30 of the Strangest Superstitions Out There 



Superstition follows us everywhere. We unapologetically cross our fingers (and toes and … well … whatever else we can) when we're in need of a little extra luck — we can't help it.

You may not even have known some of the following even existed — performed either to thwart away bad luck or attract good. While others, perhaps ones you do religiously, may not seem so strange after all.

Don't Walk Backwards
In Portugal, it's considered bad luck to walk backwards. The common belief is that if you do, you're showing the devil which way you're going.

Don't Walk Under a Ladder
We're all fairly familiar with this one, but some may not know that the superstition dates back to medieval times. The ladder, back then, symbolized the gallows where people were hanged.

Be Wary of Full Moons
Full moons are commonly associated with chaos (even if you're not convinced werewolves are, or ever were, real). According to Bustle, it's a popular superstition in hospitals.

Go to the Hospital on Wednesdays
An old wives' tale states that the best day to go to the hospital is, in fact, Hump Day.

Don't Say the Same Word at the Same Time as Your Friend
According to The Local, in Italy, if you say the same word as someone in unison, you'll never get married (yikes!). To undo this bad juju, you must immediately touch your nose.

Avoid Broken Mirrors
Matthew Hutson, science writer and author of 7 Laws of Magical Thinking, explained to GoodHousekeeping.com that we pay attention when material is dangerous or deadly, claiming, "it's better to recognize a stick as a snake than a snake as a stick." So, it makes sense that you'd remember the cautionary legend: avoid broken mirrors. You wouldn't want seven years of bad luck!

Protect Yourself Against the Evil Eye
The evil eye is a well-known symbol of bad fortune, a human look believed to cause supernatural harm such as disease, injury or even death, states Live Science. It can be cast on people or even objects like your car or home. There are a number of talismans in many cultures created to ward off this curse (like the popular Hamsa).

Don't Sing at the Dinner Table
This is something else you shouldn't do during your evening supper. Apparently, in the Netherlands, singing your favorite tune means you're singing to the devil for your food.

Don't Sit at the Corner of the Table
Another act causing you to be barren in the marriage department? Sitting at the corner of the dinner table, according to Hungarian and Russian superstitions.

Don't Wear Red During a Storm
In the Philippines, it's believed that the color red attracts lightning. And it's a shame - red surely is the boldest shade.

Say "Rabbit Rabbit" Every Month
Saying "rabbit rabbit" or "white rabbit" on the first day of every month ensures good luck for that month, a common belief in Britain and North America. Back in 600 B.C., rabbits were thought to communicate with the spirits of the underworld because they lived underground. A rabbit's foot is also popularly thought to bring good luck (but, apparently, in order for it to be considered lucky, the foot has to be the left hind).

Don't Enter a Room With Your Left Foot
In Spain, walking into a room with your left foot will bring you bad luck. It's always better to enter or leave with your right.

Don't Open Umbrellas Indoors
According to this superstition, if you open up an umbrella before you head outside, bad luck will "rain" on you. There are some who say this belief can from the early Egyptians, while others say it came from the British in the 18th century when waterproof umbrellas - with metal spokes and a large circumference - could cause injury if opened inside a home.

Eat Grapes on New Year's Eve
Also in Spain, instead of kissing someone at midnight to celebrate the New Year, they're encouraged to eat 12 grapes one after the other for good luck.

Hide Your Thumbs When Passing a Graveyard
People tend to hold their breath when they pass cemeteries, but in Japan, you must tuck your thumbs in to protect your parents. (The Japanese word for thumb translates as "parent-finger," so hiding it protects them from death.)

Listen for Awkward Silences
People associate awkward silences with a lot of different things, but some, according to Stylist, believe that when these lulls occur, an angel is passing over.

Don't Step on a Manhole
We all know the phrase: "Step on a crack, break your mother's back." But in Sweden, you have to watch out for manholes. If you step on one with the letter A, this will bring you a broken heart and bad luck.

