Germany is not exempt of these. 1. In our modern society, there are a number of people that still fear black cats. That last minute rush to buy someone a present weve all been there. An American superstition is that hanging somebodys picture backwards on a wall will bring disaster to that person. If you step on it with your left foot, theres good fortune in store for you. While Americans are generally superstitious about Friday the 13th, Greeks are traditionally wary of Tuesdays, and especially Tuesday the 13th. Don't let a black cat cross your path. Since then, it has been considered bad luckfor three people to share a light from the same match. The crow reported to Apollo that his love, a nymph named Coronis was unfaithful. In fact, it seems downright practical. If you use the right technique, lighting a cigarette is easy and can look natural. by Many olden day clocks required constant maintenance and winding to keep them working. The rationale for the superstition goes all the way back to Tuesday, April 13, 1204 (on the Julian calendar), when Constantinople completely fell to the Crusaders. This article focuses on these beliefs and their origins. In either case, having a lucky cigarette in your pack has since become a universal superstition. According to legend, if the first thing you say on the first day of the month is "rabbit rabbit," you'll have good luck for the rest of it. This superstition may have originated from the idea that happiness is something that needs to be earned, and to be overly happy at the beginning of the day before doing any work is inviting misfortune. Webwhen you light the wrong side of your cigarette when you drunk, etc.. 98 likes. You have been careless about what you are saying or sharing with others. Maybe you didnt even realise it was a superstition it was just a part of your daily routine and you probably didnt think twice about it! The strike of the match would alert an enemy sniper of the soldiers' presence. This comes from the belief that a mirror reflects a persons soul, and, when it breaks, the soulalso breaks,taking seven long years to heal. He wrote, If three men light their cigarillos from the same match, bad luck will surely overtake one of them soon. It is a common Serbian superstition to believe that spilling water behind someone will bring them good luck. So be sure to stand under any high-flying flocks when youre in Russia, because the more birds that are involved, the wealthier youll be. Hello, Marlboro Gold Pack. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your personal data will only be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy. But if you leave your umbrella back at home, it will actually rain. Lighting a Cigarette With a Candle (Germany) Its said in Germany that if you light a cigarette with a candle it will kill a sailor. Eating seaweed soup on the day or the night before your big exam is considered to be bad luck in Korea. Remember, eye contact is an absolute must in such scenarios, because otherwise youll be cursed with bad sex for seven years not something youd want to risk. If you spill salt, throw it over your shoulder to avoid bad luck. To understand why this piece is passed down it is important to go back to the origins and see where it may have originated from and the theories for why the folk group smokersthink three on a match is bad luck. If you believe in luck and wouldnt mind some good fortune, never cross a French stream holding a cat. There are several grooming-related superstitions in India, including the belief that it is bad luck to trim one's nails at night. This superstition stems from the actuality that many sailors took up match making as an additional source of income in the old days. Ever since the existence of the human kind, superstition has been around. And if a black cat crosses your path at night then prepare for some bad fortune coming your way. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Press J to jump to the feed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture, those who drink water that reflects moonlight will have bad luck. Webwhen you light the wrong side of your cigarette when you drunk, etc.. 98 likes. In Italy, its considered bad luck to lay bread upside down, either on a table or in a basket. The twelve grapes represent 12 months of good luck. WebThe superstition goes that if three soldiers lit their cigarettes from the same match, one of the three would be killed or that the man who was third on the match would be shot. The third and final theory was that a businessman by the name of Ivar Kreugar monopolized many matchmaking factories in the United States and created this superstition as a way to have people buy more matches so that he could make more money. Instead, you should eat sticky food like toffee or sticky candy. Similarly, leaving scissors open is also said to bring bad luck. When I asked her if she would pass this belief along to anyone she said she probably would not because it never really made much sense to her and she does not see many people smoking with matches anymore. Its also believed that if the weather showed that it would rain on a specific day and you took your umbrella with you, then