From predicting the weather to forecasting other events, there’s no denying that this rhyme has impacted how we view and interact with our environment. Witches, Druids, Magi and such were once considered outside of normal society, after all, so this meeti just mean doing your own thing.

By counting the number of magpies one sees in a specific area, people believe they can predict whether it’ll be sunny or cloudy that day. Three for a girl, and four for a boy offer nature’s answer to a gender-reveal for any pregnant women that cross paths with a trio or quartet of Magpies. John Brand was a member of the clergy of the Church of England who spent his life observing and recording English folklore. The rhyme has its origins in ornithomancy superstitions connected with magpies, considered a bird of ill omen in some cultures, and in Britain, at least as far back as the early sixteenth century.Other common names for the magpie (Pica pica) are: bush magpie; chattermag (Somerset); chatterpie (Norfolk, Somerset); Cornish pheasant (Cornwall); haggister; longtailed nan; madge; mag; Margaret’s pie; maggit (Worcestershire); maggot (Lincolnshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire); magot pie (eastern England); marget; miggy (northern England); mock-a-pie; nanpie (North Yorkshire – Craven); ninut (Nottinghamshire); pianate; piannot (Cheshire); pie; piet (Westmoreland); pyat, pyet, pyot (Scotland); pyenate (West Yorkshire); pynot (Derbyshire); tell pienot, tell piet (North Yorkshire).

The second line, two for joy, contrasts with the imagery of a lone Magpie, with the sight of a pair together being a sign of great happiness. One of the world’s most recognizable bird species, the Magpie is also well-known to be an incredibly sociable bird once the breeding season ends. For example, the rhyme has been used as a way to teach children about counting, with each line representing a certain number of birds. The popularity of this version, performed by The Spencer Davis Group, is thought to have displaced the many regional versions that had previously existed. The important thing to note is that while the Magpie Rhyme is a part of British folklore, it is based purely on superstition, and magpies won’t bring you bad luck, no matter how many of them you see.In the 19th century book, A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar, a proverb concerning magpies is recited: "A single magpie in spring, foul weather will bring".

It’s a simple rhyme that is easy to remember and recite, and it’s seen many variations over the years.After all, these are no birds or prey or great grey shrikes with their bloodthirsty tastes; instead, they are handsome, highly intelligent birds.