Need Some Good Luck?

I came across this photograph of my great-grandfather, Wilhelm Behnke, in Kellinghusen, Germany, and had to take a second glance. What I thought was him sitting at a table under and big tree was not a tree but a Schornsteinfeger (Chimney Sweep) In full gear. What? Why was he standing there, and what was going on?

Lucky for me, my stepfather, Joachim Festerling, is from Hamburg, Germany, and told me about the legend of shaking a Chimney Sweeper’s hand.

First, he MUST be in the traditional uniform, a black suit and top hat with gold buttons on the jacket. It is considered good luck to shake the hand of a chimney sweep. It is also considered lucky to rub the gold buttons on New Years Day.

Of course, I had to go home and look this legend up and found out it is even better to shake hands on New Year’s Day. Chimney Sweeps are considered lucky in many countries, and each has a different twist. But if you think about it and why the Chimney Sweep? It makes sense. Thinking back, the chimney was the source of heat and cooking. So keeping your chimney clean was very important to keep your home from burning down. I am surprised I did not know about this since I watched Mary Poppins so many times and the song says it clearly!

So the next time you have your chimney cleaned out, shake his hand (hopefully, he has the outfit on), and good luck will be yours. Plus, keeping your chimney clean is a plus!

By the way, do you see that vase of roses sitting on the table? Albert Behnke got his start back in Germany growing roses for his father. He brought that love of roses to America when he started his company in Beltsville, Maryland.