The Wishbone: A Symbol of Good Luck and Tradition

The Wishbone

The wishbone sits in front of a bird's breast, mostly in turkeys and chickens. This small, Y-shaped bone brings good luck and tradition to the dinner table.

Ancient people believed the wishbone held magical powers. They pulled it apart with friends, hoping the one with the bigger piece would have their wish granted.

Today, families still practice this tradition, especially during holiday meals. Everyone loves making a wish before snapping the bone.

Removing the wishbone is easy. After cooking the bird, locate it at the front of the breast.

Pull it out gently with your fingers or use tweezers. Take care not to tear the meat around it. Once you’ve removed the bone, break it to make a wish, or save it for a fun craft project.

In this post, we’ll explore the wishbone’s rich history, symbolism, and simple steps for removing it. Whether you’re roasting a turkey or chicken, the wishbone adds a playful, lucky moment to your meal.

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In the turkey's realm, where feasts are thrown,

Lies a little bone, by tradition honed.

Two eager souls, with wishes sewn,

Each pulls a side, their hopes full-blown.

Snap! One wins, the other groans,

Oh, wishbone, the game you've shown!

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Wishbone History

The wishbone tradition dates back thousands of years, beginning with ancient cultures and growing through superstitions about luck and fortune.

Around 3,000 years ago, the Etruscans in Italy started this practice. They believed chickens held mystical powers and viewed the wishbone, or furcula, as a symbol of good fortune. After drying the bone, they stroked it while making wishes, hoping their desires would come true.

The Romans later adopted this tradition and spread it as their empire expanded across Europe. They called the wishbone luculum and used it in rituals to predict the future.

Over time, people embraced the wishbone as a good luck charm. In medieval Europe, diners saved the bone from meals and made wishes on it, much like we do today.

The term "wishbone" likely emerged in the 17th century, tied to its role in wish-making. By the 16th century, people in England began breaking the bone to see who would get the larger piece — and the wish that came with it.

This custom traveled across the Atlantic and became popular in America, especially at Thanksgiving. Today, families and friends everywhere still enjoy breaking the wishbone for fun and good fortune. The tradition continues to connect us to centuries of history and a shared hope for a little extra luck.

Cutting the Wishbone Out from the Bird

Cutting out the wishbone from a turkey or chicken is a tradition in many households, especially around Thanksgiving. Here's how you can do it:

1. Locate: After roasting the bird, let it rest for a few minutes to make handling easier. The wishbone is located at the front of the breast, between the neck and the wings. You may need to gently remove any surrounding meat or tissue to expose it fully.
2. Expose: Once you've located the wishbone, you can use your fingers or a small, sharp knife to loosen the meat and tissue around it, making sure it is fully exposed and easy to access.
3. Grasp: Firmly grasp the exposed wishbone between your thumb and forefinger, gently avoiding breaking it prematurely.
4. Make the Incision: Using a small, sharp knife or poultry shears, carefully make an incision along both sides of the wishbone, cutting through the connecting tissue. Start at the top of the wishbone, near the neck, and work your way down to the base, near the breast.
5. Remove: Once you've made the incisions on both sides, gently wiggle and twist the wishbone to loosen it from the surrounding meat and tissue. Be patient and take your time to avoid breaking it.
6. Pull Out: Once loosened, grasp it firmly and carefully pull it out of the bird's carcass. It should come out relatively easily if you've properly loosened it and made the necessary incisions.
7. Make a Wish: Tradition holds that whoever ends up with the larger piece of the wishbone after it's been broken gets to make a wish. Hold one end of the wishbone while someone else holds the other, then pull it apart. The person with the larger piece gets to make a wish, which is said to come true if the bone breaks cleanly.

Remember to handle the wishbone delicately to avoid breaking it prematurely, and enjoy this fun and festive tradition with your friends and family!

What They Are Called in Other Countries

The wishbone, or furcula as it's scientifically known, has different names in various countries and cultures:

1. United Kingdom: In the UK, it is often referred to simply as the "wishbone" or sometimes as the "merrythought."
2. United States: In the United States, it's commonly known as the "wishbone."
3. Italy: In Italy, it is called the "sterno," which translates to "chestbone" or "breastbone."
4. France: In France, it's known as the "bréchet," which also refers to the bird's breastbone.
5. Spain: In Spain, it's called the "cacho de la suerte," which translates to "lucky bone."
6. Germany: In Germany, it's known as the "Wunschbein," which translates to "wishbone."
7. Russia: In Russia, it's called "kolodka," which means "small bone."
8. China: In China, it's known as the "jianzi," which translates to "bird's foot bone."

These are just a few examples of the various names for the wishbone around the world, each reflecting the unique cultural and linguistic heritage of different regions. Despite the different names, the tradition of making wishes on the wishbone remains a universal symbol of hope, luck, and good fortune.