We often say, we make our own luck. But do we make our own bad luck too? According to the bad luck superstitions from around the world, certain apparently harmless things, when done, bring us nothing but misfortune! Intrigued? Read on to know more!
It’s a known fact that our habits shape our life and influence our destiny. It has been found that in ancient spiritual practices, this belief has been held up quite strongly.
It is believed in many cultures and traditions that what we do and practice can impact our fortune and bring positive or negative energies.
These energies can influence the flow of our abundance, the quality of our relationships, life situations, and our overall well-being.
Today, we will explore such common superstitions from around the world and look into some habits that can contribute to bad luck, failure, unhappiness, and financial loss.
But we won’t be talking about things like breaking a mirror or walking under a ladder. For today’s topic, we are going to venture into the lesser-known bad luck superstitions that have their roots in ancient cultures and civilizations, but might still be relevant.
So, let’s get right into it!
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10 Bad Luck Superstitions Around The World
Here’re some common superstitions regarding how we inadvertently attract bad luck and misfortune through some habits or activities:
1. Wishing Happy Birthday Before the Actual Birthday
In Germany, it is believed that wishing someone “Happy Birthday” before the actual birthday causes bad luck and misfortune to befall on everyone involved.
They follow a custom called “reinfeiern” – gathering before midnight to celebrate the birthday and start the celebration strictly at midnight.
2. Gifting Yellow Clothes
According to Spanish mythology, the color yellow symbolizes black magic, evil, and even the Devil himself. So, gifting someone saffron or yellow colored outfits is strictly a no-no over there.
Those who are deep into it advise not wearing this color at all, or at least avoid it while going for an interview or an important meeting, where you would want luck to be on your side.
3. Saying “Macbeth” in a Theater
In England, Macbeth was a hugely successful Shakespearean play. Staging Macbeth guaranteed a hit show. So, when a new play would flop, the theater would end the show early and stage a production of the hit “Scottish Play”.
So, in a twist of fate, the popularity of the play gave birth to a bad luck superstition. If anyone would dare mention its name within the walls of a theater, it would be like tempting fate and bringing a bad reception for any show.
4. Sailor Superstitions:
Did you know that carrying a banana or whistling on a ship are considered a bad luck omen? You can’t even change the name of a boat, without angering the sea god! Let’s understand why!
During the 1700s, many lost or shipwrecked vessels happened to carry bananas between Spain and the Caribbean. So, having one on deck became a sign of bad luck.
Also, it is believed that letting out a whistle is a challenge to the wind, which may whistle back by sending a storm.
And about the name change superstition; legend has it every name of every boat is recorded in the ledger of Poseidon, the Greek god of sea and changing a boat’s name would be nothing but risking the wrath of Poseidon.
However, if you bought a boat and named it after your ex-girlfriend, and now you absolutely have to change it to save your new relationship – there’s a loophole.
Do away with every item of the ship. Discard everything from bows to life jackets – remove all traces of the “old boat” before giving it a new name.
5. Turning your Mattress On a Friday
Another bad luck superstition says turning your mattress on a Friday brings nightmares and bad dreams. Some say changing your bed on a Sunday brings bad luck as well.
We don’t make our beds on the weekends!!
Read: Spiritual Meaning Of Peacock Feathers, According To Vedic Astrology
6. Drinking Superstitions:
It is believed in the Czech Republic country that if you pour one type of beer into a glass which already contains another type of the brew, you’re in for some serious trouble and bad luck.
Meanwhile in Argentina, it is considered dangerous to combine wine and watermelon. Not only people don’t let these two things touch each other, they don’t even put these items together on a table.
Maybe the combination is lethal or maybe it can give you stomach cramps. Old wives’ tale? Well, we’re not going to tease our fate and try this cocktail!
7. Complimenting a Baby
In Serbia, it is believed that if you call a baby “cute”, “sweet”, or “lovely”, or anything nice, it would attract bad energy and negativity to the child for their entire lifetime. Instead, calling them “ugly” or such things, guarantees good luck and positive vibes.
8. Turning Over a Cooked Fish
In some regions of China, it’s considered bad luck to turn over a cooked fish while eating. This act symbolizes the capsizing of a boat. So, learn to use a chopstick, if you’re planning to travel there.
9. Cutting a New Born Baby’s Nails
According to Welsh customs, it is bad luck to cut one’s new born child’s nails before the kid becomes six months old.
There’s a warning with this bad luck superstition – if a child’s nails are cut in the first six months of their life, the kid would have sticky fingers, meaning he or she will grow up to become a thief!
10. Pointing At a Rainbow
In Navajo traditions, it is believed that rainbows are heavenly creations. So, admiring them is fine, but pointing your finger at a rainbow means disrespecting the deities who created them.
This act would surely anger them and invite their wrath in the form of bad luck and misfortune.
Superstitions of Bad Luck in Vedic Astrology
Here’re some bad luck superstitions from ancient Hindu scriptures:
- Cutting hair and nails at night, on a Tuesday, or on the eleventh day after a full moon or new moon – This angers Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune, and brings a blockage to the flow of money and prosperity.
- Keeping broken glass panes, cracked mirrors, and useless electronics – This blocks the flow of positive energy and brings stagnation and financial troubles.
- Keeping one’s home and kitchen untidy and unorganized – This also hinders the free flow of positive energy and brings financial loss, according to Vastu Shastra.
- Keeping leaking pipes and unclean dishes – Loss of water brings loss of wealth and unwashed dishes in the sink left overnight attracts malevolent energies in the household.
So, those were the most common, yet lesser-known bad luck superstitions from around the world. Will you steer clear of these things to remove bad luck from your life? Let us know in the comments below!
Read: You Have Been Pre-approved! Look For These 12 Signs Of Good Luck Around You
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some symbols of bad luck?
Broken mirror, inverted horseshoes, opening an umbrella inside, and saying “Macbeth” are some symbols of bad luck.
Is breaking a mirror bad luck?
Yes, according to a widely held belief, breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.
Is spilling salt bad luck?
Yes, spilling salt is often viewed as a sign of bad luck across various cultures. This belief stems from the idea that salt symbolizes value and preservation, so spilling it may signify loss—particularly financial loss. Many also associate it with attracting misfortune or inviting negative energy.
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