Common superstitions

Many superstitions have originated from many different cultures over many years. Different countries all have their own superstitions. Some of these are bad luck superstitions, others are good luck, and others are just completely random. This article is going to highlight some of the most common superstitions and where whence the superstitions originated.

This atircle is a home run, pure and simple!

[edit] Expelling evil from your body

Everyone has heard the phrase "God bless you" that is customarily said after someone sneezes. In the sixth century, it was believed that a sneeze was a way of the evil coming out of your body, and so the person who sneezed would be cheered with a "God bless you". Years later, this became more than a superstition. At a time when Europe was overwhelmed by a violent plague, people were sneezing violently. The Pope made it a law to bless people after they sneezed, as the sneeze was a sign that the plague had taken hold of them.

[edit] Friday the 13th

Many of the superstitions that are circulated are somewhat connected to Friday the 13th, as this is a traditionally spooky date. This is again originated from the Christian religion. The number 13 is commonly associated with the devil - apparently, because at a satanic ceremony, there would be twelve witches and one devil present. Friday is also an unlucky and unholy day because many bad things that happened in the Bible took place on a Friday. These include Adam and Eve being evicted from the Garden of Eden, the start of Noah's flood, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Friday and 13 together is a doubly ill fated combination.

Some believe the Friday the 13th superstition comes from the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday October 13, 1307.

[edit] Salt can be unlucky

Another of the common bad luck superstitions centers on salt. It is believed that if you spill salt it is very unlucky, and if you do happen to spill it, you must immediately throw it over your left shoulder to counter the spillage. This is because many people believe that Judas split salt during the last supper. The throwing over the shoulder superstition is because it is believed that this will catch any evil spirits in the eye and prevent sickness occurring.

[edit] Black cats

The superstitions about black cats are strange. Some people believe them to be lucky, and others believe them to be unlucky. From the Christian religion, black cats are seen to be an unlucky symbol. Black cats are associated with witches and the dark arts. Earlier than that, back to the times of ancient Egypt, the Egyptians worshipped cats, and the Goddess Bast, was a black cat. Because the Christians wanted to demolish any trace of other religions, Christian priests convinced their followers that black cats were evil.