Superstitions

We generally call behaviors having no logical basis but still affecting people’s lives as superstitions. The existence of superstitions goes back to the very ancient history of humanity. In many periods and cultures, societies somehow formed their own superstitious systems and lived under them. But why? Why did people build such a system and adapt their behavior to it?

How did superstitions came about?

In ancient times, due to the lack of science, people were looking at their surroundings through a huge obscurity. They couldn’t understand what was happening around them. In line with this fear of obscurity, people were always seeking for something to believe it and relieve them. This relieving element has changed from period to period and from society to society as the sun, moon, stars, nature, or even just an object. Nowadays people find most superstitions to be absurd or meaningless. Although we do not fully understand the cause of most of them, there are also some superstitions that are formed for logical reasons and are integrated with the culture. Here are five examples of these superstitions;

Throwing coins in rivers

There is a belief in many cultures that throwing money in the river will bring luck. Besides, many people make a wish by throwing money in the river and think that this wish will come true.  Actually, there is a surprising and good reason in the background of this belief. In the past, coins were usually made of copper. Copper is an important metal for health. It prevents infection and bacteria to a great extent.  Because of the fact that people supplied their drinking water from rivers, throwing coins to the river was essential for human health.

Horseshoe brings luck

Horseshoe are believed to bring good luck in many cultures. To bring good luck to a family, a horseshoe usually hang to the entrance of the house. Because of the inverted u-shape, it was believed that good luck would be poured from a horseshoe. However, the main reason for this belief is probably that they are made of iron which is worthwhile in the era, and is resistant to fire. In this reason, it was thought to be very valuable and bring luck.

Breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck

In ancient Rome, it was believed that the reflection in the mirror shows one’s soul. It was also believed that it takes 7 years for a life to renew itself. Therefore, they believed that when a mirror is broken, the soul also breaks and it will take 7 years for it to renew itself again. However, the logical explanation says that mirrors were extremely expensive in the old days. So to ensure that the mirrors were not damaged, the Romans came up with this story.

Taking a bath after attending a funeral

According to superstition, taking a bath after attending a funeral repels evil spirits. The logical basis of the belief is not much different from this. When a person dies, as the body is no longer a living being, the body cannot fight bacteria. Thus, people attending the funeral are exposed to harmful bacteria in the inanimate body. Taking a bath helps to get rid of these bacteria.

 Crushing the head of a snake after killing it

”One should crush the head of a snake after killing it otherwise it might seek revenge.” This belief is a warning. In a dangerous situation, when a person kills the snake, the snake’s head remains alive for a while and it disperse around. Meanwhile the snake still has the ability to poison or bite you. So, it is said that one should crush the head of a snake for a quick death.

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