A wishing well is a well, or body of water, into which people throw coins and make a wish. This practice was only popularized in modern times, and there is currently no consensus as to why this practice began or where this practice came from. The theories as to how this practice began range from old folklore regarding water being associated with the otherworld to copper being used as a water purifier. While many archaeological artifacts have been found in wells, most of these wells are dry wells and there is no conclusive evidence that wells were considered particularly lucky over other standing bodies of water. As for throwing coins in fountains, the first documented cases are during Roman times. Though the wishing well custom spread through Europe, Asian cultures and American Native cultures also have water-wishing traditions. Though folklorists through history have suggested that this practice is contiguous, historians have not confirmed a contiguous or unifying ancient tradition and have noted that the current practice is entirely modern superstition.
Oligodynamic effect Another theory is that people may have unknowingly discovered the biocidal properties of both copper and silver; the two metals traditionally used in coins. Throwing coins made of either of these metals could help make the water safer to drink. Wells that were frequented by those that threw coins in may have been less affected by a range of bacterial infections making them seem more fortunate and may have even appeared to have cured people suffering from repeated infections.
Extent In November 2006 the "Fountain Money Mountain" estimated that tourists throw just under 3 million pounds sterling per year into wishing wells. The study was commissioned by Teamspirit, a financial services marketing agency which urged people to donate to charity instead.
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Wishing Wells And Superstitions
