literally, a son who was born as the seventh in
order and whose father was himself born as the seventh (son) in his family. According to a belief throughout the
Middle Ages, the seventh son of a seventh son was said to be endowed with powers of
healing,
ability to practice magic and to foresee
future events. The number seven was considered
sacred and mystical among many ancient peoples and has frequently occurred as a number with
special significance, as in the
Bible, seven days to
create the
world, etc.
a
reference to the belief that the seventh son of a seventh son was endowed with notable
talent and
supernatural powers. Seven was regarded as a
sacred and magical number among many ancient peoples. According to a belief that persisted through the
Middle Ages, the seventh son of a seventh son was endowed with the
power of not only curing diseases and disorders of all kinds, but also of practicing magic and foreseeing
future events. As
late as the nineteenth century many people still believed that the seventh son of a seventh son was a born physician and possessed
intuitive knowledge of the
healing art. The natural gifts of such a person were supposed to be more effective in medicine than the
professional training of an ordinary
doctor.
someone
thought to be lucky. The number seven is considered to be a
mystic or
sacred number thus, the seventh son of a seventh son is therefore held to be notable.