it will not rain. Where God Lives and the Spirituality of Near Death Episodes, ET Contact Researcher Says New Humans Are Already Among Us. You can, of course, be creative and get them something else for their home, but be sure to cross knives off your list. Not because night time fresh breath is frowned upon there, but because, according to the Turks, its not even chewing gum anymoreits been transformed into the rotting flesh of dead people. Pranay Das June 9, 2012. Many Germans bury their dead dog under their front doorstep, so that their ghost can then continue guarding the house even after their death. Similarly, people in China commonly use the phrase that translates to "a purse on the floor is money out the door," to warn against not valuing wealth. But if you are hosting a dinner party, make sure you manage guest numbers carefully. We are all familiar with the thumbs-up sign that, to most people, indicates good luck. People who do this they say are helpless in the face of evil (even to the devil himself). Every country has at least a couple of weird wedding traditions and superstitions that have gone on so long that we dont even question them anymore. Lighting a second lets the sniper know how far away the target is. WebLighting a cigarette off a candle will cause the death of a sailor. The origins of this superstition came from Ancient Egyptians. She said that she remembers it because she used to be a heavy smoker and it came up fairly often so she would avoid using the same match to light multiple cigarettesjust in case in order to avoid any chance of bad luck falling upon her and her family. It is often believed in Germany that lighting a cigarette with a candle kills a sailor, although the origins of this lie so far back that most people dont really know why. Lighting Three Cigarettes, which is also called third on a match or unlucky third light, is considered to be bad luck. (Jan. 6, 2015)http://www.learning-mind.com/13-most-common-superstitions-and-their-origins/, The Phrase Finder. Lovelorn travelers can visitthe Casa di Giulietta, the 14th century home turned museum that is said to have inspired Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," and leave their lettersfor Juliet. With all this bad luck around, how do we get some good fortune into our lives. Drinking beeris a vital part of German culture, and a tradition that dates back centuries. If you do this in Germany, you may notice your buddies knocking on the table as a greeting when they join you. If you see a tortoiseshell cat, this foretells your death in an accident. The reasoning is simple; In Japanese, the word for "thumb" directly translates to "parent finger." They also believed that an owl hooting signified death, and it was this omen that preceded the deaths of Julius Caeser, Augustus Caeser and the Roman general, Agrippa. In Portugal, many people believe that walking backwards brings bad luck. Today, a group of volunteerscalled the Juliet Club actually responds to the letters from Juliet's persona, carrying on the old tradition of asking the classic Shakespeare character for advice. Lighting three cigarettes with the same match is not a good idea, purely for your health. just now. Secondly, when it comes to smoking, never light a cigarette from a candle. If you do get near one and are in need of a change of fortune, then try and get your hands on his beret and give the little bobble at the top a gentle rub. Kiran Yasmin One of the origins of this phrase comes all the way form World War I. Youll only have yourself to blame when they run away in them! In Romania, never give away the last cigarette in your pack, as it symbolizes giving away your life. Really? Thus, by knocking on the oak, you were indicating to your friends that you werent the devil in disguise something they would appreciate, we're sure! You might not pay much attention to manhole covers, but inSweden some people believe that the symbols on themcan bring either good or bad luck. However if its the right, youre doomed. In South Korea, people are told not to shake their legs, otherwise their wealth and good luck will fall out. Apollos fury resulted in Coronis death as well as turning the crows feathers black, damning the animal forever as messenger of bad news. Animals may be oblivious to certain social norms and traditions, but that doesnt stop a number of superstitious beliefs from being pinned on them of which Germany also has its fair share. The bride and groom sit down on their marriage bed, while the bridesmaids and groomsmen turn around, slip off their socks and stockings, and fling them in the direction of the newlyweds. That way, when a troop sparked one, theyd burn the stamp first (this was before the days of filtered cigarettes). Place the filter end of the cigarette into your mouth. In some countries it has to be in a U shape in order to keep the luck inside. Angels And Aliens: Is There A Heavenly Relationship. It originates from World War I, the soldiers believed that if three of them lit their cigarettes on the same match, then one of them would end up dead or the third one on the match would end up getting shot. Are you a superstitious person? "10 Absurd Superstitions From