The black cat crossing your path, breaking a mirror, and other strange superstitions that have been passed down through the ages. But even these popular beliefs vary according to countries and cultures. Below, we are listing some of the strangest superstitions from different countries and regions of the world.

Denmark

In many countries, spilling salt on the table is a bad omen, while throwing salt over your left shoulder brings good luck. In Denmark, spilling salt is good luck if it’s dry, but bad luck if it’s wet. In Scandinavia it is a common practice to ward off evil spirits and demons by putting some salt in certain places in the house.

United States

You might think that only children believe in fairy tale figures like witches, but for a long time they have scared adults too. In the United States, for example, this belief is still evident, as many houses have specially shaped windows called “witch windows”. They are arched to prevent witches from entering the house with their brooms.

Morocco

In this country many superstitions are related to the devil and religion. Yawning with your hand over your mouth is more than an expression of politeness. The left hand should be placed in front of the mouth with the palm facing forward to ward off the evil eye or the devil. The gesture must be accompanied by an Arabic formula: “astaghfar allah” (I ask God for forgiveness).

Finland

In Finland it is best not to kill any spiders. According to local beliefs, it may rain the next day.

INDIA

There are several methods to avoid the evil eye (negative karma) and bad luck. In some areas of the country, people have a superstition of throwing red pepper and salt at the entrance of their houses. If you travel to India, you may also see large white pumpkins in front of houses or shops to protect the home or business from people’s evil eye.

China

In China, the number 4 is pronounced almost like the word “death” and therefore brings bad luck. Some buildings go directly from the 3rd floor to the 5th floor. On the contrary, the number 8 means luck and happiness.

Japan

If you go to the Land of the Sun, never stick your chopsticks into the rice because it is a memory of a dead person. Indeed, the rice bowl is related to the incense bowls used during funeral ceremonies. Also, crossing or breaking sticks is a sign of bad luck.

Spain

Unlike many cultures that fear Friday the 13th, for the Spanish, Tuesday the 13th is a bad day for travel and weddings. This belief dates back to Mars, the name of the god of war in Spanish.

France

France also has its share of popular superstitions, such as drinking a toast while making eye contact with the person in front of you. The toast is an act of devotion and faith, the tradition of which dates back to the Middle Ages. If someone wanted to poison you, he had to look at his glass to see if there was poison in his drink.

Italy

In Italy it is the number 17 that brings bad luck and not 13, even if the superstition of the number 13 comes from the Bible. Where does this superstition about the number 17 come from? The explanation comes from its writing with Roman numerals: XVII. It is an anagram of VIXI, which in Latin means “I have lived”, and therefore “I have died”. So you won’t find yourself with 17 guests at a dinner party in Italy, nor will you have room number 17 in a hotel or seat number 17 on an Alitalia flight.

👁️[WPPV-TOTAL-VIEWS]