Superstitions Online » Archive
Mermaids
When a mermaid is captured and held captive, it results in a big flood. … Read entire article »
Filed under: M
Snakes
In Japan, if you put a piece of snake skin into your wallet, you are going to become rich or find money. Snakes are a symbol of money and wealth in Japan. Some people believe the snake is an animal of God, so they never kill snakes. People say if you kill a snake, you will lose your money. People say if someone finds a white snake, he will be lucky in life. It’s an event … Read entire article »
Filed under: S
Cigarettes and Matches
It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match. … Read entire article »
Changelings
In medieval Britain, parents sometimes believed that their child had been taken away by the fairy people and substituted with a changeling. There were a number of tests to find out. One was to put a shoe in a bowl of soup in front of the baby: if it laughed, showing it understood the joke, it was a fairy. Similarly, if you pretended to try to make a loaf of bread in an eggshell in … Read entire article »
Filed under: C
Ears
If your ear is burning (or tingling), then someone is talking about you. To determine whether what they are saying is good or bad, remember this rhyme, – Left for love, Right for spite! Russian Superstition Ringing: It’s an ill omen if your ears are ringing. When you happen to get “ringing” in your ears, you have an opportunity to determine whom you will marry. Ask someone for a number when you get ringing in your ears. Count through the … Read entire article »
Filed under: E
Sneezing
Saying God Bless You When Somebody Sneezes: When the great plague swept Europe., sufferers began sneezing violently which was a sign of death. The Pope therefore passed a law requiring people to bless the sneezer. At the same time, it was expected that anybody sneezing would cover their mouth with a cloth or their hand. This was obviously to stop the spreading of the disease, but many believed that it was to keep the soul intact. … Read entire article »
Filed under: S
Sewing and Knitting
See also: Dresses and Dress Making If you drop a knitting-needle, you won’t be married during the present year. If you break many needles in a garment, it will be worn at a wedding. If you draw blood from a prick of the needle while making a garment, it is a sign you will be kissed the first time you wear it. Boston, Mass. Should needles break while sewing on a new garment, it is a sign that the … Read entire article »
Filed under: S
The Evil Eye – Malocchio
If we sneezed during a conversation about sickness or death, we were supposed to pull on our left ear to ward off the evil eye. If we knocked over the salt, we had to throw a pinch over our left shoulder; same reason. Italian Rituals and Superstitions Concepts of the Evil Eye are some of the most ancient and prevalent superstitions of the entire Mediterranean. Every culture seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye and … Read entire article »
Filed under: E
Halloween Superstitions and Origins
Halloween derives its name from the fact that in the Christian calendar it occurs the day before ‘All Saints’ or All Hallows’ Day. It was the last night of the old year according to the ancient calendar of the Celts. On that night it was said that the witches, hobgoblins, warlocks, and other evil spirits walked abroad and devoted themselves to wicked revels. But the good fairies, too, according to some folklore, made their appearance … Read entire article »
Filed under: H
Pregnancy & Predicting the Sex of the Baby
See also: Babies and Birth Superstitions Malaysia: When in labor, neither mother or father should sit at the top of the stairs, as blocking any passage prolongs delivery. If you are pregnant, wear perfume if you go out at night because it keeps bad spirits away. (Gannett) If you’re pregnant, you don’t want to be caught following a hearse. Aztec: A pregnant woman who saw an eclipse would have a baby with a harelip. China: An expecting mom that rubs her … Read entire article »
