popular superstitions in india essay

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15 Common Superstitions in India That Will Blow Your Mind

India, a tapestry of diverse cultures and traditions, is a land where ancient beliefs coexist with modern lifestyles. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, one cannot ignore the prevalence of superstitions that permeate various aspects of Indian society. These superstitions, deeply ingrained in the fabric of daily routines, have a profound impact on people’s decisions, behaviors, and even their health. In this exploration, we will uncover some of the most common superstitions in India, unraveling the threads of belief that shape the lives of millions.

1. The Red Thread of Destiny

One of the widely embraced superstitions in India is the belief in the ‘Red Thread of Destiny.’ Many Indians tie a red thread also called a “Mauli” around their wrists, considering it a symbol of protection and good fortune. This ancient practice stems from the belief that the red thread connects individuals with their destined life paths. The Red Thread of Destiny tangibly intertwines tradition and daily life, despite its mystical origins, serving as a reminder.

2. The Omens of Sneezing

Sneezing, a common bodily function, takes on a whole new meaning in the realm of Indian superstitions. The belief that a sneeze can be an omen, signaling either good or bad luck, is widespread. The interpretation varies based on the time of day or the number of sneezes. While some see it as a positive sign, others might consider it a forewarning. This superstition, deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, highlights the intricate dance between the seen and the unseen.

3. The Lemon and Chillies Superstition

A common sight adorning the entrances of homes across India is the arrangement of lemons and green chillies strung together, often hanging from doors or windows. This peculiar tradition is not merely a decorative choice but is deeply rooted in superstition. Believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, this practice is prevalent across various regions. The combination of green chillies, known for their pungent flavor, and lemons, believed to absorb negative energy, is considered a potent deterrent against malevolent forces.

The sight of these vibrant clusters signifies not just an effort to spice up the visual appeal but a symbolic gesture aimed at protecting the household from the unseen realms of the supernatural. In a country where traditions seamlessly blend with everyday life, the hanging of lemons and chillies stands as a vivid testament to the enduring power of superstition in shaping cultural practices.

4. The Mystical Influence of Astrology

Astrology, an ancient science that maps celestial influences on human affairs, plays a significant role in shaping decisions and actions in India. From determining auspicious wedding dates to guiding daily activities based on zodiac signs, astrology permeates the lives of many. While some view it as a guiding light, others argue that it confines individuals within the boundaries of predetermined destinies, blurring the line between free will and cosmic influence.

5. The Foreboding of a Black Cat’s Path

In India, encountering a black cat is often considered an ominous sign. The superstition suggests that crossing paths with a black cat can bring bad luck, especially if it happens during significant life events. This belief has its roots in cultural folklore and has led to various rituals aimed at warding off the perceived negativity associated with these sleek, dark felines.

6. The Inauspiciousness of Broken Mirrors

In India, breaking a mirror isn’t just an accident; it’s often seen as an omen predicting impending misfortune. The superstition surrounding broken mirrors links back to the idea that mirrors hold a reflection of one’s soul. Consequently, a fractured mirror symbolizes a fractured soul, inviting a cascade of negative energy. This belief influences how people approach the fragility of reflective surfaces in their daily lives.

7. The Superstition of the Evil Eye

The concept of the ‘Evil Eye’ transcends geographical boundaries and finds a prominent place in Indian superstitions. The belief holds that a malevolent gaze can bring harm or misfortune to an individual. To counteract this perceived threat, various talismans, such as the Nazar Battu (evil eye bead), are used as protective charms. People go to great lengths, hanging lemons and chillies, to shield themselves from unseen forces affecting their well-being.

8. The Significance of Ritualistic Touch

In India, the act of touching certain objects or individuals is often laden with superstitions. From the belief that touching the feet of elders brings blessings to avoiding certain plants or trees due to perceived negative energy, these rituals underscore the deep connection between physical actions and metaphysical consequences. Understanding the significance of these touches provides insights into the complex tapestry of cultural superstitions that guide interpersonal relationships.

9. The Mysterious Impact of Planetary Movements

Babies, the epitome of innocence, are surrounded by a myriad of very common superstitions. Considered auspicious, a newborn’s first cry symbolizes announcing the baby’s arrival to the world, marking a joyous occasion. Astrological considerations guide the meticulous process of naming, attributing specific letters thought to bring good fortune.

Astrology takes yet another form in India, with the belief that planetary movements significantly influence human affairs. At birth, the alignment of celestial bodies shapes personality traits, relationships, and career paths, according to belief. In fact, making birth charts or “kundali” of a new born is extremely common. This superstition has given rise to the practice of consulting astrologers for guidance, creating a bridge between the cosmic and the personal in the pursuit of a harmonious life.

10. The Symbolism of Hooting Owls

In Indian superstitions, people often perceive the haunting hoot of an owl as an eerie harbinger of impending doom. The superstition surrounding these nocturnal birds varies across regions, with some considering them messengers of death and others associating their calls with supernatural forces. Various rituals, aiming to ward off perceived negative energy brought by owls, stem from the fear associated with them.

11. The Ritual of Touching Wood for Good Luck

In Indian culture, people deeply embed the superstition of touching wood for good luck. The belief is that expressing a positive hope or desire followed by a touch on wood ensures its manifestation. This age-old tradition reflects the human tendency to seek tangible actions to safeguard against uncertainties, emphasizing the power of rituals in shaping beliefs and attitudes.

12. The Web of Pregnancy Superstitions

Pregnancy, a time of anticipation and joy, is also rife with superstitions in India. Some believe that craving sour foods, often dismissed as hormonal changes, indicates the gender of the unborn child. If a pregnant woman craves sour foods, she may be carrying a boy, while a desire for sweets suggests a girl.

Astrological considerations play a significant role in pregnancy superstitions. Astrologers meticulously analyze the alignment of stars and planets at the time of conception to predict the child’s future. Another common superstition is that, the evil eye is a constant concern during pregnancy. Hence, this leads to the use of protective amulets and rituals to ward off negative energies.

13. Nuptial Knots and Marriage Superstitions

A tapestry of superstitions surrounds the sacred institution of marriage in India. The timing of the wedding is crucial, with specific dates considered more auspicious than others. Deeming Tuesdays and Saturdays as favorable, people often avoid the month of December due to its association with inauspicious events.

The exchange of garlands during the marriage ceremony is not just a symbol of love but also a protective measure. Many believe that the exchange shields the couple from the evil eye and ensures a harmonious life ahead. The breaking of glass or clay pots is another common ritual, symbolizing the shattering of negative forces and the onset of a new, blessed journey.

14. Good Luck Charms and Omens

In the kaleidoscope of the common Indian superstitions, good luck charms and omens take center stage. The sight of a black cat crossing the path may send shivers down the spine in many cultures, but in India, the scenario is quite different. Interestingly, people believe that the purity of infants attracts evil spirits, necessitating the implementation of protective measures. Believers attribute good luck and the repelling of negative forces to the presence of a peacock feather.

The vibrant hues of marigold, often seen adorning doorways, are not merely decorative. Believers attribute prosperity and good fortune to marigolds, making them a staple in various ceremonies and celebrations. Breaking a mirror is universally unlucky, but in India, it amplifies consequences, believed to bring seven years of bad luck.

15. Babies and Tender Superstitions

Interestingly, believers attribute the drawing of evil spirits to the purity of infants, necessitating imperative protective measures. Applying kohl, a traditional eye cosmetic, for babies not only serves as a cosmetic choice but is believed to shield them from the malevolent gaze of supernatural entities. Furthermore, people believe that placing a black dot on the child’s cheek averts the evil eye.

Threads of Tradition Unraveled

In our exploration of common superstitions in India, we have delved into a rich tapestry of beliefs surrounding good luck, bad luck, pregnancy, marriage, and babies. These superstitions, deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric, reflect the intricate blend of tradition and spirituality that defines the Indian way of life.

As we unravel these threads, we find not just common superstitions but a mosaic of stories, passed down through generations, adding depth and color to the cultural canvas of India. Do you have a superstition you believe in? Write in the comments below!

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21 Superstitions That Indians Believe

Are you familiar with the practice of touching wood when you wish for something to turn true? India is a country that is full of superstitions like these that cannot be explained by reason. Yet, we have continued to witness their practices since childhood.

How many times have you asked your elders about a reason behind a superstition and got no answer? That is because most superstitions are based on no logic whatsoever, while others may have originated from a genuine reason, but have gradually lost their real essence. 

Regardless of their source, it can be quite interesting to explore some of the most common superstitions in India and how they have come to be.

1. Cutting Nails o Hair After Sunset Brings Bad Luck

Cutting nails or hair after sunset is considered to bring bad luck to yourself. The superstition defies any reason or logic, but the practice may spring from the times when electricity was scarce . Hence, people preferred to get these chores done before dark to avoid any hygiene issues or injuries .

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2. Eye Twitching Signifies Wealth Coming Your Way

You may often find one of your eyes twitching. While this can be due to a multitude of reasons related to your physical health, the Indian interpretation is a little different. According to the famous superstitious belief, if the right eye is twitching, then it signifies promising news for a man. On the contrary, for a woman, it implies that some foreboding news is on the way. For the left eye twitch, it is exactly the opposite.

3. Applying Kohl to Ward Off Evil Spirits

The practice of applying a black mark of kohl on a child comes from the belief that it can ward off evil energy or nazar . If someone views the child with bad intentions in their mind, the kala tika will make sure they remain unaffected. The popular belief is that the black tika makes the child seem ugly, so any negative energy will shy away from it. This mark is usually applied in places such as behind the ear or on the forehead .

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4. Not Stepping Out of Your House During an Eclipse

It is considered extremely bad luck to step out of your house while an eclipse is happening. This is one of many popular Indian superstitions that instill fear in the minds of the common people. People prefer to remain in their homes, practice fasting, and pray to God.

An eclipse is also considered to be harmful to an unborn child as it may cause skin diseases . This belief probably comes from the fact that looking directly at an eclipse may cause permanent blindness. But, years of passing it down through different generations have turned it into a silly superstition.

5. Itchy Palms Are A Sign of Incoming Wealth in Your Life

A slight itching of your palm is considered a superstition in Indian culture. It indicates either wealth is coming your way or you are going to have additional expenses and a loss of wealth. This popular belief is based on which one of your palms is itching. If it’s your left hand, then it is probably bad news. However, if the itching is in your right hand, then you are about to be rich!

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6. Adding One Rupee to Your Gift is Lucky

You must have witnessed people receiving money in the form of gifts. Each of these envelopes has an odd amount of money. Even the market sells envelopes with a one rupee coin sealed in it. This is because it is considered as good luck to add a one rupee coin to your monetary gift. Hence, such gifts are mostly the numbers of 51, 101, 501, and so on.

7. Spotting a Single Mynah is Unlucky

Mynahs are part of one of the most common superstitions in India. These birds are generally found in pairs. But beware, because if you spot a single one, it is considered immense bad luck. Hence, you must wait till you spot another one to nullify the bad omen. Paired mynahs indicate that your day ahead will go well. Another popular belief says that finding six mynahs together signifies wealth coming into your life soon.

8. Taking a Bath After a Funeral is Mandatory

It is a part of Indian customs to not touch anything in the house after coming back from a funeral. You can only do so after taking a bath and changing your clothes. While this superstition has been in practice for a long while, it does have some scientific relevance. A dead body is a nest for many harmful bacteria which may cause various infections. Hence, it is compulsory to wash yourself free from bacteria after being close to a dead body.

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9. Menstruating Women Are Impure

It is a pity that even in the 21st Century women are prohibited from taking part in rituals and religious practices if they are menstruating. This time of the month for every woman is perceived as being impure. However, centuries before, the privilege of using sanitary products when women were as active in the field as in their homes was simply non-existent.

Instead, they were excused from their chores to rest at home. This meant not going to temples as well because it indicated travelling with discomfort. But, gradually, the myth of their impurity came into being when this method was adopted for their well-being.

10. Hanging Lemons And Chilis Keeps Misfortune Away

Lemons and chilis are often at the entrances of homes due to the popular belief that they keep evil spirits and negative energy away. The goddess of misfortune is believed to be a fan of spice and sour, hence she keeps out of houses that satisfy her preferences. It is for this reason that you will find lemons and chillies hanging in a vehicle as well. 

However, the scientific logic behind this is the insecticidal properties of lemons and chillies. It successfully keeps your home and vehicle free from the entry of insects and pests.

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11. Crow Droppings Bring Good Luck

Any kind of animal dropping is quite disgusting, to be honest. Hence, it is no surprise that superstitions have found a way through this to make the experience seem more optimistic. It is popularly believed in Indian culture that crow droppings bring you luck and wealth. This may sound extremely silly and has no scientific basis, but it may provide a little relief and hope from an otherwise unpleasant experience.

