Superstitions:

There are many different superstitions in society. Some date way back into Medieval times. Superstitions is a belief that something, like "bad luck" exists in many ways, due to certain instances/circumstances that can bring it about. There are many different categories of superstitions; religious, home, animal, good luck, bad luck, cards, baby, acting/stage, holidays, death, new home, hair, fishermen, mining, parsley, wedding, moving into new home, and the general category too.

I am going to go into a few of the ones that I grew up with and some people I've talked with have spoken about. Superstitions seem to be still very much a part of our society even today. We may not believe in all of them. But, we do probably have one or two that we do pretty much practice. Maybe, you will notice one that you practice in the list below. If not check out the link I posted at the end of the article for more superstitions. Maybe yours is there. I believe many of us probably try to dismiss the fact that we aren't superstitious. Old wives tales also fall under superstitions as does urban legends.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Tying a knot in a handkerchief wards off evil.

It's bad luck to put a hat on a bed.

A cricket in the house brings good luck.

Unlucky to sit cross-legged when playing cards.

Finding & keeping a four leaf clover will bring you luck.

Itchy nose means you will have an argument with someone.

A horseshoe hung above your doorway will bring you good luck. Hang it upwards so the luck won't run out.

Ringing bells means an angel has received it's wings.

It's bad luck to walk under a ladder.

It's bad luck to change a horse's name.

A frog brings good luck to the house it enters.

If your right palm itches you will soon be getting money (don't rub it so you can get more money).

If your left palm itches you will be paying out money -- to pay out less rub it against wood.

Cut your hair on Good Friday to prevent headaches in the year to come.

Carry an acorn to bring luck.

Don't step on a crack or you break your Mother's back.

Only pick up a coin if it's heads up (that's good luck--tails down is bad luck).

Golfers can have a successful day on the course if they start their round with odd numbered clubs and don't use balls with numbers higher than 4.

It is very unlucky to give parsley.

To drop a comb while you are combing your hair is a sign of a coming disappointment.

It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match.

Luck for the Bride: Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.

Never bring an old broom into a new house/place to live (when you move leave your old broom there).

Throw back the first fish you catch then you'll be lucky the whole day fishing.

To break a mirror means 7 years bad luck.

Money attracts money, so never leave your pockets, purses or wallets completely empty and never completely empty your bank account. Always leave at least a coin or two. It was also considered good luck to give a gift of a wallet or a purse with a coin or two in it.

If a mirror in the house falls and breaks by itself, someone in the house will die soon.

Carry a rabbit's foot for good luck.

Ladybug landing on you is good luck. Number of spots on the ladybug equals number of happy months ahead.

Having peacock feathers indoors is bad luck (the eye of the peacock feather is evil).

It is bad luck to spill salt unless a pinch is thrown over the left shoulder into the face of the devil waiting there.

It's good luck when you see a falling star. Make a wish on it and it will come true.

Actors never wish each other "good luck" before a performance as it might have the opposite effect. It's safer to tell an actor heading for the stage to "break a leg", "knock 'em dead", or "see you on the green".

It's bad luck to open an umbrella inside the house.

Killing a spider can bring very bad luck (It is unlucky to kill spiders because a spider spun a web over baby Jesus to hide him from Herod).

Seeing a spider cross a wall is good luck.

A spider on your clothes brings money.

The most unlucky card to hold in one's hand is the four of clubs.

Putting a shirt on inside-out is bad luck.

If you spill pepper you will have a serious argument with a friend.

It is bad luck to put on the left shoe before the right one or to put the shoes on the wrong feet.

Knocking on wood is good luck, as it awakens the good spirits of protections and fortune.

If your shoelace persists in coming untied, take it as you are about to receive some kind of good news.

When you are talking to someone, and if you should both happen to say the same word or sentence at the same time, you must each clasp the other's little finger and wish. Then, if you do not tell your wish, it will come true.

If you get a chill up your back or goosebumps, it means that someone is walking over your grave.

Two people pull apart the dried breastbone of a chicken or turkey until it cracks and breaks, each one making a wish while doing so. The person who gets the long half of the wishbone will have his or her wish come true.

If you use the same pencil to take a test, that you used for studying for the test, the pencil will remember the answers.

If you make a wish while throwing a coin into a well or fountain, the wish will come true.

All wishes on shooting stars come true.

Rosemary planted by the doorstep will keep witches away.

If your nose itches, someone is coming to see you.

Wear new clothes on Easter for good luck throughout the year.

If your feet itch it means you will be walking on somewhere new.

It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride on the eve of their wedding or in her wedding gown.

When a couple is walking down the street holding hands and an obstacle (like a pole) comes between them you must say "bread and butter"...thereby keeping the union until the hands meet again on the other side of the pole.

You clink two glasses of alchol to scare the demon out of the alcohol.


The list goes on. Some of these above may seem outlandish yet people today still feel that there is something in them that rings true enough to follow the advice in it. There is really nothing wrong with being a little superstitious actually. Why not see how many of these you or your friend actually find yourselves doing without even realizing it. Maybe it's because you were raised on them and just thought is was common sense that your parents were teaching you. I have provided links below to two of the sights where I found the largest available content on various superstitions.

One more thought on Superstitions:
IF YOU BELIEVE IN A SUPERSTITION, IT WILL ALWAYS FOLLOW YOU!


superstitions
urbanlegends