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SUPERSTITIONS (A ~ L)

Main Entry: su·per·sti·tion
Pronunciation: "sü-p&r-'sti-sh&n
Function: noun

a: belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation

b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
A notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

While these aren't urban legends, they're still untrue. Some people call them old wive's tales, other people call them crap.

Here's a list of some of the most popular:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M

N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Acorn

An acorn should be carried to bring luck and ensure a long life.
An acorn at the window will keep lightning out.

Albatross

An albatross flying round a ship in mid-ocean was an omen of wind and bad weather to come. It was very unlucky to kill it because it was thought to embody the restless soul of some dead mariner.

Amber

Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.

Apples

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

To predict the sex of a baby: Suspend a wedding band held by a piece of thread over the palm of the pregnant girl. If the ring swings in an oval or circular motion the baby will be a girl. If the ring swings in a straight line the baby will be a boy.

For more superstitions about babies, see Pregnancy.

Bad Luck

A bat flying into the house
An owl hooting 3 times
3 butterflies together
Hearing a rooster crow at night
Getting out of bed left foot first
A picture falling

Reverse your luck by turning three times counter clockwise.

Baseball Bat

Spit on a new bat before using it for the first time to make it lucky

Bed

It's bad luck to put a hat on a bed.
If you make a bedspread, or a quilt, be sure to finish it or marriage will never come to you
Placing a bed facing north and south brings misfortune.
You must get out of bed on the same side that you get in or you will have bad luck.
When making the bed, don't interrupt your work, or you will spend a restless night in it.
Never turn your mattress on a Sunday, or change a bed on Friday or you'll have bad dreams.
Make the foot of the bed before the head, or else my dear, you'll never wed!

Bee

If a bee enters your home, it's a sign that you will soon have a visitor. If you kill the bee, you will have bad luck, or the visitor will be unpleasant.
A swarm of bees settling on a roof is an omen that the house will burn down.

Bell

The sound of bells drives away demons because they're afraid of the loud noise.
When a bell rings, a new angel has received his wings.

Bird

If a robin flies into a room through a window, death will shortly follow.

Birthday Cake

If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff you will get your wish.

Bread

To cut bread in an uneven manner is a sign that you have been telling lies.
Before slicing a new loaf of bread, make the sign of the cross on it.
A loaf of bread should never be turned upside down after a slice has been cut from it.

Bridge

If you say good-bye to a friend on a bridge, you will never see each other again.

Broom

Do not lean a broom against a bed. The evil spirits in the broom will cast a spell on the bed.
If you sweep trash out the door after dark, it will bring a stranger to visit.
If someone is sweeping the floor and sweeps over your feet, you'll never get married.
Never take a broom along when you move. Throw it out and buy a new one.
To prevent an unwelcome guest from returning, sweep out the room they stayed in immediately after they leave.

Butterfly

If the first butterfly you see in the year is white, you will have good luck all year.
Three butterflies together mean good luck.

Candles

If a candle lighted as part of a ceremony blows out, it is a sign that evil spirits are nearby.

Calf

If the first calf born during the winter is white, the winter will be a bad one.

Cat

If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
Keep cats away from babies because they "suck the breath" of the child.
A cat onboard a ship is considered to bring luck.

Cedar Tree

If half a cedar tree dies on a couple's property, one half of the couple is going to die.

Cemetery

You must hold your breath while going past a cemetery or you will breathe in the spirit of someone who has recently died.
Tuck your thumbs into your fists when you pass a cemetary, it will protect your parents.

Chimney Sweep

It's very lucky to meet a chimney sweep by chance. Make a wish when sighting one, and the wish will come true.

Cigarettes

It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match.

Clock

If a clock which has not been working suddenly chimes, there will be a death in the family.

Clover

It's good luck to find a four-leaf clover.
Clover protects human beings and animals from the spell of magicians and the wiles of fairies, and brings good luck to those who keep it in the house.