12. Stepping Over Someone Hinders Their Height

How often have you been asked not to step over someone and to instead go by their side? The belief here holds that if you walk over someone while they’re lying down, it restricts their growth. Hence, they will be stuck in their current height forever. Choosing to not step over someone can be perceived as a sign of respect, but otherwise, it has no other scientific explanation or proof that it can hinder someone’s increase in height.

13. The Unlucky Number 13

The number 13 is considered unlucky in almost every culture. People born on the 13th date are considered doomed for life, while any Friday, the 13th is feared as the most haunted day. Many house hunters steer clear from buying their home on the 13th floor. Moreover, some buildings even skip naming the 13th floor. Hence, there are numerous prejudices against the number 13, yet none are backed by scientific evidence.

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14. Black Cats Are Signs Of Evil

The ancient Egyptians considered black cats as evil and, somehow, the prejudice has crept into India as well. People are horrified if a black cat crosses their path because it indicates that they will be met with misfortune if they keep walking. In Indian culture, it is believed that a black cat is the representation of the God of bad luck, Shani. 

Hence, people avoid the forthcoming misfortune by letting someone else walk through the path that the cat crossed. Once again, this superstition is not based on any facts or scientific research.

15. Eating Curd Brings Positive Results

The habit of eating curd and sugar before an important event in your life is believed to bring positive results and good luck. While this may not have any hard evidence, this harmless superstition has made its way into every Indian household and turned into a simple and sweet tradition. Hence, if you need the confidence to brace an interview, eat a spoonful of curd from your mom and you will be good to go!

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16. A Peepal Tree is Haunted

In popular Indian myths, the peepal tree is home to ghosts and evil spirits. Hence, if you find yourself beneath one after darkness, you will surely get possessed by the spirit inhabiting the tree. Needless to say, this has no factual evidence. It probably stems from the warning that was issued to stay away from trees at night because of the release of carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, generations of stories have molded it into a superstition.

17. Shaking Legs Results in Loss of Wealth

Constantly shaking your leg is a sign of anxiety. If you find yourself doing so often, you are probably being troubled by uncomfortable thoughts. However, Indian superstitions have a different explanation for it. According to popular belief, the more you shake your leg, the more risk you have of losing your wealth.

Hence, if you want to preserve your wealth, consider working on your anxiety. Regardless of what any superstition dictates, it is always recommended to take the help of astrology services to determine which rituals are mere superstitions, and which ones can help you move forward towards success.

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18. Broken Glass Brings ill Fortune

This popular belief originates from Rome where it was gradually spread that breaking glass brings seven years of misfortune. India seems to have followed in its footsteps as we often hear our elders asking us to be careful with glass because breaking it will result in bad luck.

19. Sweeping After Sunset is Unlucky

Indian mythology dictates that the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi visits every home in the evening. Thus, if you sweep your house at the same time, the goddess will be unable to enter causing you to be deprived of wealth. This superstition probably rose from the fear of losing something in the dark after sunset.

20. Passing Sharp Objects Causes Conflicts

Indians believe that if you keep your shoes overturned or pass any sharp objects, it can lead to disagreements and conflicts. Instead, a sharp object must always be kept on a surface for someone to pick it up from there to avoid any unwanted arguments.

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21. Spilling Salt Is A Bad Omen

Spilling salt is considered to be a terrible omen and is known to indicate inevitable disaster. The only way of protecting yourself from it is to throw a pinch of the spilled salt over your shoulder.

Thus, we can conclude that many Indian superstitions have almost no basis of logic or reason, yet they form a significant part of our culture. Exploring their cultural significance tells us a lot about the powerful belief system of India.

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Essay on Superstitions in India With Examples

It is truly a challenging task to write an essay on superstitions in India in just 100-500 words. We know that the web is loaded with hundreds and thousands of essays on this. But you, very often get confused to pick out the appropriate one. Right?

Sometimes you want an essay in just 100 words, but when you search it on the web you get a very long essay of around 1000-1500 words and it becomes very difficult for you to pick your 100 words from that long essay. And you end up losing some of the most important points that are worth a mention.

Do not panic!

We, team GuideToExam are here to find a solution to your every problem. This time we have prepared this essay on superstitions in India in 100 to 500 words separately so that you can pick your desired one as per your choice. You can also use these essays to prepare an article or a speech on Superstitions in India.

Are you ready?

Let’s begin…

Table of Contents

Essay on Superstitions in India (100 Words)

The blind belief or faith in supernatural elements or incidents is called superstitions. Though we are in the 21st century, there are still many superstitions in India. In some parts of India people still, believe that crossing of the road by a cat in front of our vehicles is inauspicious.

Another major superstition in India is the belief in witches. In India, many women are still killed or tortured considering them a Witch. These are nothing but social evils. Some anti-social groups take chance by spreading superstitions among the people. All these social evils should be removed from society to make India a powerful and developed country.

Essay on Superstitions in India (200 Words)

Superstition is a kind of blind belief in supernatural powers that don’t have any scientific explanations behind them. Superstitions in India are a serious problem. Though it is hard to believe, it is true that some ‘pundits’ or fake ‘Babas’ has been still spreading superstitions in India in the name of religion.

The half-literate people believe in superstitions easily. An educated man can identify the scientific reasons behind any supernatural explanations or incidents. But an illiterate easily can be a victim of superstitions. Thus increasing the literacy rate is very much necessary to remove superstitions in India or Indian society.

In ancient times there are many superstitions like Sati Dah, witchcraft, etc. in Indian society. But later it has been removed. With the advancements in science and technology, India has developed a lot.

But still, some people in backward societies be of the opinion that some supernatural powers are there exist. That is nothing but their ignorance. There are no scientific explanations behind superstitions like a cat can bring misfortune to us while journey, An owl can make us sick by his sound, a parrot can tell us our future, etc.

Thus these superstitions need to be abolished from our society and should try to step forward with the development of science and technology.

Essay on Superstitions in India (300 Words)

Superstitions are impulsive beliefs in supernatural powers that don’t have any acceptable explanations. Superstition is a worldwide paradox. But Superstition in India is a serious worry for the development of the country. Superstition in India is not a single-day occurrence.

It has come down to us from ancient times. In ancient times people were not scientifically developed like today. During that period people considered the sun, the moon, fire, water, storm, etc. as supernatural powers. They could not find out the reason behind this nature’s routine process and considered them as supernatural objects.

Again ancient people believed that diseases are caused by evil spirits. But later some superstitions have been washed out from society with the development of science and technology.

But still, superstition in India is not completely wiped out. In many parts of our country people still believe that if there is an itching in the right palm, there is a possibility of some gain on that day, if a crow starts to caw on the house roof; people expect the arrival of the guest.

There is no scientific reason behind superstitions like this. Another superstition in India is the utmost belief in ghosts or supernatural powers. Some people still believe in ghosts and think that there is the existence of a ghost.

Even some superstitious people have classified the seven days of the week into a different category. They believe that Tuesday and Saturday are not auspicious days to start new work. On the other hand, Thursday is the best day to start a new work. Isn’t it funny? 

Superstition in India is really a serious concern. People fall into the grip of superstitions due to a lack of education. Thus the literacy rate of the country needs to be improved to remove superstitions from India. Otherwise, superstition will reduce the speed of development of our country.

In many parts of our country people still believe that if there is an itching in the right palm, there is a possibility of some gain on that day, if a crow starts to caw on the house roof; people expect the arrival of the guest. There is no scientific reason behind superstitions like this.

Another superstition in India is the utmost belief in ghosts or supernatural powers. Some people still believe in ghosts and think that there is the existence of a ghost. Even some superstitious people have classified the seven days of the week into a different category.

They believe that Tuesday and Saturday are not auspicious days to start new work. On the other hand, Thursday is the best day to start a new work. Isn’t it funny?  Superstition in India is really a serious concern. People fall into the grip of superstitions due to a lack of education.

Thus the literacy rate of the country needs to be improved to remove superstitions from India. Otherwise, superstition will reduce the speed of development of our country.

They believe that Tuesday and Saturday are not auspicious days to start new work. On the other hand, Thursday is the best day to start a new work. Isn’t it funny?  Superstition in India is really a serious concern.

People fall into the grip of superstitions due to a lack of education. Thus the literacy rate of the country needs to be improved to remove superstitions from India. Otherwise, superstition will reduce the speed of development of our country.

Essay on Superstitions in India (500 Words)

What is superstition — Excessively credulous belief in and reverence for the supernatural elements are known as superstition. Simply it can be said that superstition is a kind of blind belief in the supernatural that doesn’t have any acceptable logic or scientific explanations behind that.

Superstitions in India – India is a country full of superstitions. Superstition in Indian society is not a new arrival. It has come down to us from the ancient days. During the old days, there were many superstitions in India.

Sati dah, consideration of wind, drought, earthquake, etc. are acts of evil spirits are the example of such Superstition in India in ancient times. Later on, people find the actual logic or cause of those natural calamities and thus those superstitions have been washed out from society.

But still, we can find a lot of superstitions in Indian society. In different parts of the country people still believe that the cawing of a crow on the roof of a house is a sign of the arrival of guests, if a cat crosses the road in front of a vehicle it’s considered bad luck.

Again adding a coin of Rs 1 to the gift amount is a traditional superstition in India. One more funny superstition in India is that people consider it inappropriate to get a haircut or to have a shave on Tuesday or Saturday.

These superstitions don’t have acceptable references or scientific justifications. But people accept it without any protest. There are lots more superstitions in India, but it is not possible to point out all those superstitions in an essay on superstition in India.

Factors behind the superstitions in India – Illiterate people generally fall in the grip of superstitions. They can’t judge an incident from a scientific point of view. In India, the literacy rate is just 70.44% (as per recent data), which is quite low in comparison to other developed countries.

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The low literacy rate is a vital factor behind the superstitions in India. Again in our country, a lot of fake Baba’s or Pundits are found who make people superstitious in the name of religion. By doing so they not only make people fool but also scatter the seed of superstitions in India for their own benefits.

Conclusion– Superstition is a social evil. It should be removed from society. The literacy rate needs to be improved as much as possible to remove superstitions in India. On the other hand, government or non-government organizations can take initiatives to educate people and teach them to think scientifically.

Some Common Superstitions in India  

There are a lot of superstitions in India. Here are a few common superstitions in India –

• It is inappropriate to get a haircut or to have a shave on Tuesday or Saturday.
• The cawing of a crow on the roof of a house is a sign of the arrival of guests.
• If a cat crosses the road in front of a vehicle it’s considered bad luck.
• A one Rs coin needs to be added with the gift amount.
• Tuesday and Saturday are not auspicious days to start new work.
• Hanging lemon with some chilies can bring good luck to a shop.
• No 13 is unlucky.
• To sweep the floor at night is inauspicious.
• A woman becomes inauspicious during menstruation.
• Looking at a broken mirror can bring bad luck.

Final Words

This is all about superstitions in India. If you want any more points to be added to this essay or article on superstitions in India. Drop it in the comment section or feel free to contact us.

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Do You Follow These 16 Indian Superstitions?

As cultural markers they’re amusing. Here are the most commonly known superstitious beliefs in India.

We have almost 5,000 years of history detailing language, religion, literature, art, culture, and ways of living. So it’s not hard to believe we may have picked up a few superstitions along the way. The Cambridge Dictionary defines superstition as “a belief that is not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but is connected with old ideas about magic, etc.” Indian superstitions and beliefs are quite rampant. There are many beliefs and superstitions in India that range from amusing to downright bizarre. 

Just as a language will have different dialects in different regions, one superstition or belief might be practised in a variety of ways in different regions. While superstitions are usually attributed to a lack of education, well-educated Indians also follow these superstitions quite blindly. Here are some of the most commonly held Indian superstitions. You can observe at least one of them being practised almost every day in most areas. Here’s a closer look at some superstitions in India. 

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Do You Believe In Any Of These Superstitions In India?

1. warding off evil with lemon and chillies.

Hanging a lemon and seven chillies strung together in the house at the front door or under the front bumper of your vehicle to protect against an evil eye and spirits is one of the most common superstitious beliefs in India. It is believed to have some scientific reason too, as to why this Indian superstition is practised. It’s said that lemon and chillies work as effective natural pesticides and natural antibacterials, thus protecting the home or whichever environment it is hung in. 

2. Crow Shit Brings Luck

If you are on your way somewhere and a crow shits on you, it’s considered good luck. This Indian superstition is based on a belief that if you suffer an inconvenience you’ll have good fortune in return. So the next time when you need a little luck, try chasing down a crow to make sure it uses your head as target practice.

3. Adding One Rupee To A Gift

Giving cash as gifts is common practice in various Indian occasions, ranging from birthdays to weddings and festivals. A one rupee coin is added to the total amount, for it’s considered auspicious. This Indian superstition is especially relevant when it comes to gifting cash as a wedding gift. Therefore, you’ll see one rupee coin embedded as part of the design on most gift envelopes.

