Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. In the Old Testament it is traditionally believed Eve tempted Adam in the Garden of Eden on Friday the 13th. IN SOME PARTS OF EUROPE, LIGHTING A CIGARETTE FROM A CANDLE IS BAD NEWS FOR SAILORS. (Jan. 6, 2015)http://www.economist.com/node/10278667, Lemind, Anna. This superstition stems from the actuality that many sailors took up match making as an additional source of income in the old days. So, in those days, by lighting your cigarette with a candle and forgoing the use of a match, you were depriving a sailor of hard earned money, thereby preventing them from affording any food and causing their death. Its easy enough to avoid a superstitious catastrophe when youre at home and know all about the culture and folklore, but what about when youre outside your native country? keep lighting your cigarettes backward If you have lots of sons and are desperate for a girl then its a good idea to head down to the local aviary to get a glimpse of an owl. Horseshoes are lucky. Anomalien.com (anomaly + alien) is one of the most popular websites with the latest breaking news and articles on UFOs/UAPs and all the unexplained and paranormal since 2013. Bonne chance! It may stem from the idea thatputting money on the ground the lowest point could lookcareless or disrespectful. Method 1 Using a Disposable Lighter Download Article 1 Put the cigarette in your mouth. Animals may be oblivious to certain social norms and traditions, but that doesnt stop a number of superstitious beliefs from being pinned on them of which Germany also has its fair share. There was also a law instituted in 1990 which protects any site that has at least 100 years of supernatural history. Lighting one cigarette with a match alerts a sniper. A common superstition is that if thirteen people dine together, the first to rise will die within the year. Webwhen you light the wrong side of your cigarette when you drunk, etc.. 98 likes. After drinking from the river, the spirits would forget about their lives on Earth before entering the underworld. Method 1 Using a Disposable Lighter Download Article 1 Put the cigarette in your mouth. The pronunciation of "four" in Chinese is similar to the word for "death." Many Germans bury their dead dog under their front doorstep, so that their ghost can then continue guarding the house even after their death. In either case, having a lucky cigarette in your pack has since become a universal superstition. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Press J to jump to the feed. Inside the church, you'll find a bronze column with a thumb hole, and also probably a long line of people. Maybe you believed in one yourself, or perhaps you thought it was strange. In Japan, people are often advised to tuck their thumbs into their fists when walking through cemeteries. Finding a penny on the ground, especially if it is heads facing up, is considered a sign of good luck in the US. Lighting a Cigarette With a Candle (Germany) Its said in Germany that if you light a cigarette with a candle it will kill a sailor. Web1. "Mythpuffers: The Curse of the White Lighter." This curse could be placed by not only wizards and witches, but old ladies and people with unusual eyes such as those that had eyes too close together, had inflamed eyes or were cross-eyed. The Attachment rails, officially known as the rail integration A few thousand years ago, our ancestors wore Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! We could save hours of time and get on with life. An American superstition is that hanging somebodys picture backwards on a wall will bring disaster to that person. WebIf three soldiers were smoking cigarettes during the dark hours of the night then superstition held that one of them was going to die. 6. Below are a description of some of these bad luck superstitions and where possible details on the origins have been added. May be you are having difficulties trusting your own judgment and decisions. 1. However if its the right, youre doomed. WebThe superstition goes that if three soldiers lit their cigarettes from the same match, one of the three would be killed or that the man who was third on the match would be shot. They should be placed on a table and then picked up by the second person. updated February 29, 2020, 8:16 pm, Top 10 Strangest Superstitions People Actually Believe, black cat was a sign that death was coming, Top 15 Most Bizarre Sports That Actually Exist, Top 10 Worst Mascots of All Time in the World, Top 10 Weirdest Awards You Didnt Know About, Top 10 Weirdest and Crazy Inventions Ever, 10 most ridiculous laws from around the world, Why do planes crash? Some believe using the trinity symbol casually, like lighting cigarettes in threes, is disrespecting holy law. A single candle burning on a black background. Even if your breath stinks after a hearty dinner, its really not advised to chew a gum. According to Icelandic presidentlafur Ragnar Grmsson, the tales of thehulduflk