If ever attending an Iraqi birth celebration, don’t count on seeing anyone with blue eyes or meeting a woman without a child either because they’re considered bad luck for babies and could supposedly cause harm to the baby! This might seem laughable to many, but if you were a blue-eyed Iraqi, tough luck! it consider bringing an evil eye.

Iraq, holds more common, yet odd superstitions. For example, if a man gives a gift to a woman, he must say it is from his wife or mother otherwise you will be seen as bad luck. Imagine giving a gift at a birthday and saying, “Here you are! A present from my mother!” Undoubtedly awkward!

 

In Iraq and Iran many stores sell ‘Nazars’ which are charms that ward off the most hated evil spirit, the evil eye. The evil eye is believed to cause injury to those whom it looks at. The worst believed consequence of the evil eye is death, and the least is a dose of bad luck.

Warning! If you are a young child or baby, you are the most vulnerable to the evil eye! Often when asking of the health of a young child in Iraq, the parent will say, “bad’ or ‘sick’ in case you possess the evil eye and will direct it at their healthy child. If you comment on someone looking good or healthy say, ‘The Grace of God’ or you will be seen as someone who has the evil eye. Watch out young kids!

Other people who don’t benefit from common Iraqi superstitions are clumsy people! If you spill salt it is considered bad luck. But don’t worry, there is a remedy! If you throw salt over your shoulder you destroy your bad luck. I guess it’s passed on to the person behind you! 

Whilst many common Iraqi customs are somewhat laughable, they are merely byproducts of the continuation of the great ancient Mesopotamian culture into the modern age. Mostly came from Persian and Turkish occupier , English and Greek invaders . When attempting to retain the culture of the oldest and one of the most successful cultures in the world, some elements, believed then, of the culture are carried on into modern times.

Superstitions have been around almost since the dawn of man. Good luck or bad luck, we’ve all had our fair share. Statistics state that most people practice a little bit of superstition at least once a week. But what are the most common superstitions? Having been born on the 13th of December the author has consistently been told how unfortunate he is, but to him the number 13 has been a very lucky number. The superstition about the number 13 dates right back to the primitive days when man noticed he had ten toes and two feet. He thought that anything more than ten must be unlucky. And if you take notice next time you book a room in a hotel or motel, you will note that the 13th floor tends to be missing and so does a 13th room.

Four leaf clovers:

The Irish tend to think that finding a four leaf clover is good luck. Some think that those who find a four leaf clover will know great wealth, fame, health and a faithful relationship. If you find a four leaf clover on St Patrick’s day you are said to be the recipient of twice as much luck. The author’s son found two four leaf clovers in one day and tucked them into my shoes before I performed in a talent show. To his surprise he won two awards that day! Obviously the son was delighted.

Don’t walk under a ladder:

A plethora of people fear walking under ladders. It is said that if you walk under a ladder which is propped up against a wall or the outside of a building the base of the ladder forms a triangle. This is supposedly the sign of the “Holy Trinity” which many people believe that you must never ever violate. While some may believe this superstition, the author won’t walk under a ladder because he doesn’t wish to be hit on the head by anything which may fall a rung of the ladder such as paint. Besides ladders have been known to collapse.

Lucky rabbit’s feet:

Living in Australia the author has been given a host of rabbits feet for good luck. This superstition transcends from the way a rabbit actually runs. The back feet touch the ground first and this is said to be very odd indeed. Thus rabbit’s feet are said to be lucky if the feet are given to you. Perhaps the author has been given the feet of lame rabbits. They certainly haven’t bought any luck to this gentleman.

Don’t break a mirror:

Ever notice how a person will freak out if they break a mirror? This is said to bring a person seven years of bad luck. This superstition goes back to Celtic times. It was thought that because mirrors reflect your image if a mirror was broken your soul was broken as well. Apparently the soul would then be angered and react by giving you the seven years of bad luck as punishment.

 

Don’t open an umbrella indoors:

Have you ever opened an umbrella indoors to have someone screech at you “Shut that thing right now?” It is said that if you open an umbrella indoors bad luck will follow you for years. Many superstitious people believe that when you open an umbrella indoors you are inviting the storms.

Horseshoes are lucky:

Found a horseshoe? This is supposed to be very good luck because the iron that is used to make horseshoes is supposed to protect you against all evil. That is why many people hang a horseshoe over the front door of their house, they are hoping to ward off any evil presence. But you must make a wish, spit on both ends of it, then toss it over your left shoulder and leave it where it falls for a week.

Chirping crickets:

If a cricket is chirping in your house leave him to it. This is supposed to a sign of good luck yet to come. But once you actually find the cricket evict it immediately otherwise the luck will not last.

Knock on wood:

One of the oldest superstitions is the knock on wood one. Knocking on wood is supposed to reverse bad luck. As you can see there are a host of commons superstitions people still believe to this very day.

Australia

Australian Indigenous people believe in The Dreaming, a time when the Ancestral Beings moved across the earth, creating the animals, plants, rock formations and features of the landscape. Indigenous stories of creation are founded in Dreamtime myths and the supernatural. They form an integral part of Aboriginal spirituality, and in some areas there are separate beliefs for men and women.

Many Indigenous Australians are very superstitious people, and their connection with the land leads them to believe certain animal spirits can harm people. One belief is that killing a willy-wagtail bird makes the bird’s spirit angry; creating storms of violence that can kill people.

Here are some of the most common superstitions in The Netherlands –

A broken dish supposedly brings good luck, and a pine tree is generally planted for the newly weds. Pine symbolises good luck and fertility.

Cats seem to play an important role in Dutch superstitions. A black cat crossing your car is supposed to bring on something bad during your journey – if you have seen one, being more cautious on road is the only solution.

Also, cats were not allowed to be in the room when discussing private matters, in the earlier days. It was believed that the cats have a tendency to spread gossips.

Romania

I get up in the morning with a strange feeling. A bad dream has tormented me all night long; and they say that if you dream a dark water or that you carry in your arms a newborn baby, something bad is going to happen to you.

And suddenly come to my mind all sorts of other “recommendations” one should obey in order to have good luck in personal life:

• Don’t give money on Mondays – you will give money all week long
• Don’t sit at the corner of a table if you are not married yet; if you do, there are chance you will never marry
• Take care on a Tuesday especially if it is also a 13th – you might have bad luck
• On your wedding day pray that it will rain – then your life will be full
• When you meet a chimney sweep, make a wish and it will be accomplished
• If your left palm itches, you will receive money; if your right palm itches, you will give money
• You must wear something red in order not to be touched by an evil eye

Thanks for reading , for those who are writing exam , dont depend on luck and charms…..REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED, then reed more , understand the topic and then quiz your self.

Steve Ramsey. Calgary, Canada.