In some parts of India, it is believed that if you give round figures like INR 500/1000 it signifies an end, but the added 1 rupee signifies that you wish the person to continue to get wealthy. In some other parts, this particular superstitious belief tends to involve superstitious mathematics. For a wedding gift, it is believed that a number not divisible by two means that the remainder of the equation brings the couple together. However, an even number leaves no remainder when divided by 2, and would, therefore, represent a nullifying metaphor of the marriage. 

4. Curd Before Going Out

One of the most common Indian superstitions is to have a spoonful of curd with a little sugar before going out or embarking on a new journey to guarantee good luck. It is believed that the sweet starting note makes any task shubh or good and the day goes well. The root of this Indian superstition of having dahi-shakkar or curd with sugar might be related to the tropical climate—where eating curd has a cooling effect on your digestive system, while sugar adds energy. 

5. The Mynah Chronicles 

While the Indian superstition of spotting a specific number of mynah birds or magpies might have originated from a British superstition, its origins cannot be determined. Seeing one common mynah bird is believed to bring bad luck, but seeing a couple of them is supposed to bring good luck. There is a bonus: If you see six of them together, it means you are going to receive some money. 

6. No Cleaning The House After Sunset

Cleaning or sweeping the house after sunset is believed to scare off the Hindu goddess of wealth Lakshmi. There is some simple logic behind this Indian superstition. When it originated, there was no electricity, so it was a matter of practicality to have finished all the housework in daylight when everything was visible. 

7. Cutting Hair And Nails After Sunset? Don’t!

Another one of the most common superstition in India determines when to cut your hair and nails. If you cut your nails and hair on Thursdays and Saturdays it is said to bring bad luck. It is believed that such an act angers the planet Saturn (Shani), bringing on misfortune. In some parts of India, cutting your nails after sunset is also considered bad luck.

8. Kajal Dot On A Baby’s Forehead

The evil eye is a big deal in India. Therefore, Indians use different methods (or practices) to avoid it. The belief that even toddlers can be the victim of an evil eye spurs a superstition that calls for protection. In order to prevent unfortunate accidents, a lot of infants in India have a small spot (or several) of kaajal on their forehead and/or cheeks, even under their feet. Sometimes their eyes are lined with black kaajal too. This is supposed to ward off the evil eye.

9. Itchy Palms Can Mean Different Futures

According to Indian superstitions, an itchy palm indicates some internal energy moving to your palms. The reason for this is that the right palm is supposed to be dynamic or active, while the left hand is receptive or inactive. So when your right palm itches, it’s believed money will come in, but when your left palm itches, it will flow out. 

10. Omitting The 13th floor

This isn’t just among the superstitions in India, fear of the number 13 is a common superstition around the world. It’s said to have originated from the fact that Jesus’ 13th disciple Judas was the one who betrayed him. It has trickled down to India too, along with the advent of Christianity. So much so that certain airlines often leave the 13th row in flights empty, while some hotels are built without labelling the 13th floor. 

11. Upside Down Slipper 

In some Indian households, it is believed that leaving your flip-flops turned upside down will bring bad luck. 

12. Eye Twitching  

Yes, eye twitching is related to your destiny according to Indian superstitions. But, it also depends on which eye twitches. As well as your gender. A twitching right eye brings good luck for men, while a twitching left eye brings good news for women.

13. Black Cat Crossing The Road

A black cat crossing your path is meant to signal that tasks get delayed or postponed. To reverse it, a passerby must spit, and drivers must make short crosses on the right side of their windshield. Some even wait till others walk by so that they are saved, the logic behind this is that the others will bear the brunt of the ‘curse’. 

14. Don’t Step Out During An Eclipse

According to Indian superstitions, observing the sun during a solar eclipse should be avoided. Doing so may cause retinal burns or eclipse blindness. It is also suggested to not consume anything during the celestial event. Pregnant women are advised to remain indoors during the entire time as well.

15. Swallow Tulsi Leaves

This one is a popular Indian belief as our ancestors believed that Tulsi is goddess Lakshmi’s avatar and hence, it is often prayed to as well. The leave of Tulsi Mata is supposed to be swallowed and never chew to not show disrespect to the goddess.

16. Don’t Go Near A Peepal Tree At Night

Peepal trees are quite notorious in the Indian society. Our ancestors believed that peepal trees are where ghosts reside and it is considered a dangerous place at night. There are many who believe that if you sleep around this tree at night, the ghosts will kill you.

17. Taking Bath After A Funeral

It is believed that when the funeral rites are performed on the body of the deceased, it can be home to any kind of bacteria or infections. During these rites, the infections can spread in the air. Hence it is advisable in Indian customs and traditions to take a bath soon after attending a funeral to wash off unnecessary infections.

18. Breaking A Mirror

According to this superstition, if a mirror breaks, it means seven years of bad luck. The curse can only be nullified if one takes the pieces outside and buries them under the moonlight. Also, if an undisturbed mirror in a house suddenly falls and smashes, it means that there will soon be a death.

19. Not saying Goodbye Before Leaving

It’s advisable to not say goodbye to someone or tell them something when they are going out the door. Our ancestors believed that calling someone’s name while they are going is bad luck. If one does so, the person leaving will be unlucky in whatever activity he/she was about to undertake.

20. Don’t Buy Black Shoes On Saturday

Buying black shoes on a Saturday is supposed to be inauspicious. According to Hindu Mythology ,  wearing black shoes on Saturdays disappoints Shani (god of justice in the Hindu religion) and this might bring failure and create hurdles in your life.

Which Of These Bizarre Indian Superstitions Do You Follow?

Some Indians believe that the mysticism associated with the power in inanimate things has considerable influence over one’s life. Some of these have been handed down generations from our ancestors, who are revered to be wise. This is the reason why we can’t seem to let go of many age-old beliefs. Let us know if we have missed any of the most bizarre superstition in India in the comments below! 

Some good luck superstitions in India are eating curd before going out for an important task, spilling salt, and hanging lemons and chillies at the gate.

A black cat crossing the road symbolizes bad luck in India, shaking your legs, eye twitching, a clock that is stuck, and buying black shoes on Saturdays.

Some of the Indian superstitions are followed because of Indian mythology, many are passed down from our ancestors and simply followed out of habit, while some are based on scientific reasoning.

If a black cat crosses your path, it is meant to signal that tasks get delayed or postponed. To reverse it, a passerby must spit, and drivers must make short crosses on the right side of their windshield. Some even wait till others walk by so that they are saved, while others just bear the brunt of the ‘curse’. 

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Indian superstitions and the theories behind them: Not to be missed

The list features some of the popular indian superstitions and the theories behind them..

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From breaking mirrors to hanging lemon and chilies, India is a country of diverse culture and tradition, as well as of a lot of superstitions. We see them all around every day. A black cat crosses our path and like a dead statue, we stop and wait for someone else to pass first. The best part about the country is that we continue to practice them even if we know nothing is going to happen. Incredible India? Yes!

Let's look at some of the superstitions in India and the theories behind them:

Origin of Superstitions

The man started to believe in superstitions when he got a feeling that humans are at the mercy of natural elements. Similarly, some superstitions were also created because of social values. As a result, people worship forces of nature for a long time.

The Greeks and Pagans used to worship elements of nature in the form of Gods and Goddesses. Same is the case with Indian tradition. People continue to worship the sun, moon, stars, planets, plants and more believing these things have the power to influence our lives.

You might have heard ‘it is because of the impact of some evil star’ and more when a disease overtakes or disaster strikes. Even the people in the West have been believing in them. You will find instances in Shakespeare’s plays where he includes things like omens, witches and more.

In fact, ever since a long time till date, people still consider the number 13 to be unlucky. Similarly, salt spilling over the dinner table is also an ill-omen. In India , people consider the black cat crossing the way to be unlucky. Similar is the case of an owl hooting or a dog wailing.

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India and Superstitions

India has a long history of superstitions. There are many superstitions which people in this country follow. When someone sneezes during the time of departure, people consider it unlucky.

Similarly, when you hear long mewing of a cat, people consider it a bad omen. Alternatively, offering curd before the start of any journey is auspicious. A group which follows superstitions a lot are students appearing for an examination.

Weeks before exams, the visit to temples starts to grow. Some of the students also get a taveez with a lucky stone to help them out. Further, some students place their stationery for the exam in the prayer room.

Most common superstitions include not cutting nails at night, not using the broom after sunset, not opening the scissors without cutting anything, not looking at oneself in a broken mirror and many more.

Even some political leaders in India believe in superstitions. For instance, they wait for an auspicious day to file their nomination or take an oath. In other words, even in the highest places, people do follow superstitions.

Conclusion of the Essay on Superstition

If we look at it closely, there is no logic as such behind the beliefs in superstitions. However, they have grown age-old and despite all the scientific advancement, they are not going anywhere soon. However, it is better to subject ourselves less to them otherwise each moment of our life will be on the edge.

FAQ of Essay on Superstition

Question 1: What are some superstitions followed in India?

Answer 1: In India, people consider the black cat crossing the way to be unlucky. Similar is the case of an owl hooting or a dog wailing. Indians also offer curd before the start of a journey.

Question 2: What is the importance of superstition?

Answer 2: For several people, engaging with superstitious behaviours offers a sense of control and eases anxiety. This is why levels of superstition rise at times of stress and angst. This is mostly the case during times of economic crisis and social uncertainty notably wars and conflicts.

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20 Most Common Superstitions in India

• January 9, 2023

Since time immemorial, the human race has been living in the shadow of superstitions. Superstition is defined as any belief or practice that is based on supernatural occurrences and contradicts modern science or reasoning. Such beliefs typically differ from one culture to the next. 

India with its diverse culture, ethnicities, and languages , has more than its fair share of ridiculous superstitions. They can range from harmless practices like eating curd before leaving the house to downright bizarre beliefs like menstruating women are impure. Most of them have no scientific basis and defy logic, but many Indians (even the most educated) continue to blindly follow them. You can either believe in them or laugh at them; either way, they make for an interesting read. So, let’s take a look at a few famous age-old superstitions that we can’t seem to shake even in today’s world.

1).  Black Cats Bring Bad Luck

For Indians, black represents Lord Shani and bad luck. They believe that if a black cat crosses your path, your tasks will be delayed or postponed. Therefore, you should stop, turn around, or wait for someone else to pass before you do. Western culture shares this belief as well. Their origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt , where black cats were thought to be evil creatures.

2).  Lemons and Chilies Wards of Evil

If you hang a string of seven chilies and a lemon outside your home/office/shop, no evil spirit will enter. According to Hindu legend, Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune, relishes sour and spicy foods. The lemon and chilies dangling outside your door satisfy her hunger, and she does not enter. It is also very common in India to hang this string in front of vehicles to appease the deity. The ‘Nimbu totka’ is likely derived from a culture that encouraged its use due to the qualities of lemon and chili. Given that they are both high in vitamins, it is likely that our ancestors attempted to spread this practice which eventually developed into a superstition.

3).  Cutting Nails or Hair on Saturday is Inauspicious

Hindus consider it taboo to cut hair and nails on a Saturday as this enrages Lord Shani (Saturn) and brings bad luck. You should also avoid clipping your nails after sunset because it may summon a witch. This superstition must have originated in ancient times when cutting nails without electricity could result in injuries. It was therefore advised to complete the task before dusk.

4).  Eating Curd before Stepping out Brings Good Fortune

Eat a spoonful of curd with sugar before leaving for important work or an exam. This will prove to be very auspicious, and you will complete your task. Initially, this mixture of curd and sugar may have been given to provide instant energy and a calming effect in hot weather, but over time its consumption came to be associated with good luck.

5). Do Not Sweep After Sunset

Laxmi (the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) is said to visit homes in the evenings. If you sweep in the evening, you will drive her away. So, if you’re looking for wealth, avoid using the broom after sunset. One can only assume that this superstition arose from a fear of losing something valuable while sweeping in the dark.

6).  Eye Twitching Predictions

Your eyes twitching can indicate what is in store for you. But it all depends on your gender and eye position. For men, a right eye twitch means good news, while a left one is ominous. For women, the scenario is the exact opposite. Eye twitching can occur for a variety of medical reasons. Indians, however, interpret it very differently.

7).  Crow Shit Brings Luck

Yes, you read that correctly. Crow’s shit is thought to be lucky. A common misconception holds that if a crow poop on you, it will bring you good fortune. So, the next time you’re on the receiving end of crow shit, think of the positive aspects.

8).  Small Black Spot Protects against Negative Energie s

Placing a small black Tikkas (spot) on the person will help to counteract the effects of evil eyes. A child’s cheek, forehead, or area behind the ear is frequently marked with kohl. According to this line of reasoning, the black spot will make the toddler appear ugly and shield them from negative vibes.

