Super Superstitious Countries

I think it's kind of funny that people believe this, but hey. It may or may not be true.

Another superstition is to take a straw wrapper off of the straw and tie it into a knot, and think of a specific person if the knot comes completely undone then the person you were thinking of was thinking of you however if the know does not come undone then they were not thinking of you at that time.

It's American, I think.

Does anyone know where the superstition that breaking a mirror gives you seven years of bad luck comes from?

I live in Singapore, and it's a multi-racial society here. With all the superstitious people here spreading their beliefs to pretty much everyone, I'd say that yeah, SIngapore's pretty superstitious.

To name a few...

When you use chopsticks, you have to place them on top of the bowl or plate or whatever because if you put them in your food, it represents you digging a grave.

And even when the chopsticks are placed on top, they can't be pointing at anyone in particular because it's either bad luck, or you're cursing them to die? (my friends are always telling me about it)

Your bed can't face the door because it's as if you're sending your soul to hell. Your bed can't face the window either because I'm pretty sure something bad's going to happen.

When you eat, you can't cross your legs because it's disrespectful and... Ah, I don't know what's going to happen, but you'll most probably end up dying or something.

It's pretty annoying how my friends are very superstitious and are always telling me what I can't do because "I'll die". It's nothing personal against superstitions. I just don't think people should be that wary of everything that they do just because someone says it's bad or good luck.

In Mexico, we have something called Mal de ojo or evil eye

Mal de ojo can cause misfortune, illness, and even death and destruction to material objects. The evil eye is cast mainly by strangers who are born with "strong vision," which can harm a person or thing that they admire or desire.

That is why many Mexican-Americans are especially careful when it comes to their children. In the Mexican culture, those who admire a child must touch the child with their hand to show the absence of envy or desire.

It's really uncommon for teenagers and middle class families to believe in things like this, however the belief is still alive.

Ryland Blackinton.:

Does anyone know where the superstition that breaking a mirror gives you seven years of bad luck comes from?

I'm not too sure, but apparently, the Ancient Romans did.
Here. That should answer your question. :cute:

people say that if a room goes silent all of a sudden, it means an angel is passing by

In the Chinese culture:
If someone offers you something in an amount of 4, that's bad luck (...I believe that's correct).

My bf is half Filipino.
He said that in the early times, there are a lot of superstition in Philippines.
Like when you sweep the floor at night, you sweep away good luck.

My country is a very superstitious country.
My mom always tells me to never cut my nails at night, for someone will die or be in danger.
She also told me that whenever I dream of my teeth falling out, it means someone's going to die.

In Britain, seeing two magpies together is good luck, whereas one on its own is bad luck UNLESS you wave to it.
Also, new shoes being on the table (never understood that one), knives being crossed, horseshoes being turned upside-down. Black cats are lucky here though. At least, that's what I've usually heard.

Alexface.:

In Britain, seeing two magpies together is good luck, whereas one on its own is bad luck UNLESS you wave to it.

One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told, eight for diamonds, nine for love, ten for a mystery sent from above

^ Haha, wow, I'd never heard beyond seven. :L
Mind you, I've never seen more than four magpies in one particular spot.

Alexface.:

^ Haha, wow, I'd never heard beyond seven. :L
Mind you, I've never seen more than four magpies in one particular spot.

If I saw 10 magpies coming towards me, I won't recite a rhyme, I'd run like fuck!

In Korea, if you move (swing, tap, twitch, etc.) your legs when sitting down, it's considered bad luck. My grandma and mom would always scorn me whenever I do so.

Stephen Fry:

One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told, eight for diamonds, nine for love, ten for a mystery sent from above

My nan always said it "eight for a wish, nine for a kiss, ten for an evening full of bliss".

In Vietnam if an owl is near your house it is said that someone will die.
Well something like that.

In Samoa [a small Island in the Pacific Ocean] you're not allowed to,
1- Look in the mirror at night
2- whistle at night
because the people believe in ghosts or spirits roaming around and bad things would happen.

I heard this the other day and one kid said he actually does believe this is true: every awkward silence leads to one gay baby o.o

graceful swans;:

In Vietnam if an owl is near your house it is said that someone will die.
Well something like that.

Gumbiie:

In Samoa [a small Island in the Pacific Ocean] you're not allowed to,
1- Look in the mirror at night
2- whistle at night
because the people believe in ghosts or spirits roaming around and bad things would happen.

That's the same for us, in Fiji.

Depending on province though, an owl hanging around the house can either mean death for someone inside that house, or a woman hiding her pregnancy.

Some others include;
girls having showers or baths at night. That's inviting spirits to do bad things to you.
not washing the sea off of you when you get back home. Sea demons follow the smell of the sea salt and hurt those they catch it on.
not washing the earth or soil off of you when you get back home from visiting the cemetery will lead a restless soul to you at night.
a baby must not see it's own reflection until it is about a year old. They will go bald and lose their hair if they do.
a pregnant woman must not wear necklaces or wrap things around her neck when pregnant. If she does, her baby will be born with it's umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.

That's all I can think of right now. For indigenous Australian; I've heard of the one where it's tabu (taboo) to reproduce pictures of, or show pictures of a dead person. I don't know why, though.

I wonder what superstitions NZ Maoris might have.