Why you can’t play sports at home. Folk signs and superstitions about life. Bad omens and superstitions. Why you can't walk barefoot at home

The existence of folk signs and superstitions has lasted since the beginning of humanity. And they accompany us throughout our lives. Their origins go back to the distant depths of antiquity. This was helped by the absolute and undeniable meanings that generally accepted signs and superstitions about life have. Existing in a wide variety of forms and manifestations, often folk signs and signals contain an accurate reflection of the essence of the processes that happen to us almost every day.

Interpretation may vary

Folk signs and superstitions about life are human observations that have been passed on from mouth to mouth for several millennia. Very often situations occur when the interpretation of the same symbols and signs among representatives of different nations is completely different from each other. For example, a Russian person perceives a black cat that crosses the road as a very negative omen, while an Egyptian, regardless of color, perceives this animal as a sign of impending good luck.

Signs played an important role

In ancient times, generally accepted signs and superstitions about life accompanied people not only in their personal lives, but also when making decisions at the state level. There were often cases when the outcome of a war was determined only by which foot the leader got up from in the morning. Folk signs and superstitions are considered to be those that have already gone out of use, but continue to influence our actions.

Very often, various signs perfectly reflect the true essence of what is happening to a person. But it is necessary to remember that folk signs and superstitions about life also contain a large number of false assumptions and misconceptions, giving an explanation for almost any sacrament in the form of a manifestation of forces of a supernatural, mystical nature. That is why we should not perceive the various signs encountered at every step as exclusively correct explanations of the events that happen to us. This may just be parting words for making an internal decision.

What could be the signs?

There are a huge number of folk signs and superstitions, but it just so happens that in most cases a person remembers and attaches greater importance to bad omens. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most famous and popular beliefs, to a significant extent, do not promise us anything good. Good folk signs and superstitions come across much less often.

Generally accepted signs regarding our lives are associated with the daily manifestation of everyday activities, important events that occur regularly. We should consider in more detail those folk signs and superstitions that may be associated with our daily activities.

Beliefs that can accompany people in everyday life

The bad ones are not noticed by many at the present stage. And this happens until something happens. This is due to the fact that we simply ignore superstitions. Of all the signs, many talk about failures in business or endeavors. And it was they who attracted more attention, since a negative result in solving problems is always stored in memory. In addition, there are many more bad signs.

The most well-known negative superstitions include the one that states that if a black cat crosses your path, then nothing good can happen after that. And if a plate breaks, then you have to wait for happiness. But such a sign will speak of good things only if everything happens by chance.

Popular superstitions

Some signs should be highlighted.

1. If you leave the slippers you wear at home in a crossed position, you are inviting disaster.
2. Soggy salt portends bad weather.
3. Sweeping dust from your own home means sweeping good fortune from your family.
4. Under no circumstances should you place a hat on the table, as this will lead to lack of money.
5. It is not a good sign to exchange glasses during a meal.
6. Misfortune is foreshadowed by porridge running out of the pan.
7. To prevent misfortune from befalling you, you must return the knife that was taken for the purpose of cutting an apple or other fruit. This must be done “with a smile.”
8. A change in weather is indicated by creaking and crackling furniture in the house.
9. What other signs and superstitions are there about life? A mirror that fell and broke has a negative meaning. This indicates the imminent death of a loved one.
10. Passing salt to someone at the table during a meal portends a quarrel with this person. To prevent this, you need to laugh when passing this product.
11. If you are returning a previously taken bucket, basket, bag, plate, jar, you need to put something in them. These items should not be given away empty. Then you too will have more.
12. It is believed that laughter at the table encourages the demon to shit in the food.
13. Uneaten food and unfinished drink are considered abandoned evils.
14. Leaving the keys on the table means there is no money in the house.
15. If you put on your left sleeve first in your clothes, expect trouble.

What are the birds trying to tell us?

There are signs and superstitions about birds. Even in ancient times, many peoples used birds in mystical rituals, casting spells or simply telling fortunes. The bird symbolized the human soul. And such an association has remained. Today there are not only good superstitions, but also superstitions about life. Birds play the leading role in them. And it is worth noting that some signs have been scientifically substantiated.

Among the verified observations, one should highlight the belief regarding swallows that fly low. This indicates that it will rain soon. The veracity of this sign is very easy to explain. Before rains there is a decrease in atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the insects that swallows catch begin to fly very low.

A large number of folk signs are associated with crows, chickens and sparrows. For example, there is a belief that if all the hens start clucking at once, a quarrel will occur in the family. If a chicken starts crowing like a rooster, then we should expect trouble.

The titmouse is the hero of both bad and good omens. If she suddenly flies into the window or knocks on it, expect trouble. There are other interpretations that explain the behavior of the bird. Her arrival suggests that good things should be expected soon. This is due to the fact that the tit is considered by some people to be a representative of the forces of light. And in folk legends it is often equated with the Blue Bird, which symbolizes happiness.

Several signs with birds

What other signs and superstitions are worth highlighting? Birds often make people nervous with their behavior. Here are some examples of superstitions:

1. If a bird flies into a house through a window and immediately flies out, this indicates that a message will arrive soon. In some beliefs, this symbolizes that someone will die soon.
2. A stork made a nest on a pipe? This is for wealth and happiness.
3. If a bird flies into the chimney of a fireplace, it means someone's death.
4. The raven cawing above the house speaks of illness.
5. If a bird lands on a window, the owner of the house will face material costs.
6. If a woodpecker starts knocking on the roof of a house, then you should expect trouble.
7. If a bird dies in a cage on the morning of the wedding day, the marriage will be unhappy.
8. If a stork begins to move away from a certain place before the allotted time, then a misfortune will occur in that area.
9. When a bird hovers over or around a house, it indicates that someone will soon become ill.
10. The three-time cawing of a crow flying over the house speaks of death.
11. The flight of a bird of prey around the house symbolizes betrayal.
12. When a swallow, having built its nest, leaves it, disaster will occur.
13. An unexpected change in flight direction indicates approaching danger.
14. If the rooster starts walking pompously at the door and crowing, then you need to wait for a stranger to come visit.
15. Good luck will be indicated by the flight of a bird towards you. If they fly away from you, this is a bad omen.