9).  Don’t go near a Peepal Tree at Night

Resting under a Peepal tree at night is strictly forbidden because Peepal trees are thought to be haunted by scary ghosts after sunset. Our ancestors were likely aware of photosynthesis and the repercussions of breathing in carbon dioxide at night. A legend of ghosts was consequently created around peepal trees, discouraging people from going near them at night. Or perhaps our forefathers were alarmed by the falling drops that resulted from the guttation process during the summer. Regrettably, it has devolved into superstition.

10).  Don’t Step Out During Eclipse

If proper precautions are not taken, a solar eclipse can cause blindness and retinal burns. However, in India, we took it a step further and now consider them a bad omen. Based on their observations, our forefathers most likely concluded that going out during an eclipse was not a good idea. During the eclipse, people will not leave their homes, will not cook or eat food, and will instead pray. Pregnant women are especially advised not to step outside during the eclipse to protect their unborn children from skin diseases.

11).  Shaking Legs may Result in a Loss of Wealth

In India, shaking one’s legs is more than just a sign of nervousness and anxiety. Prosperity is supposed to flow away from you if you shake your legs. It’s possible that the superstition arose from the old belief that shaking your leg denotes idleness, which is also a deterrent to wealth. So, if you don’t want to lose your fortune, stop fidgeting.

12).  Itchy Palms Brings Wealth

The itching of palms is a sign that wealth is coming your way. However, it may also imply that you have to shell out money. To be honest, there is a lot of ambiguity regarding which palm itching indicates what. Right-hand itch is considered lucky by some, while left-hand itch is presumed fortunate by others. Gender also plays a role in determining which palm is lucky or unlucky. Perhaps you can decide what is fortunate based on your own experiences.

13).  If you Step on Someone, They Will not Grow

Superstition holds that if someone is lying down, you should avoid walking over them because they will never get any taller. And you should step over someone again in reverse if you walked over them by mistake. Isn’t that a valid reason to start a fight with your sibling?

14).  Leaving Out the 13th Floor

Ancient Christianity declared that the number 13 was unlucky, and this superstition is widely believed throughout the globe. Numerous superstitions and folkloric elements about the number 13 exist worldwide. India went one step further, and to this day, the 13th floor of towers is not present in many residential and commercial buildings. Purchasing a home on the thirteenth floor or with the number 13 is something that many Indians steer clear of.  

15).  Causes of Conflict

As popular myths spread throughout India , playing with your keys, passing scissors/knives, leaving your shows overturned, or handling salt are just a few incidents that can lead to fights. Anything with a sharp edge, in fact, should not be passed from hand to hand. The person using the sharp object would actually ask you to pick it up yourself and lay it down. It’s thought that passing knives or scissors could incite animosity between the parties involved.

16).  Adding One Rupee is Considered Auspicious

Don’t be surprised if you find an odd coin in the gift envelope. Since one is regarded as a lucky number, the Shagun (gift envelope) must contain a number that ends in one. It could be 51, 101, 501, and so on. You can even find envelopes with a one-rupee coin embedded as a design.

17).  Take a Bath After Attending a Funeral

After death, the body begins to decompose, and those who attend the funeral are exposed to bacteria from the deceased body. There were no vaccinations against hepatitis and other contagious diseases in ancient times. To avoid infection from the dead body, they therefore devised a series of customs to be observed following the funeral rites. However, since Indians are unwilling to abandon their traditions, it is still mandatory to bathe after attending a funeral ceremony.

18).  Menstruating Women are Impure

Previously, women had to perform arduous and taxing chores such as cleaning, farming, lifting pots of water, grinding wheat, and so on. Considering their discomfort and pain during the menstrual cycle, they were excused from all household chores because they were impure and unclean. Over time, this turned into a ritual that eventually gave way to superstition. Painkillers, high-quality sanitary pads, and a lack of physical labor have made life much easier for women in recent years. Unfortunately, many Indian households still prohibit menstruating women from entering temples, kitchens, and other auspicious places.

19).  Broken Glass Brings Ill Fortune

Surprisingly, this one originated in ancient Rome , where it is believed that breaking mirrors would bring 7 years of bad luck. In India, elders advise against looking into a broken mirror because it could bring you 7 years of ill fortune. You are also not supposed to keep broken idols and mirrors in your house as it is considered a bad omen.

20).  Spotting Mynahs

If you spot just one Mynah, it is bad luck; however, if you see a couple of them together, it is lucky for you. People actually wait for the other to appear. The Mynah myths do not end here. It is believed that if you find six of them together, you will gain financially.

Sadly, there are a lot more superstitions like this that are accepted and practiced in India. To be honest, we all have some faith in a few of them. Let me know in the comments which superstitions you believe in.

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ah this is such a great post! Growing up in an Indian household, many of these are so known to be true. I still add an odd coin into envelopes!

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• Feb 27, 2021

9 Indian Superstitions and the Scientific Reasons Behind Them

Superstitions are self-imposed beliefs, or sometimes widely believed blind notions of being. In practicality, most superstitions are nothing but rules and customs that were devised by our ancestors, who imparted ideas through the knowledge of their experiences. As a warning, or as a way of instilling a habit for the welfare of the community, these superstitions found a place in the day-to-day lives of people. Consequently, with time, these scientific and practical logics were twisted to make unwanted social norms.

Below are 9 such beliefs with their scientific explanation:

1. Hanging lemon and chillies at the entrance of shops or new establishments

Have you noticed a bunch of lemon and chillies hung by a cotton thread at the entrance of shops or homes? It is believed that the lemon and chillies ward off ‘the evil eye.’

Scientifically, the cotton thread which is pierced through the citrus lemon and the chillies forms a combination of chemicals which prevents insects and pesticides entering a space.

Also See | Bharud

2. Menstruating women are impure!

In the year 2019, the Supreme Court of India gave a historic judgement of letting women inside the Sabrimala temple of Kerala. It smashed the age-old superstition that menstruating women should not be allowed to enter temples or auspicious physical spaces.

The reason behind this popular belief was most probably out of concern for the women of the household who had to travel long distances to visit the temple or were too much in pain to work in the kitchen. Somehow over time, it is considered as a mandatory custom in many homes, a clear misinterpretation.

3. Cutting fingernails or sweeping floors after sunset is not recommended

Dusting off shelves or walls, sweeping the floors or cutting finger nails after sunset is frowned upon by most Indian parents or grandparents. While getting yelled at for throwing away the wealth of our homes with the dust, we realise the science behind this blind belief.

In the time when there was no electricity, there were high chances of someone accidentally throwing away valuables while dusting or sweeping floors,. Therefore it was advised to clean the houses in daylight. Also, because of the same reason, it was feared hurting oneself with sharp objects while cutting nails, it was advised to finish off the chore before sunset.

4. Having curd and sugar before heading out

Remember how before any important exam, test, or interview our mothers come with a small bowl of ‘dahi shakar’ (Curd with sugar)? The underlying motive of our mother’s belief is that curd brings luck for the day.

Though scientifically, in earlier times, important work required long journeys and with the atmospheric conditions of India, which are largely hot and humid, having a bowl full of curd kept the stomach cool. Further, sugar has glucose that provides the required energy to go through the day without feeling low or uneasy.

Also See | Lord Kamadeva

5. Sleeping with the head towards the north direction is not recommended

Sleeping with the head towards the north brings mental illness or death! At least that's what our ancestors believe.

Astronomy explains that the symmetry of the magnetic fields of earth’s north pole and our body leads to erratic blood pressure levels and other internal issues. Therefore, it is advised to sleep with our heads in the southward direction.

6. Broken glass brings bad luck

We are really careful while carrying things made of glass as we have heard that breaking of glass brings seven years of bad luck. This superstition has been borrowed from the Romans.

Earlier, glass was expensive and therefore as a way of caution a blind notion was circulated. Also, glass is a brittle object, and broken glass can lead to cuts in the body. Thus, for the same reason, breaking of glass must be avoided by any chance.

7. Not going out during solar eclipse

There are so many superstitions related to this occurring. From mystical happenings, getting blind to bringing death, solar eclipse is believed to cause all kinds of mishaps. Some people believe that this is because the Sun is swallowed by a demon during this time. Many Indians don’t even prefer to cook or eat during a solar eclipse. Pregnant women are especially advised to not step out during this phenomenon to protect their yet to be born babies from getting any skin diseases.

The only logical explanation to this very scientific occurrence is that the Ultraviolet rays from the Sun are the strongest during this time and are extremely harmful for the body. Thus, should be avoided.

Also See | Poems by Bahadur Shah Zafar

8. Adding one rupee extra in the gift amount

As a blessing, gifts in the form of money are given to friends and relatives. It is a popular practice to add one rupee extra to the amount we are gifting which are mostly amounts ending with zeroes in the unit digit.

This superstition must have had a mathematical genius behind it. The numbers whose unit digit ends with 1 are indivisible and therefore, it is wished that the gift amount never returns us with the value zero. Interesting, isn’t it!

9. Avoiding Peepal tree at night

Peepal trees provide shade to passers-by. However, in most rural areas, Peepal tree is still considered to attract evil spirits around it, especially at night. Hence, it is advised not to rest or even go near a Peepal tree after sunset.

The scientific reason behind it is that trees, unlike in the day, give out carbon dioxide at night. Inhaling the same can cause breathing problems, suffocation etc. Therefore, we can say that it is advisable to avoid all trees and not just Peepal at night.

Most superstitions in India and the world have scientific reasoning hidden behind layers of interpretations that have changed with time. This change in interpretations has resulted in various social atrocities in society, like witch-hunting, ostracising people, confining women in small and dingy rooms during their menstrual period, etc.

Throughout history and continuing to contemporary times, there are innumerable examples of social evils being practised widely. Hence, spreading awareness and scientific knowledge is essential in influencing change in society and more importantly the perspectives of people.

Also See | Thiba Palace

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Essay On Superstitions

• Post category: Essay
• Reading time: 15 mins read

Set 1: Essay On Superstitions

Superstitions are the illogical believes that remain inexplicable, mysterious and strange because of lack of sufficient knowledge and outlook. However, today, superstitions are on the decline because of the spread of education, reasoning and scientific advancement. Yet, they may not be wiped out from society for a long time. Even educated people have their own superstitions. Emotional doubt, religious orthodoxy, blind belief in absurd rituals, customs and practices make people an easy prey of the superstitions.

Superstitions are not limited to a specific part of the globe, people, race or community. They are universal and found all over the world in various forms. They are more common among uneducated and scientifically less advanced people and societies. Superstitions are being passed on from generations, especially through religious practices.

Belief in supernatural powers, evil spirits, ghosts and spiritual healing, etc. have their deep roots in superstitions. For example, sighting of shooting stars and comets, the fear of number 13,cries of certain birds like owls and wailing of dogs, mewing of cats, howling of jackals and braying of the ass at certain hours are still regarded as warning in many communities all over the world. When some occurrences cannot be explained and understood, people start fearing them and give them divine, spiritual and secretive roots.

In spite of advancement of science and technology, the grip of superstitions on human mind is strong. Although India has seen many fast changes, but there are some people who are superstitious and have a strong faith in the local beliefs.

Most of the Indian beliefs exist under the impression of protecting themself from evil forces. These beliefs have no scientific reasoning and are unproven and false. There are many Indian beliefs that are absurd. Some people assume that Friday is not a favourable day for haircut while some think that Saturday is good for purchasing new things. Moreover, sneezing when someone is about to start work, is considered inauspicious.

Likewise, the crossing of the path by a cat, especially a black one, is regarded as bad luck. Sacrifice of birds and animals to please the Gods and Goddesses is a common practice among many communities all over the world. However, besides these, there are lucky superstitions too, which are regarded as good luck and fortune.

People have actually failed to draw a line between religious faith and blind faith. We regard certain hours and days as inauspicious and thus, consult astrologers to know the lucky days and hours to start our work and journey. Similarly, the time and date of marriage are fixed according to the advice of astrologers and the positions of the planets and stars.

The need of the hour is to cultivate more and more rationality and scientific approach in things, including those that are mysterious. We must be alert and watchful so that none of the superstitions can dominate our abilities of reasoning.

Set 2: Essay On Superstitions

Superstitions are rooted in ignorance and so is very very bad. Boasting is a bad habit and many people do boast. Most people boast about their riches or skill or possession which is harmless to the listeners. But there are many who boast about their ignorance and their closeness to primitiveness by being superstitious. The very sad part is that even the very educated type of people easily tend to believe in superstitions.

Many superstitions are very amusing. The fear of the number 13 is very common and very clearly seen in the topmost position holders in the country. Most of them wouldn’t dare start a new venture on the 13th of any month. If a cat and worse still a black cat crosses the street often times people just stop short and wait for someone else to cross the cat’s path before continuing on their way. Because it is supposed to bring bad omen.

