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(ORIGINAL IDEA:NIKK)
BY SAMPRITI
Are you a superstitious person? Well, yes most of us are. We might pretend or I must say present ourselves to the outer world in such a way that superstitions and myths are not our kind of thing. Indeed it is a more old fashioned way of behaving in a society. But the truth is we all have some weird beliefs, such as some of us are fond of the number 3',some feel that a particular pen might be special for them, one of my friend believes that the yellow' color turns out to be lucky for her. I mean we all have something around us which works in a different way and even if it doesn't then we have a situational myth attached to it. Superstitions are something which we tend to believe in even though we are not supposed to. "MYTHS" which bind our mental framework and our mind starts functioning according to that. Certain superstitious beliefs have a scientific base too. It's just that people being unaware of the scientific cause label it under a superstition. There are certain bizarre or what we might call weird superstitions all across the world and I would like to list a few of them here.
In Serbia...
It's a good idea to spill some water behind a person who's going to a job interview, headed out on a journey, or about to attempt any sort of endeavor at all. The movement of water's said to symbolize fluidity and motion.
In Britain...
When you wake up on the first day of the month, saying the word "rabbit", or "rabbits", or "white rabbits", or any combination of these, gives good luck for the whole month. Make sure it's the very first word(s) you say, though, otherwise the whole thing's pointless and silly.
In Spain...
When the clock strikes twelve on New Year's Eve, guess what the superstitious people do? No prayers, no offerings, no kisses. They eat twelve grapes which signify good luck for the twelve months. I mean seriously they believe in something like eating grapes and bringing luck. Certainly there lies no logic in it and hence we categorize this amongst the weird superstitious beliefs in this world.
In Thailand...
In Thailand, most home and office owners have their very own "spirit house" outside on their lawn or in their backyard. This little house is not a replica of the actual building, but rather a dwelling built on top of a pedestal which spirits can make their home. The purpose of these spirit houses is to keep harm from befalling the real homes and office buildings. Owners place all sorts of gifts"including toy figures, water, and food"inside the little spirit houses to attract the spirits and curry their favor. If the spirits accept these gifts, it is hoped that they will then protect the home or building.As is the case with many structures, the houses and other buildings that have their own spirit house sometimes have to be demolished to make room for something else. When this happens, it is customary for the owner of the structure to simply discard the spirit house. Those who are too nervous to throw theirs away opt to leave it outside under a tree where nature can take its course.
In Rwanda...
Women shouldn't really eat goat meat because consuming it will make them grow beards... just like a goat!
In Yemen...
By throwing a dead snake up in the air, an expecting mother can find out the sex of her baby. If the snake lands upright, the baby will be a boy and if it falls on on its back, the baby will be a girl.
In China...
Number four is extremely unlucky, because it is nearly homophonous to the Chinese word for "death". This deadly digit is avoided at all costs - they skip the 4th floor in most buildings, which includes skipping all levels with a four in them. That also means no fours on license plates, phone numbers and almost everything else.
In India...
To cut nails on a Saturday or Tuesday is considered bad luck, while washing one's hair on a Saturday or a Thursday is inauspicious.
In Finland...
In Finland (and some other parts of the world), killing a spider means it will rain the next day.
In Britain...
Magpies are bad luck in Britain. Well, actually, bearing witness to a single magpie is bad luck. If you see one of these native birds on its own, you would be wise to salute it or else suffer the consequences. If there are any more than a single magpie present though, save your energy.
In Brazil...
In Brazil, it is bad luck to let your wallet or purse touch the floor. If it happens, the belief is that you will become a poor man.
In Denmark...
In Denmark, they save broken dishes all year long to throw at the houses of friends and family on New Year's Eve. It's believed that the larger the amount of porcelain, the more good luck bestowed upon friends and family.
In Portugal...
In Portugal, it is bad luck to walk backwards because it teaches the devil your path.
In Japan...
Never place your chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice when visiting Japan. This formation is eerily similar to the formation of incense burning at a Japanese funeral, and is therefore seen as a symbol of misfortune.
In Egypt...
In Egypt, it's seen as very bad luck to open and close a pair of scissors without cutting anything. What's even worse is leaving them open! It's said that you're cutting evil spirits that linger in the air, and they'll get mad.
In the Netherlands...
In the Netherlands, singing at the dinner table means you are singing to the devil for your dinner--which means bad luck. They also say that lending salt to a neighbor is bad luck too .