Maybe the birds aren't trying to warn us?

If you analyze the behavior of birds and understand it, then it does not have any signs. They can be affected by weather, predatory animals, or lack of food. Good and bad omens and superstitions do not play any role in this case. Birds may knock on the window if it is cold. They are attracted to food and light. Don’t think that the tit is calling you for trouble, it’s just hungry.

Is it possible to protect yourself from bad omens?

If you are interested in signs, then take into account not only their interpretation. We must also take care of how to protect ourselves from the consequences if the belief is bad. For example, if you return home halfway, this indicates bad events that will happen in the future. To correct this situation, you need to look in the mirror before leaving again. This way you can protect yourself.

Has the salt crumbled? This is a bad omen. According to interpretations, such carelessness in actions will lead to a quarrel. But this can also be avoided. You just have to laugh, and the promised disagreements and disagreements will not happen. And if they do happen, it will not be the fault of the salt. Did a bird fly into the window? This is also a bad omen. Try to let her out of the house as quickly as possible. And you should try to spend a few nights, for example, with friends.

What can insects talk about?

Signs can be associated not only with weather, clothing, money and things. Animals or birds may be affected. But insects do not stand aside either. Some superstitions in which spiders and flies play the leading roles should be cited:

1. If you killed the firefly, then your love was killed. Or a loved one may even die.
2. What else do signs and superstitions say about life? A spider, or rather its fall onto your face from the ceiling, promises pleasant consequences.
3. If a white spider nests above your bed, expect happiness. If it is black, the consequences will not be very pleasant.
4. A fly falling into a glass from which you are about to drink or is already doing so is a sign of success in business.
5. The descent of a small spider in front of the eyes - to a message, a letter.
6. Ants in the house symbolize happiness.
7. What other signs and superstitions about life can you identify? Flies getting into food promise a gift.
8. If you find a spider on a dress, then you should expect profit.
9. Killed a ladybug? Expect trouble. Killed a beetle? The result will be exactly the same. Killed a spider? 40 sins will be forgiven and misfortune should await.
10. Is there a bug flying around the house? This speaks of trouble.
11. You should expect bad news if you saw a spider and got scared. And if you didn’t scare me, everything will be fine.

You shouldn't always look for double meaning in what you see

Signs and superstitions do not have an unambiguous interpretation. And people have quite contradictory attitudes towards them. Some are convinced that these are just prejudices and are not worth attention. Others believe in omens whether they are good or bad. You choose how to relate to superstitions. Sometimes they can come true. But sometimes you should not look for any signs in them, since they can be explained quite simply.

Incredible facts

Superstitions and signs have become firmly established in our lives.

And sometimes even the most superstitious person suddenly begins to believe in what he initially laughed at.

But some signs actually warn us of danger. Often Fate itself sends us warning signs.

By carefully examining these signs, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from danger.

Pay attention to the following 10 signs that will warn you of upcoming negative events.

Signs warning of danger

1. Black cat

© Jose Manuel Gelpi

A black cat crossing your path is a harbinger of impending bad luck.

People have believed in this sign for many centuries. What is the reason for such a prejudiced attitude towards black cats?

And while many people keep cats as pets, black cats have specifically been identified as a symbol of bad luck.

This was believed mainly because they were the favorite pets of witches who existed in ancient times.

© lenta/Getty Images

Witches were not good people, they were not loved and they were feared. This is why black cats are associated with failure and harbingers of something bad. These animals are associated with witches.

Broken mirror, sign

2. Broken mirror

© Yulyu/Getty Images

A broken mirror is a sign that has always been associated with bad luck.

For many years, people have believed that a falling and breaking mirror can lead to huge troubles that can last up to seven years!

This belief is based on the belief that the mirror holds the souls of people. When you break a mirror, it violates their souls. Thus, you are setting yourself up for failure.

A broken mirror can portend a serious illness, problems and troubles in life.

© AndreyPopov/Getty Images

In order to break the “curse” formed after the mirror split, you must do the following:

Sweep away all the fragments that have broken off from the mirror and, without looking at them, place them in a tight bag. Then throw away the bag.

This method guarantees you and your loved ones complete safety from impending danger.

Bad omens in the house

3. A butterfly or bird that has flown into the house

© DAPA Images

It is believed that a butterfly flying into a window or an open door is a sign of an impending illness in one of the family members.

A butterfly is a harbinger of an exacerbation of the disease, which can be fatal.

If a butterfly flies into the house, you need to catch it with a net, covering it with a jar or other object. Then the insect must be brought in and released outside.

© Songbird839/Getty Images

When a bird flies into your house, it means that the soul of a deceased person has entered your home and wants to warn relatives about the impending danger.

In this way, the soul of the deceased tries to ward off troubles and bad weather from his loved ones.

Be sure to pay attention to this sign. It is best to go to church, light a candle for his repose, then visit the grave of the deceased, thank him for the sign warning of danger, and also ask for advice, help and patronage.

Why does a dog whine?

4. Whining and howling dog

©LivingThroughTheLens/Getty Images

Unpleasant omens are associated with howling dogs.

As a rule, if in the evening we hear the prolonged howling of dogs in the yard, we begin to get goosebumps, we feel creepy and uneasy.