Similarly the howling of a dog, braying of a donkey, the hooting of an owl and the howling of a jackal are all considered ominous. It is commonly believed that a worn-out horse-shoe brings good luck if fixed on to the door of a house. It is very sad indeed, that people don’t even mind appearing so ridiculous after conforming to such and many other superstitions.

At the time when small pox was a common disease, it was considered as the result of divine wrath or the visit to the house by a certain goddess whom they have to welcome. Advancement in medical sciences have resulted in the eradication of small-pox with no effect on the superstitions.

Set 3: Essay On Superstitions

People have a tendency of believing certain things that are not real, logical or reasonable. Many people believe that if a cat, especially a black one crosses their path then their work will not be done. However, there is no scientific proof to show that this is true. As soon as people see a black cat crossing their path, they turn around, go back and start walking all over again. Such people are the victims of superstitions and blind belief.

Almost all of us have some or the other silly belief in the corner of our minds. We can catch our silly beliefs by reasoning them. We must utilize the power of our own mind to think, understand and examine the situation. After this, we must find the courage to throw out the mindless belief from our mind. We must understand that the silly belief is nothing but a superstition. Therefore, superstition is a belief that is not based on reason or knowledge. Unawareness, fright and illiteracy leads to superstition.

As far as India is concerned, although the country has seen many fast changes, but there are people who are superstitious and have a strong faith in the local beliefs. Most of the Indian beliefs exist under the impression of protecting themself from evil forces. These beliefs have on scientific reasoning and are unproven and false. There are many such Indian beliefs that are illogical and absurd. The daily life of many people is led by beliefs and superstitions. For example, some people assume that Friday is not a favourable day for haircut while some think that Saturday is good for purchasing new things.

Different religious practices are also responsible for the spread of superstitions. The curved horseshoe outside the main door of the house is always said to bring good luck. In addition to this, some other illogical human actions that are assumed to bring good luck to a person include, crossing the fingers to fulfil ones wish and knocking on something made from wood. Certain superstitious things that are believed to bring bad fortune for a person are breaking a mirror, stepping on a cracked object and walking under a ladder. However, it has not been proved whether these superstitions actually bring bad luck to a person or not.

As early man had no scientific knowledge, he offered human sacrifices to please his deity. He worshiped various forces of nature like moon, wind, sun, fire and rain. He strongly believed that they controlled the universe, as they were sometimes kind and sometimes very harsh. Centuries later, witchcraft became a famous superstition in many European countries. People imagined that there were old wicked women who had sold their souls to the evil spirits.

Today in scientific age, slowly the evil of being superstitious is being thrown out of men’s mind. He is becoming more and more rational. However, our knowledge will not grow until all the superstitions are totally thrown out of our mind and from society.

Set 4: Essay On Superstitions

Man has kept on believing in some power unseen but present and working. It is this belief of his which has given rise to superstitions. They are unreasonable and irrational, though but they had been existing and they still exist inspite of all science and scientific development. They exist and are believed in not only in the East but also in the West. Man began to believe in superstitions when he had a feeling that he was at the mercy of natural elements. Some superstitions also were created due to social values.

Forces of nature had ever been worshipped. Even the Greeks, the Pagans – worshipped elements of nature in the forms of gods and goddesses. There were gods and goddesses among Pagans for every phenomena or force of nature. So has it been with the ancient Indian tradition. The sun, moon, stars, planets, even plants were and continue to be worshipped with the belief that they have the power to influence our lives.

‘It is the effect of some evil star’ that is what people say when some disease or disaster overtakes them. This is what even the people of the West have been believing. Shakespeare has made full use of these superstitions in his plays. Ghosts and witches have been made significant characters by Shakespeare in his plays. Calpurnia, the wife of Julius Ceasar, in Shakespeare’s play ‘Julius Ceasar’ sees a dreadful dream which foretells her of some grave tragedy befalling her husband. The horses are said to grow wild and eat one another, before King Duncan is killed by Macbeth in the play Macbeth. Storms blow before tragedy overtakes King Lead in the play by Shakespeare. All these happenings show how people believed in such superstitions.

Even till today the number ’13’ is treated as an inauspicious number in England; the salt spilling over the dinner table is treated as an ill-omen.

In India, a cat crossing the way while some one departs on a journey or some one sneezing at the time of departure for a journey are treated as ill-omens. The hooting of an owl or the wailing sound of a dog or the long mewing of a cat in the backyard of the house are treated as bad omens; while a pot full of milk or water being carried in front on the onset of a journey is an auspicious thing. Curd offered before the start of a journey or a fish presented before on the doorstep when one leaves on a journey are treated as auspicious signs in India.

Students going to appear at the examinations are still another group in India who are much too susceptible to superstitions. A visit to the temple prior to proceeding for the examination – it is time to turn to religion and beliefs. Candidates turn to a ‘taveez-wala’ a lucky stone. A boy going for the examination forgets his pen at home, he would not go back home but preferring borrowing it from his friend candidates going back. home once set out for examination is a bad omen. Even if caught in a traffic jam the candidate would not take the shorter route as the longer route has been auspicious. The stationery to be carried for the examination should be put in the ‘puja’ room the night before the examination in the morning. The girl had been doing so ever in the past and had secured ‘A’ grade marks so how could she give that up.

Such are superstitions they might be considered weird or wild but they are there and no science, no advancement of knowledge perhaps can take these away. It is, perhaps, a sense of insecurity or just a sense of faith due to past positive or negative experience which sets the mind to keep on believing in superstitions. They may appear irrational but, somehow, they are there East, West, North, South that has nothing to do with they have been there and they may continue to be even the most educated would also go with them and keep them at the back of their minds. there it Political leaders are found waiting for the auspicious day or the auspicious hour to file their nominations for elections or take the oath of office.

All this is even at the highest places when science has so far advanced. There are superstitions which have been created out of some Social Considerations. Sleeping at dusk is treated as a sign that one may fall ill. It is actually that one should not be languid or lazy in the evening. Do not cut the ‘Peepal’ or the ‘Baniyan’ tree – that only is a superstition to save trees from destruction. Dogs are very sensitive to natural calamities and become very restless before a natural calamity actually occurs.

These are some of the superstitions which generally people keep believing in the West as well as in the East. Human mind and human soul keeps on believing that there is some hidden power somewhere which governs their lives and this is the basis of some of these superstitions. The belief in them has gone on, also because some of the superstitions believed in have proved to bring about the anticipated results or effects. May be it is just coincidental but that makes belief in them all the more firm.

There is no logic behind belief in these superstitions but they have grown age-old and even all the scientific advancement of thought does not make them disappear.

But the less we subject ourselves to them the better, otherwise every moment of life would be on tenterhooks.

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5 Indian superstitions and facts behind them

Essay on Superstition 1000+ Words

Superstitions have been a part of human culture for centuries. From avoiding black cats to knocking on wood, these beliefs are intriguing and often shape our behavior. In this essay, we will explore the world of superstition, its origins, significance, and how it continues to influence our lives.

Defining Superstition

Superstition refers to irrational beliefs or practices that are often based on fear or ignorance. People believe in superstitions to bring good luck, avoid bad luck, or control the unpredictable. Superstitions can vary greatly from one culture to another and even from one person to another.

Historical Roots

Superstitions have deep historical roots and have evolved over time. Ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians and Greeks, had their own superstitions related to gods, nature, and the supernatural. Some of these beliefs continue to influence modern superstitions today.

Cultural Significance

Superstitions are an integral part of culture. They shape traditions, rituals, and even everyday habits. For example, in many cultures, it’s considered unlucky to walk under a ladder or to break a mirror. Understanding these cultural superstitions can help us appreciate the diversity of human beliefs.

Psychological Comfort

Superstitions often provide psychological comfort. They can give people a sense of control in uncertain situations. Studies have shown that engaging in superstitious behavior can reduce anxiety and boost confidence. In this way, superstitions can have a positive impact on mental well-being.

Rituals and Habits

Superstitions often manifest as rituals and habits. For instance, athletes may have pre-game rituals to ensure good performance. Many people have lucky charms or wear specific clothing on important occasions. These rituals help individuals feel more prepared and confident.

Impact on Decision-Making

Superstitions can influence decision-making, especially in high-stakes situations. For example, a student might believe that wearing a certain shirt will bring them good luck during an exam. This belief may affect their performance and confidence.

Common Superstitions

Some superstitions are so widespread that they are known around the world. Common examples include avoiding walking under a ladder, carrying a rabbit’s foot for luck, and not opening an umbrella indoors. These superstitions are often passed down through generations.

Cultural Variations

Superstitions can vary greatly across cultures. In some cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky, while in others, it’s the number 4. Understanding these cultural differences can help us respect and appreciate diverse beliefs.

Skepticism and Rational Thinking

While many people believe in superstitions, others are skeptical and rely on rational thinking. They may see superstitions as illogical and not based on evidence. Promoting critical thinking and education can lead to a better understanding of the world and a reduction in superstitions.

Conclusion of Essay on Superstition

In conclusion, superstitions are a fascinating aspect of human culture and psychology. They have deep historical roots, influence our behavior and decisions, and provide comfort in uncertain times. Superstitions can vary widely from one culture to another, highlighting the rich tapestry of human beliefs.

While superstitions can be fun and comforting, it’s important to strike a balance between tradition and rational thinking. By understanding the origins and significance of superstitions, we can appreciate their cultural value while also fostering critical thinking and skepticism when necessary. Superstitions remind us of the complexity of human beliefs and the enduring power of tradition in our lives.

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Essay on “Superstitions” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Superstitions

Essay No. 01

Superstitions are as old as man. The earliest men who had no scientific knowledge fell on easy prey to superstition.  Thus, illiteracy and lack of knowledge and capacity to reason out are the hotbeds which generate and perpetuate superstition.

Mahatma Buddha was probably the first great man to expound and explain the value and significance of reason which eliminated superstition altogether. He emphasized that everything should be thoroughly studied, judged and tested before being believed. Later, many other great men like Guru Nanak and Kabir exhorted the people to shun superstitions.

Many people may believe that faith is also a form of superstition. But, as we can see if we think deeply, there is a difference. Faith is a positive factor whereas superstition is a negative factor.

Earlier, superstition was rampant in villages. The belief in ghosts was common. It was believed that these ghosts operated at night and that they were visible to some people and invisible to others. Taking advantage of this many clever men burned into tan tricks and controllers of ghosts. They cheated the gullible villagers. Unfortunately, even at present, such clever men are at work.

There are many kinds of superstitions which are observed by common people. The throbbing of eyes, a cat crossing our way, coming across a Brahmin-all these are believed to be inauspicious. The cawing of a crow indicated the possibility of a guest visiting our house that day. Similarly, if we come across a sweeper early in the morning, it is considered to be auspicious.

We should try to develop a scientific spirit of mind and judge everything on the basis of reason.

Essay No. 02

Superstitions are widespread. They are found throughout the world among people in some form or the other. They more prevalent among illiterate and uneducated people. With the advancement of knowledge, learning and science, they are gradually losing ground, yet they hold their sway even among educated people of the society.

A belief based on ignorance or fear is a superstition. A superstition is never rational. It is always against the known laws of science and reasoning. Superstitions have many forms and practices. Beliefs in charms, omens, super-natural powers and beings, etc., have their roots in superstitions. What is mysterious, unknown, and inexplicable generally because fear, and fear in its turn generates superstitions and blind-beliefs.

Thus, they originate and thrive on human ignorance’s and blind-faith in things mysterious and unknown. Psychologically, the sense of insecurity, fear of ill luck and the dread of inexplicable forces in nature give birth to superstitions. Superstitions may differ from place to place, community to community and country to country, yet they have common origins. They originate from fear and lack of knowledge of things. When some phenomena cannot be explained and understood, people start fearing them and assign them divine and mysterious origins. In ancient times all races and people were governed by superstitions.

Superstitions found rich and fertile soil in human ignorance and lack of scientific knowledge. The less a race is enlightened, the more it tends to be superstitious. Some vested interests like priestly class, etc., also exercise a great influence in spreading and maintaining superstitions. Many of our religious rituals and rites are blind beliefs and tricks played by the priests, etc., on the gullible people.

The superstitions have caused mankind a lot of positive harm. The hold of superstitions on mankind is still strong. In spite of advancement of science and technology people suffer from superstitions and complexes born out of them. Take, for example, the dread of the number “13” in the West. They regard it the most unlucky number. They avoid it at any cost because they think it ominous and fatalistic. It is a taboo for them. This superstition has its origin in the last Supper of Christ. When Christ supped last, there were 13 persons, and soon after that Christ was crucified.