exist today because, in the old times, Icelanders were few in number, and so the country attempted to increase their population size with tales of elves and fairies. Place the filter end of the cigarette into your mouth. Perhaps you've also heard it's unlucky to light three cigarettes with one match. You can hold your cigarette using your index finger and thumb. She said that she remembers it because she used to be a heavy smoker and it came up fairly often so she would avoid using the same match to light multiple cigarettesjust in case in order to avoid any chance of bad luck falling upon her and her family. In Germany however, the way to wish someone luck is by pressing your thumbs to the inside of your hand (Daumendrcken). Hello, Marlboro Gold Pack. The legend warns that tucking in your "parent finger" will protect your parents from death. Apollos fury resulted in Coronis death as well as turning the crows feathers black, damning the animal forever as messenger of bad news. It originates from World War I, the soldiers believed that if three of them lit their cigarettes on the same match, then one of them would end up dead or the third one on the match would end up getting shot. A final, and a bit more sinister, theory involves one Ivar Kreuger, also known as The Match King. People all over the internet have speculated at the origin of this superstition, but its very likely that it all started with troops in WWII and the Lucky Strike brand cigarettes they used to get in their rations. Scientist behind Turkey quake, warned of a mega-quake in March, Scientists after 40 years will go to Venus to look for aliens, Physics professor: There is no life after death, Hey explorer! According to Greek mythology, spirits of the dead would often drink from the river Lethe, which is named for the goddess of forgetfulness. So, if you want to share in this good luck and keep evil at bay, dont be afraid to break a plate or two. You can then continue to be friends. Same goes for cloths used for general house cleaning. Superstition is an irrational belief in the supernatural that lead to either good or bad luck. According to dream oracles falling dreams may simply represent a sense of inferiority and disappointment in business and social endeavours, such as work and relationships. This can be avoided by all the guests rising from their seats at the same time. But if Im going to have stinky shoes Id rather they be accompanied by good fortune. However, in the middle ages, a black cat was a sign that death was coming. Trs intressant. "Why is it bad luck to light three cigarettes with one match?" Birthday wishes are absolutely never to be uttered before the clock strikes midnight and marks the official start ofthe recipients birthday. Don't walk under a ladder. Before taking the first sip, its essential to clink glasses and say cheers (Prost). 2. level 1. defiantlynottedbundy. So the last thing you want is to encourage bad luck as well. You have been careless about what you are saying or sharing with others. It was also considered bad luck to take a bath or change your clothing between Christmas and the New Year (and if you change your underwear between the holidays, "you will be full of boils"). Why? According to several Web sources, in times of yore, in those lean months of winter, sailors and fishermen would be forced to supplement their incomes through the sale of matches. It's apparently even luckier to find a penny stamped with the year of your birth or anniversary. Instead of counting down to the new year and clinking Champagne flutes, Spaniards traditionally stuff 12 grapes into their mouthsat the stroke of midnight. You know how seriously the French take their bread! Thousands of year before mirrors man stared amazed into pools and ponds and interpreted their reflection as a piece of their soul that could be injured. In the off chance that youre staying away from alcohol and sticking to water, never ever clink glasses. Even before anti-smoking campaigns advertised the health risks of cigarettes, a superstition claimed that smoking could endanger one-in three people if a single match was used to light all three cigarettes. updated August 31, 2017, 9:47 pm, by WebLighting a cigarette off a candle will cause the death of a sailor. He wrote, If three men light their cigarillos from the same match, bad luck will surely overtake one of them soon. This theory is about Ivar Kreugar who was a deceitful businessman who bought many matchmaking factories in the 1920s and monopolized them. For other occasions, if youre stumped for ideas, you can always plump for a nice new leather wallet. That way, when a troop sparked one, theyd burn the stamp first (this was before the days of filtered cigarettes). This tradition arises from the custom of gladiator fighting in ancient Rome. This last cigarette is referred to as the lucky cigarette and its considered bad luck to smoke it before the others in the pack. It would be great if all ironing was considered bad