Some of the most common superstitions around the world are based on outdated beliefs that date back centuries. Some of them have multiple origins, while others are more recent than you might think.
Are you superstitious? Do you avoid the number 13th, black cats, broken mirrors, and salt spills?
Part of our cultures involve things that we do because they are lucky, or avoid because they are unlucky. Often these behaviors are part of us from a very early age, and we stop questioning why exactly we believe them.
However, if we try to explain them to someone from a different culture, we may struggle to explain our reasons. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most unusual superstitions from around the world.
11. Achoo… Bless You
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A long time ago, people believed that a sneeze expelled demons out of your body, so saying “bless you” was a way to protect the person from demons.
Another theory states that in the sixth century, a plague wiped out many in Europe, so Pope Gregory urged the people to pray for the sick when they heard them sneeze and shout out blessings to protect them.
Which eventually led to “God bless you” when someone sneezed because sneezing was a sign that you might be sick with it today.
10. Don’t whistle indoors
Don’t whistle indoors In Lithuania, it is considered bad luck to whistle while indoors. This is because it is believed that it invites so-called “little devils” into the home. Doing so in somebody else’s home is considered to be rude.
9. Unlucky 13
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If you live in the US you might think of the number 13 as being unlucky. This superstition is so valid that the term triskaidekaphobia was coined for the people who have a fear of the number 13.
The number 12 has been long associated with good and completeness in Western cultures. Example:- 12 months, 12 days of Christmas, 12 zodiac signs, 12 labors of Hercules, etc.
The number 12 was considered perfect in the ancient world, so its successor 13 has got a bad reputation as a sign of bad luck.
8. Don’t shake hands in a doorway
In Russia, it is believed that if you shake hands with someone in a doorway you will become enemies. The standard practice is to wait until both people are inside to shake hands.
7. Happy birthday In Germany
Wishing someone a happy birthday before the actual day is considered to be extremely bad luck. For this reason, Germans usually meet and celebrate birthdays together as the clock strikes midnight.
6. Visiting a funeral
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In some Asian countries like India and the Philippines, you can’t go straight home after visiting a funeral, otherwise, a bad spirit might tag along and come inside your home.
In the Philippines, a person has to spend some time somewhere else to confuse the spirits. This is called pagpag (literal meaning: the act of shaking off dust or dirt).
In India, you’re sprinkled with Gangajal (Holy water) to ward off evil spirits.
5. Clock
In China, it is considered bad luck to either gift or receive a clock. For them, it means, “running out of your time”. Comment down if you believe in any of these or let us know if you know of any other bad luck you’ve faced.
4. Corner of the table
In Russia, unmarried young girls should not sit at the corner of the table. Otherwise, they will not get married for another 7 years. If you really want to stay bachelorette for a few more years reserve a corner of the table.
3. Knocking on Wood
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Surely we’ve all knocked on wood at some point in time, whatever the reason. One common superstition is to knock on wood or touchwood to avoid bad luck.
This superstition dates back to ancient Pagan times, when people believed that trees were inhabited by spirits known as Dryad.
And touching or knocking on the tree was seeking help from the good spirits that would protect them from bad luck.
In Irish folklore, touching them is a part of thanking leprechauns for good luck.
2. Itchy hands in Turkey
An itchy left hand is believed to mean that you will soon be paying out or losing money. An itchy right hand, however, means that you will soon be receiving money.
1. Black Cats
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Have you ever considered crossing paths with a black cat as bad luck? Poor black cats are blamed just for being black. It’s a popular belief in the West that, if a black cat crosses your path, it’s a bad omen.
Some Europeans believed that black cats were evil creatures, whereas the Indian explanation is that black represents Shani (harbinger of misfortune) and therefore brings bad luck.
During the Middle Ages, cats were believed to be the companions of witches, or even witches in disguise.
Whenever a black cat crosses your path, it means the devil is watching you. The relationship between witches and black cats continues to this day.
It is said that if a black cat crosses your path, then your day’s tasks get delayed or postponed. Probably this is one of the most common superstitions around the world.
The world is a big place, and often it’s all too easy to do something that the locals believe will bring bad luck.
All we can do is keep an open mind and remember that, as with our own superstitions and around the world, it may not be easy for people to explain their beliefs to us.
So what’s your favourite superstition? I think mine is from Turkey. Apparently, if you jump over a child, you are cursing them to be short. Forever! Did someone jump over you when you were a child?
