Keys have been used as a symbol of authority1 and power for ages in manysocieties and ceremonies around the world. The key is also a symbol of freedomand liberation2.

多年來，鑰匙在世界各地的許多社會(huì)和儀式中都被用作權(quán)威和權(quán)力的象征。鑰匙也是自由和解放的象征。

Key Superstitions3

關(guān)于鑰匙的迷信

Earlier it was not uncommon in the Western world that the midwives4 wouldplace a key in the hand of a woman giving birth. The key was meant to“unlock”the baby and ensure a safe delivery5 of the baby.

In Eastern Europe there was a superstition that the key had the power toprevent all bad dreams. To make this work， a key was hung upside down on thewall over the bed.

In Ionia， located in present day Turkey， there was a tradition to bury the deadwith an iron key. It was important the dead could unlock the door to the underworld.

早些時(shí)候，在西方世界，助產(chǎn)士把鑰匙放在正在分娩的婦女手中的情況并不罕見。這把鑰匙是為了“解鎖”嬰兒，確保嬰兒安全降生。

在東歐有一種迷信，認(rèn)為鑰匙有防止所有噩夢的力量。為了達(dá)成這一點(diǎn)，人們把一把鑰匙倒掛在床頭的墻上。

在愛奧尼亞（位于今天的土耳其），有用鐵鑰匙陪葬的傳統(tǒng)。死者能夠打開通往陰間的大門是很重要的。

Janus-Ancient Roman God of the Gates and Doors

雅努斯——古羅馬的門神

Janus was the two-faced Roman god of gates. He could look in both directionsat the same time. He could see the past as well as the future. Janus was thebeginning and the end. He could grant success and new opportunities. He issometimes shown carrying keys in his left hand and his staff in his right hand. Januswas the god of new beginnings. The month of January is named after him.

雅努斯是羅馬的雙面門神。他可以同時(shí)注視兩個(gè)方向。他既能看到過去，也能看到未來。雅努斯是開始，也是結(jié)束。他可以賜予成功和新的機(jī)會(huì)。他有時(shí)以左手拿著鑰匙，右手拿著長杖的形象出現(xiàn)。雅努斯是新開端之神。一月是以他的名字命名的。

The Ceremony of the Keys

鎖閘儀式

The Ceremony of the Keys is quite famous. It takesplace in the Tower of London every single night. It is a gateclosing ritual6 performed by Yeoman Warders7. Thisceremony is a very old tradition. It has been performed everysingle night at 21：52 for the past 700 years. Earlier it wasmore about protecting members of the royal family and otherimportant people staying at the Tower of London. Today it ismostly about protecting the crown8 jewels. This ceremony isvery popular. It is possible to attend， but they do not allow any pictures to be taken.

鎖閘儀式很有名。它每晚都會(huì)在倫敦塔上演。這是一種由塔樓守衛(wèi)執(zhí)行的鎖門儀式。這個(gè)儀式是一個(gè)非常古老的傳統(tǒng)。在過去的700 年里，它在每晚的21：52上演。早些時(shí)候，它更多的是為了保護(hù)王室成員和其他入住倫敦塔的重要人物。如今，它主要是為了保護(hù)王冠上的珠寶。這個(gè)儀式非常受歡迎。你可以參加，但拍照是不允許的。

Key Charm9 and Necklace

鑰匙掛飾和項(xiàng)鏈

A key charm or a key necklace is a popular gift to give on importantbirthdays as the 16th， 18th and 21st birthday. It symbolizes opening doors for abrighter future.

Many may wear a key charm or necklace when looking for a job or a changeof work place. It is believed to be an amulet10 that will help the wearer to finddoors of opportunity.

Some people will buy a key charm for themselves when they move into anew home. This will ensure a happy home.

In Japan it is not uncommon to find charms made up of three keys joinedtogether. The three keys are said to unlock the secrets to wisdom， life and love.

鑰匙掛飾或鑰匙項(xiàng)鏈?zhǔn)窃?6 歲、18 歲和21 歲等重要生日時(shí)最受歡迎的禮物。它象征著為更光明的未來敞開大門。

許多人在找工作或換工作地點(diǎn)時(shí)可能會(huì)戴上一個(gè)鑰匙掛飾或項(xiàng)鏈。它被認(rèn)為是一個(gè)護(hù)身符，可以幫助佩戴者找到機(jī)會(huì)之門。

有些人搬進(jìn)新家后會(huì)給自己買一個(gè)鑰匙掛飾。這將保佑他們有一個(gè)幸福的家。

在日本，由三把鑰匙連在一起組成的小飾品并不少見。據(jù)說這三把鑰匙可以解開智慧、生命和愛情的秘密。

（英語原文選自：goodlucksymbols.com）