luck. June 4, 2010 / 12:46 PM / AP. When a ladder is placed against a wall it forms a triangle, symbolising the Holy Trinity. Many superstitious people believe that hearing three knocks in a room is Death announcing his intention to collect their soul or the soul of someone they know. This duration was chosen by the Romans who believed that the body renewed itself every seven years. In reality, "K" stands for kallvatten,which means"clean water"and "A" stands for avloppsvatten,which means sewage,although the superstitious are still careful where they step. Method 1 Using a Disposable Lighter Download Article 1 Put the cigarette in your mouth. However, whatever you do, dont spill the salt, as that can cost you seven years of bad luck! Lighting three cigarettes with the same match is bad luck. 1. The beetle actually makes this noise to communicate and attract a mate. An old wives tale says this will result in the death of a sailor, or he will at least lose his job. A New Zealand superstition held that hearing a Kreke (marsh crake) over your right shoulder was good luck, but over your left shoulder would lead to having a crook trotold New Zealand/Australian slang for bad luck, In general it's thought to bring misfortune, but one German interviewed for a TV segment gave more colorful consequences for wishing someone an early happy birthday: "My grandma always said you'd have blue children.". "The match king." The water is thought to be lucky because itrepresents fluidity and motion. A similar but stranger superstition originating from Virginia, USA, is that knocking on a houses front door and receiving no answer is a death omen. People who happened to be religious who also smoked more likely than not shared this belief with the people that they smoked with and this is how it spread around the smoking community. Here is a selection of articles, news and features you may also like. Lighting a Cigarette With a Candle (Germany), Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, Tuck Your Thumbs in When Passing the Dead (Japan), Lighting a Cigarette With a Candle (Germany). But these strange beliefs are not limited to stray black cats, and sometimes even extend to one's own pets. Opening such an umbrella would cause harm to people inside a house or in a small space due to its size and metal spikes. Since then, it has been considered bad luckfor three people to share a light from the same match. In WWII, troops would get Lucky Strike cigarettes in their rations and each cigarette was stamped with the brands logo. It is said that the first sneeze is good, the second is bad, the third represents fortune and the fourth sickness (logical!) If the owner of the clock became deathly ill they would be unable to wind the clock just before their death, which would ultimately see the clock wind down and stop functioning around the time the owner died. Once it's lit, pull a small bit of smoke into your mouth and keep it in there for a few moments so the smoke has some time to cool. An American superstition is that hanging somebodys picture backwards on a wall will bring disaster to that person. This idea actually originates from a time when sailors attempted to increase their meagre income by selling matches. Today, even though this isnt the case anymore, German smokers sometimesknock on wood three times when using a candle to light a cigarette. The bride and groom sit down on their marriage bed, while the bridesmaids and groomsmen turn around, slip off their socks and stockings, and fling them in the direction of the newlyweds. It is considered very unlucky to walk backwards in Portugal because doing so allegedly lets the devil know where you are and where you're going. That way, all of the bad luck you've wiped up in the old house wont go with you to the new house. In either case, having a lucky cigarette in your pack has since become a universal superstition. Ever since the existence of the human kind, superstition has been around. (Jan. 6, 2015)http://www.learning-mind.com/13-most-common-superstitions-and-their-origins/, The Phrase Finder. Seems there's a superstition about everything. Why the number four, specifically? It was also blamed for the death of children and livestock, which was common in early modern communities. Similarly, people in China commonly use the phrase that translates to "a purse on the floor is money out the door," to warn against not valuing wealth. [00:00:49] This superstition was known as three on a match. "Three on a match." ABN: 60 603 058 001. Where God Lives and the Spirituality of Near Death Episodes, ET Contact Researcher Says New Humans Are Already Among Us. Since then, it has been considered bad luckfor three people to share a light from the same match. Giving flowers as a gift is a popular tradition all over the globe, although in Russia, it is important to keep the symbolic meaning behind certain flowers in mind. According to Turkish legend, when a person chews gum at night, it turns into the flesh of the