Tea-Cup Reading, and the Art of Fortune-Telling by Tea Leaves | Page 7

may be mentioned triangles, stars, trefoil or clover-leaves, anchors, trees, garlands and flowers, bridges or arches, and crowns. Among the latter, coffins, clouds, crosses, serpents, rats and mice and some wild beasts, hour-glasses, umbrellas, church-steeples, swords and guns, ravens, owls, and monkeys are all ominous symbols.
SYMBOLS AND SIGNIFICATIONS
ABBEY, future ease and freedom from worry.
ACORN, improvement in health, continued health, strength, and good fortune.
AIRCRAFT, unsuccessful projects.
ANCHOR, a lucky sign; success in business and constancy in love; if cloudy, the reverse must be read.
ANGEL, good news, especially good fortune in love.
APES, secret enemies.
APPLES, long life; gain by commerce.
APPLE-TREE, change for the better.
ARCH, a journey abroad.
ARROW, a disagreeable letter from the direction in which it comes.
ASS, misfortune overcome by patience; or a legacy.
AXE, difficulties overcome.
BADGER, long life and prosperity as a bachelor.
BASKET, an addition to the family.
BAT, fruitless journeys or tasks.
BEAR, a long period of travel.
BEASTS, other than those mentioned, foretell misfortune.
BIRDS, a lucky sign; good news if flying, if at rest a fortunate journey.
BOAT, a friend will visit the consultant.
BOUQUET, one of the luckiest of symbols; staunch friends, success, a happy marriage.
BRIDGE, a favourable journey.
BUILDING, a removal.
BULL, slander by some enemy.
BUSH, an invitation into society.
BUTTERFLY, success and pleasure.
CAMEL, a burden to be patiently borne.
CANNON, good fortune.
CAR (MOTOR), and CARRIAGE, approaching wealth, visits from friends.
CART, fluctuations of fortune.
CASTLE, unexpected fortune or a legacy.
CAT, difficulties caused by treachery.
CATHEDRAL, great prosperity.
CATTLE, prosperity.
CHAIN, an early marriage; if broken, trouble in store.
CHAIR, an addition to the family.
CHURCH, a legacy.
CIRCLES, money or presents. They mean that the person whose fortune is read may expect money or presents.
CLOUDS, serious trouble; if surrounded by dots, financial success.
CLOVER, a very lucky sign; happiness and prosperity. At the top of the cup, it will come quickly. As it nears the bottom, it will mean more or less distant.
COCK, much prosperity.
COFFIN, long sickness or sign of death of a near relation or great friend.
COMET, misfortune and trouble.
COMPASSES, a sign of travelling as a profession.
COW, a prosperous sign.
CROSS, a sign of trouble and delay or even death.
CROWN, success and honour.
CROWN AND CROSS, signifies good fortune resulting from death.
DAGGER, favours from friends.
DEER, quarrels, disputes; failure in trade.
DOG, a favourable sign; faithful friends, if at top of cup; in middle of cup, they are untrustworthy; at the bottom means secret enemies.
DONKEY, a legacy long awaited.
DOVE, a lucky symbol; progress in prosperity and affection.
DRAGON, great and sudden changes.
DUCK, increase of wealth by trade.
EAGLE, honour and riches through change of residence.
ELEPHANT, a lucky sign; good health.
FALCON, a persistent enemy.
FERRET, active enemies.
FISH, good news from abroad; if surrounded by dots, emigration.
FLAG, danger from wounds inflicted by an enemy.
FLEUR-DE-LYS, same as LILY (q.v.).
FLOWERS, good fortune, success; a happy marriage.
FOX, treachery by a trusted friend.
FROG, success in love and commerce.
GALLOWS, a sign of good luck.
GOAT, a sign of enemies, and of misfortune to a sailor.
GOOSE, happiness; a successful venture.
GRASSHOPPER, a great friend will become a soldier.
GREYHOUND, a good fortune by strenuous exertion.
GUN, a sign of discord and slander.
HAMMER, triumph over adversity.
HAND, to be read in conjunction with neighbouring symbols and according to what it points.
HARE, a sign of a long journey, or the return of an absent friend. Also of a speedy and fortunate marriage to those who are single.
HARP, marriage, success in love.
HAT, success in life.
HAWK, an enemy.
HEART, pleasures to come; if surrounded by dots, through money; if accompanied by a ring, through marriage.
HEAVENLY BODIES, SUN, MOON AND STARS, signifies happiness and success.
HEN, increase of riches or an addition to the family.
HORSE, desires fulfilled through a prosperous journey.
HORSE-SHOE, a lucky journey or success in marriage and choosing a partner.
HOUR-GLASS, imminent peril.
HOUSE, success in business.
HUMAN FIGURES must be judged according to what they appear to be doing. They are generally good and denote love and marriage.
INTERROGATION (mark of), doubt or disappointment.
IVY, honour and happiness through faithful friends.
JACKAL, a sly animal who need not be feared. A mischief maker of no account.
JOCKEY, successful speculation.
JUG, good health.
KANGAROO, a rival in business or love.
KETTLE, death.
KEY, money, increasing trade, and a good husband or wife.
KITE, a sign of lengthy voyaging and travel leading to honour and dignity.
KNIFE, a warning of disaster through quarrels and enmity.
LADDER, a sign of travel.
LEOPARD, a sign of emigration with subsequent success.
LETTERS, shown by square or oblong tea-leaves, signifies news. Initials near will show surnames of writers; if accompanied by dots they will contain money; if unclouded, good; but if fixed about by clouds, bad news or loss of money.
LILY, at top of cup, health and happiness; a virtuous wife; at bottom, anger and strife.
LINES indicate journeys and their direction, read in conjunction with other signs of travel; wavy lines denote troublesome journeys or losses therein.
LION, greatness through powerful friends.
LYNX, danger of divorce or break off of an engagement.
MAN, a visitor arriving. If the arm is held out, he brings a present. If figure is very clear, he is dark; if