List of superstitions
A superstition is "a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation" or "an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition."[1][2] Often, it arises from ignorance, a misunderstanding of science or causality, a belief in fate or magic, or fear of that which is unknown. It is commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy, and certain spiritual beings, particularly the belief that future events can be foretold by specific (apparently) unrelated prior events.[3][4] The word superstition is often used to refer to a religion not practiced by the majority of a given society regardless of whether the prevailing religion contains alleged superstitions.[3]
Global
See also: Magic and religion, Religion § Superstition, and Superstition § Superstition and religion
Exorcism
Exorcism in Christianity
Exorcism in Islam
List of lucky symbols
List of unlucky symbols
Superstitions in Muslim societies
Superstition in Judaism
Sailors' superstitions
Theatrical superstitions
Chain letter
Number related
Number of the Beast
11:11
4
Four-leaf clover
7
Seventh son of a seventh son
8
9
13
Friday the 13th
The Thirteen Club
Thirteenth floor
108
111
666 (Number of the Beast)
Ace of spades
Tetraphobia
Triskaidekaphobia
27 Club
Africa
Buda
Gris-gris
Sampy
Sleeping child
Americas
Ascalapha odorata
Carranca
Curupira
Djucu
Fortune cookie
Knocking on wood
I'noGo tied
Spilling salt
White lighter myth
Witch window
Asia
India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
Main articles: Superstition in India and Superstition in Pakistan
See also: List of superstitions in India
Bhoot (ghost)
Chashme Baddoor
Chhaupadi
Churel
Dhat syndrome
Ghosts in Bengali culture
Hindu milk miracle
Jackal's horn
Miracle Chapati
Muhurta
Mumbai sweet seawater incident
Navaratna
Nazar battu
Pichal Peri
Puppy pregnancy syndrome
China
Main article: Superstitions of Malaysian Chinese
Jin Chan
Numbers in Chinese culture
Japan
Main article: Japanese superstitions
Akabeko
Kanai Anzen
Maneki-neko
Okiagari-koboshi
Omamori
Korea
Main article: Superstition in Korea
Philippines
Agimat
Albularyo
Barang
Kulam
Lihi
Pagtatawas
Pasma
Usog
Thailand
Kuman Thong
Palad khik
Takrut
Nang Kwak
Other
Russian traditions and superstitions
Curse of 39
Europe
Main articles: List of superstitions in Turkey and Russian traditions and superstitions
Barbary macaques in Gibraltar
Blarney Stone
Cimaruta
Cornicello
Goodman's Croft
In bocca al lupo
Kitchen witch
Knocking on wood
Nazar
Painted pebbles
Rabbit rabbit rabbit
Ravens of the Tower of London
Spilling salt
Spilling water for luck
Troll cross
Tycho Brahe days
Witch post
Wolfssegen
See also
Luck
Omen
Curse
Notes
References
Further reading
External links
Where Superstitions Come From: slideshow by Life magazine
Superstitions in Russia
Japanese superstitions are rooted in the culture and history of Japan and the Japanese people.[1] Some Japanese superstitions are meant to teach lessons or serve as practical advice.
Contents
1 Overview
2 Folk wisdom
3 Linguistic superstition
3.1 Numbers
3.1.1 Lucky numbers
3.1.2 Unlucky numbers
4 Death and the supernatural
5 Animals
6 Spring
7 See also
8 References
Overview[edit]
Some superstitions that are common in Japan have been imported from other cultures. The Japanese share superstitions with other Asian cultures, particularly the Chinese, with whom they share significant historical and cultural ties. The unluckiness of the number four is one such example, as the Japanese word for "four" sounds like the word for "death". However, unlike most other countries, in Japan, a black cat crossing one's path is considered to bring good luck.[2]
A significant portion of Japanese superstition is related to language. Numbers and objects that have names that are homophones (Dōongo / Dōon Igigo (同音語 / 同音異義語, lit. "Like-Sound Utterance" / "Like-Sound Different-Meaning Utterance")) for words such as "death" and "suffering" are typically considered unlucky (see also, Imikotoba). Other superstitions relate to the literal meanings of words. Another significant part of Japanese superstition has its roots in Japan's ancient pagan, animist culture and regards certain natural things as having kami. Thus, many Japanese superstitions involve beliefs about animals and depictions of animals bringing about good or bad fortune.[3]
Folk wisdom[edit]
Resting just after eating results in becoming a cow/pig/elephant. (This discourages laziness.)[4][5][6]
If whistling or playing a flute at night, snakes will come out. (This means not to bother the neighbors.) In this context, "snake" means a thief.[4][5][6]
A cold midsection will cause diarrhea.