In the past, it was believed that a dog's howling was a sign that one of the close relatives would soon die.

© Getty Images

If there was a seriously ill person in the house, and suddenly a dog began to howl in the yard or in the house itself, then the family was preparing for the death of the patient.

Why can't you congratulate in advance?

5. Congratulations in advance

© David De Lossy / Photo Images

It is believed that wishing someone a happy birthday before the due date is unlucky. Failure threatens not only the birthday person you congratulated, but also the person congratulating him.

By forgetting or changing dates, you interfered with the course of Fate. And this should not be done under any circumstances.

This sign is tied to the fact that none of the people can know how long Fate has allotted to him and when he is destined to leave this world.

© Alliance Images

For this reason, a mistake in the date can lead to illness, failure or serious difficulties. Thus, a person must pay for the mistake he made.

But if you have already made a similar mistake, you just need to pray for the health of the birthday boy.

A thing inside out, a sign

6. Put the item on inside out

© MeePoohyaphoto/Getty Images

Surely, many remember how in childhood we were told: “Don’t put things on inside out! You’ll get beaten.”

Indeed, this sign promises serious conflicts, problems, even assault and bodily harm.

Try to put on the item carefully. But if you suddenly, in a hurry somewhere, have already put it on inside out, take off the thing and put it on correctly.

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Then carefully pin on the inside. It will become a kind of precautionary measure and will put aside possible troubles and problems.

An empty bucket is a sign

7. Empty bucket

© TrishZ/Getty Images

Meeting a woman with an empty bucket does not bode well.

Surely, each of us has heard such a sign and therefore secretly hoped that the granny coming towards us with a bucket would certainly carry a full bucket.

In addition, a full bucket, on the contrary, promises good luck and luck.

If a woman with empty buckets crosses your path, it means that soon you will not be able to carry out your plans and realize your plans.

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-cross yourself

-spit three times over your left shoulder

-or cross your fingers and place your hands in your pockets.

Sign the clock has stopped

8. Stopped clock

© Baloncici/Getty Images

There are many superstitions associated with watches.

And, as a rule, these are not very good signs.

After all, the time allotted to a person in our world is associated with the clock. The clock is counting down the hours, minutes and seconds left to him.

Therefore, many are afraid to both give them and accept them as a gift from others.

© Roman_Gorielov/Getty Images

Superstitious people are afraid and panic if the clock hands suddenly stop moving. After all, in their opinion, this may be a sign of something bad and does not promise happiness in the near future.

Losing a watch or if it is dropped and broken is also considered a bad omen.

If the wall clock suddenly stops, this is a sign that the person is in danger.

However, you should not sound the alarm right away. First, you should inspect the watch to identify the cause of the breakdown.

Perhaps the battery is simply dead or the mechanism is broken.

If the breakdown has not been identified and the watch has stopped for no apparent reason, it is possible that some higher power wants to warn you of the danger.

Analyze your personal life, paying attention to its details.

It is possible that a stopped clock indicates that you are standing still, not moving in the right direction.

Maybe you are too closed from the outside world, immersed in work, and are putting up barriers to personal happiness.

Or the stopped arrows indicate that you are marking time in terms of career growth.

© EkaterinaZakharova / Getty Images

Perhaps the frozen arrows are telling you that you shouldn’t stagnate in terms of career growth and that you should make an effort not to miss your chance to improve your life and move towards your goals.

The clock hands can also stop if someone gives up, falls into despair, stopping halfway.

This simple device is very closely connected to its owner and behaves like a person: freezing and stopping its work when something goes wrong.

If a wristwatch stops working, then this is a sign that the person wearing it is in serious danger in the form of a serious illness or even death.

© RicardoRibeiroFotografia/Getty Images

It’s worth trying to revive the watch by sending it in for repairs. By repairing your watch, you can outsmart fate and avoid a terrible fate.

But if it happens that the watch cannot be repaired, it should not be thrown away under any circumstances.

To protect yourself from the negative consequences that a broken watch can cause, you need to wrap it in a piece of purple cloth, then place it in a place inaccessible to light.

Such a simple action will avert trouble from the owner of the watch, and his life should instantly improve.

Fallen photograph, omen

9. Fallen photo

© Rawpixel.com

Photography has a special energy of the people depicted in it.

Therefore, you need to be very careful with photographs. After all, many simply underestimate the power that ordinary photography has.

You must not allow your photos to be lost or put on public display the pictures that you especially value.

In the right hands, a photograph can become a very powerful weapon. There are many signs associated with photography.

It is not surprising that the situation when a photograph in a frame falls and breaks is considered very unpleasant.

© mactrunk/Getty Images

Many people feel scared and uneasy. Apparently, intuition suggests that this is a bad sign. In fact, everything is not so scary.

For example, there is no need to panic when a photo accidentally falls after someone touched it. There is also no need to worry if the photo in the frame was damaged due to transportation.

1. Why can’t you take pictures of people sleeping?
This superstition is widespread both among photographers and among ordinary people. Many young mothers are especially sensitive to this issue, forbidding photographing their children in their sleep.

In the 19th century in Europe, there was a tradition of photographing dead people as if they were simply sleeping. The deceased was dressed in elegant clothes and placed on a bed or “seated” on a chair and photographed. It was often possible to find photographs in which the deceased was depicted “sitting” at a common table during an impromptu family tea party. What now causes at least bewilderment was considered commonplace at that time. This is where the origin of superstition comes from - initially, dead people were photographed with their eyes closed in the form of sleeping people. Therefore, in order not to associate a sleeping person with a deceased person, you should not photograph sleeping people.

