1. In Ancient Egypt it was believed to be that if you slept with scissors under your bed, you would be free of nightmares
Don’t try this at home kids.
2. Cannibalistic gum
In Turkey, you shouldn’t chew gum at night because by that time, they believe it becomes the flesh of the dead.
3. If you’re taking an important test consider carrying a goat.
Goats were (and in some places still are) considered to have strong ties to the devil. People believe goats have the power to absorb negative energy and if you bring one of these cuties around with you, you’ll have the best day of your life.
4. If a bird poops on you it’s like winning the lottery
In the western world we consider this to be far from lucky, but if you ask a Russian, a bird pooping on you is a sign of money coming your way.
5. You want a really good mark on that important test? Well, don’t eat bananas.
In Vietnam, students are really superstitious and go as far as not eating certain foods. Bananas are avoided because they are slippery and the word “slip” sounds an awful lot like “fail.”
6. We all know black cats are suppose to be bad luck, right?
In most parts of Europe and North America, the belief that black cats are bad luck is common. That’s because people in medieval times associated a woman who owned a lot of cats as being a witch with the ability to turn into one. So if a black cat happened to pass you by it could very well be a witch.
Did you know that in the U.K., Australia, and some parts of North America, white cats are viewed as unlucky and black cats as lucky?
7. Stabbing things with chopsticks is not only a an easy way to eat with them but they signify death. Oops.
Stabbing food with chopsticks is only done at funerals in Japan. Doing this at a nice friendly dinner will bring the rise of murmurs across the table and the possibility of never getting invited again.
8. Bees dying in your house is a big no-no
If a bee somehow turns up inside your house it’s considered to be good luck. If it dies inside your house, well, let’s hope you have a couple of rabbit feet and four-leaf clovers.
9. Be prepared for disappointment if your right eye itches
It is believed that if your right eye is itching, you should prepare yourself emotionally for a disappointment. If your right palm itches, then you will be spending a lot of money. If your nose itches then a fight is coming your way.
10. Don’t break a mirror. We all know that, but if a mirror breaks while still on the wall… run.
If you break a mirror, that’s seven years of bad luck right there, but if you break one while it’s still on the wall, this is seen as a death omen. DUN DUN DUN.
11. Sailors love to get tattooed
Sailors believed that getting tattoos was lucky. While we’re on the note of sailors, did you know that it was considered bad luck for them to trim their nails, cut their hair and shave their beard?
12. Your mirror is a soul capturing machine
There’s a superstition that mirrors have the power to capture your soul. So if you spend a lot of time looking at yourself in the mirror, your soul is slowly but surely oozing out of you. This would explain the vampire myth of why they can’t see themselves in a mirror.
13. Not only does this look pretty but it also serves to grant you one wish
In Wales, if you make a crown out of hazel stick and leaves and wear it, it can grant you a wish.
References
n.d.,“Strange Supersitions” Stylist. Accessed Oct. 30, 2014.
Scola, Alex. “Of The Most Bizarre Superstitions From Around The World” Distractify. Accessed Oct. 29, 2014.
n.d., “Superstitions for the Superstitious” members.tripod. Accessed Oct. 29, 2014.
Pegg, David, “25 Most Popular Superstitions around the World” list25. Accessed Oct. 29, 2014.
