Seventh Son Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tuberculosis

Scrofula, a form of tuberculosis causing swollen neck lymph nodes, was historically known as "The King's Evil". This name stemmed from the belief that only the divine touch of a consecrated monarch could cure it. It is actually a type of mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis, characterized by chronic, painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. It is directly related to tuberculosis because, in most adult cases, it is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it a form of tuberculosis that is not in the lungs.

The myth of the seventh son is primarily a Celtic folk counterpart to this royal power. By virtue of his unique birth order, this son was believed to possess an innate, hereditary gift of healing - specifically the cure for scrofula. He was thought to heal simply by touching or stroking the afflicted area, effectively democratizing a power otherwise restricted to royalty.

Answer: Vampire

The belief that a seventh son could become a vampire is a key superstition found in Slavic and Balkan folklore (particularly in regions like Serbia, Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria). The myth suggests that while the seventh son is typically endowed with positive powers like healing in Western European tradition, his status in the East can be a curse, especially if the birth blessing is forgotten.

If a seventh son was unbaptized or if his lineage had broken a superstitious taboo, he was considered susceptible to becoming an undead creature upon death. Lacking the proper spiritual protection, his unique birth order marked him as a target, leading him to rise as a vampire (vrykolakas) or a similarly malevolent entity that plagues the living.

Answer: Lobisón

The Lobisón or Lobishomen is a creature of Iberian and South American folklore, essentially the local version of a werewolf.

The superstition dictates that the curse of becoming a Lobisón falls upon the seventh son born in succession who is not properly sponsored by his older brother. It is believed that this son transforms into a monstrous canine or wolf-like beast during the full moon or on Friday nights, doomed to roam and attack people or livestock unless the curse is successfully broken.

The most common way to break this unfortunate curse is for a friend or relative of the victim to strike the Lobisón with a sharp object, such as a knife or a sword, drawing a significant amount of blood. This act is believed to break the spell through the shock and instantly return the creature to its human form. Killing it is discouraged, as the killer would know the victim when they returned to human form and bear the guilt forever.

Answer: A saint

The tradition of "marcou" in France refers to the popular belief that the seventh consecutive son in a family possesses healing powers. This gift is associated with the Saint known as Marculf (referred to in French as 'Marcou'), a 6th-century Norman monk renowned for curing scrofula (swollen lymph nodes) and boils.

This tradition, sometimes contested by certain clergy, is a result of popular belief and superstition and propagated by oral tradition.

Answer: Second sight

In many Gaelic folk traditions, the magical properties of the 'seventh' birth order extends also to females. The seventh daughter of a seventh daughter was generally believed to possess the gift of 'second sight' or clairvoyance, allowing her to see into the future, predict death, or perceive events unseen by others.

While in some cultures this was seen as witchcraft, in this tradition the gift was welcome, and often sought out to help with problems.

Answer: Caul

Being born "in the caul" (with the amniotic membrane still covering the head) was considered an auspicious omen across many cultures. For a seventh son, this double distinction, born with a healing gift as well as a lucky birth membrane, was believed to amplify his magical or healing powers, making him an exceptionally powerful healer or seer.

Answer: A silver coin

In local Irish traditions, the healing substance was chosen by the midwife and placed in the baby's hand to consecrate his power. Later in life, the adult seventh son would then rub this item before touching the patient, thus using it to transfer his innate healing "charm" to the afflicted area.

The object chosen was often a silver coin, a pinch of salt, or a braid, usually from the midwife's own hair. This would become the source of power for the seventh son, and losing this object was very unlucky and would negate the gift of the birth.

Answer: A black stone

This fascinating piece of American folklore surrounding the Connecticut Newgate Prison (originally a copper mine) tells of a powerful, seer-like object hidden deep within the mine's tunnels. This artifact was a black stone, sometimes described as obsidian or jet.

The legend stipulates that the stone's hidden powers could only be successfully activated and used by a highly fated individual: specifically, a seventh son of a seventh son who was born in the month of February. The stone was said to give the ability to either find treasure or predict the future.

Answer: Snakes

The Ciarallo is a figure in Italian folklore, particularly from regions like Sicily, who is believed to be a seventh son endowed with supernatural abilities. Unlike the healers of the more northern traditions, the Ciarallo's power was focused on the animal kingdom, making him a master of enchantment and summons. Specifically, the Ciarallo held complete sway over snakes, giving him the ability to communicate with them, enchant them to perform tasks, or command them to retreat. Often, he would be summoned if a snake were found in one's home.

This mastery over snakes reinforced his status as a person possessing both great power and danger, often placing him on the boundary between folk hero and feared sorcerer.

Answer: Sisyphus

The Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, are the daughters of the Titan Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione in Greek mythology. In order, they are Maia, Electra, Taygete, Alcyone, Celaeno, Sterope, and Merope.

Renowned for their beauty, they were relentlessly pursued by the giant hunter Orion. To protect the sisters, the mighty Zeus transformed them into a flock of doves, and later he set them among the stars, creating the famous star cluster (which is now associated with a meteor shower). This is why the Orion constellation appears to forever chase the Pleiades across the night sky.

The star Merope is often noted as the faintest because she was the only sister to marry a mortal (Sisyphus), and hid her face in shame. As the seventh daughter, her love was tainted in her choice of partner. Sisyphus was condemned by Zeus, for an affront against the gods, to eternally push a massive boulder up a steep hill in the underworld, only to have it roll back down every time it neared the top, thus ensuring his task was never complete.

Interestingly, in Māori culture, the Pleiades are called Matariki and their first appearance in the sky marks the beginning of the Māori new year.