Last updated by Madison Carter
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We don’t think of ourselves as superstitious, yet we hesitate when a black cat crosses the street, avoid walking under a ladder, knock on wood. These age-old gestures travel from one country to another.
Turkish nazar, Spanish grapes, the number 4 in Japan: here are the world’s superstitions, and what they say about us.
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Every culture has its protective gestures and its taboos. A world tour of the most widespread:
Turkey
This little blue eye wards off the evil eye, the envious gaze that can harm people and belongings. It hangs at house entrances, on babies’ clothes, even from car mirrors.
Turkey
Passing scissors from hand to hand would start a quarrel: you put them down, and the other person picks them up.
Turkey
Molten lead is poured into a bowl of water held above the head: its shapes are read, and the ritual lifts negative energy. It is still practiced all over Anatolia.
Europe
Ancient peoples believed trees, especially oaks, sheltered protective spirits: knocking on wood keeps bad luck away after an overconfident word.
Spain
On December 31, one grape is eaten at each of the twelve strokes of midnight: a month of luck for each grape.
Italy
Written in Roman numerals, XVII is an anagram of VIXI, “I have lived”: in Italy it is 17, not 13, that brings bad luck.
Japan
It is pronounced shi, like the word for “death”: many buildings have no fourth floor.
China
Its name sounds like “prosperity”: 8 is so sought after that the Beijing Olympics opened on 8/8/2008 at 8:08 pm.
Russia
Before a journey, the whole family sits for a moment in silence on the suitcases: the trip will be safe and the return happy.
Germany
Celebrating someone before the day itself tempts fate: people wait until midnight.
Brazil
Putting your handbag on the floor makes money run away: hang it up or keep it on your lap.
Europe
In the Middle Ages, guests tore at the bride’s lucky dress; the custom became the bouquet tossed to single guests. Whoever catches it marries within the year.
Antiquity
For Ptolemy, a shooting star meant a god was looking down at Earth: a wish made at that moment was granted.
Rome and the Celts
Tossing a coin into water appeased the gods; today we do it for luck, or to be sure to return.
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The word comes from the Latin superstitio, “standing over”: a belief that survives, handed down from generation to generation, long after what gave birth to it.
Superstitions reflect our fear of and curiosity about the unknown. Every people has its own, but many have traveled: some born in Rome or among the Celts are practiced today on every continent.
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Some objects attract luck:
Others have a bad reputation:
Where do the ladder, the open umbrella or 13 at the table come from? Discover the origin of popular superstitions.
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For some, they are relics of another age. For many, they are small rituals that reassure, and connect us with the generations before us.
If a gesture brings you peace and confidence, if it helps you look on the bright side, there is no reason to give it up. What matters is to keep trusting your intuition.
Key takeaways 📌
Madison's insights: a sign intrigues you?
A black cat, a broken mirror, an omen that keeps coming back: if a sign makes you wonder about your future, a psychic will help you see clearly. The future is mine.
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Article presented by
Madison Carter
"Psychic Healer & Angelic Channel for MyAstro ✨ As a psychic healer and angelic channel, I translate loving guidance from the divine into practical wisdom. My work is dedicated to delivering messages from guardian angels that bring clarity, comfort, and deep spiritual healing. Through MyAstro, I aim..."
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