Seven Wacky Superstitions from Around the World Infographic
Do you believe in superstitions? Are you one of those people that does not like to walk under ladders because it brings bad luck, shuns opening an umbrella indoors as it upsets the good spirts, has a bad premonition if they see a black cat or avoids cracks while walking on pavements? Some of these superstitions date back 5,000 years to Ancient Egypt, while other ones are more recent. Even in the aviation industry, they consider that number 13 is unlucky, that is why some airlines, namely Lufthansa, Air France, Ryanair, Singapore Airlines and Alaska Airlines, have decided to drop row 13 in their seat numbering.
While many of you do not believe in superstitions, and you consider them to be complete and utter nonsense, other people have grown up listening to these stories from their mothers and grandmothers, so they are deeply rooted in their beliefs. Every culture around the world has different beliefs and superstitions, but according to the infographic made by Bingo Find, some of them are outright wacky. Here, we countdown seven of the wackiest superstitions from different countries.
#7 – South Korea
Coming in at number seven we have a bizarre one from South Korea. Also knows as ‘Fan Death’, people in this Asian country believe that if they go to sleep with the fan on in their bedroom, they will essentially die in their sleep. According to reports, this fear dates to 1927, when a piece in the defunct Jungoe Ilbo warned readers about the risks from new technology. Can you believe a fan was considered new technology in 1927?
#6 – Spain
Here is one that dates to 1895. In Spain, the ‘Twelve Grapes of Luck’, are considered to bring good luck. All you must do is eat 12 grapes in quick succession as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. The number 12 symbolizes the coming months of the New Year.
#5 – Italy
There is another morbid superstition at number five from Italy. Known as ‘Congestione’, they believe that if you eat something then you must stay away from getting into the water for at least 3-4 hours or else you will die. While it is true, that you should not be swimming after having a meal for at least a couple of hours, Italians have taken it one step further by refusing to even have a shower.
#4 – Thailand
The Palad Khik is a Thai amulet that is worn by men around their neck as a medallion. It is thought to bring good luck and bestow good fortune to gamblers, protect them from muggings and make them irresistible to women. These charms are made from wood, bone and metal and can be purchased by shops on the street.
#3 – China
We all know that different cultures harbour superstitions that involve lucky and unlucky numbers, but the Chinese like to push the boundaries. They believe that number 4 is so unlucky, because it sounds like the word ‘death’ in Cantonese, and it should be avoided at all costs. Many believers make sure to avoid the 4th floor of a building, while others avoid license plates ending with that number.
#2 – Turkey
There is a weird superstition sitting at number two. The Turkish are not supposed to chew gum at night because when you do so is like chewing the flesh of the dead. This is according to Harry Oliver, the author of Black Cats and Four-Leaf Clovers. So, in case you want to go out on a date, and you happen to be in Turkey, make sure you brush your teeth and use a mouthwash instead of chewing a gum.
#1 – England
Finally, at the top of the list, we have an outlandish one from the UK. In Medieval England, an expectant mother was supposed to prepare a ‘Groaning Cheese’ (named after the noises a woman makes during childbirth) that would mature for nine months. When it was time for delivering the baby, the cheese would be shared amongst family members and then the outer rind would be used during the Christening so the baby would have a prosperous life.