England was never just about the tea, crumpets, and fish and chips. England is full of culture and traditions that has been around for hundreds of years. Other than food, they also have their own royal family, superstitions, and more.

You may have heard of the phrase English breakfast, but what does it really include? A full English breakfast traditionally would have a few courses. It would first have a fruit juice, then a cereal, then the main course, and finally accompanied by some tea, toast, and marmalade. The main course consists of hash browns, sausages, eggs, baked beans, bacon, mushroom, half a grilled tomato, and sometimes black pudding or fried bread. These are usually taken during the weekends or on a holiday. Most visitors to England are treated with the full English breakfast, especially bed & breakfasts that makes the stay complete.

England is also home to some bizarrely named dishes. Black pudding might sound like a nice, chocolate-y dessert for some of you, but in actual fact, it is dried pig’s blood and fat. Sometimes, they are called Blood pudding to ease the confusion. There is also another dish: a boiled suet pudding with bits of dried fruit such as raisins added into it, named the Spotted Dick. Sure, it sounds dirty, but the origin of the word dick is from the word “pudding”, which was derived into “puddink” and “puddick” into what it is today. Faggots are actually a type of meatball made from parts of a pig. These are served with peas or herbs to add to the flavor.

Fish and Chips are also associated with the English culture. Traditionally, fish and chips are eaten directly out of the newspaper it is wrapped in and some salt and vinegar are added to the fish for flavor. Nowadays it is wrapped in more hygienic paper and a wooden fork is provided. The fishes are deep fried in flour batter to give the golden crisp and the species are usually cod, plaice, haddock or huss. Fish and Chips are also the national food of England.

England’s Queen is their Head of State, which means she is a representative of the country and has to perform duties like meeting ambassadors of other countries, placing wreaths during events like Remembrance Day and other ceremonial duties. The head of government for England is their prime minister and he is the one with the power over the country.

Although English superstition was more alive centuries ago, superstition is still what defines English culture today. The ladder superstition may be familiar to some of you – one should never go under a ladder because it means bad luck. This was rooted from the Bible from Jacob’s ladder, and since climbing up the ladder means going to the Heavenly Kingdom of God, going under one would be the opposite. If you do have to go under a ladder, you must keep your fingers crossed until you see a dog, but the reason behind this was never explained.

Black cats are symbols of good luck in the British Isles, whereas everywhere else it is bad luck. If a grey cat or a tabby comes into your house and stay there it means some money will come your way. Some English superstitions also say that animal behavior can predict the weather too. Tealeaves can also be used as a divination tool according to English superstition. The person must drink the tea first, then turn the teacup upside down and wait until the water has evaporated or disappeared. Then turn over the cup and look at the shape it produces. The first shape you see is what will happen to you in the future. There is a list of symbols for reading tealeaves here.

England also has its own celebrations and holidays. Some of the not well known holidays include St George’s day (23rd of April), Bonfire Night (5th of November), and Remembrance Day (11th of November.) St. George’s day is England’s national day celebration and St George is England’s patron saint. Bonfire Night is celebrated by burning “Guys” to remember the story of the English Catholics who plotted to blow up King James 1 and the parliament. Remembrance day is celebrated by wearing a red poppy in remembrance of the soldiers who died during the First World War, and the famous quote, which is an inscription on the statue remembering the soldiers, was “Lest we forget.”

There is definitely more to say about England than what is introduced here. A single article will not be able to cover everything to say about England and its fascinating and long-standing culture.