Around The World" That one match, the notion goes, could light the fires of hell. Hands with their thumb up indicated that the gladiator would be executed, whereas hands with hidden thumbs meant they were to live certainly an indication of good luck! Alternatively, if you forget to speak the magic words in the morning, you can say "tibbar tibbar" (rabbit backwards) right before you go to bed that night. Spilling pepper, complimenting a baby, and cutting your fingernails after dark are just a few of the things that will earn you bad luck around the world. However, whatever you do, dont spill the salt, as that can cost you seven years of bad luck! Since then, it has been considered bad luckfor three people to share a light from the same match. It also represents fertility and signifies that you will have children in the future. According to several Web sources, in times of yore, in those lean months of winter, sailors and fishermen would be forced to supplement their incomes through the sale of matches. At the end of a wedding, when the bride would usually typically throw her bouquet in lots of parts of the world, Germans follow a different tradition. As the story goes, these magical creatures really hate construction sites. The superstitious idea that black cats crossing your path bring bad luck, is common in many countries, especially in Europe. if your cigarette keeps running (burning on one side and not the other) it means someone is thinking of how much they love youheard this one from several people in the Southeast. There are numerous superstitions based on these evils, many resulting in illness, loss of wealth, failure in personal endeavours and even death. Perhaps you've also heard it's unlucky to light three cigarettes with one match. Travel Away, March 6, 2012. The belief still exists today in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, that someone could be cursed simply through a look of envy, dislike or malice. Opening such an umbrella would cause harm to people inside a house or in a small space due to its size and metal spikes. "Schwarze Katze von links nach rechts, was Schlechts. (Black cat from left to right brings bad luck). It is also considered unlucky to see ones reflection in candlelight and that a child should not look into a mirror before they are one-year old otherwise they will stutter or die shortly after. updated February 3, 2015, 4:27 pm, by Everyone knows that breaking a mirror gives youseven years of bad luck, and that if you step on a crack youll break your mothers back. The word thumb in Japanese translates as parent-finger so by tucking your thumb in your hand, youre basically protecting your parents from death. WebIf three soldiers were smoking cigarettes during the dark hours of the night then superstition held that one of them was going to die. If you use the right technique, lighting a cigarette is easy and can look natural. Knives, when gifted, are believed to cause the receiver injury and sometimes even death. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. According to Greek mythology, spirits of the dead would often drink from the river Lethe, which is named for the goddess of forgetfulness. Walking through the triangle is considered an insult to the Trinity which attracts the Devils attention. WebThe white lighter curse or white lighter myth is an urban legend based on the 27 Club in which it is claimed several musicians and artists died while in possession of a white disposable cigarette lighter, leading such items to become associated with bad fortune. A possible explanation for this is that the dog may be able to sense a chemical change in human tissue and therefore be able to sense that their owner is sick, as there are historical instances of dogs acting distressed hours before their masters death. Believe it or not but chewing gum at night is considered to be bad luck in the Turkish and Hungarian cultures. This last cigarette is referred to as the lucky cigarette and its considered bad luck to smoke it before the others in the pack. Its believed that whoever chews gum at night is that he/she would actually be chewing on human flesh of a dead body. This made him rich and powerful to the point where he could spread an entire superstition without question from those he told it to, probably the matchmakers and smokers themselves. if your cigarette keeps running (burning on one side and not the other) it means someone is thinking of how much they love youheard this one from several people in the Southeast. Stepping on a cover marked "A," however, is believedto bring bad luck because it stands for the Swedish word for heartbreak. So, in those days, by lighting your cigarette with a candle and forgoing the use of a match, you were depriving a sailor of hard earned money, thereby preventing them from affording any food and causing their death. People often usethe saying"find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck.". Americans have always had a real knack for being terrified of witches, and no place more so than in Vermont, where the architectural presence of witch windows still persist today. French wives should never iron their husbands underpants while wearing a belt it will lead to him suffering kidney pain. However, remember to steer clear of mirrors. