THE ORIGINS OF SUPERSTITIONS

WISHING UPON A SHOOTING STAR

In the first century Ptolemy theorized that shooting stars resulted

from gods peering down on the Earth.

HOLDING YOUR BREATH WHILE PASSING A CEMETERY

This is typically attributed to the fairly obvious connection between

breathing and life. In some Native American cultures breathing

near the dead was risky because you might inhale somebody’s soul.

THROWING COINS IN A FOUNTAIN FOR LUCK

This started with the ancient Romans and then continued with the Celts.

Some theorize that it may have been an act of appeasing the water gods.

WISHING ON DANDELIONS

Once again originating in Celtic mythology, it was believed that

Dandelions could cure diseases brought by fairies.

PUTTING HATS ON A BED IS BAD LUCK

Some cultures used to believe that bad spirits lived in people’s hair

and therefore in their hats as well.

PUTTING CANDLES ON A BIRTHDAY CAKE

Ancient Greeks used to make birthday cakes as well. They would

allegedly put candles on them so that they would look like the

moon in honour of the moon goddess Artemis. Today candles on a

birthday cake are still associated with good luck.

IT'S LUCKY FOR A BRIDE TO SEE A CHIMNEY SWEEP

ON HER WEDDING DAY

In 1066 King William was about to be run over by a carriage but was

saved by a passing chimney sweep. The king invited him to his

daughter’s wedding and chimney sweeps are still seen to be lucky

to this day.

SEEING THE BRIDE ON THE WEDDING DAY IS BAD LUCK

This was seen as bad luck because it was worried that if the bride saw

the groom she might get cold feet.