Don't Trim Your Nails at Night
Many cultures believe that cutting your nails after the sun goes down is a big N-O. In fact, according to US News, one Japanese superstition states it can cause premature death.

Throw Salt Over Your Shoulder If You Spill It
We all have that one friend who can't help themselves (or maybe you're that friend). Interestingly enough, Bustle reports that long ago, salt was used as currency - it was how Roman soldiers were paid.

Don't Chew Gum at Night
Brace yourselves. In Turkey, chewing gum at night is apparently the equivalent of chewing on the flesh of the dead.

Don't Jump Over a Child
Another thing you shouldn't do in Turkey? Jump over a child. Doing this will curse them to be short. Forever.

Don't Kiss Babies on the Lips
If you do kiss a baby, in Nigeria, legend says you'll condemn them to spend their entire adult lives drooling, reports AOL Lifestyle.

No Bananas on Board
Fishermen, according to Hutson, won't bring bananas on their boats, according to Huston."Not bringing a banana on board gives them a sense of control over very dangerous and unpredictable situations."

Carry an Acorn to Stay Forever Young
Women in Ancient Britain often kept acorns in their pockets to ensure a youthful complexion. This may just be our favorite anti-aging trick - it's a good thing fall is right around the corner.

Don't Let Your Purse Touch the Floor
In Brazil, putting your purse or wallet on the floor means you'll become penniless. So, even if packed your whole closet in your tote, you better keep it off the tile.

Beware of "Unlucky" Animals
According to, US News, people in Ireland and Scotland believe seeing a single magpie is bad luck. For South Koreans, the bird with the worst mojo is the crow.

For the record, we don't believe anyone should discriminate against animals because of these superstitions.

And "Unlucky" Numbers
We all know that Friday the 13th is draped with bad vibes. As Hutson states, "even if people say that they don't [believe], they might expect bad things to happen on some level." We also commonly fear 666, the "devil's number" or "number of the beast." But did you know that in China, the number 4 is feared because it sounds very close to the Chinese word for "death"? And it's not Friday the 13th Italians dread, it's Friday the 17th.

Don't Tempt Your Fate
In Cuba, if you declare that it's "el ultimo," or your last drink, then you're tempting fate and death will shortly follow. To avoid tempting fate, is a common superstition among the public, Hutson says. "For instance, one might refrain from stating, 'I never had cancer,'" and if they did, they'd likely proceed to knock on wood.

Avoid Sleeping With Fans On
Many South Koreans also do not sleep with fans running in closed rooms - if they do, it's believed to be fatal. To combat "fan death," legend says to leave windows open.

Knock on Wood
Hutson also says knocking on wood, naturally, is one of the most prevalent superstitions people talk about (as we all know). And even as an atheist and a self-proclaimed skeptic, he still sees himself falling into the tendency of thinking coincidences are meaningful, or that certain events were meant to happen. He, believe it or not, still knocks on wood.

Article Source: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g4489/30-strangest-superstitions/?
Image Source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f7/1a/7c/f71a7cac36cb2fa5020baad5e7aadaf7.jpg

VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Thwart (v.) ~ prevent (someone) from accomplishing something
2. Wary (v.) ~ feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems
3. Old wives' tale (idiom) ~ a superstition or traditional belief that is regarded as unscientific or incorrect
4. Talisman (n.) ~ an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck
5. Barren (adj.) ~ incapable of producing offspring, seed, or fruit
6. Lull (n.) ~ a temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity
7. Premature (adj.) ~ occurring or done before the usual or proper time too early
8. Curse (v.) ~ invoke or use a curse against
9. Fatal (adj.) ~ causing death
10. Skeptic (n.) ~ a person inclined to question or doubt all accepted opinions

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Which of the superstition above are you familiar with? What is yout opinion of them?
2. Do you believe in any superstition? Which ones?
3. Some people say that superstition is more of social norm rather than a personal belief. Do you agree or disagree? Discuss your answer.
4. Give some examples of Korean superstition and what you believe is the origin of them?