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that over the years, this tradition has intertwined itself with a number of odd superstitions and practices. Knock on wood for good fortune. Once it's lit, pull a small bit of smoke into your mouth and keep it in there for a few moments so the smoke has some time to cool. (Jan. 6, 2015), http://nyulocal.com/entertainment/2013/01/30/mythpuffers-the-curse-of-the-white-lighter/, Corneanu, Miruna. This belief may have originated during the Boer Wars where British soldiers shared matches and lit each others cigarettes. Historian Thomas Sharper Knowlson explained that superstitions probably had their origin from early mans attempts to explain nature and human existence; to invite fortune; pry into the future; and avoid evils. A single candle burning on a black background. "The match king." Superstitions are widely considered to be irrational beliefs and practices that are inconsistent with the laws of science. Doing so can make you powerless in the face of the devil or evil. To prevent their soul from being trapped in mirrors and other reflective surfaces, some people also keep these covered before death or going to sleep. Of course, this could all just be a clever story made up by dog owners so they dont have to pick up after their pets. Required fields are marked *. Why they believe this story is a little unclear, but maybe it has something to do with keeping children from annoyingly chewing their gum at all hours of the night. Bad luck from a shattered mirror can be averted by throwing the shards into a fast running stream to carry away the misfortune or grinding the pieces into powder so that it can no longer reflect. The reasoning behind this lies in the fact that it is impossible to predict what will happen between now and a future point in time. People believed that crossing paths with a black cat was a sign that the devil was watching them and even today some people fear that their pet cat will suck the breath out of their body while theyre asleep. However, much like crows, they are also believed by many people in history to be a bad luck omen. One of the theories behind this unlucky strike comes from a serious place. The beetle actually makes this noise to communicate and attract a mate. By securing a monopoly on match production, he became outrageously rich and powerful. Honestly, it's a wonder we get anything done! Others believe that the umbrella superstition is from the 18th century where waterproof umbrella with metal spikes were popular. Webwhen you light the wrong side of your cigarette when you drunk, etc.. 98 likes. Goodbye, Marlboro Lights. Whether or not its a good thing to have a bunch of smashed porcelain piled on your front steps is debatable, but if it does happen, at least you know youve got friends, right? Lots of different cultures have myths about elves and fairies, but in Iceland they make reference to a specific supernatural version of elves known as thehulduflk, or hidden people. In some rural communities a houses occupants were considered cursed to encounter misfortune if a crow had begun cawing nearby. It would be great if all ironing was considered bad luck. The unluckiness of Tuesday is also present in several Latin American cultures, to the point that in some South American countries the movie Friday the 13th was Martes 13, or Tuesday the 13th. The common phrase for lighting three cigarettes with one match is "three on a match." updated July 24, 2017, 12:16 pm, by It also washes away all the bad memories for a complete fresh start of your life. Firstly, if you light a prayer candle in a church always do it from a match or a lighter and never from another candle. , Luckily, I havent ever seen ANY tortoiseshell cats in Normandy, so life is looking good! According to Turkish legend, when a person chews gum at night, it turns into the flesh of the dead. Many very religious people that I have known and spoken to in my lifetime believe that using the Holy Trinity symbol (or performing things in threes) as a casual act is very disrespectful to the Holy Law. So, to avoid risk of misunderstanding, a superstition rose up to prevent people from doing this accidentally. WebSuperstitions vary from culture to culture all over the world. This French superstition is thought to stem from the trenches of World War One. This idea actually originates from a time when sailors attempted to increase their meagre income by selling matches. Cat, this foretells your death in an accident umbrella superstition is from the same.! Soldiers shared matches and lit each others cigarettes in either case, having a lucky cigarette and its considered luck! That are inconsistent with the thumbs-up sign that, to most people indicates... Heavenly Relationship is simple ; in Japanese translates as parent-finger so by your. Legend, when it comes to smoking, never give away the last cigarette referred... Light the fires of hell with all this bad luck. `` luck will surely overtake of., it will lead to him suffering kidney pain big exam is considered be... 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