Because of these superstitions many godmen priests, so-called astrologers, palmists and occultists are having roaring business. The gullible and superstitious people throng their shops and willingly get duped. Superstitions have various forms and manifestations. At some places it can be seen in the worship of snakes, animals, trees and the practice of witch crafts. At others it is observed in the form of animal and human sacrifices. Sometimes a superstitious person does not hesitate even in sacrificing his own son or daughter to propitiate a god or goddess. There is no limit a. superstitious person can stoop to. Much of bigotry and fanaticism have their roots in our superstitions. Many times a woman is burnt alive as a witch or sorceress. It reminds us of Jaon of Arc of France who was burnt to death because she was considered a witch by the invading English army.

In many villages and towns there are houses, places, trees and caverns believed to be haunted by ghosts. The graveyards are supposed to be frequented by these spirits, and should therefore be avoided, at night and at odd hours. If anybody dares to go there at odd hours, he or she is bound to be possessed by the evil spirits. The only remedy available is rationality and scientific temper. The more the knowledge based on facts, the lesser the evils of superstitions. We must eradicate ignorance, fear of the unknown, the ideas of existence of evil spirits through dissemination of scientific knowledge and enlightenment in order to root out superstitions from our minds.

In India there are many superstitions. Beliefs in ghosts, witches, omens, spirits, age old rotten customs and traditions are to be found almost everywhere in India. For thousands and thousands of people in India superstitions are synominous with religion because they are weak-minded and rationally not developed. They are victims of the superstitions and irrational rotten faiths in the guise of religion, traditions and rituals. Not long ago small-pox was considered as the result of the wrath of a goddess. Still in many villages and towns the goddess Shitala is worshipped as the authoress of small-pox. Similarly, sneezing at the start of a work or a travel is considered as an evil portent. The crossing of a cat while you are going for some work is also regarded as equally ominous. In such an event it is presumed that the work is sure to end in failure. The barking of a dog, the crying of a cat, the howling of a jackal and broying of an ass are also taken as ominous. But a man or woman, with a pitcher full of water, crossing your way, a sweeper sweeping the road before you, are looked upon as auspicious.

There are certain days and hours which are auspicious. The people of India have set beliefs and want to perform work accordingly. They consult an astrologer or a priest for an auspicious movement to start an important work or a journey. The time and date of a marriage, inauguration, foundation laying of a house, start of a business, etc., are fixed according to the positions of the planets and stars. There are certain inauspicious days and months when no good and important work can be undertaken.

For the Indians the sun-eclipse, the sight of a comet and a shooting star are very ominous. They signify some disaster or national tragedy to them.

“When beggars die there are no comets seen, The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”

Essay No. 03

Superstitions  had  their  origin  in  the  element  of  fear  in  man. Whatever  could  not  be  explained  by  reason  was  looked  upon  as an  object  of  terror  and  was  worshipped.  However  even  now, when  civilization  has  progressed  and  education  has  spread, superstitions  are  current  all  over  the  world.  Superstitions  reduce a  man’s  efficiency  and,  therefore,  should  be  done  away  with.

Superstitions  cut  across  caste,  communal,  and  even  national  boundaries People  an  over  the  world  have  superstitions,  though  they  may  differ from  country  to  country  and  region  to  region.  Not even the  educated  arc free  from  superstitions.  In some  cases,  superstitious  beliefs  are  very  deep- rooted.  In  spite  Of  all  evidence  to  the  contrary,  people  continue  to  hold  fast  to  them  and  allow  their  lives  to  be  regulated by  them.

The  origin  of  superstitions  can  be  traced  to  the  element  of  fear  (which  is anti-rationalistic),  the  urge  for  security  and  material  welfare.  Human beings  Cherish  a  deep-seated  wish  for  their physical  Well-being.  They, would  go  to  any  length  to  ward    Off,  real  or  imaginary, danger  to  ,their bodies  and  falling  prey  to  diseases  and  death.  Also  the  desire  for  success; in  projects  involving  material  welfare  is  so  great  in  human  beings  that  even  the  thought  of  failure  unnerves  them.  They,  therefore  believe in certain  superstitions.  Some of  the superstitions  involve either  positively doing  certain  things    or  avoiding  certain situations  or  happenings; Superstitions  are  a  legacy  from  the  Stone  and  Wood  ages.  The  primitive men then  did  not  understand  a  large  part  of  the  natural  phenomena. Their  reason  was  not  highly developed.  They  attributed  their  success  or failure,  or  physical  condemn  to  irrational  beliefs.  Also  superstitions  came into  vogue  through  repeated  coincidences.  For  example,  if  a  person  often met  a, particular  type  of  animal,  while.  going  out  on  a  mission,  and  each time  he  was-unsuccessful,  he  began  to  regard that  animal  as  a  bad  omen. Or  conversely,  success  associated  with  a  series  of  coincidental  happenings; also  created  a  superstition.

In  the  Western  civilization,  one  of  the  most  well-known  superstitions the  ill-luck  number  thirteen  is  supposed  to  bring.  A  person  getting  number thirteen  for  his  car  will  shudder  to  drive  his  vehicle  for  tear  of  accidents. TA  house  with  this  number  will  fill  the  inmates  with  fear  of disease  and death. But  such  is  not  the  case  in  India.  Also, in the  West,   passing under  a  ladder  is considered  unlucky. This superstition  also  is  not  current in  India.

There  is,  however,  a  long  list  of  superstitions  which  are  prevalent  in India.  A  black  cat  is  one  of  the  worst  omens. (In  the  West,  too,  it  is thought  so).  If  a  black  cat  runs  across  someone’s  path,  it  is  believed,  he either  fails  in  his  job   or  meets  with  an  accident.  Owl is  another  illomened  bird.  Hooting  of  an  owl  is  supposed  to  bring  disaster  in  the neighborhood  or  to  the  particular  house  he  is  sitting  on  at  the  time of hooting. Cawing  of  crow  announces  arrival  of  SOW  guests.  Wailing  of  a dog  foreshadows  death.  If  one  meets  a  Brahmin  immediately  on  setting out  for  a  job,  one  is  Most  likely  to  fail.  On  the  Other  hand,  if   one  meets sweeper/sweepers,  it  is  supposed  to  bring success  in  job.  (It  is  a  rather contradictory  superstition.  Shudras  are  regarded  as  low  and  Brahmins  as twice-born  high  caste    beings  in  Indian  society).  Looking  at  alt  empty Vessel  at  the  time  of  corning  out  of  the  house  is  also  supposed  to  bring failure.  If  someone  sneezes,  when  one  is  getting  ready  to  go  out  to accomplish  a  task,  he  is  likely  to fail,  People  don’t  like  to  be  called back  and  asked  a  question  when  they  are  setting  out  for  some  work. Women’s   braids  are  hung  at  the  back  of  vehicles,  sometimes  even  cars belonging  to  the  posh  people.  A newly-built  house  has  to  ward  off  the evil  eye.  This  is  done   by  hanging, on  the  facade  of,  the  house  an  ugly, fearsome  face,  usually  painted  at  the  back  of  an  earthen  vessel.

At  times, superstitions  are  stretched  too  far. Particular people  are  regarded as ill omened  just.  because  a  death  or  a  serious  crippling accident  took place to  a  family  member  after  they  appeared  on  the  scene.  In  the  Indian setup,  the  newly-married  brides  often  have  to  pay  a  heavy  price.  If immediately  after  the  brides  entry  into  her  in-laws  house  the  death  of her  husband  or  father-in-law  or  even  some  other  member  of  the  family occurs, she  is  blamed  for  it.  For  the  rest  of  her  life,  the  daughter-in-law  is subjected  to  taunts  and  torture  for  no  fault  of  hers.

Some  of  the  superstitions,  however,  are  meant  to  bring  about  social  good or lesson  the  pain  or  feeling  of  loss.  For example,  finding  of  a and  carrying  it  along  is  considered  a  sign  of  good  luck.  The  action, thus  performed,  actually  Proves  beneficial  to  satiety:  The  horse-shoe,  an otherwise  dangerous  thing,  which  could  hurt  a  human  or  damage  a  wheel removed  from  the  road  by  the  picker.  Similarly the  breaking  of  crockery  on  the  occasion  of  a  marriage  ceremony  is  considered  auspicious. The  superstition  is  again  calculated  to  lessen  the  feeling  of  loss  that would  otherwise  be  caused  on  account  of  a  financial  loss.

Superstitions,  to  say  the  least,  affect  human  conduct.  They  ,fill,  men  with unnecessary  anxiety  and  fear,  which  lead  to  nervous  strain.  They  reduce the  capability  of  men  to  perform  certain  tasks  or  delay  the  accomplishment of  jobs.  Many  a  man  go  back  home  because  they  have  encountered  some ill  omen.  Superstitions  sour  human  relationships.  Sneezing  is  a  biological need  likewise.  Asking  a question  when  somebody-  is  about  to  leave  for some  job  is  a  natural  curiosity  of  human  beings.

The  purpose  of  education  is  to  reduce  the  area  of  darkness  and  instill among  people  courage,  self-confidence,  and  thereby  free  the  society  from the  tyranny  of  superstitions.  Although  superstitious  beliefs  are  still  current, with  the  spread  of  education,  many  of  the  superstitions  have  died.  Since most  of  the  superstitions  hinder  positive  action;  the  elders  can  play  a crucial  role  in  freeing  the  youngsters  from  the  yoke  of  superstitions. They  can  explain,,  to  them  the  futility  of  believing  in  them.  Also  they can  set  an  example  by  themselves  not  falling  victim  to  superstitious  beliefs.

Essay No. 04

Superstition

“Superstition”, said Burke, “is the religion of feeble minds”. It is belief that has no basis in reason. It is the daughter of Ignorance and Fear. The word means, literally, standing over—standing still at a thing in fear and awe. Superstition, said Pascal, “is founded on fear or ignorance, and leads men to form false ideas of duty, to dread chimeras, and to lean on a broken reed.” Belief in omens and oracles; servile attachment to ritual, usage, form of words; and seeing the supernatural in every incident of life—all these come under Superstition.

In religion, superstition means irrational fear of the mysterious, and reverence for objects that are no proper objects of worship. Ignorant savages have no scientific knowledge of what we call the forces of nature. They think the sun and the moon, fire and wind and wailer, are governed by super-natural beings, who sometimes seem kind, but more often terrible and cruel. These they fear and worship, and try to propitiate them with offerings, sacrifices and senseless rites. And their imagination peoples the universe with imaginary beings—demons, ghosts and fairies.

A tree is judged by its fruits; and the fruits of superstition are all evil. It has been responsible for a vast amount of cruelty, misery and madness. In old times men offered up human sacrifices to appease imaginary gods. In the Middle Ages, the belief in witchcraft led to the persecution of poor old women, who were believed to be in league with the Devil. The Spanish Inquisition tortured and burnt thousands of innocent people, at the bidding of superstition. And even in civilized countries today, superstition produces narrow mindedness, bigotry and needless mental suffering.

Superstition is a thing of darkness; it cannot stand the light. It is a child of ignorance; it hates and flees from the face of knowledge. As knowledge increases, superstition decreases. Science, which has discovered the real forces of nature, has banished the old bogies of superstition—demons, ghosts, and goblins, and all the creations of fear and ignorance which once made men afraid. But superstition dies slowly; and even to-day silly bits of superstition still linger. There are still people who consult fortune-tellers, think the number thirteen unlucky, will not walk under a ladder, nor start a voyage on a Friday. As knowledge spreads, however, superstition will dwindle till it disappears altogether.

Essay No. 05

Superstitions betray human weakness, ignorance and fear of the unknown and mysterious. They are the irrational belief in things which remain inexplicable, mysterious of sufficient knowledge and unravelled because of lack scientific temper. Superstitions are on the decline because of spread of education, reasoning and scientific advancement. However, even educated and advanced people have their superstitions. It has also been seen that while many old superstitions are dying, new ones are being born. Primitive instincts, fears and beliefs present a fertile land for superstitions. Emotional instability, religious orthodoxy, blind belief in irrational rituals, customs and practices make people an easy prey of the superstitions.

Superstitions are not confined to a particular a particular part of the globe, people, race or community. They are ubiquitous and found throughout the world, in one form or another. There is only a difference of degrees. They are more prevalent among illiterate, uneducated and scientifically less advanced people and societies. Superstitions are being passed on from one generation to another, through religious practies. No doubt they are gradually losing ground with the advancement of rationality, scientific approach to things and globalization of the world, yet, superstitions may not be eradicated for a long time.

Belief in charms supernatural powers, ghosts, evil spirits, and spiritual healing etc., have their deep roots in superstitions. They are common among the people of all classes. For example, the eclipse of the sun and moon, sighting of shooting stars and comets, cries of certain birds like owls, revanes, and wiling of dogs mewing of cats, howling of jackals and braying of the ass at certain hours are still regarded as  ominous in many communities all over the world. The fear of number 13 is another example of our blind belief. All superstitions have their origin in the  human psychology of fear of ill- luck, insecurity and the dread of inexplicable forces in nature. When some phenomena cannot be explained and understood, people start fearing them and assign them divine, supernatural and mysterious origins.