According to another version, a person photographed sleeping will not live long. After all, being captured with his eyes closed, in the image of a dead person, he thereby seems to attract imminent death to himself.

The most popular version is that the soul of a sleeping person leaves the body. At this time, a person is absolutely defenseless, and imprinting him during the period of “little death” (as sleep time has long been called), this can negatively affect his energy. And a person simply woken up by a camera flash can be frightened by surprise.

Well, if a photograph of a sleeping person falls into the hands of an unscrupulous, angry and envious person, then grief cannot be avoided. After all, for a long time, magicians and sorcerers have used the image of a person for various magical rituals. With the advent of photographs, this has become much easier - the photo captures not only the human image, but also reflects its bioenergy.

From a photo you can find out everything about a person: the past, the present, and the future - and also cause irreparable harm (damage and evil eye, bewitch, curse). This is why you should not take photographs of people sleeping - after all, a photo of a sleeping person with weak bioenergy is especially vulnerable in this regard. Therefore, if you already have photographs of sleeping family and friends (especially children), delete them or keep them in a safe place, not putting them on public display.

2. Why can't you pass anything over the threshold?
Tell me, don’t you know people who never say hello, much less pass anything across the threshold? Where do you think this strange superstition came from? The thing is that in ancient times the remains of ancestors were kept under the threshold of the house, and disturbing them by passing something over the threshold was considered extremely dangerous. Therefore, one cannot sit on the threshold, which is still considered the border between two worlds - a safe home and an evil world, or even more terrible - the world of the living and the world of the dead.

3. Why can’t you turn back halfway?
This superstition is also connected with the threshold, with its function as a boundary between worlds. Having not achieved the goal, a person returns home weakened, and at the threshold-border anything can await him - from the spirits of ancestors offended by unnecessary anxiety, to entities dreaming of penetrating into our world. In order to neutralize the failures attracted by returning, leaving again, it is worth looking in a mirror that can double the strength and energy of an inhabitant of our planet.

4. Why can’t you give a watch?
This superstition came to us from China, where it is believed that receiving a watch as a gift is considered an invitation to a funeral. In our country, it is believed that a gifted watch will count down the duration of friendship with a person, or even count the time of his remaining life. In addition, clock hands are sharp objects, which, together with piercing objects, are not recommended to be given in order to prevent quarrels and mutual grievances.

To neutralize the destructive event of a watch, you need to ask for a coin for it - then it will be considered that you did not give the watch, but sold it.

5. Why can’t we celebrate 40 years?
40 years is a single anniversary that is not customary to celebrate, especially for men. The tradition is based on the idea of ​​​​the connection of the numeral “forty” with death.

Approximately, this is due to the fact that even in Kievan Rus it was customary to “test the dead” for incorruptibility, and in the 17th century the period by which the incorruptibility of relics was determined was set at 40 days. Therefore, the number “forty” was directly associated with funerals. Moreover, it is so “consonant” with the memorial, the fortieth day of death, and in general, it is considered fatal in all religions.

Accordingly, the one who celebrates his fortieth birthday does not show due respect either to the dead or to death itself, and brings upon himself illnesses, failures, and even death.

6. Why can’t you immediately leave the house, but you need to “sit down on the path”?
The sign is based on the ancient belief of the inhabitants of our planet in good and evil spirits that rule the world. It was believed that family spirits cling to a person, disturbing him on the way and trying to bring him back. By sitting down in front of a long road, the spirits can be fooled - they will think as if no one is going anywhere at all, and will lose their attentiveness. And accordingly, it will be possible to hit the road without unnecessary “baggage”. By the way, this sign echoes the ban on returning halfway. The spirits may become angry at being deceived and cause even more mischief along the way.

Moreover, this sign also has a practical explanation - before a long journey it is always useful to sit down, put your ideas in order and think about everything again.

7. Why can’t you walk in one shoe?
This sign has been observed at all times. Old people say that if a person allows himself to walk in one shoe or one slipper, then he becomes an orphan extremely early. The Bible also says: “For every creature there is a pair.” Shoes have always symbolized unity. Two shoes are a pair. When you share a pair of shoes, you share those who gave their lives to you. And these are your ancestors. It’s not so bad if your parents don’t have a common life and they just go their separate ways. And if there is true love in a family, then, apart from death, nothing can separate loving hearts.

8. Why can’t you choose anything at an intersection?
The crossroads has always been considered a fantastic place, where worlds literally intersect - ours and the invisible one. At crossroads, a huge number of rituals are held that are oriented toward goodness and justice. Almost all people, passing through an intersection, talk, as if they feel an incomprehensible uneasiness there. It is possible that the power of self-hypnosis comes into play, or maybe not...

It is believed that if you “translate” illness or misfortune to some thing and throw it at a crossroads, evil spirits will take it away. In order not to take away other people's problems for yourself, you should not choose anything at crossroads, because the more expensive the thing found there, the more serious the problem or illness associated with it.
It seems that the founders of the Perekrestok retail chain did not work out the concept of the name...

9. Why can’t you eat from a knife?
They say that if you eat with a knife, you will become evil. Why is that? The thing is that our ordinary knife has an old and rich history.
A knife is one of the first and main tools for protecting and obtaining food for an inhabitant of our planet. For a long time, it was not just a piece of alloy, but an object of sacred significance.
A knife is not only a tool of labor, but also a tool of protection: both from real threats and from all kinds of evil spirits. Such a magical item required special treatment and was used only after special rituals. Eating from it meant angering the spirits who make the inhabitants of our planet evil and brutal. Not to mention the fact that you can simply cut yourself this way.

