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Loading...5 Superstitions and Why They Exist
- Mel, selected from DivineCaroline
- October 28, 2011
- 4:27 pm
- 541 comments
By Allison Ford, DivineCaroline
I was at work a few years ago when a coworker walking by my desk let out a terrified squeal. “Your purse is on the floor! Don’t you know that’s bad luck?” Apparently, she was referring to a superstition which holds that to place your purse or wallet on the floor is to invite money troubles. I had never heard of this old wives’ tale and didn’t lend it much credibility, but on my way home, I did notice my lifelong habit of avoiding sidewalk cracks, surely a leftover from a youthful urge to protect my mother’s spinal health.
Superstitions ascribe supernatural origins to things that humans don’t understand, and they occur across the world. Early humans had a lot that they didn’t understand, but modern people are much more enlightened. Superstitions about bad luck feel like the kind of things we tell gullible children, so why do I still see people knocking on wood, throwing salt over their shoulders, and refusing to walk under ladders? Exactly where do these strange superstitions come from, and do any have even the tiniest basis in reality?
Don’t Spill the Salt!
Salt is one of our most ancient and versatile foodstuffs, used for preserving food as well as flavoring it. For most of history, it was incredibly valuable, too, sometimes even used as currency. Spilling such a precious commodity was akin to dumping the thirty-year-old Scotch down the drain. For anyone who was careless enough to waste salt, throwing a pinch over the left shoulder was said to keep the devil away, since he was sure to be following you after such a grievous offense.
Read more: Do Good, Fun, Inspiration, Life, Mental Wellness, ladders, salt, sneezes, superstitions
Mel, selected from DivineCaroline
At DivineCaroline.com, women come together to learn from experts in the fields, of health, sustainability, and culture; to reflect on shared experiences; and to express themselves by writing and publishing stories about anything that matters to them. Here, real women publish like real pros. Together, with our staff writers, they’re discussing all facets of women’s lives from relationships and careers, to travel and healthy living. So come discover, read, learn, laugh and connect at DivineCaroline.com.
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541 comments
+ add your ownFascinating.
thanks
now that makes sense
TY
i dont believe in superstitions. i do tell my kids if i remember them and we laugh about them. interesting article
you make your own bad luck
Uh oh..
I heard it was really bad luck to believe everything you hear.....
Depends where you live in Italy for example the number 13 is Lucky!!
The ladder is the only one that serves a practical purpose. People use it to paint, and you don't want the bucket to fall on you, or if the ladder gives way, you don't want it to crack your head open.
The rest of those have no logical purpose.
Lots of fun reading here!
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