Believe it or not, these superstitions exist. No matter what, all superstitions are illogical, some are pure irrational and others, with some thought in it, actually could be passed on by our ancestors to discourage us from doing silly things.
Here are some examples of superstitions from around the world. It is just the tip of the ice berg, I am sure you can add more to the list.
Unlucky Numbers
- The fear of the number 4, aka Tetraphobia. The pronunciation of that number in Korea, China, Japan, East-Asian and some Southeast-Asian countries, is similar to "death". Thus it is not uncommon for buildings (including offices, apartments and hotels) to lack floors with the number 4. In Taiwan, there are no 4s or x4s for addresses, car number plates and almost everything numerically-related.
- Here's an example of an elevator in a residential apartment in Shanghai, China, where the number 4, 13 and 14 floors are missing
- The fear of the number 13, aka Triskaidekaphobia. In the US and Canada, many tall buildings do not have a floor numbered 13.
- We have heard and some feared Friday the 13th, but in Romania, Greece and some Spanish cultures, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky
- In Australia, 87 is the unlucky number. In cricket especially, when the batting score is 87, 187 or 287, etc is considered unlucky scores. Being "down under", Australians consider the reverse thus, 87 is 13 short of 100.
- In Italy, 17 is their number to avoid, as in Roman 17 is written as XVII, which can be rearranged as "VIXI", which in Latin means "I lived"
- In Formula One and other racing categories, no vehicle carries the number 13
Unlucky Actions
- Spilling salt is said to cause a fight or argument during the day
- Breaking a mirror is said to bring 7 years of bad luck
- A horseshoe placed above the doorway is said to collect luck when positioned like a regular "U". In the opposite direction, it drains luck away.
- Some Chinese cultures consider it bad luck to eat eggs before a major exam, the unfortunate student may get "zero" marks
- In Sweden, it is considered bad luck to place keys on the table
- In South Carolina, placing a hat on the bed bring bad luck
- Cutting your nails in the night is a big no-no in some Indian cultures
- Expectant mothers are not allowed to move house for fear of disfiguring the baby
- Expectant mothers are also not allowed to sew or cut anything during the course of her pregnancy, again the fear of disfiguring the baby
And the list goes on… and on… and on…