10. Why can’t you take out the trash after sunset?
Everyone knows this famous sign, but not many people know its roots.
Firstly, it is believed that if you take out the trash after sunset, gossip will spread about you, and this is logical - why would you be happy to take something out of the house under the cover of darkness? After all, the neighbors won’t hesitate to discuss why you hide your own trash like that. They also say that by taking out the trash at night, you take money out of the house, but this cannot be explained logically. Another explanation has to do with the belief in good and evil spirits. In order for good spirits to enter the house at night (to protect household members from evil spirits), it is necessary to prepare for their visit and remove all the rubbish from the house. Those who didn’t make it in time were late, and therefore there was no point in taking out the trash.

11. Why can’t you take pictures in the mirror?
In ancient times, the mirror was associated with the evil demon Mara, who cultivates pride in human souls, urging them to dress up and admire themselves in front of the mirror. Today, of course, no one believes this. But at the same time, everyone, without exception, hangs mirrors in the house where the deceased is; every girl knows perfectly well how dangerous Epiphany fortune-telling on a mirror is; and there are few people who are able to peer into the eyes of their own reflection for a long time without feeling anxiety or discomfort.

Mirrors are capable of accumulating energy from the surrounding space. Moreover, this primarily concerns negative energy. And any image of a person, including photography, carries a piece of his soul. Thus, by photographing your mirror reflection, you seem to open your destiny to the energy that has been accumulated by the mirror for many years.

There is a belief that a person who keeps a photograph of his mirror image at home dooms himself to misfortune in his personal life. Maybe this is not so, it’s not for nothing that many brides are photographed against the backdrop of a mirror. But it’s still better not to experiment. Moreover, you should not show such a photo to strangers.

12. Why shouldn’t you tear photographs?
From the same series. Many interpreters believe that by tearing a photograph, we thereby bring illness to the one depicted in it.

It is also believed that any photograph is an imprint of the soul of the person depicted on it, a graphic cast with an aura. By tearing a photograph, we violate the aura. Burning in this sense is harmless - it does not disturb the aura.

13. Why can’t you do something on the 13th?
Belief in the terrible day, Friday the 13th, roughly arose from a loose interpretation of the Old Testament. On this day, Cain killed his own brother Abel. Over time, this legend has acquired a huge amount of speculation, turning the number 13 into a terrible symbol of troubles and misfortunes. For example, in the hidden evening, 13 accomplices were counted, and the betrayal of Judas is mentioned for the first time in the 13th chapter of the Gospel. Over time, the attitude towards 13 only worsened. So, for example, Franklin Roosevelt never traveled on the 13th, some clinics do not have a 13th ward, and some hotels do not have a 13th floor. And in a family with thirteen children, one of them will certainly grow up to be a criminal. But then there is the 13th salary))

14. Why shouldn't you kill spiders?
Since ancient times, the spider has always been an insect that brings good luck, but also in some beliefs it was mentioned that the appearance of a spider is to receive some kind of news. People who wished themselves health never touched spiders.

The spider is valued by people because it once saved Jesus during his flight into Egypt. The legends say that Jesus hid with the Holy Family in a cave during his journey. A spider came and blocked the entrance to the cave with a web, after which everyone thought that no one had been in it for a long time.

There are similar stories about Moses and Mohammed. A spider has always been a good omen; if a spider descended on a person, it meant that he would soon become rich. The little red spiders are called “money spinners.”

It was believed that if such a spider crawls on your clothes, you will soon change them to new ones; if you catch a spider and put it in your pocket, your pocket will always be filled with money. Old recipes always used spider webs as an ingredient. Some even ate the spiders alive, with a lump of butter.

15. Why can’t you cut your own hair?
There is a belief that hair contains life force. Accordingly, cutting your hair means deliberately shortening your eyelid. Hair is also a conductor between worlds (like a mirror, for example), an attribute for evil spirits (well, there, a strand of hair in magical rituals, etc.), loose hair is a symbol of freedom (in the old days, married women did not let their braids down in public ) and sin (from a slutty girl to a witch) at the same time... Slavic mythology, pagan motifs - everything comes from there.

What you believe in will happen to you. A pregnant woman should not cut her hair - the baby may be stillborn. It was believed that the life force of a person was hidden in hair. It was categorically not recommended to even brush a child under one year old. Losing your hair means reducing your vitality, shortening your life. In some places it is believed that if a child is cut before the age of seven, then his “mind is cut.”

All the main rituals are associated with hair: baptism (rolling a lock of hair into wax), wedding (bride's braid), burial (widow letting down her hair), and so on.
Hence the belief that any sorcerer, having a person’s hair, can harm him, cause damage. Therefore, it is not recommended to leave cut hair in sight.

16. Why can’t you give an even number of flowers?
In different countries, there are traditions associated with the number of flowers given, for example, in the USA, Europe and some eastern countries, it is believed that an even number of flowers given brings happiness. In Russia, it is customary to bring an even number of flowers only to funerals of the dead.

There is an opinion that odd numbers are characterized by instability and movement, that is, they symbolize life, living matter. And even numbers mean stability and peace, that is, dead matter.
This conditional division is only relevant up to a dozen. Florists have a rule: if there are 12 or more flowers in a bouquet, then their number does not matter.

In the old days, people believed in the magic of numbers, where all good things were associated with odd numbers, and bad things with even numbers. That is why, for example, at Christmas an odd number of dishes was always placed on the table. People believed that odd numbers symbolized the constant continuation of life, incompleteness. And the even ones, on the contrary, mean the finitude of all living things, the cessation of movement.

17. Why can’t you give something gifted?
The main reason is ethical - after all, this gift was originally given to you, and in relation to the person who spent time and money on this, re-gifting his gift would be basic disrespect. Especially considering that you will not spend anything on finding and purchasing this gift, which will be disrespectful towards the new owner. In order to give this gift to another person with impunity, you need to at least be sure that the first giver will not find out about it, and also will not ask when they meet: “How is the fondue maker doing, what did I give you?”

