Weird superstitions from around the world. In India, the literacy rate is just 70.44% (as per recent data), which is quite low in comparison to other developed countries… 3. I can never remember which shoulder I’m supposed to throw spilled salt over, but I’ll always toss a pinch over both for good measure (and then once again in case that last side was the wrong one ). We can do business with people from several different cultures in a single day, so, it’s important to know and understand different beliefs and superstitions to avoid offending someone or losing a valuable business opportunity. Black cats are generally believed to be bad luck because of their association with demons and witches as they were often believed to be symbols of evil omens. Today, India is known for its achievements, whether in the field of science, technology or literature. #1. English men refuse to pronounce the word egg on the sea, as it is regarded as a bad omen. In Germany, and several other countries, wishing someone a happy birthday before their actual birthday is considered bad luck. Superstitions come from all over, and are entwined with how we live and how we speak. This should be easy to avoid, as so many hotels simply skip the 13th floor, preferring to go right from level 12 to 14. That’s why it’s always good to brush up on your superstitions before traveling. Which British superstitions are similar to those in your country? Rebecca Kinsella wrote: Australian Indigenous people believe in The Dreaming, a time when the Ancestral Beings moved across the earth, creating the animals, plants, rock formations and features of the landscape. For instance, if you dress some clothes on reverse by chance, you’ll receive a gift soon or if it rains and the sun is shining, it means a widow is getting married. So before you go about your business make sure to increase your chances of good fortune by checking out five common superstitions in Vietnam. Every culture and every country has their own share of beliefs. Jake Hornberger. St Sava, Serbia's first archbishop of the Orthodox Church . Superstitions and popular beliefs related to cats. In Portugal, as in other neighbor countries, leaving a hat on once bed brings bad luck. Here are some of the most common superstitions still believed by many today. Here are just some of the wedding-related superstitions our folks believe in. Can you give the definition of "superstition"? And we are all aware that Friday the 13th is the unlucky day in many countries as well. Syria banned yoyos because it was feared that they would cause a drought. According to Rashid Shaz the whole Muslim world is permeated with pre-Islamic superstitions, which he relates to "clinging to false hope" and even shirk. Giving shoes to your partner will make them run away Aside from the fact that it’s difficult to guess a significant other’s shoe size, giving shoes as gifts to a loved one in South Korea is a huge no-no. Which are different? Superstitions have been a part of human life since times immemorial. India is very different from other countries. These beliefs are much more diverse than other countries in the Balkans. FROM: Svetlana Chernobayefl . There are lot of common superstitions among different cultures, though they have different theories of origin. Unusual superstitions of different countries. So these superstitions in society today are considered important! Superstitions across different developed countries:- We considered that only underdeveloped countries believes on superstitions but even developed countries where literacy rate is very high also believes on superstitions. Some of them are funny and some are logical. This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the superstitions across 23 in-depth pages. The Philippines is a country with a long history of colonization, strongly influencing its culture and traditions.This impact extends well beyond language and food and into the many superstitions that locals take to heart. Superstitions Worksheets. I regularly go out of my way to knock on real wood. For instance, the &;unlucky&; number 13 is considered a bad omen in some countries, like the US, and &;lucky&; in other countries, like Italy&;where the number 17 is considered unlucky. 55 of the Strangest Superstitions From Around the World. Superstition is a belief in supernatural causality contradicted by natural science: the belief that one event is the cause of another without any physical process linking the two, such as astrology, omens, witchcraft, and apotropaic magic. In another part of Asia, in China, a twitching right eye brings bad luck and a twitching left eye brings good luck. The people of Serbia first arrived to the country in tribes that spread across the peninsula in the 6th and 7th centuries. Superstitions exist not only in India, they are all over the world. They can’t judge an incident from the scientific point of view. Before the wedding, the bride must go swimming in the mud and then she will have a happy family life. It’s allegedly bad luck to stay on the 13th floor of a hotel or building. In fact, common behaviors today are routed in past superstitions (like saying “bless you” after a sneeze, or constructing new buildings without a 13 th floor). In countries and cultures with this superstition, many hotels, hospitals, and other buildings are built without fourth floors, similarly to how structures in the United States are often built without 13th floors. We look at how language creates and perpetuates these beliefs. A vast part of this world believes in different kinds of strange superstitions. The folklore or superstitions surrounding black cats varies from country to country. Some of these are mentioned here. Vietnam is a country full of uncanny superstitions. However, most of these beliefs are baseless and some of them are so funny and hilarious. 