The first dream of a Japanese New Year will come true.
Breaking a comb or the cloth strap of a geta wooden sandal is an omen of misfortune.[4]
Stepping on the cloth border of a tatami mat brings bad luck.
Linguistic superstition[edit]
If a funeral hearse drives past, one must hide one's thumbs in a fist. The Japanese word for "thumb" literally translates as "parent-finger". Hiding it is considered protection for one's parents. If this is not done, one's parents will die.[5]
Numbers[edit]
Lucky numbers[edit]
7, when pronounced "shichi", sounds similar to the number four (四 shi). It is considered a good number since 7 symbolizes "togetherness".
17 as a whole is one of the greatest number in Japan, it's called as Jū Nana which brings enormous wealth and "prosperity".
8 is considered a lucky number because it is nearly homophonous to the word "prosperity" (繁栄 han'ei), It is also homophonous to Hachikō.
9 is considered a good number when pronounced "kyū", like a word for relief.
10 is considered a good number because it is pronounced "jū", like the word for "enough" and "replete". It is also a homophone for the word "ample" (十分な jūbun'na).
Unlucky numbers[edit]
See also: Tetraphobia
There are six unlucky numbers in Japanese. Traditionally, 4 is unlucky because it is sometimes pronounced shi, which is the word for death.[5] Sometimes levels or rooms with 4 don't exist in hospitals or hotels.[citation needed] Particularly in the maternity section of a hospital, the room number 43 is avoided because it can literally mean "stillbirth".[3] (死産 - shizan: 死 - death/to die and 産 - childbirth/produce). In cars and racing, number 42 which sounds like shini (死に – to death) and 49, which sounds like shiku (敷く – to run over) are avoided.[7] When giving gifts such as plates, they are normally in sets of three or five, never four.[3]
Number 9 is sometimes pronounced ku — with the same pronunciation as agony or torture. Combs (kushi) are rarely given as presents as the name is pronounced the same as 9 4.[8]
Due to these unlucky connotations, the numbers 4 and 9 are often pronounced yon and kyuu instead.
The number 13 is occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this is imported from Western culture.
Death and the supernatural[edit]
After a Japanese funeral, the mourners perform a cleansing ritual by throwing salt over themselves or scattering it on walkways leading to the front door.[9]
Sleeping with head to the north results in a short life. (This is the way a body is laid out at funeral.)[3][5]
Chopsticks should not be stuck upright into food, especially rice. Chopsticks are only stuck upright into rice in the bowl on the altar at a funeral or when paying respects to the deceased. This is called hotokebashi.[10]
Food should never be passed chopstick-to-chopstick, this is done only in a ceremony where bone fragments from cremated remains are placed in an urn.[3][5]
Cutting fingernails or toenails at night is bad luck. If one does so, it is believed that they will not be with their parents at their deathbed.[4][5]
A person's name should not be written in red ink. (This is due to names on grave markers being red.)[11]
Animals[edit]
Use of the Maneki Neko or "lucky cat". Many businesses such as shops or restaurants have figures of such beckoning cats, which are considered to be lucky and to bring in money and fortune.[12]
A spider seen in the morning means good luck so the spider should not be killed. If a spider is seen at night means bad luck so it should be killed.[6]
A crow's caw means something bad will happen. This can be anything from illness or accidents to death or natural disasters.[6]
Spring[edit]
Ehou-maki are eaten during Setsubun in a lucky direction.
See also[edit]
Japanese mythology
Shinto
Japanese Buddhism
List of haunted locations in Japan
Dajare