Another reason is the uselessness of the gift. If it is not useful to you, then there is a chance that it will not be useful to anyone else, so give the gift only to those people who will definitely find a use for it.

There is also a belief that a gift contains a piece of the soul of the giver, but following this logic you can turn your home into a warehouse, never throwing away even broken gifts.

In many countries, it is customary to give a gift with a receipt, so that the person who did not like the gift can go to the store, return it and get something more suitable.

18. Why can’t you cut your nails in the evening?
The appearance of electricity in every home happened not so long ago, especially in our country. Before the advent of electricity, everyone safely used candles, kerosene or gas lamps.
Naturally, such a light source was not of high quality. Most people suffered from poor vision precisely because of the dim light in the room.
It is quite logical to assume that cutting nails in poor lighting is fraught with minor injuries that cause a lot of pain and inconvenience. So people decided that it was better to warn future generations against these mistakes and created a superstition of this kind.

Another significant reason that follows from the first is the low level of medicine. If we remember what kind of houses our grandmothers and great-grandmothers lived in, it becomes obvious that there was no talk about sanitation and disinfection at all. When people cut their nails with devices that were not intended for this purpose, they received a lot of injuries. The likelihood of blood poisoning and tetanus increased. There was no exact explanation as to why illnesses appear precisely after cutting nails in the evening; people began to associate everything with bad omens.

19. Why can’t you whistle in the house?
Many people know the sign - you can’t whistle in the house. Where does she get her roots from?
For ordinary people, whistling is a sharp sound that disturbs peace. Nowadays, even the rules of etiquette do not allow for whistling - it is considered a sign of bad taste. Beliefs said that whistling can bring trouble to oneself, or it can be the main cause of grief. They also say: if you whistle, there will be no money. Indeed, if a person just walks around with his hands in his pockets and whistling, then there can be no talk of any money. The main thing is work.

The sign cannot be taken literally. But most people willingly believe in this sign, equating whistlers with slackers. There is a version that the saying “don’t whistle in the house - there will be no money” arose in the 19th century, because of steam locomotive drivers.

20. Why can’t you sleep with your feet facing the door?
Many people believe that it is a sign: this is how the dead are taken out of the house. But those whose beds are positioned this way sleep and feel fine.
If you turn to the Feng Shui system, you can find the answer: “If a person sleeps in this position, he loses a lot of energy.”

The bed is a special, cleanest place in the house, the energy of which must be carefully protected.
A home for a person is his shelter, a place for comfort and harmony. And the door is like a “checkpoint” of the building, a symbol of transition, unification and separation, a symbolic meeting of one’s own and another’s. Therefore, you should not sleep with your feet facing the doorway.
But if the room doesn’t allow you to place your bed differently, that’s okay. Thousands of people sleep in this direction and live happily ever after.

A good sign, she will soon become his bride. Their marriage will be very happy, mutual love and wealth await them.

If the first kiss happens on the day that coincides with the birth date of one of the partners, it means long and smooth happiness and even, possibly, the creation of a family.

If your lips are itchy, go for kisses.

You were invited to visit a person you liked, and the food turned out to be too salty - your sympathy is mutual.

If a girl, thinking about her chosen one, hears the crow of a rooster, it means that the wedding will be imminent.

If a guy accidentally drops an apple on the table, he will soon have a date with his girlfriend.

So that the feelings do not pass and the lovers remain faithful to each other, they need to more often choose the seashore, the foot of a hill (mountain) or a forest clearing for dates.

Frown - the number of wrinkles between your eyebrows, the number of husbands (wives) you will have.

In order for a relationship with a girl to last a long time and lead to a wedding, when coming to her home, a guy should, before calling or knocking, stroke the doorframe with his left hand, thinking about how dear his beloved is to him.

A love sign says that you have a long and trusting relationship with your other half; when you come to visit together, cross the threshold of the home, touching each other’s hands.

If you dreamed of an open palm held out to you by a stranger, expect a fateful meeting soon.

Do not write love letters after midnight, do not send them on major church holidays. You cannot write them in red ink or a simple pencil. If you drop an envelope on the way to the post office, expect a quick quarrel. This sign does not apply to electronic messages!

Don't go on a first date in new shoes, otherwise you won't have a long and serious relationship with this person. You will break up, most likely, because of his or your infidelity.

A good love omen is if a guy proposes marriage on Friday evening, the family will be prosperous. But you need to announce your engagement to friends and relatives on Saturday - so as not to scare off your happiness!

If during a date one of the dishes breaks, you need to step over the fragments together so as not to quarrel.

To never be separated, wear talismans made of turquoise, carnelian or halves of one coin, paired jewelry.

You need to go on a date one way and return along a different path, otherwise soon the relationship in a couple will become insipid and reach a dead end.

If you are engaged, you should not take photos together, otherwise your life together will be unhappy or your couple will break up before the wedding.

Do not admire the new moon, do not make appointments at crossroads, especially 5 roads, on bridges, near flowing water. Otherwise, passion will turn into hatred, and instead of love, contempt and ridicule will remain.

If you have lost a watch, bracelet or ring that your loved one gave you, then soon quarrels will begin between you based on jealousy.

If you drop a gift as a gift, don’t put it on right away. Read any prayer over her, and then you can avoid problems in your relationship.

To make the romance flow easily and smoothly, to make you happy, do not meet on the steps. Moreover, do not kiss on stairs or in elevators! It is also undesirable to do this in public - they can easily cast an evil eye on your relationship out of envy of someone else's love. The exception is farewell upon departure.