5 Popular Superstitions in the U.S. The Scots have a lot of superstitions, and they believe in a lot of them to this day. This is totally not true. It is one of the unlucky numbers that people with different cultures across the world believe to bring bad lucks. In Spain, entering a room with your left foot is bad luck. Others might contradict each other completely—what’s considered unlucky in one nation might be a sign of good luck in another. These superstitions have influenced how Serbs think and act around animals or in terms of mundane chores for centuries. Superstitions about cats have always spread all over the world, beliefs that, for the most part, are without foundation. The superstitions might be different, but pretty much every country around the world has them. In China, India, and some other countries where white skin is believed to be the benchmark of beauty, they think that if you eat light colored foods, the child’s skin will be lighter. History. We conducted a survey ; among students and have . Most of the superstitions were developed by a sense of fear or some bad experience. Here’s a round up of superstitions from different countries sent in by our contributors around the world: Australia. Survey among pupils . Some believe in these superstitions and follow them diligently, but some others do not believe them, and just ignore them. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article However, even though developing, many baseless superstitions still manifest in the day-to-day lives of the people. By Samantha Brodsky and Adam Schubak. Superstition - what does it mean? While there are many superstitions that are widely known around the world, others are rarely heard of outside the countries they originate from. If the soup pops out of hand it is not good. By the way, this superstition also works in reverse: if you eat dark food, drink a lot of coffee and tea, the child will be darker. Wait 'til you hear what some women believed about acorns. Whether you find yourself a believer or not, there is a large population of people who let superstitions influence their actions. Here are 10 food-related superstitions from countries all over the world. Scotland . A piece of bread with a symbol of a saint is also said to call for luck. Superstitions: This superstition varies in different countries. 2. So let’s talk about the different superstitions that are popular in Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales – and how much of a difference there is if any. Do you believe that they can influence our lives and still live on in the age of science? The number 13 finds its way into all kinds of travel superstitions, just as it plays a role in so many other superstitions in everyday life. Apr 9, 2018 Getty Images. Black Cat: It’s funny to hear that a black cat can make or break your day. Other names for it are aamutähti (morning star), iltatähti (evening star) and sammaltähti (mossy star). 13 German Superstitions. Indigenous stories of creation are founded in Dreamtime … England Put the onion under your pillow at night before St. Thomas and see your future husband in a dream. Other superstitions deal with good luck. Most of the superstitions have had their origin in ancient times, when man was at the mercy of Nature. Scottish Superstitions. Always put bread on the table right side up. Other variations of these superstitions state “a twitching right eye is useful to men, but a twitching left eye is useful to women.” There is no distinct foundation for this saying, perhaps developing out of circumstance rather than evidence. 5. Origin story: During the Middle Ages, bakers would designate loaves meant for the local executioner by placing it upside down so other customers would know it wasn’t for sale. Some may also be beliefs of other cultures, but there are also some in this list that are unique to us. Superstitions in other countries. The information is organized by country, so you can easily investigate the popular superstitions linked to your own or other specific ethnic heritage or cultural identity. Since these flowers grow deep within the forest in Finnish folklore they attracts fairies and other forest folk. Country: France. F ull disclosure: I’m very superstitious. Contrary to other countries, where Friday 13th is bad luck, in Spain it is Tuesday 13th. Factors behind the superstitions in India – The illiterate people generally fall in the grip of superstitions. It is flower of magic and mystery and can be used in spells that increase creativity and imagination. Never return in case you forgot something at home. Feel free to add any more German superstitions you know in the comments. And trust us—you’ll never look at a tortilla the same way again. 4. Do you know anything about the origins of some of the superstitions in your country?