In Western Europe magpie was considered a bad omen, harbinger of misfortune. In the UK magpie belonged to the birds of worship and prophetic. In Ireland it was believed that magpies knocking on the window warns of impending death. In Scotland, the north of Britain to kill magpies meant imminent end of life for the offender.
*From Polish Glossary of symbols.
In Western Europe magpie was considered a bad omen, harbinger of misfortune. In the UK magpie belonged to the birds of worship and prophetic. In Ireland it was believed that magpies knocking on the window warns of impending death. In Scotland, the north of Britain to kill magpies meant imminent end of life for the offender. *From Polish Glossary of symbols.