In ancient days, all races and people were governed by superstitions. They found rich and fertile ground in human ignorance and lack of scientific knowledge. The less a community is educated and enlightened, the more it tends to be superstitious and backward. Some vested interests, like the Priestly class etc., also exercise a great influence in spreading, maintaining and generating new superstitions. Many of our religious, sectarian and family rituals and rites are based on blind beliefs, and tricks are being played on gullible people by the so-called godmen, priests, quacks, charlatans, astrologers, palmists, star and crystal gazers. There are many religious cults thriving today throughout the world only because of human ignorance, blind faith and irrationality. Even the developed countries are no exception. In spite of advancement of science and technology, the hold of superstitions on mankind is strong and man continues to suffer from these evils and complexes born out of them. In India, sneezing when someone is about to start work, is considered inauspicious. Similarly, the crossing of the path by a cat, especially a black one, is regarded as boding ill-luck. Like these ominous signs, there are lucky ones as well, which are regarded as harbingers of good luck, fortune and success. Man’s ingrained fear of the unknown and the inexplicable has invented ominous signs, portents and premonitions.

Sacrifice of birds and animals to please the gods and goddesses, and to atone for one’s sins, is a common practice among many communities all over the world. ‘Many women are still lynched because they are mistaken for witches. People still resort to magicians and godmen to exorcise the so-called evil spirits and their harmful influences, and are being willingly fleeced and duped in the process.

Superstitions are thriving in an organised way under various cults, religious sects, godmen, priests, and so-called prophets and representatives of gods. They are successfully leading the masses by the nose. We have actually failed to draw a line between religion and blind faith, bigotry and spiritualism and between prayer and useless incantations. We regard certain hours and days as inauspicious and so consult astrologers, priests and godmen to know the auspicious days and hours to start- our work, projects and journey. Likewise, the time and date of marriage, inauguration, foundation-laying ceremonies are fixed according to the advice of astrologers and the positions of the planets and stars.

The need of the hour is to cultivate more and more objectivity, rationality and scientific spirit in our approach to things, including those which are inexplicable and in some way or other mysterious. We need not give up our ideals, imagination, emotions and impulses and become living robots, but we must be alert and watchful so as not to allow these to dominate and dictate our faculties of reasoning, logic and analysis. Religion is certainly blind if not blended with science and reasoning; and, science is lame, unless guided by conscience and emotions. Our only hope is in sanity, balance and cultivation of scientific outlook and temper. 

Essay No. 06

Majority of people are superstitious blindly. Superstition is a sign of ignorance and backwardness. Thus superstitions do not have any place in science. But people not only in India but in other countries also are superstitious. The number thirteen is regarded as an ominous figure by people in some countries. Even the French architect Le Corbusier, who designed the Indian city Chandigarh, was superstitious for he did not create Sector-13, in Chandigarh. Similarly Europeans consider it lucky if they find a horse shoe on the road. Other popular superstitions are that the howling of a jackal, sight of an owl bodes evil. Some people believe that a journey undertaken in a particular direction, on a given time is inauspicious. Sneezing when a person is ready to leave is considered a bad omen. Similarly howling of a dog is thought to indicate death of someone. But due to the impact of science, people have started questioning popular superstitions. Science sees everything rationally and it will serve people well if they examine these things rationally. People should turn a deaf ear to these superstitions and only then they will progress in their life.

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Short stories, literary essays, india today english lit 1, joseph addison’s essay popular superstitions—summary and critical analysis, introduction of the essay:.

The immortal popularity of The Spectator Papers depends primarily on the fact that they are not confined to some particular aspect of social life but that they have covered the whole society in its varied fields. They perform two functions simultaneously. On the one hand, they present the faithful picture of the social life of the middle class with all their weaknesses and evils and on the other hand, the essayists have successfully imparted a number of moral lessons which can help people in making their life happier and easier. Throughout, sane advice has been scattered from place to place which confirms that their chief aim is social reform. They sometimes directly point out those evils and inspire a feeling that such follies must be abolished and sometimes, these ideals have been portrayed through the ideal characters like that of Sir Roger! In the present essay, Popular Superstitions , Addison has pointed out the folly of superstitious beliefs which poison our everyday life. They are such incidents which often take place and we foolishly consider them as bad omens, take unnecessary notice of them and sometimes spoil and whole pleasure of the company.

Summary of the Essay:

One day, an old friend of Addison invited him to dinner with his family. They were old friends. When Addison reached his home, he was surprised to find that the whole family was very much disappointed. The reason was that the lady of the house had seen a very bad dream last night and all of them were afraid of something wrong. They were afraid that such a dream was the foretelling to some great disaster to the family in near future. All these circumstances made Addison believe that the hostess in particular was a deeply superstitious lady. Whatever happened in the family was enough to confirm his belief that the superstitions had a powerful influence on the whole family. Addison stayed with the family for some time and all this time, he was utterly confused and restless. He agrees that this friend was a nice gentleman but he had a very poor understanding. He was not a wise man. He always agreed with whatever his wife said, no matter they were foolish beliefs. She had full faith that the dreams bring good or bad luck. There were many other superstitions also which they strongly believed. They never began any new work on Childermas day. The spilling of salt meant to them a bad omen and if it happened at dinner, the mood of the whole family was spoiled. The family became gloomy and sad if the knife and fork were left across each other upon the plate. Addison thought that taking dinner with such a family was most painful in itself. They thought that Addison was becoming the cause of their difficulties because he had spilt the salt and had laid the knife and fork across upon his plate. They also thought that he was the man who was seen in the dream last night. Addison considered them to be foolish beliefs so he hurriedly finished his dinner and left them and thus saved his host and himself from any embarrassment.

Addison tells a truth that as soon as a person becomes unnecessary and unwanted in a company, he immediately knows and realises it. In the same way, he had also noticed at once that he was unwanted in the family of his friend. The hostess thought him unwelcome and unfortunate for her family. Naturally, he did not stay there any more after the dinner was finished and departed without waiting. When he reached home, he was very thoughtful and thought over the incidents seriously, that had happened with him. He concluded that nothing but the foolish superstitious belief was the root cause of everything that had happened that evening. He concluded that the superstitions were responsible for the imaginary and unreal afflictions in the life of man. These foolish and absurd things bring misery. Those who believe in such incidents like the omens and superstitions are the greatest fools. Even if there is no misery or suffering in our life, the superstitions bring misfortunes. So, we suffer as much from unreal and imaginary miseries as from real accidents and tragedies. He recounts the shooting of a star or screaming of an owl at night as the greatest superstitions. They create unnecessary anxiety in our life. Such people make their life an ordeal of apprehension and misery because they perceive disaster in every occurrence.

In the opinion of Addison those old ladies who are physically ill and are unable to do any useful work in life find it difficult to pass their time. In order to keep themselves busy they employ their time in making prophecies about the impending disaster which is nothing but simply their foolish imagination. They spread such evil things and absurd beliefs among the simple hearted people and thus all the time they suffer from an unknown fear of some disaster. In this way, they are the chief source of spreading the menace of superstition in the society. The simple and innocent people particularly suffer from such fear. In such a condition, it is the duty of the wise people to save them from such follies and remove their absurd fears. They should create sound reasoning in them and convince them about their evil. They should make them feel the folly of these superstitious beliefs.

In the last part of the essay, Addison talks about himself and says that in his personal life, he has no faith in any such superstitions nor does he believe in knowing his future. He reasons that this habit does not give any pleasure rather it causes more and more trouble and mental disturbance. In a humorous manner, he says that even if he had the power to know his future, he would not have done so. Instead of it, he would prefer only to remain concerned with what is actually happening with him. He further tells that it will be better to put himself under the care and protection of God instead of being afraid of the supernatural forebodings. God only will save him from all the evils and misfortunes of life in all the circumstances. In this way, Addison expresses his strong faith in God and rejects all the other foolish beliefs. This faith gives him a great relief from the miseries and misfortunes of life and at the same time saves him from imaginary, unreasonable and absurd fears which are the source of miseries.

Critical Analysis of the Essay:

Introduction: .

With an intention of social reform, Addison has touched almost all the aspects of contemporary social life, whenever he realised the presence of any evil or social corruption. The present essay Popular Superstitions deals with the evil of popularly spread and observed superstitions in most of the families. He has not simply counted them but has highlighted their baneful influence on the social atmosphere and shows how they poison the life of man. It is quite full of great enthusiasm against such follies and expresses his earnestness to abolish them. He not only draws our attention to these absurdities that we take dreams to be the prophecies of impending evil or some common incident as a bad omen. The aim behind all this description is not to touch these evils but the intention is clearly reformative. This zeal of reform sometimes makes the essay like a moral teaching. But one thing is certain that the whole piece is a solid and wholesome lesson which will not only smoothen the life of man but make it sweet and congenial. This in itself is an evidence of its significance and that the essayists are honestly performing all their promise they had made in the beginning of this periodical. 

Story-Like Depiction:

The essay begins just as the essayist is going to tell us some interesting story. He tells that once a friend invited him to dinner where he had some embarrassing situations to face. The total behaviour of the incumbents of the members of the family has been perfectly and graphically revealed. He tells us like a story how he felt himself in a critical position in the midst of the people where everybody was superstitious and each trivial incident was taken to be a forecast for some impending misfortune. The mistress had dreamt last night about some mishappening and this had made them all very gloomy and disappointed. He also tells that in such an atmosphere there is a feeling of frustration instead of any cheerfulness or pleasure of the company.

 Autobiographical: 

Although Addison and Steele both are basically periodical essayists, but in order to avoid any controversy over any of their ideas, they have narrated everything in the manner of their own experience. Even while discussing the conduct and character of Sir Roger, they never become objective narrators but as if it is their personal experience. Here again Addison narrates the story of those unpleasant experiences which he had in the family of his old friend. The evil of superstitions though common in the society, had a peculiar effect on that family. The hostess felt that Addison resembled the man she had seen last night in her dream and so considers him unwelcome in the family. Addison also quickly realises this fact but he is helpless since he cannot leave the family without dinner. It is again purely autobiographical that he unknowingly spilt the salt during the dinner and everybody was shocked because, in their opinion, this act, chiefly during dinner, is the most damaging. It was again an unconscious act that he put the knife and fork across upon his plate which made the hostess so restless that they had to ask him to put them in the parallel position. All this shows that the essay is not narrative but the essayist reveals his difficulties in that home which certainly brings him close to the readers and enhances the interest of the place. 

The Moral Tone: 

The Spectator was designed to inculcate moral among the people. But this moral is not confined only to the religious sense. It includes all that is needed to make the life of man easy and happy. Here Addison expressly indicates that the superstitions are the greatest bane for man and they must be completely abolished from the society. He thinks that such evils and follies are invented by those spinsters who have nothing useful to do in their life and so their mind is always turned to inventing such peculiar ideas. The simple minded ignorant people believe them quite easily and so unknowingly they invite difficulties. Sometimes such beliefs are so harmful that the whole of their life is destroyed. At the end of the essay, the tone of Addison becomes totally moralistic. He asks the wiser section of the society to make efforts to save the people from such things. They should come forward and convince the people that actually they are nothing but simply everyday incidents which have nothing to do with our future. Moreover, the last part of the essay is just a moral sermon when Addison advises that the best way to make life happy is to leave ourselves at the mercy of God and have full faith in Him. He says, “I know but one way of fortifying my soul against these gloomy passages and terrors of mind and that is by securing to myself the friendship and protection of that Being who disposes of events and govern futurity.” He thus advocates strong faith in God and that death is the inevitable end of life and that “neither the time nor the manner of the death I am to die” is known to anybody. He, therefore, advises that “He will not fail to comfort and support me under them.” Thus, Addison expresses his absolute faith and confidence in God. He also advises that it is not good for man to try to know his future because it will never help him in any way. 

Humour and Satire: 

The essay undoubtedly discusses a very important aspect of social life and the subject under discussion is very serious, Addison makes it enlivening with his sparkling sense of humour. Even in the midst of serious discussion, he never grows tiresome and maintains the interest of the readers throughout. His humour is realised in the very beginning when the hostess finds him resembling the man she had seen in her dream last night. He ridicules her superstitious beliefs particularly that her husband also agrees with her whims. We enjoy the remark when Addison says, “I observed a settled melancholy in her countenance.” Seeing Addison, the lady said, “you may now see the stranger that in the candle last night.” We enjoy the discomfiture of the essayist and how he quickly finished his dinner and actually ran from there without waiting a moment. He was considered unwelcome for putting fork and knife across and the lady had to ask him to change their position. We laugh when Addison confesses. “What the absurdity was which I had committed, I did not know.” He felt himself “a person that had brought a disaster upon the family.” Equally humorous is the remark that the old idle ladies are responsible for all this folly. He humorously but satirically concludes, “An old maid that is troubled with the vapours produces infinite disturbances of this kind.” There is certainly bitterness in his opinion that such people spread the evil of superstitions among the simple and innocent people and make their life troublesome. He thus chooses the weapon of wit, wisdom, humour, satire and ridicule deliberately. 

