Bad Omens Around the World
From the number 13 to walking under a ladder, there are many superstitions believed around the world. But where did these ideas originate, and why exactly do people follow them? If you’re hoping to get some good fortune on your side today, here are 20 interesting superstitions from across the globe that you might want to keep in mind—just in case.
1. Knocking on Wood
You've probably knocked on wood to negate something you just said or to ward off bad luck. This superstition, however, is said to be an alternate take that originated from medieval Europe, when churchgoers believed chapels contained pieces of Jesus' cross. Knocking on wood in those times was meant to bring good luck.
2. Number 13
In many Western cultures, the number 13 is bad luck. Some hotels even forgo having a 13th floor, skipping from 12 straight to 14. And while you've probably heard of Friday the 13th as being ominous, in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, it's Tuesday the 13th that has a bad rep. This is because Martes, the Spanish word for Tuesday, is derived from the Roman god of war, Mars, which ties the day with bloodshed and violence.
3. Black Cat
Back in the Middle Ages, people thought black cats were witches and could turn their owners into demons after seven years. Even now, in many Western cultures, it's considered bad luck to see a black cat cross your path. In South Korea and the UK, crows and ravens are believed to bring bad omen.
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4. Sweeping Feet
In many cultures around the world, from Brazil to Italy, it's bad luck to sweep someone's feet, and worse yet, your own, as it means you'll never get married. Particularly in Afghanistan, it's believed that if your broom touches the feet of a loved one, one of your parents will die.
5. Salt Over Shoulder
In the West, throwing salt over your shoulder is the near equivalent of knocking on wood—it's meant to ward off evil or the devil standing behind you. This might sound like a messy way to bring back good fortune, but a superstition is a superstition.
6. Marriage on Tuesday
In some Latin American cultures, getting married on a Tuesday is considered bad luck. The reasoning is similar to the superstition behind Tuesday the 13th, where Martes (Tuesday) is thought to bring bad omen. Some believe you also shouldn't go on a trip or leave your house.
7. Sticking Chopsticks Straight Up
In Asian cultures, like Japan and China, sticking your chopsticks straight up into food is a big no-no. This is because that's how incense sticks are used at funerals, so it's a bad omen to mimic it with your utensils, as it invites death.
8. Whistling Indoors
You might whistle whenever you're happy or have a song stuck in your head, but in Lithuania, Russia, and other Slavic cultures, it's forbidden to toot a tune indoors. In some countries, it's believed that it'll bring poverty ("whistling money away"), and in others, it's believed to summon demons.
9. Saying "Cheers" with Water
You might not think it's a big deal to say "cheers" with whatever drink you have in hand, but in Germany, if you do this, it's believed you're wishing death on the people you're toasting with. Even if you're a designated driver, fill your cup with some soda or juice instead.
10. Flipping Over a Cooked Fish
In some regions in China, it's bad luck to flip over a cooked fish, as it's thought that this will lead to a ship capsizing or overturning. It's better to finish eating the meat off the top first before moving onto the bottom by picking with your chopsticks.
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11. Placing Bread Upside Down
In Italy, you should never place your bread upside down, no matter if it's over a table or on a basket, as this is considered bad luck. The explanation behind this is rooted in religion, where bread is thought to be the body of Christ, and thus should be treated with respect.
12. Entering a Room with Your Left Foot
In Spain, never walk into a room with your left foot first, as this will bring bad luck. Instead, enter with your right foot for good fortune. If you do make a mistake, it's believed you can reverse the bad omen by signing the cross three times.
13. Number 4
Whereas the number 13 is considered bad luck in Western cultures, in Asian cultures, such as China and Japan, it's the number four. This is because the pronunciation of the digit sounds eerily close to "death," and thus should be avoided at all costs.
14. Hiding Thumbs When Passing Graveyard
In Japan, you should never show your thumbs when passing a graveyard; instead, you should tuck them into your hands as you walk by. This is because the word for thumb is "parent-finger" in Japanese (oya-yubi), so hiding these digits protects your parents from death.
15. Opening Umbrellas Indoors
This nearly universal superstition involves avoiding opening umbrellas indoors, as doing so can bring bad luck. It's believed to have originated from Egypt, where having an open umbrella indoors would anger Ra, the sun deity. However, there are other existing theories as well.
16. Yellow Flowers
In Russia, yellow flowers symbolize death, separation, and betrayal or infidelity, so it's considered a bad omen to give these to your partner or to buy them for a first date. So, unless you're looking to end the relationship, stay far away from blooms of this color!
17. Chewing Gum at Night
In Turkey, it's believed you should never chew gum after dark. If you do, it'll turn into the flesh of the dead! So, if you're looking to break your gum-chewing habit, this superstition might just convince you to stop.
18. Sleeping with a Running Fan
In South Korea, it's not wise to sleep in a room with a fan running, as it's believed it'll cause hypothermia and asphyxiation. So, if you're feeling a bit too warm at night, it might be best to crack a window open instead.
19. Returning Home for Something You Forgot
If you forget your wallet at home after you've already left the house, you might go back to grab it and think nothing of it. In Latvia and Russia, however, it's believed to be extremely bad luck. If you must, you'll need to look in a mirror before you leave to neutralize the bad omen.
20. Walking Under a Ladder
In many cultures around the world, walking under a ladder is believed to bring bad luck. This superstition seems to have stemmed from ancient Egypt, where it was thought that the space between the wall and a leaning ladder was home to spirits. Pass through this space, and you might just anger them, hence the action being forbidden.
