There are many superstitions in Europe, such as the famous “if you hold a gold coin while flipping pancakes, you’ll make your family rich.”
This particular superstition originates from France and is one of many that influence people’s lives.听
Originating from ancient Greece in the 4th century BCE, superstitions were beliefs that people, both living and dead, could send bad luck to others through the practices of magic, prophecy, and the supernatural.
One could say it was like casting black magic. For the living, magic would be cast on an enemy or someone who has done them dirty. For the dead, it may haunt those who wronged them and bring them bad luck if a proper burial does not take place.
To prevent tragedy, the Greeks created good luck charms or amulets to ward off bad luck. Those who could not afford or get the amulets would have to avoid certain things, believing they would not bring bad luck, hence the term “superstitions.”
In the modern era, superstitions are beliefs and practices based on fear without scientific evidence to support them, and many often confuse them with crazy laws.听
However, they are ultimately just beliefs and practices passed down through generations and can vary or be similar from culture to culture, especially between countries.
Western countries would often wear black to funerals to show respect for the deceased. Source: AFP
Some superstitions overlap cultures
In Hong Kong, many believe that when you open an umbrella indoors, spirits are released into the house, as the spirits will hide in the umbrella due to their attraction to shadows.
In the US, the superstition is similar, but no spirits are involved. There aren’t any clear origins of how this superstition came to be, but some point to .
First goes to the Ancient Egyptians, who might have believed that opening an umbrella indoors and away from the sun angers the sun deity Ra, or that the peacock feather-parasols were meant to mimic the 颅颅sky deity Nut and a person of non-nobility stepping under her shade was sacrilege.
The second reason seems more plausible: back when umbrellas were much bigger and had much less control over the speed and strength at which their canopies opened, opening one indoors could easily injure someone or break a fragile object 鈥� hence the bad luck.
Why some people still believe in superstitions
Those who believe in superstitions are “shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making”, .
The in the US is known to follow superstitions to the extreme. One example is Hall of Famer Glenn Hall, also known as 鈥淢r. Goalie,鈥� who would because “I got the feeling I wasn鈥檛 giving everything I had if I didn鈥檛 go through it. I also felt I played better.”聽
And while some superstitions come with no harm, others have negative side effects.
Due to the extreme belief in superstitions from all around the world, black cats often have trouble getting adopted because many believe they are associated with witches or bring bad luck.听
According to the , black cats in an urban public shelter in Kentucky had the highest rate of euthanasia at 74.6% and the lowest rate of adoption rate at 10%.
Unfortunately, events like this occur due to superstitions; however, most are harmless and play a big part in one’s life and culture.
Even if you do not believe in superstitions, it is always best to respect them in a foreign country, as they are part of their culture and way of life.
10 superstitions in Europe to be mindful of
The 鈥減utting the baguette upside down on a table will bring bad luck鈥� superstition in France may be one of the reasons why you often see baguettes being sold in baskets or placed upright. Source: AFP
1. Putting the baguette upside down on a table will bring bad luck.
Country: France
This superstition dates back to the Middle Ages when bakers would place baguettes specially reserved for executioners upside down to ensure no one would take it. However, this superstition is easily believed to be a myth since the baguette .听
Over the years, it simply evolved into a symbol of bad luck. Now, the idea is that if you were to leave your baguette upside down, you’re inviting famine into your home.听
Other French superstitions include:
- If a cat sneezes near a bride on her wedding day, it will be a happy marriage.
- If a woman sees an owl during the ninth month of her pregnancy, the baby is guaranteed to be a girl.
2. Don’t sit down when baking a cake.
Country: Poland聽
“Don’t sit down when baking a cake” is one of the few superstitions in Europe that extends to the culinary side: do not sit down when waiting for your cake to be baked in the oven.
If you do, the cake will “sit down” as well 鈥� which basically means it will sink and come out flat rather than being nice and fluffy. Just imagine your cheesecake being flat and mushy in the centre; now that’s bad luck.听
Other include:
- Marry in an ‘r’ month (in Polish), and you will be blessed with good luck.
- Don’t get a haircut right before an important exam.