Description: Marie Laveau's tomb:
There's a popular 'voodoo tradition' that if you pick up a discarded piece of brick from an old crypt, mark three X's on the tomb (Marie Laveau's), turn around three times and leave an offering, Marie Laveau's spirit will grant your wish.
Here's the thing: it's not true. Not only is this not a voodoo ritual, but it originated from a journalist who falsely claimed to know Marie Laveau. The myth was perpetuated by the groundskeeper, in a misguided attempt to keep the cemetery from falling to ruins. He would elaborate the ritual depending on how stupid or rich you looked and would suggest leaving, ahem...money as an offering. Later he would return to the tomb, collect the amount and put it into the upkeep of the grounds and crypts.
The origin of the three X's stems from the signatures found on the tombs and family crypts. In early times, most were built by very skilled freed slaves who could neither read nor write, therefore each would have their own distinct markings as to differentiate who created which final resting place.
It so happened that the craftsman who constructed Marie Laveau's tomb's signature was three X's, thus starting the legend.
A word to the wise. Do not buy into the myth. If you're caught defacing a crypt, you can get fined up to $1000 for a first-time offense.
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