Superstitions and the stories behind them

Throughout the world superstitions are found, retold over the centuries.
Some objects bring Luck, some death some disastrous depending on the circumstances, and I will mention a few that I am acquainted with.
We all wish upon a shooting star...It was believed that in ancient times the gods would peer down and moved around in the sky. Some stars will escape and fall the the earth, and as the stars are sources of light in the dark sky, if you wish upon a star, your good luck is sure.In Greek mythology, it is believed that falling stars is the souls of humans, and if you wish upon them they will bring you good fortune.

The number 13 is associated with very bad luck and if it is
Friday the 13th it is a very unfortunate day, for travelling ,business or even friendships. Coupled with a standing stepladder, and should you walk underneath this ladder on Friday the 13th disaster will surely struck.
Architects have refused over the years to design stairs that end on 13, or add 13th floor on the numbers of hotels and business blocks. Even n modern day, there would be 15 or more floors, but the thirteenth floor is not ever mentioned or numbered.
There is even a name for it, and try and pronounce it Triskdekaphyia!

Opening an umbrella inside a building is very bad for you.It is deemed to be insulting to the sun god. The umbrella protects against the storms of life, so opening it insults the guardian spirits in your home, who also protect your home, and causes them to leave thus leaving your home unprotected.

A very interesting superstition in ancient England is that of the Groaning Cheese....
At the beginning of a pregnancy, a large round cheese is made, then left for the duration of the pregnancy (9 months. )
At the time of labor, the family will gather, eat the entire cheese, leaving the outer ring. After birth the newborn baby is passed through this cheese ring for a long prosperous and healthy life!.

The superstition about mirrors is ageless. The mirror will steal your soul if you gaze into it too often, and if you brake a mirror, you will have seven years of bad lack. No vampire however will ever see his reflection in a mirror, as a vampire has no soul.

Cross your fingers for good luck is another superstition originating in Early Christian times, it was used during persecution times as a sign to identify other Christians or friends. It was believed to be a sign of peace, it evolved to excuse telling a whit lie, in the belief that the sign of the cross will save the liar from Hell!

The one everybody knows is the danger of a black cat crossing your path.
Single women with black cats were identified in ancient times as witches, who in turn can become black cats, and then do you terrible harm ,even death.

Ringing of bells were used from Elizabeth 1st time to frighten evil spirits away
During her reign bells were rung for the departed souls, drive the evil spirits away that stood in front of her bed!

One of the superstitious customs even present today in marriage is to give a bride, something old, something new, something borrowed ,something blue.
something old; representing continuity.
something new: Hope and future
something borrowed: borrowed happiness for the moment
something blue purity love and fidelity.

Opal is looked upon as a very unlucky gem to the person who wears opal jewelry.
It originates with the novel by Sir Walter Scott, "Äre of Geierstein". Lady Hermoine was falsely accused of being a demon after a drop of holy water spilled on her opal jewelry, turning the color of the stone. After the publication of the book Opal Market crashed and from then on Opals were looked upon as evil.

We have all seen horseshoes hung n front doors or against walls inside a house.
If placed with the points upward, it will keep nightmares and evil spirits away, and bring good luck. Seven is a lucky number and the horseshoe has seven holes in it. It is also made of iron, that ensures evil spirits will not enter, and iron keeps all mystical creatures away.

You cannot sweep a new house with a new broom, you have to sweep something else first, other wise you will sweep your good fortune in the house away.

And so there are many more superstitions practiced even today...for instance if you spill salt you need to pick a bit throw it over your left shoulder into the devils eye to keep him away and stop you from losing all your possessions. '

African superstitions that are quite scary is that of the Tikoloshe bearer of bad lack, molester of women and children, he is a short evil mischievous being, who becomes invisible, by drinking water. Evil malicious people will call upon the tokoloshe to harm others. He is short and therefor the people place bricks under their beds so that it is too high for him to reach them! This is the only way to keep this evil little man away from them!

In Turkey you must not chew gum at night, as it will turn into rotten flesh, and thus cause you harm!

And so there are many many more in every country!