THE ORIGINS OF SUPERSTITIONS
Added on: 6th May 2015
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.
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