Rub your hands with ironweed grass (tumbleweed) or sedge. After this, touch your other half - you will remain loved forever.

If a girl often puts stains on her apron, her husband will be a drunkard or a gambler.

Do not buy watches, gloves, knives or brooches as a gift for your other half. Otherwise you invite separation. A knife presented to the groom used to signify the bride’s desire to break off the engagement. Moreover, if he did not accept the gift, then a misfortune could happen to him.

If a girl is engaged, she should not try on an engagement ring before the wedding. This can lead to an unexpected breakup with your lover. And the loss of a ring is a very bad omen and promises major troubles on the family front. To prevent it from coming true, it is necessary for the one who lost it to endure a bloodless fast for a week and under no circumstances quarrel with relatives and other half.

You cannot knit clothes for your lover, because he may get another one and he will get confused in his feelings. And - he can go to his rival.

To prevent happiness in love from ending, you should not cut your nails and hair after sunset.

If you pick yarrow and put it under your pillow at night, then, according to a love omen, your lover will appear to you in a dream.

If you put a piece of the wedding cake that you were treated to under your pillow, then that night you will certainly dream about your future husband (wife).

The bride, just before marriage (signing or wedding), does not have the right to look in the mirror if she is fully dressed. How to be? If you really can’t wait to fix something in your hair or powder your nose, take off your glove or unfasten the button on your dress - and look as much as your heart desires.

The wedding ring should not contain opals or pearls; patterns are also undesirable.

Why can't you sew up your clothes? Why shouldn't you shake water off your hands that you just washed?
Reading while eating means eating up your memory.- We have already briefly mentioned the ban on reading while eating. The observation is based on the peculiarities of the functioning of the human body. When a person reads and thinks, blood rushes to the brain, providing it with oxygen... When a person eats, blood flows to the stomach, because at this time it must ensure its normal functioning (that’s why you want to sleep so much after a hearty lunch). When a person reads while eating, the brain does not perceive what is read to its full potential, we do not remember what we read, we “jam” the memory.

If after dinner the guests leave before the hostess removes the tablecloth from the table, the brides in this house will not get married. - First of all, this applies to guests. It turns out that they only came to eat, and when everything is eaten, they immediately leave, although the rules of decency require thanking the hostess and communicating. They say about it this way: a table is not a trough to eat and run away from. But, I think, there is a deeper meaning contained in this belief in relation to the hostess. If she is such that she only knows how to feed, and guests do not expect anything else in this house, or if she is so clumsy that she cannot remove the tablecloth from the table for two hours after dinner, then it is no wonder that suitors will avoid such a house. After all, as is the mother, so is the daughter.

If you wash your hands, dry them, but don’t shake off the water, don’t create devils.- The ban goes back to an old legend about how the devil, who fell from the sky and was left alone, asked God for an army. God advised him to dip his hands in the water and shake it off - there will be as many devils as there are splashes. The everyday explanation is hygienic, and it is associated primarily with children: from the habit of not wiping wet hands, pimples appear, the skin cracks and itches.

If a stye appears on your eye, you need to bring a fig to your eye and say: “Barley, barley, you have a fig on you: whatever you want, you can buy it. Buy yourself an axe, cut yourself across!” - No matter how funny it may seem, a fig accompanied by a conspiracy has long been considered a reliable talisman against evil spirits. Some believe that it is a matter of mini-warming with heat that comes from the hand. But I think this version is not very consistent. Personal testimony: the author of these lines developed barley while staying in an area where there were no medical institutions; the fig, shown by the grandmother for several days, accompanied by her own conspiracy, actually helped. Maybe laughter helped: it helps, because of its connection with good moods, against any illness.

If you sit between people with the same names, immediately make a wish: it will come true.- The name contains characteristics of a person. Through the name there is a connection with the Guardian Angel. It is no coincidence that to this day it is believed that a name is destiny, and in order not to tempt fate, they try to give a person a name according to the Saints. Sitting between people with the same names, a person seems to be in the beneficial field of their common Guardian Angel - hence the belief that the wish will come true.

If you don’t recognize a person you know, he might be rich.- This belief is one of the so-called “deceptive” beliefs. When they wanted rich flax to grow, they sowed it naked: let the flax see that the sower doesn’t even have anything to wear, and therefore it will grow. They sowed grain from hand to mouth: let rye and wheat know that the peasant has nothing to eat, and therefore take pity. To be deceived when meeting an acquaintance means to symbolically meet not one, but as if two, and therefore double his wealth.

You can't have thirteen people at the table. Don't sit thirteenth. - This belief, like many others associated with the “unlucky” number 13, has its roots in biblical times: at the Last Supper, the traitor Judas was the thirteenth.

Until the hostess finishes her tea, guests should not leave the house.- This everyday belief echoes the belief about the tablecloth not being removed from the table. Both there and here: really, what’s the rush? While the guests drank and ate and had fun, the hostess looked after them and served them. And so, when everyone was already full and happy, she, poor fellow, sat down to drink a cup of tea and hear praise for her dishes - and instead the guests were getting ready to leave. Of course, it’s inappropriate to offend or upset the hostess.

The knife is dull - the owner is stupid, the tablecloth is black - the hostess is stupid.- Is any explanation required here?

On Annunciation Day, girls are not allowed to braid their hair: they won’t have their own home.- The key to the solution is in the proverb: “On Annunciation, a bird does not build a nest, a maiden does not braid her hair.” The cuckoo once violated this rule and was severely punished for it. She made a nest in Annunciation - and now all the mother cuckoos are paying for it, leaving eggs in other people's nests. The same thing can happen to a girl if she dares to do even such a small job as braiding her hair. The belief is based on the highest veneration of one of the most solemn Christian holidays.

