Superstition is an irrational belief in the supernatural that lead to either good or bad luck. Ever since the existence of the human kind, superstition has been around. They’re different in every culture, and they have played a big role in each of these cultures and societies. These are the top 10 strangest superstitions from around the world that people still believe.
10. Chewing Gum
Believe it or not but chewing gum at night is considered to be bad luck in the Turkish and Hungarian cultures. Even if your breath stinks after a hearty dinner, it’s really not advised to chew a gum. It’s believed that whoever chews gum at night is that he/she would actually be chewing on human flesh of a dead body. This superstition was in author Harry Oliver’s book, “Black Cats and Four Leaf Clovers”.
You may also like to read some most bizarre stories of chewing gum.
9. Black Cat Superstition
The world’s opinion has always been mixed about black cats. Prehistorically, the fear of cats began when our human ancestors had a problem with cats, which were a lot bigger in size. They had a fear of cats as they were not at the top of the food chain; therefore the distrust of cats was originated.
However, in the middle ages, a black cat was a sign that death was coming. So, it was believed that crossing paths with a black cat, as well as a black raven, was a bad luck. The fear was spread of these dark felines, and that led to mass killings of these innocent creatures.
In our modern society, there are a number of people that still fear black cats. Some people also believe that black cats are linked to witchcraft.
8. Umbrella Superstition
In some places around the world, opening an umbrella inside a house is considered extremely bad luck. The origins of this superstition came from Ancient Egyptians. Back then, the umbrella was used to protect people of higher status from the sun, and not the rain. Opening the umbrella inside a house would anger the Sun God, and he would punish them.
Others believe that the umbrella superstition is from the 18th century where waterproof umbrella with metal spikes were popular. Opening such an umbrella would cause harm to people inside a house or in a small space due to its size and metal spikes.
It’s also believed that if the weather showed that it would rain on a specific day and you took your umbrella with you, then it will not rain. But if you leave your umbrella back at home, it will actually rain.
7. Even Number of Flowers
Giving flowers in Russia is an honored traditional and there are hundreds of flower stalls in every street. However, there is one condition behind the act of giving flowers; you must give an odd number of flowers.
If you decide to give flowers to a woman in Russia, an odd number from 1 to 1001 of flowers is a symbol of happiness. Despite other superstitions, giving 13 roses to a woman in Russia is actually considered good luck and better than sending 12 roses. Giving one rose is saying ‘You’re everything I have’ and giving 5 flowers means ‘I love you’. Even number of flowers represents death as even numbers of flowers are typically given during funerals.
6. Wedding Superstitions
In many cultures and countries, such as Russia, it’s considered good luck if it rains on your wedding day. It’s a symbol of wealth and happiness for the bride and groom. It also represents fertility and signifies that you will have children in the future. It also washes away all the bad memories for a complete fresh start of your life.
In other countries, rain is considered to be bad luck. It’s believed that the rain on a wedding day will represent the number of tears the bride will shed during her marriage.
5. Lighting Three Cigarettes With One Match Superstition
Lighting Three Cigarettes, which is also called third on a match or unlucky third light, is considered to be bad luck. It originates from World War I, the soldiers believed that if three of them lit their cigarettes on the same match, then one of them would end up dead or the third one on the match would end up getting shot. They believed that the strike of the match will alert an enemy sniper of their location.
4. Twelve Grapes Superstition
Eating twelve grapes on New Year’s Eve at exactly midnight is considered to be both a traditions and a superstition in Spain that dates back from 1895. The twelve grapes represent 12 months of good luck.
On New Year’s Eve, thousands of people will gather at the Puerto del Sol in Spain to sing, dance, have fun and eat 12 grapes while drowning a glass of bubbly. If a person eats one grape for each of the twelve bell chimes, they will have a lucky and prosperous year.
3. Bird Poop Superstition
A bird dropping a poop on your head or your body while walking around is considered to be a sign of good luck. Whenever sailors had bird poop on their vessels, they banned anyone from removing them until the next rainstorm.
2. Seaweed Superstition
Eating seaweed soup on the day or the night before your big exam is considered to be bad luck in Korea. They believe that the soup will cause the information to slip out of your head.
Instead, you should eat sticky food like toffee or sticky candy.
1. Tucking Your Thumb while passing a graveyard
It’s believed in Japan that if you ever pass a graveyard, you must tuck your thumbs in your hand to protect your parents from dying.
The word thumb in Japanese translates as ‘parent-finger’ so by tucking your thumb in your hand, you’re basically protecting your parents from death.