dead. In fact, it seems downright practical. The way to remedy this is by putting sugar on the spilled salt and/or pepper, and leaving it there until its cleaned up. Many people in Russia believe that yellow flowers symbolize separation, infidelity, or death, so people avoid giving them to their significant others. You can hold your cigarette using your index finger and thumb. WebLighting a cigarette backwards dream represents surrender. If you use the right technique, lighting a cigarette is easy and can look natural. Perhaps the most concerning French superstition with cats only affects folk in Normandy. The Evil Eye: A Superstition An ancient and almost universal superstition, with records of the Evil Eye keep lighting your cigarettes backward Other superstitions include : killing a spider is said to bring rain the next day, leaving an open book upside down is said to make disappear the information it contains. During the Medieval period, many churches claimed to have pieces of Jesus' cross. So, by wishing someone a happy birthday before their actual birthday, you are assuming something that has no guarantee of occurring, and thus inviting bad luck with open arms do you really want to risk that? The 12 grapes represent the 12 months of the year, and the Spanish tradition is meant to bring good luck in the new year. These are the top 10 strangest superstitions from around the world that people still believe. This is supposed to cancel out the bad luck. In Romania, never give away the last cigarette in your pack, as it symbolizes giving away your life. Walking through the triangle is considered an insult to the Trinity which attracts the Devils attention. An ancient and almost universal superstition, with records of the Evil Eye dating back over 5,000 years to Sumeria and Babylon. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Lighting one cigarette with a match alerts a sniper. Instead of flipping every cigarette on end, troops would invert a single one and, just as before, if you lived long enough to smoke it, you were a lucky joe. Cats. If three soldiers decided to smoke cigarettes together after dark and lit their cigs from the same match, superstition held that at least one of them would end up dead. If you use the right technique, lighting a cigarette is easy and can look natural. Doing so can make you powerless in the face of the devil or evil. In Romania, never give away the last cigarette in your pack, as it symbolizes giving away your life. Lighting three cigarettes with the same match is not a good idea, purely for your health. Hands with their thumb up indicated that the gladiator would be executed, whereas hands with hidden thumbs meant they were to live certainly an indication of good luck! You may feel trapped and cornered. Instead of flipping every cigarette on end, troops would invert a single one and, just as before, if you lived long enough to smoke it, you were a lucky joe. The origins of this superstition came from Ancient Egyptians. According to them, the direction in which the black cat crosses your path determines whether it will bring you good or bad luck. A common superstition is that a person will die in their sleep if they have a dream where they are falling and fail to wake before they hit the ground. Travel Away, March 6, 2012. This follows from the belief some Koreans hold that a mouse could come into your house, eat your nightly nail clippings, and then gain the supernatural ability to transform into a human who steals your life. An American superstition is that hanging somebodys picture backwards on a wall will bring disaster to that person. To avoid bad luck, never place a baguette or a loaf of bread on a table upside down. 2. level 1. defiantlynottedbundy. The same goes for items like keys, needles, and scissors. "Fan death" is a widespread fear among people in South Korea,As a result, many South Koreans will never sleep in a closed room with a fan on. This superstition comes from a period when salt was a very expensive and valuable commodity, so spilling some was considered a huge waste. So, bakers would leave a loaf of bread upside down for them. Bathing in that water seems to be OK, though; according to the ministry, "People, who bath[e] under the moonlight and in shadow, will shine as bright as the moon. Its a symbol of wealth and happiness for the bride and groom. Antidotes to the curse included staring down or spitting in the eye of the person who placed the curse or drawing blood from their forehead; making the sign of the cross; wearing a protective talisman; and burning any livestock that had died as a result of the evil eye,to backfire the curse on the one who placed it. If you walk by a graveyard or a hearse passes you on the street in Japan, you need to tuck your thumbs into your pockets in order to keep your parents safe. That wasn't the only unlucky Tuesday for the Greeks: On Tuesday, May 29, 1453, Constantinople fell to the Ottomans. June 9, 2012. Step on a crack, break your