It is not good for a woman to be bareheaded, especially in church.- Only girls could walk “plain-haired” (without a scarf or cap on their heads). Their hair was always neat: long hair braided. On the wedding day, the bridesmaids unraveled the girl’s braid with a ribbon, carefully combed her hair, braided it into two braids and placed them in a crown around her head. Later, a woman could collect her hair not in braids, but in a bun, covered with a scarf or cap, primarily so that hair would not inadvertently get caught in it while cooking. However, at home a woman could still afford to go bare-haired; when going out into the street, she certainly covered herself with a scarf, and in cold weather, with a shawl over the scarf. Scarves and shawls were traditionally beautiful, with a variety of patterns, woven or lace. It was believed that a simple-haired woman did not like her own Guardian Angel and was deprived of his help and protection. In this way, the woman was encouraged to be neat and at the same time protected from unnecessary worries about her hair.

If you leave your hair on the floor or scatter it around the yard, your head will hurt.- The belief is connected with the cult of hair. They symbolized health and wealth. In addition, hair is part of you, and therefore you cannot throw it anywhere. From an everyday point of view, we are again talking about elementary neatness.

In the next world you will have to account for every hair.- This and many other superstitions associated with hair can go back to totemism, that is, to the times of worship of hairy animals. But the explanation that boils down to intimidating sluts seems more realistic. IN AND. Dahl, on a similar occasion, sneered: “Not a bad rule, otherwise, perhaps, there would be heaps of cut hair lying all over the hut and the yard.”

There are many moles on the body, especially those that you cannot see yourself - be happy.- The belief is associated with popular ideas about damage. The gaze of a spiteful critic immediately falls on something unusual that attracts attention, and loses its power. Amulets and jewelry serve as artificial distractions, while moles serve as natural distractions. On the other hand, moles attract the attention of the person himself and cause thoughts about his health (especially if they begin to change). You think less about moles that you yourself cannot see (on your back). For a suspicious person, this is also almost happiness - not to worry about thoughts about health.

Don’t wash or wash your hair before a long journey - you will avoid trouble.- Part of this sign (“don’t wash your hair”) was explained in the chapter on the road. The recommendation may be aimed at preventing a person from catching a cold, since everything is done in a hurry before the road. This ban is also explained by the fact that a person washes away his homely, protective aura and appears unprotected among strangers. Perhaps there is a reason for this, and that is why some people (even clean people) prefer to take a full shower only before going to bed, and wash only partially before leaving the house. And the advice to take a shower after going outside, after a crowded environment, to wash away negative energy is not without meaning.

Don't sew anything directly on yourself - you can sew up the memory. - A belief based on the fact that something done in a hurry will not lead to success. In addition, having carelessly sewn something right on himself and remaining all day in these clothes, a person mentally returns to whether his clothes are in order, whether they look at him like a slob. In other words, he gets distracted from his work and doesn’t remember everything. Hence the threat to “sew up the memory.”

The tip of the nose itches - look into the glass (to drink).- One of the comic beliefs based only on external association. After all, you can just as easily look into a bowl of cabbage soup as into a book.

Itching in the ear - it might rain.- This sign can be considered true (unless, of course, we are talking about long-unwashed ears). Before rain, the atmospheric pressure decreases, and the eardrum in the ear plays the same role as the membrane in the barometer; It bends a little and makes it itchy. By the way, this sign existed in ancient Rome and was called timutus aurium - “ringing in the ears.”

When one praises one's bodily virtues (beauty, stature, health, etc.), one must spit three times over one's left shoulder to avoid the evil eye. - Now many are inclined to believe that the gaze is to some extent material, that is, it carries a certain energy. The evil eye is "black magnetism". This belief is by no means only Russian - something similar existed in Ancient Rome. The Romans worshiped a deity named Fascinus, who supposedly protected people from the evil eye. Black eyes are considered especially dangerous. To spit over your left shoulder in response to praise (of course, symbolically) means to express disbelief in them, not to take them into your soul. The nature of the evil eye was explained in the medieval "Hammer of the Witches". But modern researchers also attach considerable importance to this issue. Thus, E. Goltsman comes to the conclusion that “the main reason for the evil eye is the envious glances of others”; therefore, those most often affected are those who are in the public eye, people in public professions, for example, singers. Probably, many people paid attention to the fact that such people, as a rule, wear excessively bright clothes and heavily hang themselves with shiny jewelry. This reveals a latent desire to avoid the influence of the evil eye, because the public pays attention to the clothes, to the “amulets” of the idol and, thanks to this, does not cause damage to his inner world, does not disturb his energy. Sometimes they protect themselves with dark glasses, but this is not the best way of protection, since a person wearing dark glasses not on a sunny street or beach causes irritation in people and thereby provokes the evil eye.

If your left ear burns (it’s hot), they say bad things about you, the right ear says good things. A ringing in the right ear means good news, and a ringing in the left ear means bad news. - These superstitions are based on the fact that on the right side of a person there is a Guardian Angel, and on the left there is a tempter. It should hardly be taken seriously.

Sneeze - confirm the veracity of the words just spoken. - The compilers of the “Encyclopedia of Superstitions” write: “... one famous doctor authoritatively told us that at the moment of sneezing a person is closest to death.” Maybe this is the answer to the sign? Feeling the proximity of death, a person always becomes truthful. However, for a long time there was a custom of using snuff to specifically induce sneezing - for health.

The hiccups overcome - it means someone is remembering.- This is just one of the many beliefs associated with hiccups: they also say that someone is jealous, scolds, etc. Long-standing beliefs say that hiccups are a sign of a demon possessing a person. The idea that hiccups are connected to someone's memories seems as baseless to me as the idea of ​​sneezing.