30 Bizarre Superstitions from Around the World!

Apparently people in Spain believe that Tuesday 13th is an lucky day. That’s because Tuesday is said to be dominated by Ares, the Greek god of war who gives his name to Martes, or Tuesday, in Spanish. The superstition is also strengthened by historical events such as the fall of Constantinople to the Fourth Crusade on Tuesday April 13 1204 and its fall to the Ottomans on Tuesday May 29 1453.

In Egypt, owls are said to bring bad luck to the first person who sees it or hears it. In ancient Egypt, an owl’s hooting was associated with mourning and death. Hence, the superstition.

When walking past a graveyard, the Japanese people tuck in their thumbs to protect their parents from death. It is because the Japanese word for thumb translates to, “parent finger”.

The Germans refuse to cheers with a glass of water as this is equal to wishing death upon your drinking buddy. According to Greek mythology, the Greeks would always toast to the dead with glasses filled with water to symbolize their voyage, via the river, to the Underworld.

The Egyptians believe that it is bad luck to open and close scissors without actually cutting anything. It could be due to the fact that playing with scissors could prove fatal and cause serious injuries.

Brits believe that saying”white rabbits” on the 1st day of every month before midday brings good luck. The white rabbits actually symbolize love, tenderness, magic and manifestations. They appear as a sign that life will be all the more beautiful from here.

In Germany, wishing a person before their actual birthday brings bad luck. Germans believe that demons can hear the good wishes and consequently do their best to make them not come true.

Russians believe that whistling indoors supposedly leads to financial problems. Whistling indoors is actually regarded as rude and therefore, this superstition has been made to avoid it.

In Turkey, to hand over a knife or a pair of scissors directly to someone means that you will fight or even become enemies. This is why you should put these things on the table or floor, so that they can be picked up without being handed over. 

Mexican people believe that facing mirrors open a doorway for the devil. Mirrors have always had a special place in folklores and even in Feng Shui it is said that mirrors facing each other can pave way for the Hell.

A Filipino tradition called “pagpag” dictates that people must never go straight back to their right after a funeral. Otherwise a bad spirit might tag along and come inside. Mourners should make a stop at a restaurant or store first just in case.

According to a Russians, bird poop that lands on you or something that belongs to you will bring you wealth. Since birds have always been mythical creatures, bring the harbingers of luck, their poop is regarded as lucky.

Japanese people believe that sticking chopsticks straight up in the utensils look like the unlucky number four, which means death. Also, at Japanese funerals, a bowl of rice is left with two chopsticks standing vertically in the center.

In Britain, keeping shoes on the table is considered bad luck because it is supposed to symbolize the death of a loved one. Earlier when a person would die, his death was announced by putting his shoes on the table. hence, the superstition.

In France, only if you step in dog poop with your left foot it is considered to bring good luck. It has been created to refer to the “uncaring attitude” of French people that after all dog poop in the streets is not that bad.

Gifting yellow flowers in Russia means that you’re cursing your friend with infidelity. It has been believed that yellow colored flowers are the symbol of infidelity and jealousy while the red flowers are a symbol of love.

Women in Rwanda don’t eat goat meat over fear that it will cause them to grow facial hair. It is actually a scientific fact that goat meat if not not cooked properly can transmit zoonotic diseases.

There’s a Korean superstition that eating asymmetrical foods while pregnant means you will end up with an ugly baby. It could be there to make pregnant women eat healthy food.

It’s considered bad luck to walk backwards in Portugal. The common belief is that if you do, you’re showing the devil which way you’re going. It is believed in Portugal that the crab is the symbol of evil and is associated with the devil. And crabs walk backwards!

In Italy, if you say the same word as someone in unison, you’ll never get married. To undo this bad juju, you must immediately touch your nose.

In Netherlands, singing your favorite tune at the dinner table means you’re singing to the devil for your food. It can be said that this superstition was made as singing at the dinner table is considered as bad manners.

Indians believe that right eye twitching for men and left eye twitching for women brings some good news.

According to Hungarian and Russian superstitions, sitting at the corner of the table would lead to no marriage for life. Russians believe that corners create, the so-called “energy vortex”, which can “blow away” the energy of a person. Hence, unmarried people should avoid sitting at the corner.

In Spain, to celebrate the New Year people eat 12 grapes one after the other for good luck (one for each month). This superstition was established in 1909 by alicantese vine growers to popularize this custom in order to sell huge amounts of grapes from an excellent harvest.

In Thailand, it’s considered good luck for a man to wear a penis medallion. The “palad khik” — which translates to “honorable surrogate penis”, which is supposed to confer good fortune when gambling, protect you from muggings, and make you irresistible to women. The palad khik is a phallic representation of Hindu god Shiva and was originated in India.

Nigerian people believe that one must never kiss a baby on the lips, or they’ll drool when they grow into adulthood. This superstition is backed by a scientific study that kissing babies on lips could prove fatal as their immune system is not strong and this action can trigger infections which can cause breathing problems, seizures, etc.

Many South Koreans do not sleep with fans running in closed rooms — if they do, it’s believed to be fatal. To combat “fan death,” leave windows open. This superstition is based on the fact that at summertime in South Korea people drink cold beer on steamy nights and suffer lonely deaths in stuffy rooms blamed on electric fans.

In Cuba, if you declare that it’s “el ultimo,” or your last drink, then you’re tempting fate and death will shortly follow. It’s like announcing that you will live no longer.

In Turkey, chewing gum at night is apparently the equivalent of chewing on the flesh of the dead. This superstition is found in Harry Oliver’s book -“Black Cats and Four Leaf Clovers”. It can be said that this superstition has been made to avoid letting people from swallowing the gum at night or inviting cavities.

In Brazil, putting your purse or wallet on the floor means you’ll become penniless. The ground is symbolically associated with lowliness, thus to put your purse on the floor shows a lack of respect for your money. Therefore, you should respect your money if you want to keep it.

This article has been inspired from here.