human civilization. In fact, human society has a long history of imagining witchcraft, witchcraft and the devil with supernatural power. In ancient times, productivity was very low, and life was mostly determined by natural factors. When people need to explain the survival dilemma such as famine, poverty, epidemic diseases, natural disasters and man-made disasters, it is easy to blame everything on an unnatural or supernatural force-demons, wizards and genies. Even in today's highly developed science and technology, there is still a belief in witchcraft in an uncivilized society. At that time, the word witch was not derogatory, and its original meaning was "a woman with superior wisdom"
Speaking of witches, many people will see the image of witches riding brooms, right? But why do people associate brooms with witches?
Theory 1: Broom is a symbol that women undertake housework. In ancient times, women were in charge of family affairs, and the most indispensable tool for cleaning the house was a broom. Because almost all women have brooms, and most witchcraft practitioners are women, brooms have become the representative of witches. Furthermore, centuries ago, women would push the broom up the chimney or put it outside the door before going out, so that neighbors and visiting guests could know at a glance that their master was not at home. This habit reminds people that brooms are flying tools, and witches can fly out of chimneys on brooms.
Theory 2: Many flying ointments contain ingredients that can cause hallucinations. Rubbing it on the broom handle and riding on it will make people have the illusion of flying.
Theory 3: In ancient times, pagans held a ceremony to pray for fertile land in order to harvest crops, including the action of believers riding brooms or pitchforks and jumping and dancing.
Although during the Renaissance and the Middle Ages, Europeans believed that witches flew and traveled on brooms, it was not until the end of16th century and the beginning of17th century that the connection between witches and brooms aroused people's deep concern.
Looking through all kinds of pictures depicting witches flying against the wind with brooms, they are all rigid riding methods-the broom handle is in front and the broom brush is under. This way of riding with a broom behind the house is said to "sweep away the witch's flying all over the sky". In fact, in the late17th century, witches rode their brooms backwards-when the brooms brushed gifts, the brooms' handles were down. The reason is very creative-because the broom can be waxed, so the "future" will be bright.
Being able to fly freely in the air sounds enjoyable, but witches also have spells that fail and fall from the air. The consequences of losing a horseshoe are usually tragic, because people on the ground will take the opportunity to hunt her.
In addition to flying and sweeping the floor, Isobel Gaudi, a Scottish witch, gave the broom another function in the17th century. She claimed that every time she went out to a party at night, she used a broom as her body double and cheated her bed-mate husband, so he didn't even know she was not at home. Later, someone joked that this statement was not so much a confession of witchcraft as a comment on her marriage.
In folklore, brooms also have the function of guards. England and Germany believe that witches can't cross the broom placed on the threshold. References:
Tianya question and answer