The superstition surrounding parting on a bridge dictates that saying goodbye to someone on a bridge risks permanent separation, a belief rooted in historical fears and symbolic associations. This superstition, like many others, draws meaning from the physical world, imbuing bridges with a significance beyond their practical function.
The foundation of this superstition lies in the symbolic role of rivers and bridges. Rivers naturally divide land, and bridges, acting as connectors, were seen as neutral zones, belonging to neither side. Parting company on a bridge, with each person heading toward opposite banks, was thus interpreted as a symbolic severing, mirroring the division of the land and increasing the risk of permanent separation. This belief wasn’t solely based on observations of the natural world; the underlying driver was often a fear of malevolent forces, particularly the Devil, prevalent in numerous folk tales.
Legends across Europe reinforce this association of bridges with danger and the supernatural. The legend of the Devil’s Bridge in Cardiganshire illustrates this perfectly. In this tale, the Devil offered to build a bridge across a ravine in exchange for the soul of the first creature to cross. While he anticipated claiming the old woman’s soul, she cleverly tricked him by sending her dog across first. Similar narratives exist elsewhere: in Frankfurt, a bridge builder sends a rooster across the river Main; in Switzerland, the St Gotthard Pass features the ‘Devil’s Bridge,’ based on a legend about the Devil preying on those who cross it after dark. These widespread tales cemented the bridge as a place of potential danger and demonic encounters.
Over time, these cautionary tales evolved. The belief that crossing any bridge after dark, or even being the first to cross a bridge at any time, meant risking an encounter with evil spirits, trolls (influenced by stories like the Norwegian tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff), or the Devil became prevalent. Marie Trevelyan, in her 1909 book ‘Folk Lore of Wales,’ noted that older people would often spit three times on the ground before crossing water after dark to ward off evil spirits and witches. This practice highlights the ingrained fear and the lengths people went to protect themselves.
The superstition further manifested in the tradition of sending an animal over a new bridge before the first human crossed. Bridge builders also often incorporated placatory gifts of money into the stonework of the bridge, indicating an effort to appease potentially malevolent forces associated with the structure. The idea of ‘blessing’ the bridge is still observed today with important community figures officially ‘opening’ bridges by smashing a bottle of wine against its side, ensuring safety for all who cross.