Although in modern society superstitions do not take this too important place, at least in its primary sense, but they played a huge role in the formation and the society and its culture. Old old wives' tales, urban legends or just scary stories - all of them still have their supporters.
Gum - Dead Man's flesh
In some parts of Turkey, you have to think twice before you throw in the mouth chewing gum. There goes a belief that if you chew it at night, it turns into a dead man's rotting flesh.
Groaning cheese for newborns
Of course you've heard of Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese and cheese Pepper Jack, but do you know anything about the groaning cheese? In medieval England, pregnant women produced what was called "groaning cheese." It was a huge range of cheese, which is matured for nine months until the child is in the womb grew. When it was "time to moan" (date of birth), the whole family celebrated and ate the cheese until it does not remain on only the upper crust. Sneaking through the crust of the newborn on the day of baptism. It was believed that if his life will be long and happy. Here is a superstition cheese!
Horseshoe for good luck
Some people believe that attract happiness into the house and get rid of the nightmares you need in the bedroom or on the front door to hang a horseshoe ends up. This superstition due to the fact that the horseshoe seven holes, and that - a lucky number. More horseshoe made of iron, it is believed that this metal drives away evil spirits that come to us in nightmares.
Friday the 13th
This day gave rise to superstition more since the 19th century. In fact, these are just theories and assumptions, but their influence is quite strong. Many people in this day avoid serious cases (business meetings, meetings, banquets, etc.) due to the belief that the day is cursed and brings only misfortune.
Curse opal
If your favorite stone - opal, beware of failures. They say that this stone brings trouble to their owners. This superstition has gone from a famous book by Walter Scott's "Anna Geyershteynskaya", written in 1829, where the Lady Hermione falsely accused that she demon because dies shortly after a drop of holy water gets on her opal necklace, stone and instantly changes color. The book is so influenced by the reputation of the opal that after its publication in the prices of this stone fell by as much as 50 percent.
The bells
Have you ever wondered why the bells are associated with weddings and all special cases? It turns out that the bell sound because of widespread believe, on which chimes drives away evil spirits. This belief appeared during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Bells rang for prayers for the repose of the soul and to ward off evil spirits, standing at the foot of the bed.
Bird droppings - to wealth
Yes, yes, yes, that's right in the title. In Russia, believe that if a bird pokakala on you, your car, or on some of your stuff - it's a good sign for money. The more birds did it for you, so you'll richer. So, the next time you nakakaet bird, just consider it a great luck!
Old, new, borrowed and blue
They say this popular wedding tradition appeared in the Victorian era, and it is in giving the bride four gifts. Something old symbolizes eternity, something new symbol of hope and a future, and the third thing - borrowed and symbolizes happiness, and the latter should be blue, it brings purity, love and devotion.
Black Cats - to bad luck
Almost everyone has heard that if a black cat ran across the road to you - this is a bad luck. This superstition has come to us from the Middle Ages because of misinterpreted believe that single women (usually older) living with a lot of cats, witches that can transform themselves into cats. Thus, the black cat ran across the road you could be a witch.
Ravens
There is a belief that the amount you have seen at one time crows can predict the future, such as in the English rhyme: one - a mountain, two - good luck, three - life without ailments, four - will be richer, five - always hurt, six - to die.
Birds, bringing misfortune
Wryneck - a bird that can turn his head almost 180 degrees. Among the inhabitants of the places where this bird is found, goes a belief that if she turns her head to you, death is somewhere close.
Mirrors take capita
Most people use a mirror every day. According to legend, this means that they are all heartless. There is a superstition that gazing into a mirror steals your soul. This explains why the evil queen uses a mirror to hurt Snow White why Narcissus was trapped in his own reflection, and why vampires do not have reflections, they are dead, they have no soul. So think before you once again look in the mirror in the bathroom ...
Crossing fingers for good luck
Cross your fingers - a gesture of good luck. This makes sense, since such a gesture was used during the Christian persecution, for his believers to know each other. Today, crossing fingers is used as a sign of "white lie". Perhaps this comes from the belief that the Christian cross can save by sending to hell for lying.
Photo - cell for the soul
When in the early 19th century, photography was invented, people around the world is totally unreasonable to believe in something that will make someone's picture is akin to taking away a human soul. Thus, if the enemy turns out your picture, not only was he the master of your soul, but also had spiritual authority over you. Thank God, it's only superstition, because just scary to imagine how many people today had power over us ... especially given the popularity of social networking.
Unlucky number 13
In contrast to the Friday the 13th is just superstition says that the number 13 is unlucky. That is why many architects refused (and some still refuse) to design the stairs in 13 steps or building of 13 floors. The fear of the number 13 is so real for many people, what psychologists say about the whole phobia. Triskaydekafobiya.
Shooting stars
Superstitions about making wishes on a shooting star is somewhat doubtful, however, before the Europeans believed that the gods sometimes look down, and when they are pushing for this heaven, the stars begin to fall. The Greeks believed that the shooting stars - are the souls of people, and make a considered a great success they desire.
Umbrella indoors
According to superstition, if you open an umbrella indoors, you are a self-fulfilling themselves fail ("pour rain over"). One explanation comes to us from the days when umbrellas were used as protection from the sun. Opening an umbrella indoors it was considered an insult to the sun god, and he could punish you failures. Another theory claims that the umbrella protects from troubles in life, thus opening it in the house, you insult brownies (which also protect you from troubles in life), they can be offended and leave.
A new broom, a new home, failure
There are many superstitions associated with brooms, but there is one very interesting, particular superstition. According to legend, you can not sweep debris from the new house (apartment) with a new broom, sweep up until something inside. If at first you do not sweep up something inside, then you sweep your luck.
Happy rabbit's foot
Have a talisman - the trouble for a rabbit and a huge success for the owner. According to superstition (which originates from the 7th century BC), the supernatural rabbit luck you can get, having his left hind paw of the rabbit, killed or captured in the cemetery at the full moon. However, the rabbit is probably not very great success ...
Knock on wood
Knock on wood after reassuring statements. It is believed that in this way you lured destiny, acknowledging his good fortune. They say it has come to us from ancient times, when people thought that the trees live the good spirits. Tapping on something wooden, people called them for help.
Broken Mirror
We have already said that the mirror - is a subject, mystically sucked out our soul. But what happens if you break it down? Of course seven years of misfortune. Some superstitious sources claim that the mirror of the soul caught adversely affect our destiny. You thought, what you are doing them a favor by freeing. Nothing of the sort! All of them are inside the mirror.
Cheers!
For many, the phrase "good luck" after someone chihnёt - just a gesture of courtesy. However, the origin of this formality comes from Pope Gregory the Great, who spoke so people sneezing during the bubonic plague, and by the mistaken belief that the soul disappears from the body during a sneeze and the heart stops for a moment. Hence the phrase "be healthy" was a way to greet a person who has returned to life.
Clover with four leaves
While making wishes on the clover with four leaves left in ancient times, this plant is still a symbol of good luck. In some traditions, it was also used to search for a husband or wife. How does this work? First you have to find a clover with four leaves, if you happen to find it, you need to eat it (or put in your shoes, but more fun to eat). After that forces luck activated and the first person you meet after that will be your future husband or wife. (Stay at this time away from anyone you do not want to see next to each).
Itchy palms
This superstition many options, but the idea was originally owned by someone very greedy. Some people believe that if the right hand itches, you will lose money, and itchy left palm means money that you will find. If both hands itch ... better go to the doctor.
Source: alex-akishin.livejournal.com