Coins

It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.

Comb

To drop a comb while you are combing your hair is a sign of a coming disappointment.

Corpse

If a woman is buried in black, she will return to haunt the family.
If a dead person's eyes are left open, he'll find someone to take with him.
Mirrors in a house with a corpse should be covered or the person who sees himself will die next.
If there is a corpse in a house (say, during a wake), you should cover all the mirrors because if the spirit sees themselves in a mirror their soul will get trapped behind the glass. Following this, the mirror then becomes a haunted object.

Cowboys

10 Rodeo Superstitions

A saddle bronc rider always puts the right foot in the stirrup first.
Never kick a paper cup thrown down at a rodeo.
Cowgirls often wear different colored socks on each foot, for luck.
Don't compete with change in your pocket because that's all you might win.
Never put your hat on a bed -- you may be seriously injured or killed.
Eating a hotdog before the competition brings good luck.
Never read your horoscope on competition day.
Never eat peanuts or popcorn in the arena.
Always shave before the competition.
Never wear yellow in the arena -- it will bring bad luck.

Crack

Don't step on a crack on a sidewalk or walkway.
Step on a crack break your mother's back.

Cricket

A cricket in the house brings good luck.

Crows

One's bad, Two's luck, Three's health, Four's wealth, Five's sickness, Six is death.

Dishes

An old Mexican belief is if a dish or pot falls and breaks for no reason, someone in your family has died.

Dog

If a dog howls 3 times, someone is going to die.

Fingers Crossed

By making the sign of the Christian faith with our fingers, evil spirits would be prevented from destroying our chances of good fortune.

Fish

When eating a fish, you should begin at the tail and work towards the head.

Fork

To drop a fork means a man is coming to visit.

Friday the 13th

Paraskevidekatriaphobics - people afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th

The sixth day of the week and the number 13 both have foreboding reputations said to date from ancient times. Their inevitable conjunction from one to three times a year denotes more misfortune than some can bear. Folklorists say it's probably the most widespread superstition in America (and no doubt in other parts of the world, as well).

Those who know about these things, inform us that Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden on a Friday, Noah's flood started on a Friday, and Christ was crucified on a Friday. Christians also noted that twelve witches plus one devil are present at Satanic ceremonies so Friday and 13 make a deadly combination.

God Bless You

When the great plague swept Europe, sufferers began sneezing violently which was a sign of death. At the same time, it was expected that anybody sneezing would cover their mouth with a cloth or their hand. This was obviously to stop the spreading of the disease, but many believed that it was to keep the soul intact. Up until this time, the opposite was true. Those who sneezed were congratulated, as it was believed that a violent sneeze would expel evil from their bodies. (See Also Sneeze)

Good Luck

Spilling wine while proposing a toast
Looking at the new moon over your right shoulder
Finding 9 peas in a pea pod
Picking up a pencil in the street
Finding a ladybug on you
Carrying an acorn with you will bring good luck
Finding and keeping a four leaf clover will bring you tremendous good luck
Dolphins swimming near a ship
A spider spinning in the morning

Reverse your luck by turning three times counter clockwise.

Hand

If the palm of your right hand itches it means you will soon be getting money.
If the palm of your left hand itches it means you will soon be paying out money.

Hiccups

People with hiccups were once thought to be possessed by the devil.

Horseshoe

A horseshoe, hung above the doorway, will bring good luck to a home. In most of Europe protective horseshoes are placed in a downward facing position, but in some parts of Ireland and Britain people believe that the shoes must be turned upward or "the luck will run out."
A horseshoe hung in the bedroom will keep nightmares away.

Knock on Wood

It was believed that good spirits lived in trees, and that by knocking on anything made from wood, we could call upon these spirits for protection against misfortune.

Ladder

It is bad luck to walk under a ladder.

Lipstick

When making up, an actress regards it as a sign that she wins receive a good contract if she accidentally smears some lipstick on to her teeth.

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