Language and Style: 

Like other essays, here also the style of Addison is marked for directness and simplicity. He presents his views quite clearly and the language is so easy that even a layman easily grasps his point of view. However, the complication has been avoided and the ideas have been put quite convincingly. The whole description is marked by straight forwardness and common sense. He has employed logic to persuade the readers to drive his point home. It has a force of a sermon, sincerity of a crusader and interest of a story. 

Saurabh Gupta

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Essay on Superstitions in English | Popular Superstitions in India essay

Hello friends, today we have come with the essay on superstitions. In this essay, we have discussed some of the popular superstitions in India and have told why and how does this superstition believes spread all around. So let us start with the essay.

Superstitions.

Today's era is the most advance, this sentence we have heard many times. Today's world knows what is science is working behind everything. Anything which happens has a scientific reason behind it this is what we are taught this in school.

But in morning whenever I read a newspaper there is at least one news on things that happened due to superstition believes. Due to these superstitions believes every day many people losses there lives. Whenever there is news on television on these superstitions topic there are mostly educated people who get trapped in this superstition activity. I don't know why it so!.

But whenever I see news on superstitions and when the video footage of Baba's who perform this activity are shown I just can't stop laughing watching at there act. They take kumkum and put it all around, and hit with the broom and keep shouting while performing some funny actions. Watching this I laugh so much that it starts paining in my stomach.

Our grandparents and parents always teach us good things, but I don't know why these superstitions believes starts for our own home. Like some popular superstitions in India are, taking down "Najar" or tying a lemon and chills outside the house or on the vehicles, If a cat crosses the rod do not directly cross the road, If a crow shouts on top of the home then someone will visit our home and etc... These popular superstitions believes we still follow even when we know they are not true.

I have heard a story, there was one village in India where a wedding ceremony was going on. There were many people who came to attend this wedding. Were there was weeding that house owner had a cat as there pet animal. When the Brahman was performing rituals cat was moving and disturbing him in his work.

Just because that cat can cause a problem as it was moving around, so the Brahman told to tie the cat in one place. As a result, rumors started spreading that in a weeding a cat must be tied. This is how the superstitions got spread.

Some simple naive people get in the trap of this superstition's believes. And then Baba's and Fakirs take advantage for these people. And then these naive people are looted in the name of superstitions.

Everything in these world in not fake nor everything we see is true. So it is important to believe in the right thing and stay away from the superstitions believes, and we should not allow anyone to spread these superstitions.

Friends what do you think of these superstitions believes do tell us in the comment section below.

This essay on Superstitions can be used by students of class 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th for there educational purpose. This essay can also be used on the topics given below.

• Essay on popular superstitions.
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Essay on Superstitions in India in English

Superstition is the belief that certain events, words or practices bring good luck or bad luck. It is the fear of what is unknown and mysterious. It cannot be explained by science or reason and is considered a blind belief.

So many people believe in the bad luck that comes from breaking a mirror or choosing number 13. Some people also believe that passing below a ladder can bring bad luck. Others believe that carrying a rabbit’s foot can bring good luck.

Over the years, Superstition has become a learned behaviour. It is practised on the basis of fear. For example, if children watch their parents or grandparents practising or following a belief, they will carry it on. This is how it moves from generation to generation without looking for logic behind it.

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15 Common Superstitions in India Still Followed

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• December 10, 2019
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Superstition is a common belief or practice which just has no scientific base, away from the rational faculty. Since times immemorial the entire human race has been living under the clothes of superstitions. Even the old civilizations like the Mayans, Aztec, Egyptian, the Chinese or the Indian have been practicing the age-old superstitions. Read about the most common superstition in India. 

India is a country of diversity and multi-ethnicity and cultural traditions. We are still involved in lots of baseless superstitions which have no relation to scientific theories and analysis. These superstitions have made dwelling places in the minds of the masses and without applying logical sense we are still practicing them just as we if we were living in the primitive times.

In Indian society people consider luck factor as the deciding factor for bygone happenings and the on coming events. Being superstitious meaning in Hindi is andhvishwashi. Behind factor called as bhootkaal. We stop working or going out if anyone sneezes suddenly. If a cat crosses the load, we change the way or pause for some time. In the modern world of science, technology, when we are planning for space tourism and man, is preparing for landing on Mars, we have to discard the rigid age-old taboos of superstitions.

In the following blog, I try to include the popular Superstition in India and the possible reasoning behind them. Let us clamor for a pragmatic approach to these superstitions in vogue and without fingering anybody who believes in them, we should try to eradicate them.

Breaking of Mirror  

If you loose the mirror from hand, what happens? You are left in the lurch whether something bad is going to occur? Similarly, if the panel of your door is broken automatically, you suspect of bad times. This superstition arose from the western world and is also housed in Indian culture.

In ancient times glass was expensive and the best kind of glass articles and mirrors and chandeliers were all imported from Europe especially from Belgium. The ancient Roman preached that the breaking of a mirror can cause seven years of bad luck.

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This was all due to be the value of a mirror so that one might not indulge in carelessness while holding a mirror. Modern chemical science has proved that it is all a scientific process if a glass panel splits in twain. It might be the effect of circumstance or the chemical reactions or a change in temperature.

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An Empty Bucket Can Result in Cipher

If you are going out of the house for some good reasons and unluckily you see someone coming with an empty bucket or vessel, it can create a break on the good work or the purpose you are going for maybe foiled.

This can create hindrance to your work and can be unprofitable. On the other side if you find the bucket full with water or milk, it is considered a good omen. This is basically all psychological and no apparent reasoning can be applied to this particular superstition.

Black Cat crossing your way- Superstition in India

It is very common superstition prevailing not only in Indian society but also in the old western culture also. It is believed that if you are going out of your home for any work and a black colored cat is crossing your way, you should stop for a while or return back for a while and drink water by letting the other people go first.

The origin of this belief might be from the Old Egyptian Society in which the black Cat was always considered bewitched with the foul spirits and evils. In Indian society as well the black cat is considered ominous and linked with the evil. But the reality may lie elsewhere.

As in the ancient times people had to travel across the forests using the muddy ways with lots of bushes and flora and fauna. There was a possibility of cat being chased by some wild animals which might even attack the humans. Thus it was indicative of some impending danger. Just to avoid such dangers this became customary that if a cut crosses your way, you must stop.

Sneezing Hampering Good Result – Superstition in India

Another popular superstition in Indian society is that if you want to start a new work or going out of the house for same good reasons. If anyone sneezes, it is ominous. You should stop doing the work for same time, have a glass of water and again restart for the work. There is again logic in the same, earlier people used to travel on foot covering large distances, suppose someone steps out of his home and sneezes, this indicates his not so good physical health.

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Hanging Lemon & Chilies – Common superstition in India

According to the belief Goddess lakshmi is considered as one who can bring wrath on your business and can bring havoc if displeased. It considered that she always likes bitter and pungent tasting items unlike most other Gods and Goddess.

Thus it is customary with most of the shop owners or with the offices or with the drivers to offer a string with the lemon and chilies in front of the gate of their business establishment or hang it in front of the vehicle just to appease the deity. More scientific view is that by placing the lemon and chilies you try to wand off the small insects and other parasites.

Adding One Rupees coin

In Indian Society it is very common to add one rupee coin to the gift or donated sum. Suppose you are going to attend a wedding party and you want to offer a gift of 500 or 1000, you do not forget to put extra coin of 1 rupee. Similarly if you donate some amount to the temple, priest or for the charity you always make it odd number by adding one extra coin.

Have you ever thought why this is done? This is just because of making the even number odd as the even number has always 0 which signify cipher or zero. Zero signifies loss in Indian psychology which always believes in progress and profit (Shubh Labh) which is commonly seen written in front of Indian houses and merchant establishments signifies the blessed profit. 

Fidgeting can lose Wealth

The practice of shaking legs during sitting is call fidgeting. It is considered if you shake off the legs it can cause loss of your wealth. According to human behavioral experience it is considered bad to shake off legs.Even scientifically it is now proved that fidgeting is basically a mental disorder and is caused by hypertensive and hyperactive brain.

Avoid Going under the Haunted Peepal Tree in the Night

The old people in the villages always advised the children not to go under the Peepal (Ficus) tree in the night as there is the dwelling place of monster or the Ghost. This way people were scared to go under the tree to avoid the disaster.

Modern Botanical researches proved that Peepal tree during the Photosynthesis process absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it to Oxygen during the day time, while in the night time the process is different and it releases Carbon dioxide in abundance.

More so people used to be afraid of the falling droplets which were a result of the process of Guttation. These falling droplets scared the old people as they had no apparent reason for the sprinkle which was quite apparent during the summer season.

Why Not Sweeping After the Sunset

In the Indian society this is a popular belief not to sweep the houses after the sunset. It is considered if anyone does so, it will displease the Goddess of wealth and prosperity- Lakshmi and she will be blocked out of the house. This will create impending danger to the inhabitant’s loss.

It is commonly believed that goddess comes to visit the houses after the sunset. But more practical approach behind this theory is that in case you drop some valuable items of gold or other jewelry it might be thrown outside the house with the broom. So better stay away from sweeping at night. 

Bird’s Shit Bringing Good Luck

According to the deep rooted superstitions it is considered if a bird shit come down upon you, it can make you uneasy as it might make your clothes or vehicle dirty. On the other hand it can be beneficial to you as it will bring good luck.

Shopkeepers Avoid Selling Hankies in the Morning

The sellers of fabrics never sell handkerchief in the morning from their stores in India. It is under the belief that if they do so with the first sale they entire day they will repent wiping off tears from their eyes.

Cast off en Evil Eye

It is common in India to put a mark of Kajal (black sool) on the child’s forehead. This is to avoid the evil eye on the child. Similarly mothers do it by hovering sandals seven times on the child and thumping it on the ground.

Keeping Knife and Onion in the Bed

In India if a marriage takes place, couples are suggested to keep a knife and Chilies on the Bed. In the same way if a person dies the bereaved are advised to keep these articles with them. This way you ward off the evil spirits away and continue dreaming.

Twitching of the Eye – Common superstition in India

In Indian Culture there is prevailing superstition that if a man’s right eye is twitching it is good omen but the left eye twitching is considered amnions. This is opposite to the ladies. People become perplexed if it happens thinking of some bad thing to happen. Now this all is considered a figment of Imagination as the causes of eye twitching are different. It might happen on account of the eye pressure, fatigue, allergy or the blood pressure.

Cutting Nails on Saturday

According to the Hindu superstition, it is considered ominous to cut your fingernails on Saturday. This day is dedicated to the Saturn God (Shani) and the people opine Shani Maharaj if displeased will bring havoc upon you.The cutting of nails is also prohibited after the sunset. Sure there is a reason earlier the light was not so ggod and oil lanterns were mostly used and mechanics to cut nails was also not very good so people warned to cut nails without proper light.

Most of these superstitions probably once had scientific reasoning behind them but now in the light of modern science these appear redundant and people must shy from believing in these age old shackles.

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Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues

As governor of Minnesota, he has enacted policies to secure abortion protections, provide free meals for schoolchildren, allow recreational marijuana and set renewable energy goals.

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By Maggie Astor

• Aug. 6, 2024

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the newly announced running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris, has worked with his state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature to enact an ambitious agenda of liberal policies: free college tuition for low-income students, free meals for schoolchildren, legal recreational marijuana and protections for transgender people.

“You don’t win elections to bank political capital,” Mr. Walz wrote last year about his approach to governing. “You win elections to burn political capital and improve lives.”

Republicans have slammed these policies as big-government liberalism and accused Mr. Walz of taking a hard left turn since he represented a politically divided district in Congress years ago.

Here is an overview of where Mr. Walz stands on some key issues.

Mr. Walz signed a bill last year that guaranteed Minnesotans a “fundamental right to make autonomous decisions” about reproductive health care on issues such as abortion, contraception and fertility treatments.

Abortion was already protected by a Minnesota Supreme Court decision, but the new law guarded against a future court reversing that precedent as the U.S. Supreme Court did with Roe v. Wade, and Mr. Walz said this year that he was also open to an amendment to the state’s Constitution that would codify abortion rights.

Another bill he signed legally shields patients, and their medical providers, if they receive an abortion in Minnesota after traveling from a state where abortion is banned.

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