Double-yolk eggs: folklore and superstition

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I was very surprised – I can’t remember the last time I found even one double-yolker. I photographed them, as I wasn’t sure anyone would believe me without photographic evidence. You can see them in the pan along with a single-yolk egg, although one of the double yolks broke as it was cooking.

After I’d eaten my lunch – and it was scrummy – I did some research to find out what a double-yolk egg means in folklore and superstition.

I’d assumed a double yolker would be a sign of good luck and prosperity but some initial reading and web browsing came up with conflicting information. Some people even suggested that it would mean a death in the family. Others said a marriage was impending or that I would soon become pregnant – perhaps with twins!

According to The Encyclopedia of Superstitionsby Richard Webster: “Double-yolked eggs are believed to be a sign of good luck. (However, in some parts of Britain a double-yolked egg is a warning of death.)”

Baby Lore – Superstitions and Old Wives Tales from the World Over Re: Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhoodby Rosalind Franklin says that according to Romany Gypsy folklore: “Finding a double yolk in an egg means someone in the immediate family is pregnant. If the woman already knows she is pregnant, it means she will have twins.”

Well, being an optimist I am more inclined to believe in happy predictions than omens of doom. As I am already married myself, and not planning to start a family, I’m hoping my double yolk eggs mean good luck is coming my way, perhaps along with the news that one of my younger relatives is engaged to be married or expecting a new – and wanted – arrival.

The Encyclopedia of Superstitionswent on to explain the science behind double-yolked eggs: “Approximately one egg in every thousand is double-yolked. These are produced by hens who have just started laying eggs (as their reproductive cycle is still working out how to perform the task correctly), or by hens who ovulate too quickly.”

In case you are interested, the eggs were large free range eggs from The Happy Egg Co. I wonder if happy eggs are more likely to have double yolks than those produced by miserable hens in factory farms?

Links and previous related posts

The Encyclopedia of Superstitions
Baby Lore – Superstitions and Old Wives Tales from the World Over Re: Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood
http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/general-coffeehouse-chat-514/coffee-lounge-18/170237-double-yolk-eggs-superstition.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006032917586

http://chasingjamesbeard.com/?p=827

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Superstitions.htm

http://listverse.com/2009/03/25/10-odd-superstitions-about-food/