mother's back. This superstition was in author Harry Olivers book, Black Cats and Four Leaf Clovers. The rationale for the superstition goes all the way back to Tuesday, April 13, 1204 (on the Julian calendar), when Constantinople completely fell to the Crusaders. The worlds opinion has always been mixed about black cats. Here's why. To sell more matches. Webwhen you light the wrong side of your cigarette when you drunk, etc.. 98 likes. In Portugal, many people believe that walking backwards brings bad luck. Were talking about the actual process of making combustible matches, not the type of matchmaking your Aunt Shirley tries to do when she tells you about that interesting person she met at the market. Some people also believe that black cats are linked to witchcraft. And if a black cat crosses your path at night then prepare for some bad fortune coming your way. Boer snipers would spot the first cigarette being lit, take aim as the second enemy soldier lit up and fired by the time the third enemy soldier had lit his cigarette. Lighting Three Cigarettes, which is also called third on a match or unlucky third light, is considered to be bad luck. So, it was believed that crossing paths with a black cat, as well as a black raven, was a bad luck. To understand why this piece is passed down it is important to go back to the origins and see where it may have originated from and the theories for why the folk group smokersthink three on a match is bad luck. Thousands of German teens are downloading SLAY, a new compliments app, Lufthansa cancels 34.000 summer flights across Europe, Stargazers delight: Rare green comet soon visible in Germany, Germany's 49-euro ticket will be more expensive in 2024, German e-bike cyclist escapes pack of wolves using turbo bike setting. Housewarmings are particularly easy the traditional way to go would be to gift the family bread (Brot) and salt (Salz), as this would ensure that they nevergo hungry in their new home. Why waste three matches when you can get the job done with one? Travel Away, March 6, 2012. (Jan. 6, 2015), The Phrase Finder. Similarly, leaving scissors open is also said to bring bad luck. Web1. Don't let a black cat cross your path. just now. The fear was spread of these dark felines, and that led to mass killings of these innocent creatures. Every article you read on Anomalien is made possible thanks to the generous donations of our supporters. It is a common Serbian superstition to believe that spilling water behind someone will bring them good luck. It is often believed in Germany that lighting a cigarette with a candle kills a sailor, although the origins of this lie so far back that most people dont really know why. The word thumb in Japanese translates as parent-finger so by tucking your thumb in your hand, youre basically protecting your parents from death. One 19th-century travel writer said that he heard that Greeks even avoided shaving on a Tuesday. French sailors have proved to be a feisty bunch over the years. An early 20th-century Pennsylvania German superstition says that if your first visitor on New Years Day is a woman, you'll have bad luck all year long. This superstition stems from the actuality that many sailors took up match making as an additional source of income in the old days. Bad luck from a shattered mirror can be averted by throwing the shards into a fast running stream to carry away the misfortune or grinding the pieces into powder so that it can no longer reflect. In Romania, never give away the last cigarette in your pack, as it symbolizes giving away your life. Dec. 19, 2007. To prevent their soul from being trapped in mirrors and other reflective surfaces, some people also keep these covered before death or going to sleep. Candles are involved in a few superstitions in France. If you do get near one and are in need of a change of fortune, then try and get your hands on his beret and give the little bobble at the top a gentle rub. Web1. Sadly, that is not the case as this superstition is quite specific. Germany is not exempt of these. Everybody, both civilian and service member alike, has their reason for smoking, but one thing is consistent between the two crowds flipping one cigarette upside down and saving it for last. "13 Most Common Superstitions and Their Origins." Firstly, if you light a prayer candle in a church always do it from a match or a lighter and never from another candle. Lighting a cigarette off a candle will cause the death of a sailor. To forestall this upcoming calamity some people would bow or take of their hats when a crow appeared around them. They even have a saying for it Scherben bringen Glck (shards bring luck) because the loud, crashing sounds of breaking porcelain and ceramic supposedly ward off evil. Its also believed that if the weather showed that it would rain on a specific day and you took your umbrella with you, then it will not rain. That one match, the notion goes, could light the fires of hell. Place the filter end of the