7th son of the 7th son

[EJV]

What is the mythology behind "SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON"?Is it biblical?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Iron Maiden, isn't it..? ;-)

[darth vader]

biblical? you've been reading too many fantasy stories. The 7th son of a 7th son is supposed to be born a wizard. (the 7th son of a 7th son of a 7th son is a wizard squared, according to Pratchett :-)

[Rabelais]

Errrr except that Pratchett was taking the mick out of the 7th son of a 7th son as he used 8th of 8 for his book. It is used in the bible apparently but predates that. And the 7th of 7 can do all sorts of old rubbish varying from precognition to healing ability and is prsent in loads of cultures.

[tartanwiz]

I'm only a first son of a second son, yet I'm a wizard!

[DOB]

In Ireland, the 7th son of a 7th son is alleged to have healing powers. By laying his hands on a wound or a sick person, he can cure them of any ailments. The most recent (of which I have heard) is a guy called Finbar ? from Longford (a small county in the middle of Ireland) which was in the late 1980's or thereabouts.

[kalise25]

Oi, DOB, Longford may be small, but we maay still be otherworldly/religiously powerful..... no mocking now!

[kalise25]

Whoops, I mean "may"!