Superstitions List

Superstition is the state of believing something without any evidence or proof. In this superstitions list we explore  beliefs, folktales– general concept not based on knowledge. Some superstitions sometimes affects the normal lives of people who believes in them. Superstitions  also called “old wives tales ” , are  often times observed by many whose traditions still embraces superstitions.

Chillies and Lemons hung at their shops or stores doors or entrances, houses or offices to ward off “evil eyes ” or “drishti”.

In India, the “evil eye” is one of the most famous superstitions, people hung Nazar-battu mask on their doors or entrances to cast away evil spirits.

Hamsa in Arabic, or Khamsa, which means light or hand of Fatima or hand of Miriam, is a palm-shaped amulet which is famous in North Africa and in the Middle East. It is used as a symbol to individuals from the Evil Eye. The Khamsa (the hands) means protection, blessings, power and strength. Some images are painted in red or in blood and are placed on the walls inside the houses to protect those who believe from evil spirits.

 

Next on our Superstitions List is the  Lucky cat or Maneki Neko which is believed to  bring luck , wealth and success in businesses– You’ll often times see a Maneki Neko in Chinese Restaurants and Asian Stores.

In Ireland, St Brigid’s Crosses woven from weeds called “rush”, are kept indoors to ward off illness and bad luck.

 

The  people from Roma and Ireland sell sea-lavender flowers, to bring good luck and provide a safe travel.

Eye Twitching- especially the left eye, means good luck and good sign in China; while in India, it means failure or unsuccessful business.

Superstitious belief and Meaning of your dreams:

Dog barking at you in your dreams means a fight in your house or quarrel with love ones will occur. Also, a Howling dog in superstitious terms is considered as a bad omen and is interpreted to have an upcoming death in the family.

Lizard in your dream, means an enemy will attempt to harm you.

Crying of an owl, infront of your house brings bad news. It also means death in the family or relatives.

White butterfly if seen on the very first day of the year, means prosperous year for the person; while a black butterfly that approaches you means bad omen or death of a member of a family.

Superstitions List: Why is a black cat considered bad luck?

The most common superstitions is the bad luck by a Black cat that will cross your way. It is considered to be a bad sign. When the black cat approaches one person, it brings good luck or good fortune, but when the cat turns away from you, it means the cat takes away the luck.

Friday the 13th is the most popular superstitions around the world, it means day of bad luck. In ancient Christianity belief, The Last Supper had 13 disciples, Judas Iscariot was the 13th disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ; It is also believed that Jesus Christ has died on Friday the 13th.

Crow is a negative sign and is often times interpreted to have an  illness or death within family.

Wryneck or Jinxtorquilla birds, can twist their heads, if disturbed from their nest and used their snake-like hissing to threat their predators. These jinx bird are commonly found in Africa and Eurasia. The superstition behind this bird is that if it ever approached you or twist their head toward you, it could mean that jinx or unfortunate events are heading along your way.

Passing under the ladder brings bad luck to the person who walks under the ladder.

Breaking a mirror, means 7 years of bad luck; but if the mirror was broken accidentally, it would mean a death in your family.

An acorn kept in the window means protecting your house from lightning.

A Four-leaf clover, is a sign of good luck for the whole year.

A horseshoe hung in the bedroom, keeps you away from bad dreams or nightmares. Horseshoe should be hung on door entrances, ends pointing upward to bring good fortune.

A rabbit foot brings good luck – people who believe in this superstition uses a rabbit foot as key chains, pendants or lucky charms .

If the wedding ring was accidentally dropped by the groom it is said to represent a marriage that won’t last long.

Fitting a wedding dress, before the wedding date in superstitious terms will mean that the wedding will be canceled or the groom will meet a bad fate.

In Russia, if it rains on your wedding day, it means the couple will become wealthy and successful with their married life. In the Philippines, this superstition represents happiness.

If you give an empty wallet as a gift, the receiver will have bad luck.

You should put some amount inside the wallet to bring good luck, to the receiver.

Never turn a loaf of bread , upside-down after a slice has been cut, it brings bad luck.

After consuming the other side of the fish, you should not turn on the fish, you should remove the fish bones. Turning the fish means bad luck especially among Asians.

Sign of Horns has many kind of meaning, a hand gesture used by different cultures of different regions or countries, a superstitious belief, to avoid bad luck or misfortune.

In Australia crossing finger is a sign of “hope” or “wish” which is expected to be granted; In some countries, these hand gesture, are superstitious beliefs of wishing good luck or keeping a promise to fulfill. If you crossed-fingers behind your back, it means you wont keep that promise and you are lying.

Sacred Granite stone, a Malaysian-Chinese-Singaporean  beliefs, that offering flowers, fruits, holy water and prayers can seek good fortune, good luck and successful business. In order to bring wealth and fortune, a person must bathe the stone. Many years ago the said ‘granite stone’ was abandoned, but was found again in Bukit Minyak in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the news spread and many worshipers come to this place to offer fruits, flowers, water and prayers.

Words written on a lamp post found in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which was translated as ” showing suggesting that future success that stars brings wealth and good fortune to me”.

Birds on windows, a superstitious belief in Russia; the birds on the window must be chased away to avoid potential misfortune and death of a loved one.

If chicken crows at you three times, before noon, death of a close relative or family member is expected to happen. The chicken should be killed, but should not be eaten, or it could bring bad luck.

Hiding your thumb in your fist (as clenching your hands), when a funeral hearse pass, to protect your parents, if you don’t do this it your parents will face death. This is a Japanese superstitious belief, in which  the thumb symbolizes  “parent finger” and hiding it, means you are protecting your parents from harm.

If you are going somewhere, and forgot something at home, returning home , is a bad omen; but if it is important to you to go back , you should look in the mirror before leaving home again, to prevent the hardship .

In Japan, the superstitions of breaking a comb or strap of Geta wooden sandal, is a bad and therefore can bring misfortune.

In Japan, 4 and 9 are unlucky numbers. Four is pronounced as shi which means death. Nine is pronounced as ku , which means suffering, they also believe in 13 as unlucky number. Four and nine, don’t exist in hospitals and hotel room numbering, especially in the maternity section of any hospitals, the room number 43 is not used because it means stillbirth.

Hotei,fat and happy god; Jurojin, god of longevity, Fukurokuju,god of happiness, wealth and longevity; Bishamonten, god of warriors; Benzaiten (Benken-sama) goddess of knowledge, art and beauty; Daikokuten (Daikoku) god of wealth, commerce and trade. Ebisu and Daikoku are paired most often. These symbols and decorations are often placed in shops and other business to bring together a harmonious fortune.

The second to the last on our superstitious list is the 7th Son of a 7th son is a belief, that the 7th son must come from the 7th son of unbroken line without any female child born in between. Number 7 has mystical and religious meaning and associates with the: 7 deadly sins, 7 sleepers, 7 league boots, 7 ages of man, 7days of creation, 7 hills of Rome, 7 lucky gods of Japanese Mythology, 7 sisters, 7 Sages, 7 stars, 7 wonders of the world.In Ireland , the 7th son is believed to be a healer as a gift. In UK, the 7th son of the 7th son will be born with magical powers. In Paraguay, Argentina and Latin America, the 7th son of the 7th, will become a werewolf or lobison.

A common superstition is that bad luck will come to you if you put your shoe on the table, and will cause argument within a family member. New pair of shoe on the table, means death of a family member , an argument with an office mate or bad luck for the whole day.

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