Superstition Gallery

Men-an-tol standing stones

Men-an-tol standing stones. This formation of standing stones is thought to be the remains of a Neolithic burial chamber, with the circular shaped stone forming the entrance. The stones were later the site of traditional rituals which involved passing children through the hole in the belief that it would cure them of tuberculosis and rickets. Photographed near Madron in Penwith, Cornwall, UK

© DR KEITH WHEELER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

An illustration of a divinity employing exorcism and throwing from a magic bowl five

CHT265564 An illustration of a divinity employing exorcism and throwing from a magic bowl five poisonous animals (w/c on paper) by Chinese School (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Cabinet de Medailles, Paris; (add.info.: snake; toad; spider; centipede; scorpion; used as a charm against evil spirits; charme contre les mauvais esprits; divinite exorciste, peut-etre Pian Kouan, faisant jailler du bol magique les cinq poisons, la vipere, le scorpion, le crapaud, le mille-pattes et l'araignee;); A© Archives Charmet; Chinese, out of copyright

© © Archives Charmet / Bridgeman Images

Exorcism or witches. Painting by Francisco de GOYA Y LUCIENTES (1746-1828), 1797-1798

LRI4664714 Exorcism or witches. Painting by Francisco de GOYA Y LUCIENTES (1746-1828), 1797-1798. Oil on canvas. Madrid, Lazaro Galdiano Foundation by Goya y Lucientes, Francisco Jose de (1746-1828); Museo Lazaro Galdiano, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: Exorcism or witches. Painting by Francisco de GOYA Y LUCIENTES (1746-1828), 1797-1798. Oil on canvas. Madrid, Lazaro Galdiano Foundation); Luisa Ricciarini; Spanish, out of copyright

© Luisa Ricciarini / Bridgeman Images