most popular superstitions around the world

When photography was first invented in the early 19th century people all over the world held the unfounded belief that taking someones picture was akin to taking his soul. Thus if an enemy was able to obtain a photograph of you he not only held your soul but also held a spiritual power over you. Thank goodness this is just a superstition I can only imagine how many people would have power over me (IE. Facebook).

To cross ones fingers is a hand gesture commonly used for good luck. Which makes sense since it was used during ancient Christian persecution by believers to identify other believers as a sign of peace. Today however this has evolved to excuse the telling of a white lies which may have its roots in the belief that the power of the Christian cross may save a person from being sent to hell for telling a lie.

Most people use mirrors everyday which means according to this superstition most people are soulless. There is a superstition that states that looking into a mirror steals your soul. This helps explain why the evil queen uses a mirror to harm Snow White why Narcissus was ensnared by his own reflection and why soulless vampires have no reflection. Think twice before you look into the bathroom mirror you have been warned.

The Wryneck or Jinxtorquilla are a breed of birds that can twist their heads very liberally. A superstitious belief among the locals is that if this bird twists its head towards you death is on the horizon.

No im not referring to the 90?s band. Its believed that the amount of crows in a murder has the ability to predict your fortune as exemplified by the popular phrase: Ones bad / Twos luck / Threes health / Fours wealth / Fives sickness / Six is death. More than six however seems to be up to the person whose counting.

From the Crimean War through World War I it was considered bad luck among soldiers to light three cigarettes with one match. It was theorized that by the time the third cigarette was lit a sniper would have had the time to have the soldier in his sight ready to make the kill. However some believe that the superstition may have been invented by match tycoon Ivar Krueger to drum up more business.

Most people have heard the saying that if a black cat crosses your path its bad luck (if you havent well now you have). This superstition finds its origin in the middles ages due to the misconstrued belief that single women (usually elderly) who associated themselves with many cats where actually witches who could become cats themselves. Thus a black cat crossing your path could actually be a witch.

This popular wedding tradition is said to have originated during the Victorian era and involves giving the bride various gifts. One is something old and represents continuity; another is new and represents hope and the future; the third is borrowed and symbolizes borrowed happiness while the last is blue and is supposed to bring purity love and fidelity.

Dont worry you read the title right. In Russia there is a belief that if a bird defecates on you your car or your property its a sign good luck and may bring you riches. The more birds involved the richer youll be! So next time a bird poops on you just count it all joy.

Have you ever wondered why bells are always associated with weddings and special occasions? As it turns out bells are sounded during special occasions due to the widely held belief that bells frighten evil spirits away. This belief originated during Queen Elizabeths reign for two reasons; to ask for prayers for the departed soul and to drive away the evil spirits who stood at the foot of the bed.