Very Superstituous- Superstition from Around the World
How many experiences have you had or heard of that had to do with superstition? Strangely considering our lack of belief of unexplainable occurrences people act irrationally on the principle of a superstition, and as there are many and different for different cultures we take a look today at many of the strange occurrences of acting on a superstition.
The other day I was working on a ladder, which was placed in front of a door. A lady exited through the door with a shopping trolley, and rather than go under the ladder which had more room she went around the narrow side. I asked her if she was afraid to walk under the ladder, and she said she was. Walking under ladders is a common superstition to receive 7 years bad luck. I must have a lot of bad luck accrued, because I’ve walked under so many ladders, even on that day, because it is safer and more practical.
English: BMW Head Quarters in Munich Germany. Licensing: fethi COŞKAN (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This led me to think of the other superstitions I’ve come across around the world.
The #13 is considered an unlucky number. I’d never heard of a building leaving out the 13th floor until in Munich when I was told it didn’t have a 13th floor. I found out this was true. But some buildings actually have a 13th floor, but they either call it 14th floor, or leave it empty. BMW actually left a cavity where the 13th floor should exist, and the next elevator number is 14th floor.
The Spanish speakers have a strange tradition for Tuesday or Martes.
Hoy es martes! No te cases, ni te embarques!- Today is Tuesday, don’t get married nor embark on a voyage.
I have heard of a Chilean lady, that refused to get on an airplane on a Tuesday because of this superstition.
(A disclaimer on the video. What you see is false advertising to get the attention of people interersted in the concept showing. It is an advertisement for Lay’s chips, but smart advertising gimmick all the same)
I myself tend to be a bit indifferent to superstition but when I see a coin somewhere I think of good luck and not matter how small it is I pick it up.
As the saying goes
“See a penny pick it up all day you’ll have good luck”
Another one is that garlic will ward off evil spirits. The only reason someone would think that is because, anyone with garlic breath can keep anyone away from their breathing distance.
In Freiburg Germany, there is the local superstition, that if you step in the water channels (Bächle) that run through the city streets, you will marry a local Freiburger.
Strangely the very same people who say bah humbug to the fact that superstitions actually come true, many will conform to that superstition.
We’ll just leave you with these wise words from Stevie Wonder from his song Superstition.” If you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer.”
I believe there area lot more stories out there of superstition so let us know some experiences you’ve had or heard of. So next time you walk under a ladder make sure you are holding a shamrock or a horse shoe.
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