Of the many superstitions associated with the crows and their corvid cousins, the crows and the urracas, counting crows seems to be the most popular.

Tradition began at some point in the 1600s, apparently, with the appearance of the first rhymes that referred to the Uracas in Europe, but we humans like alliteration, so keep in mind that this form of omen can be applied both to crows and to Uracas, according to their locality.

It is said that if your account gives bad luck, (especially if your account is one) your bad luck can be counteracted greeting the corvid in question, «greetings Mr. Cuervo/Magpie! I greet you.» A candy can also help, but a lonely corrido soon realizes where free food comes from. From then on, you may tell you daily.

Culturacrence or interpretation Western WesternSuperstition associated with the count of American crows The crows such as spiritual animals or messengers Folklore Celtalos crows such as omens or symbols of HindurímicoMitology Hinduos Cuervos as messengers of deities or ancestors Japanesefolloe Japanese crows as symbols of good luck or protection Africanolos crows as symbols of intelligence or cuniciamiology Nordidalos crows such as Odin companions and knowledge symbolsTable 1: Cultural variations

There are many rhymes associated with superstition that can be used for palms games and jump in the way and to help you remember your omens.

Keep in mind when counting crows that this only applies if the crows (or crows or urracas) are unusual in their area or in the place you are observing. If they live nearby, it is not an omen. They are only corvid passing the time.

In general (but not always)

• A corvid: bad luck, loss, death, unpleasant catastrophic change. (It should be noted that seeing a corvid would only be unusual, since they are gregarious species).
• Two crows – Good luck, an important change for better, joy.
• Three crows – a wedding or celebration, or the birth of a girl
• Four Crows – A birth, particularly a child, a new beginning
• Five Crows – Money Entering, Good Business
• Six Crows – Important change of money, it can mean loss or gain, depending on the rhyme.
• Seven crows: a secret, a mystery or a curse
• Eight Crows – An experience that changes life, normally positive
• Nine Crows – Love, positive recognition
• Ten Crows: A complete turn in luck
• Eleven Crows – News, surprises, hidden or revealed secrets
• Twelve Crows – Also good luck, culmination, realization
• Thirteen Crows – Completion, the end of a situation

The rhymes

A version, whose first part appears in A Murder of One of Counting Crows, says something like this:

The rest is probably something like this …

Another version, whose first part was cited by Pandora in the third season, Episode 1, of the television series Sleepy Hollow.

«One for sadness, two for joy. Three for a wedding, and four for a birth. Five for silver, six for gold. Seven for a secret … that should not be counted.»

The rest is probably something like …

In 1992, The Dictionary of Superstitions of Oxford University Press published this version:

One for sadness,
two for joy,
three for a wedding,
four for birth,
five per rich,
Six for poor,
Seven for a witch,
I can’t tell you anymore.

Other versions I have heard from «mouth to mouth»:

A crow sadness, two crows joy,
three crows a wedding, four crows a birth,
five brings money, six carries wealth,
Seven crows a secret, I can’t say it.

and

One for sadness, two for joy;
Three by marriage, four by birth;
Five to laugh, six for crying:
Seven due to illness, eight for dying;
Nine silver, ten gold;
Eleven a secret that will never be said.

More online information

• http://7thcrow.com/crows.html