Indian Beliefs and Superstitions

Photo by: Karunakar Rayker

In India, you may also come across or hear about people who help in interpreting other's dreams. Even the daily life of Indians is governed by beliefs and superstitions. Superstitions are deemed as pertinent in India because these, generally, hint at future occurrences and can be either good or bad. Thus, anything from the dog whining to the falling of utensils is considered an omen in India. 

1.       Monday is not an auspicious day for shaving.

2.       Tuesday is believed to be not good to reach any body's home from a journey.

3.       Thursday and Saturday is a bad day for washing one's hair.

4.       Many Indians do not make payments on Fridays, except giving small coins to beggars.

5.       If you hear a dog whining at night it will bring bad luck, especially when someone in your family or neighbourhood is sick.

6.       Cawing of a black crow in one's house, as it forecasts the arrival of guests.

7.       Seeing a peacock on a journey is also considered lucky, but hearing its shrill sound is bad.

8.       Indians feel happy if a sparrow builds a nest in a new house because it signals good fortune.

 

Top Superstitions

1. Never walk under a ladder it will bring bad luck  

2. Never break a mirror as it will bring seven years bad luck   

3. Avoid opening an umbrella in the house as it will bring bad luck  

4. Never put your new pair of shoes on the table as it brings bad luck  

5. Friday the thirteenth is always an unlucky day    

6. When a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck  

7. If you blow out the candles on your birthday cake in one go your wish will come true

8. Walking over three drains brings bad luck  

9. Keep a lock from a baby’s first haircut for good luck   

10. A rabbit’s foot brings good luck  

11. Avoid stepping of cracks to prevent bad luck   

12. Washing a car will bring rain   

Cures, Charms, and Curses (German)

Germany

1. If it rain in the morning, then the afternoon will have better weather if you meet anold women clear their throats.
2. Rainwater found on tombstones helps to remove freckles.
3. Hairs that have been combed out must be burned, for if a bird carries them to its nest, one will get headaches; if a starling carries them to its nest, one will go blind with cataracts.
4. If it rains with sunshine, then poison will fall from the sky.

Japanese Superstitions

Japanese people are superstitious. Many of their beliefs date back centuries and are deeply rooted in their culture. Some are similar to those of western or other Asian countries, but there are many unique ones, and many are designed as lessons and warnings of dire consequences.

-Children playing with fire will wet his/her bed. (Raise the awareness of fire safety)

-If one whistle or play a flute at night, snakes/thieves will come to you. .

-The first dream of a new year will come true.

-Breaking a comb or the cloth strap of a "geta" wooden sandal is an omen of misfortune.

-Stepping on the cloth border of a tatami mat brings bad luck.
-The more layers of socks you wear the less likely you are to be sick

- Sleeping with your head pointing North is bad luck

- If you leave a fan blowing on you at night you will die

- 4 and 9 are unlucky numbers. Some people believe simply saying these numbers can bring ill-fortune upon you (both of these numbers have 2 ways to say them, only one is "evil")

Interesting Superstitions from Different Cultures

Japan

Japanese superstitions are based on the ancient Pagan beliefs. They believe that all living things were related with some spirit power. In many Japanese superstitions, animal depiction is considered to have the effect of bringing about fortunes good or bad. Spider, for example can mean both good and bad omen to you. If you see spider in the morning it is consider good luck while you see it in the night, it means bad luck.

Number 4 is inauspicious in Japan because it has same pronunciation with the word ‘death’ in Japanese. Therefore; they abstain from using items including 4 numbers. Hence, you should not give in Japan presents consisting of four pieces. Hotels and other places often skip the number 4 while giving number to rooms.

Turkey


In Turkish culture, jumping over a girl is not advisable as she may have problems in getting a baby. When a Turkish sneeze twice, they believe that there are someone gossiping behind them.

German
People there believe that spilling of the salt may cause sickness. If they spill it accidentally, they must immediately throw it over their left shoulder to prevent falling sick. They also don’t give a lady or hostess uneven number of flowers in a bouquet as it may bring bad luck.