Why is it traditional for an actor to draw a tree on your stomach before a show?

Question

I was reading an article on theatre traditions and superstitions and it told me about it, but I can't find an answer why. Any theroies or explanitions? Thanks!

Answer 1

I have to agree with 1 and 2,,, HUH?????

   I also very seriously doubt, anyone wants to actually BREAK A LEG.

  I'd be most interested in knowing the article and where you found it.

Answer 2

Theater people tend toward the superstitious. But then, so do athletes and farmers.

Answer 3

I have been in this for over 50 years and never heard that one.

Answer 4

I've never heard of that before and I've been in theatre for almost 6 years now.... I'm sure somebody does it as a superstiton.... but I can't give you an answer why.

Answer 5

Never heard of "tree drawing"

Strange!

Answer 6

people who do that are weird.

Answer 7

Actually, this practice has been around as far back as the ancient Greek and Roman theatre days. But, the images were not restricted to vegetation or foliage. These actors would likewise make a picture on their body, of the deity/energy they wished to harness during performance. Back then, people had a deeper connection to images, symbols, and signs then we do today. So, they had no trouble in associating the drawn image on their body with the god/goddess working through that image in order to bring the Spirit of the god/goddess into their performance.