40 Facts About Superstitions Around The World

Source: Everyavenuetravel.com

Why do people believe in superstitions? Superstitions offer a way to explain life's unpredictability. They provide comfort, a sense of control, and a way to ward off bad luck. From knocking on wood to avoiding black cats, these beliefs are woven into cultures worldwide. Each superstition has unique origins and meanings, reflecting the diverse ways humans try to make sense of their surroundings. Whether it's throwing salt over your shoulder or fearing Friday the 13th, these practices reveal much about our shared human experience. Dive into these 40 intriguing facts about superstitions from around the globe and discover the fascinating stories behind them.

Key Takeaways:

Superstitions from around the world offer a fascinating glimpse into different cultures and historical beliefs, shaping everyday actions and symbols.
Animals, days, food, money, and household activities are all influenced by superstitions, reflecting cultural values and beliefs.

Table of Contents

Superstitions: A Global Phenomenon

Superstitions are fascinating beliefs that have been passed down through generations. They offer a glimpse into the cultural and historical contexts of different societies. Here are 40 intriguing facts about superstitions from around the world.

Common Superstitions

Some superstitions are so widespread that they have become almost universal. These beliefs often revolve around everyday actions and objects.

Knocking on Wood: This practice is believed to call upon spirits residing in trees for protection or to ward off evil. It has roots in Indo-European and Celtic traditions.
Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder: Spanning the Mediterranean, Middle East, and South Asia, this act wards off evil spirits. People also use amulets with an 'evil eye' image for protection.
Walking Under a Ladder: In medieval Europe, a ladder symbolized the gallows and death. Walking under it is thought to bring misfortune.
Broken Mirror: Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck. Romans believed the soul was reflected in the mirror, and breaking it would harm the person.
Step on a Crack, Break Your Mother's Back: This rhyme suggests that stepping on a sidewalk crack will bring bad luck, specifically harming your mother. It likely originated in the 19th century.

Animal-Related Superstitions

Animals often play a significant role in superstitions, symbolizing both good and bad luck.

Black Cat: In many cultures, black cats are seen as bad luck. However, in Japan, they are considered good luck charms.
Hearing a Marsh Crake Over the Wrong Shoulder in New Zealand: Hearing this bird over the left shoulder is believed to bring bad luck, known as "crook trot."
Killing Spiders in Sweden: Killing a spider is thought to cause rain the next day. Manhole covers with an "A" are also associated with bad outcomes like unemployment.
Spiders in the Morning in France: Seeing a spider in the morning signals sorrow. Birds looking through windows are also believed to bring bad luck.
Vultures in South Africa: Vultures are believed to have superior eyesight, allowing them to see into the future. Gamblers buy vulture heads as good luck charms.

Day-Specific Superstitions

Certain days are considered unlucky in various cultures, often due to historical events or religious beliefs.

Friday the 13th: In many Western cultures, this day is considered unlucky. It likely originated in the 19th century.
Tuesday the 13th: In Greece and some Latin American cultures, Tuesday the 13th is unlucky. The saying "En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes" warns against doing anything significant on Tuesdays.
Friday the 17th in Italy: This day is considered unlucky. Celebrating special events or wearing purple on this day is frowned upon.

Food and Dining Superstitions

Food-related superstitions often revolve around meal preparation and presentation, reflecting cultural values and beliefs.

Flipping Over a Cooked Fish in China: In some fishing regions, flipping a cooked fish is believed to lead to a ship capsizing.
Leaving Bread Upside Down in France: Leaving bread upside down is thought to curse those meant to eat it.
Fish Scales in the Czech Republic: Fish scales are believed to bring prosperity. They might be placed under dinner plates at Christmas celebrations.

Financial Superstitions

Money-related superstitions often aim to attract wealth and prevent financial loss.

Money Superstitions in Greece: Money attracts more money. It’s bad luck to completely empty your pockets, wallet, or bank account.
Snakes in Japan: Snakes symbolize happiness and prosperity. White snakeskin purses are sold as good luck charms.
Money in the Pocket in England: Putting money in the pocket of new clothes is believed to bring good luck.
Gold in Turkish Dreams: Holding gold in a dream is believed to earn you money. Scratching the left palm means receiving money, while the right palm means spending it.

Household Superstitions

Everyday household activities can also be influenced by superstitions, often to avoid bad luck or attract good fortune.

Cutting Nails After Dark: In many Asian cultures, cutting nails after dark is considered bad luck. It may have originated from the practical concern of using sharp objects in the dark.
Opening and Closing Scissors Without Cutting Anything in the Middle East: This action is believed to bring bad luck, possibly due to the idea of unfinished tasks.
Never Place Two Mirrors Opposite Each Other: This is believed to open a threshold for the devil, trapping the soul between the mirrors.
Never Shake Hands or Kiss Across a Threshold: In Moscow, this practice is considered bad luck and is thought to bring misfortune.

