most popular superstitions around the world

Most Popular Superstitions Around The World

1. Itchy palms
There seems to be a lot of variations on this superstition but the idea of having an itchy palm generally refers to someone who is greedy or has an insatiable desire for money. Some people believe that if the right palm itches you will lose money while an itchy left palm means that money is coming your way. If both palm itches you may want to go to a doctor for that.
2. Four leaf clover
Though the origin of wishing over a four leaf clover is lost to antiquity it has long been a symbol of good luck and fortune. It has also been used in some traditions for finding a husband or a wife. The way this works (for you single people) is by first finding a four leaf clover (good luck with that one) if you happen to find one you must then eat it (or put it inside your shoe but eating is more fun). After this the luck powers will activate and the first person you come contact after the activation will be your future mate (Word of warning stay clear of anyone you dont want as a future mate).
3. God bless you
For many; saying God Bless You after someone sneezes is a gesture of politeness. However the origin to such formality finds its roots in Pope Gregory the Great who would say it to people who sneezed during a bubonic plague; and from the erroneous belief that the soul escapes the body during a sneeze and the heart momentarily stops. Therefore saying God bless you was a way of welcoming the person back to life.
4. Breaking a mirror
Weve already mentioned how mirrors are believed to be soul sucking mystical items (which is bad enough) but what happens when you break these devices of misfortune? Why seven years of bad luck of course! Some superstitious sources state that the trapped souls adversely influence your luck. And here you thought you were doing them a favor! Nope make sure those suckers stay inside that mirror.
5. Knock on wood
Knocking on wood or simply saying knock on wood after making a hopeful statement finds its roots in the idea that youre tempting fate by acknowledging your good fortune. Its believed that the expression comes from an ancient belief that good spirits lived in trees so by knocking on something wooden a person was calling on the spirits for protection. Another reason why we should all be tree hugers.
6. Lucky rabbits foot
To have this token is an unfortunate thing for the rabbit but a magnet of fortune for the wearer. According to superstition (which can be traced as far back as the seventh century BC) the rabbits supernatural luck could be exploited by taking the left hind foot of a rabbit that was shot (or captured) in a creepy cemetery on a full moon.(I still fail to see how this is lucky for the rabbit).
7. New broom new house bad luck
There are many superstitions associated with brooms (heck that could be a list all in itself) but there is one very curious and particular superstition that we want to caution you on. As the lore goes you cannot sweep dirt out of a new house (or apartment) with a new broom unless you sweep something in first. If you dont sweep something in first then you will be sweeping out your good luck. Do not sweep out your good luck!
8. Opening an umbrella indoors
According to superstition if you open an umbrella indoors you are literally asking for bad luck to rain on you. One explanation comes from the days when umbrellas were used as protection from the sun; opening one inside was an insult to the sun god who would then curse you with bad luck. Another theory states that an umbrella protects you against the storms of life so opening one inside your house insults the guardian spirits of your home (whom also protects you from the storms of life) causing them to leave you unprotected.
9. When you wish upon a star
The superstition involving wishing on the first star you see in the evening is somewhat uncertain however Europeans believed that the gods would occasionally peer down and when they moved the sky a star would escape and fall down. The Greeks also believed that the stars where falling human souls and it was lucky to make a wish on them.
10. Unlucky number 13
Not to be confused with Friday the 13th (which is a superstition of the actual day) but similar in nature this superstition simply states that the number 13 is associated with bad luck. Thats why many architects refused (some still do) to design stairs that ended with 13 steps or buildings that ended with a 13th floor. The fear of the number 13 is so real to many people that an actual phobia has been created to describe it; its called Triskaidekaphobia. (try to say that 13 times fast).