In every culture and corner of the world, the notion of people (especially women) who possessed connections with the supernatural or could manipulate unseen forces has persisted. How was a witch identified in ancient times? What were the signs to identify a witch and symbols that raised suspicions and fears?
Religious and political tensions during the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe and its colonies, as well as fear of the unknown and uncertainty in times of social and economic change, contributed to the mass hysteria that led to witch hunts.
But that’s not all: the witch hunts were marked by a deep distrust of women and a deep-rooted belief in female inferiority and weakness. In other words, pure sexism and misogyny.
One of the Biggest Acts of Cruelty Against Women
Although men were also accused and convicted in witch hunts, women were the primary victims. Women were more likely to face brutal punishments including the death penalty, while men received less severe punishments.
Accusations of witchcraft were often directed at women, especially those who did not fit into traditional gender roles: independent women, widows, healers and those who possessed skills and knowledge considered out of the ordinary.
Witch hunts reinforced negative stereotypes of women as malevolent or dangerous.
Incidentally, marrying witches was a form of social and political control. At the time, women were seen as potential threats to the established power structure. Those who did not comply with social norms or challenged patriarchal authority were more likely to be accused of witchcraft.
Women’s Bodies as an Indicator of Magic and Danger
Do your moles, stretch marks or scars give you discomfort? In another time period you could be burned at the stake. In those days, witches were believed to have “devil’s marks” on their bodies, which were usually moles, scars or common “imperfections” such as stretch marks.
In addition, confessions obtained under torture were often influenced by misogyny, since women were seen as weaker and more likely to confess through coercion.
Signs to Identify a Witch
As it was already mentioned, in the 16th and 17th centuries believing in witchcraft was common and deeply rooted in many societies and systems of government.
These are some of the signs that were believed to indicate that someone was a witch:
1. Being a woman
Most people accused of witchcraft in Salem were women.
2. Being poor or unable to support oneself financially
Many of the people accused of witchcraft were poor or unable to support themselves financially.
3. Having a lot of money or being financially independent
Contradictory? Logical? Like everything else at this stage in history, the signs simply did not make sense. Some people were accused of witchcraft for having a lot of money or being financially independent, especially women. Any hint that a woman could live without the help or supervision of a man raised an alarm.
4. Knowledge of herbs and natural remedies
Women who had the knowledge of medicinal plants and natural remedies were often suspected of witchcraft, as it was believed that witches used herbs for their potions and spells.
5. Having a special bond with animals
Having pets, especially cats or black birds, was seen as a sign of witchcraft. It was believed that witches could communicate with animals and use them for their evil practices.
6. Old age and/or being single
Older women who lived alone or were unmarried were often seen with suspicion. Loneliness and old age were considered characteristics associated with witchcraft.
7. “Devil marks”
Witches were believed to have marks on their bodies that were desensitized from pain. The scars were thought to be where the devil had touched the witch, they would’ve been places that were unresponsive to normal sensation.
8. Eccentric behavior or isolation
Any type of behavior that was considered strange or eccentric would’ve been misinterpreted as witchcraft. Social isolation could also be seen as an indicator of this behavior. Any neurodivergence was interpreted as diabolical: anxiety, hysteria, schizophrenia, autism, etc.
9. Childless couples/with very few children
It was believed that the devil cursed the witches’ wombs with infertility. In addition, if their neighbors and their children are suffering in any way, it could mean that the jealous old woman who lives next door to them had bewitched their home.
10. Denying accusations
Interestingly, even denying being a witch could be considered a sign of witchcraft, as witches were believed to deny their guilt in order to hide their true nature.
This story was originally published in Spanish by Cultura Colectiva.
