People in other countries think that the 13th is a bad luck day, not Friday but Tuesday. In America, we believe that Friday the 13th is an omen day, and it is a time where we can have bad luck. We often try to avoid these bad luck days, but the great thing is that according to the Gregorian calendar, you will only have to have this day three times a year.
There are many different superstitions that people have around the world and here are some of the top ones:
Knocking on Wood Things
People in the European churches would take wood with them, and they would sometimes make it into a cross. When they touched this, it would be considered good luck. This is similar to the superstition of knocking on wood to make things lucky.
Evil Look
People say that if you had someone complement you for something you made or fixed and later it was broken then this can mean that someone gave you an evil eye.
People in Turkey buy a charm called a nazar boncugu and it is blue and is meant to stop the evil eye from harming them. This is a superstition often seen in places such as Afghanistan, Greece, Iran, Egypt and more.
Black Cats and Black Birds
Black cats have always been a symbol of bad luck based on thoughts of Halloween and witches. These cats have been avoided for years and years and people dread crossing on at any time.
In Korea, black crows are also looked at as bad luck just like cats and in the UK, the same goes with the ravens. In Britain, it is thought that if there are not six ravens on the Tower of London at one time then the crown of the leader will fall.
In Ireland if someone sees only one magpie, it is bad luck but seeing more than one can be good luck.
Cutting Nails in the Nighttime
Some cultures believe it is bad luck to cut your toe nails or your finger nails at night. In Korea, Turkey, and India, they only cut their nails during the day.
In Japanese culture, you can die younger if you cut your nails at night. The point behind this is that people often used sharp objects such as knives to cut their nails and if they do it at night and without light it can cause harm and infections.
The 13th
Tuesday the 13th is considered bad luck in Spain. This was a day that Constantinople fell during his Fourth Crusade and so it has since been considered bad luck.
Whistling Inside
Whistling is not considered bad luck but in Russia and Norwegian cultures when you whistle inside you might face financial troubles.
Corner Seat
Russia and Hungarian people believe that it is bad luck to sit in the corner of the table. If someone sits in the corner, that person might not ever get married.
Putting Your Purse on the Ground
Even though you should think that putting your purse on the ground is kind of gross because of all the dirt, in the Philippines when you put your purse on the ground it can mean that the woman will never be able to have children.
Using Water to Make a Toast
According to German culture if you toast with water then you will die. This comes form a Greek mythology where the dead spirits would drink water from the Lethe River.
Turning Thumbs
According to Turkey, if you touched a column that has a deep thumb hole then it can cure your sickness. You have to put your thumb in the hole and move your hand in a circle. This happened because Byzantine Emperor Justinian had a bad headache and when he touched the column it went away.
Breaking Mirrors
Breaking mirrors is often said to give seven years of bad luck and it is even worse when you are looking in the mirror when it breaks. Also, if you don’t see your reflection, it can mean that someone has stolen your soul.
Birds Inside of the Home
Some believe that if a bird flies into a home or a window that it can bring bad luck. If the bird gets into the home and circles around the furniture, it can mean that the person will die.
According to Mexican culture, if a black witch moth flies into the home it can mean the same thing.
Seventh Son Werewolves
According to the Argentina culture, if someone has a seventh son, they will turn into werewolves unless the president of the country adopts them. So, in 2007 to 2015, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner adopted one boy as her grandson so that he didn’t turn into a werewolf.
The juxtaposition of superstitions across cultures is fascinating. It reveals how collective beliefs shape behaviors and societal norms, transcending mere folklore. Understanding these practices enhances our appreciation for cultural diversity and the psychology behind fear and hope.
It’s intriguing to note the variations in superstition regarding numbers and animals worldwide. These beliefs often reflect historical events or local lore, thus serving as a window into the shared psyche of different societies throughout history.
‘Knocking on wood’ is a curious practice that seems to straddle both ancient rituals and modern-day behavior. Such actions reflect humanity’s inherent desire to influence outcomes despite being grounded in irrationality.
‘Knocking on wood’ showcases a universal tendency to seek comfort in ritualistic behavior, especially when facing uncertainties. It’s fascinating how such customs persist even in an age dominated by scientific reasoning.
‘Evil eye’ beliefs across various cultures illustrate how shared fears can lead to communal practices aimed at protection. These customs reveal much about social cohesion and individual vulnerabilities within communities.
‘Whistling indoors,’ while seemingly innocuous, reflects deep-seated anxieties about financial stability prevalent in certain cultures. The intersection of folklore with practical concerns demonstrates how superstitions adapt to contemporary life challenges.
‘Friday the 13th’ as an American superstition juxtaposed against ‘Tuesday the 13th’ in Spain exemplifies how context alters interpretation. This phenomenon illustrates not only cultural differences but also collective anxieties surrounding fate and destiny.
‘Cutting nails at night’ stands as a reminder of how deeply ingrained cultural norms can influence personal habits, often rooted in historical cautionary tales that speak volumes about societal values surrounding safety.
The concept of luck as perceived through superstitions presents an interesting commentary on human nature’s desire for control over uncertainty. How we respond to luck—good or bad—shapes our interactions with the world around us.
Examining the diverse perspectives on luck and misfortune can offer valuable insights into how cultures interpret life events. These narratives play significant roles in shaping identity, often encapsulating deeper existential themes that resonate universally.