Birthday and Celebration Superstitions

Celebrations often come with their own set of superstitions, aimed at ensuring good fortune and avoiding bad luck.

Wishing Someone Happy Birthday Early in Germany: This is considered bad luck, as demons might hear the good wishes and try to prevent them from coming true.
Mexican End-of-the-Year Dinner: The color of clothing worn at this dinner can influence the coming year. Yellow brings abundance, while red brings passion.
Money Inside Shoes in Argentina: Placing money inside shoes during the New Year is expected to bring prosperity.

Unique Cultural Superstitions

Some superstitions are unique to specific cultures, reflecting their distinct beliefs and practices.

Shaking Legs in South Korea: Shaking your legs is believed to cause wealth and good fortune to fall out.
Skincare in Vietnam: Sleeping with makeup on is believed to bring bad luck. Skincare routines are seen as a way to maintain spiritual balance.
Greeting Magpies in Great Britain: Saying, "Good morning, Mr. Magpie. How is your lady wife today?" is believed to ward off bad luck.
Burying the Dead Before the Next Sunday in Poland: This is believed to prevent another death in the family.
Avoiding Tuesday the 13th in Spain: Similar to Friday the 13th in other cultures, this day is considered unlucky.

Superstitions Involving Dreams

Dreams often hold significant meaning in various cultures, with specific symbols believed to predict future events.

Gold in Turkish Dreams: Holding gold in a dream is believed to earn you money.
Money Spider in Trinidad & Tobago: A small black or brown spider is believed to bring good luck with money.
Found Money in Argentina: Finding money on the pavement is an omen that more money is on the way.

Miscellaneous Superstitions

These superstitions don't fit neatly into other categories but are equally fascinating.

Brown Spiders in Trinidad & Tobago: Spotting a brown spider or grasshopper in your home is believed to bring money.
Money Superstitions in Various Cultures: Many cultures have unique money superstitions. In Japan, snakes symbolize happiness and prosperity. In the UK, putting money in the pocket of new clothes is believed to bring good luck.
Bread Upside Down in France: Leaving bread lying upside down is believed to curse the people who were meant to eat it.
Skincare in Vietnam: Sleeping with makeup on is believed to bring bad luck. Skincare routines are often seen as a way to maintain spiritual balance.
Money Superstitions in Greece: Money attracts more money. It’s bad luck to completely empty your pockets, wallet, or bank account.

Superstitions: A Global Tapestry

Superstitions weave a fascinating tapestry of beliefs across the globe. From knocking on wood to avoid bad luck to flipping over a cooked fish in China to prevent a ship from capsizing, these practices reflect the rich cultural diversity of human societies. Whether it's the fear of Friday the 13th in Western cultures or the belief in money spiders in Trinidad & Tobago, superstitions offer a unique lens into how people navigate life's uncertainties. They provide comfort, a sense of control, and sometimes even a bit of fun. While some might dismiss them as mere folklore, others hold them dear, passing them down through generations. Superstitions, whether ancient or modern, continue to shape our behaviors and perceptions, reminding us of the shared human desire to make sense of the world around us.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat exactly are superstitions?

Superstitions are beliefs or practices that folks follow, thinking they can influence luck, fate, or future events. Often, these beliefs are not based on reason or scientific evidence but rather on tradition, folklore, or personal experiences.

QHow do superstitions vary across different cultures?

While some superstitions are universal, like knocking on wood to avoid bad luck, others are unique to specific cultures. For example, in Japan, spilling salt is considered bad luck, whereas, in Spain, Tuesday the 13th is a day of bad luck, not Friday the 13th as in many Western cultures.

QCan superstitions impact people's behavior?

Absolutely! Superstitions can significantly influence how people act. Athletes might wear "lucky" socks for every game, or someone might avoid walking under ladders to dodge bad luck. These practices can provide comfort, reduce anxiety, and sometimes even boost confidence.

QAre there any common superstitions that have a surprising origin?

Yes, many common superstitions have fascinating origins. For instance, the superstition about breaking a mirror bringing seven years of bad luck stems from ancient Roman times. Romans believed that mirrors held pieces of one's soul, and breaking one caused damage to the soul that would take seven years to repair.

QWhy do superstitions persist in modern society?

Superstitions endure because they offer a sense of control in uncertain situations. Even with advances in science and technology, the allure of having a ritual or belief that might sway luck or fate is strong. Plus, they're often passed down through generations, becoming ingrained in cultural or family traditions.

QCan learning about superstitions from around the world be beneficial?

Definitely! Understanding superstitions from various cultures can be a window into the values, fears, and hopes of those cultures. It fosters empathy, broadens one's perspective, and can even be a fun way to learn about history and geography.

QWhat's the most unusual superstition you've come across?

Among the world's plethora of superstitions, one particularly unusual belief comes from Turkey. It's said that chewing gum at night is akin to chewing the flesh of the dead. This superstition highlights how diverse and uniquely specific cultural beliefs can be.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.