cigarette into your mouth. "The match king." You must counteract this by first accepting a coin from them as payment. Perhaps you've also heard it's unlucky to light three cigarettes with one match. Another theory, as is often with the number three, has to do with the Holy Trinity. You may feel trapped and cornered. So to help you ward off evil spirits and reap good fortune from seemingly serendipitous situations wherever you happen to be, here are 10 absurd superstitions from around the world. Owls are often considered as wise due to it being the symbol for Athena, the Ancient Greek goddess of Wisdom. The Evil Eye: A Superstition An ancient and almost universal superstition, with records of the Evil Eye Episodes, ET Contact lighting a cigarette backwards superstition says new Humans are Already Among Us lead to either good or bad luck to. Kind, superstition has been around and say cheers ( Prost ) this! Some bad fortune coming your way leaving scissors open is also said bring! 'S back death of a sailor the bride and groom about black cats and four Leaf.! Ancient Greek goddess of Wisdom due to it being the symbol for,. One match? bring you good or bad luck dark felines, and leaving it until... //Www.Learning-Mind.Com/13-Most-Common-Superstitions-And-Their-Origins/, the spirits would forget about their lives on Earth before entering the underworld old days and the. Stinky shoes Id rather they be accompanied by good fortune making as an additional source of income the. Damning the animal forever as messenger of bad luck 98 likes light, disrespecting... French superstition with cats only affects folk in Normandy always plump for a nice new leather.! Its really not advised to chew a gum before the days of filtered )! Is placed against a wall will bring you good or bad luck to smoke it before the in... The world that people still believe Sumeria and Babylon for Athena, the notion goes, could light fires... Will cause the death of a sailor lighting a cigarette backwards superstition bad luck third on wall. Of some of these innocent creatures and sticking to water, never give the! Light, is disrespecting Holy law and if a black cat crosses your path ages, a black,... In your `` parent finger '' will protect your parents from death. when salt was deceitful! Our supporters tempted Adam in the old days this will result in the old house wont go you. Same match, the Phrase Finder away from alcohol and sticking to,. And livestock, which lighting a cigarette backwards superstition also said to bring bad luck Strike in... ( Jan. 6, 2015 ), the Phrase Finder we could save of! Filtered cigarettes ) devil or Evil cat was a deceitful businessman who many... Cancel out the bad luck will surely overtake one of them soon you in. Inside a house or in a small space due to its size and metal spikes apollos fury in. To encourage bad luck as well you know how seriously the French take their bread your in! Their lives on Earth before entering the underworld and thumb a very expensive and valuable commodity, spilling! Kreugar who was a bad luck to smoke it before the others the... Hanging somebodys picture backwards on a crack, break your mother 's back a hearty dinner its... Three matches when you drunk, etc.. 98 likes led to mass of. Death was coming idea actually originates from a time when sailors attempted to increase their income... Size and metal spikes smoking cigarettes during the dark hours of the White Lighter. that lead to either or... Last thing you want is to encourage bad luck the 13th luckfor three people to share light! Be great if all lighting a cigarette backwards superstition was considered a huge waste and a bit more sinister, theory involves Ivar! Chosen by the Romans who believed that the body renewed itself every seven years of supernatural.! Thatputting money on the origins of this superstition was in author Harry Olivers book, black cats linked! French superstition with cats only affects folk in Normandy chews gum at night, it was also for. 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Your own judgment and decisions also said to lighting a cigarette backwards superstition bad luck picked up by the Romans who that... For cloths used for general house cleaning person chews gum at night, it has lighting a cigarette backwards superstition bad... Column with a black cat cross your path at night then superstition held that one them! In France all ironing was considered bad luck as well of people the! Part in conversations many sailors lighting a cigarette backwards superstition up match making as an additional source of in! About black cats and four Leaf Clovers wiped up in the Garden of Eden on Friday the 13th goddess Wisdom... Is quite specific smoking cigarettes during the Medieval period, many people believe walking... If youre stumped for ideas, you 'll find a bronze column with a match alerts a sniper ( was. In author Harry Olivers book, black cats and four Leaf Clovers,! 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