In the United States...
In the state of Vermont, many farmhouses built in the 19th century included slanted "witch windows" to keep witches out of the home. It was believed that witches could not fly through a tilted window .
Indian superstitions and the theories behind them
India is a land of religions. Just like India's languages, the religion changes after a few kilometres. As we know that "With Great Power comes Great Responsibilities", in the same manner, With large number of religions come large number and kind of superstitions. Although many superstitions are in no way, related to any religion, but they directly or indirectly are influenced by these factors. Being an Indian, superstitions are the things that we grew up with, and these superstitions have over powered our mind in such a manner that we unconsciously get carried away by that superstition, as our mind takes that superstition as a daily deed, without giving it any different behaviour. This happens because of us facing these superstitions regularly, as a part of our daily chore, and thus they don't affect us, but for the people who observe us do feel a change in our behaviour when we are being influenced by these superstitions.The best part about the country is that we continue to practice them even if we know nothing is going to happen.Let's look at some of the superstitions in India and the theories behind them
Hanging lemon and 7 green chilies
It is believed in India that 'Alakshmi', the goddess of misfortune can bring bad luck to the shop owners or business. Since, she likes sour, pungent and hot things, shop owners in India hang lemon and 7 green chilies at their door so that the goddess eat her favourite food, satisfy her hunger and leave without entering the shop.
Removing evil eye (Nazar Utaarna)
Putting a little dot of kohl on the side of a child's forehead is very common in India. The practice is called Nazar Utaarna. It is done to protect the little kid from any evil eyes and prevent anyone from putting a negative vibe over the kid. The evil eye can cause severe damage to whom it turns. It is said that putting a black spot on a child's forehead will make the child look ugly to the evil powers and hence, the kid will stay protected.
Adding one rupee to a gift sum
On weddings and special occasions, we Indians generally like to gift money and it won't be 100 or 1,000 but 101 or 1,001. We add one rupee coin to the entire sum. It is considered a blessing, love and luck. But, the main reason to add that extra coin is to make the entire sum an odd number and it will be indivisible, it is good for the married couple. If we don't add one rupee coin, the sum will end in a zero which means 'the end'.
Do not sweep after sunset
Goddess Lakshmi will walk out of your house if you sweep you place after sunset. In a country, where we pray to goddess Lakshmi so that she bestows wealth on us, any idea that leads to her walking out is considered inauspicious. Why sunset? This is because, it is believed that the goddess generally pays a visit after sunset so, if you sweep your place after sunset, she won't come in.
If a black cat crosses your path, it's a bad omen
Just because they are black cats? Not just in India but this is a popular belief in the west too. The origin of this superstition has come from the Egyptians who believed that black cats were evil creatures and they bring bad luck. In India, black colour is generally associated with the Lord Shani. It is said that if a black cat crosses your path, then you should let somebody else pass before you do. This way, the first person will have all the bad luck and you won't.
The Number 13
The number 13 is considered an unlucky number not only in India but in some countries too. The superstitious sufferers try to avoid bad luck by keeping away from anything numbered or labelled thirteen. As a result, companies and manufacturers use another way of numbering or labelling to avoid the number, with hotels and tall buildings being conspicuous examples (thirteenth floor). It is also considered unlucky to have thirteen guests at a table. Friday the 13th has been considered the unluckiest day of the month.
One major reason is that, at Jesus Christ's last supper, there were thirteen people around the table, counting Christ and the twelve apostles. Some believe this unlucky because one of those thirteen, Judas Iscariot, was the betrayer of Jesus Christ. Another major reason for Friday the 13, On Friday 13 October 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar, and most of the knights were tortured and killed.
Are you going out?
If you are going out and someone sneezes in front of you, that is said to be a bad omen, and the work you are going to perform won't just happen. Similar is when you are going somewhere, and someone else calls you from your back. But if we think practically and logically, then how could anyone calling us or sneezing in front of us can prevent us from completing the job we are assigned to perform?
Invite quarrels and fights with a broken glass/mirror!
If your mirror has broken down, or the cutlery made of glass has broken down, dispose it off as soon as possible. Don't keep it or any part of it in your house as it would give an invitation to fights and quarrels with the people. Now, these people can be your family members, your neighbors or even the person that is walking down the street. I think the actual reason, this superstition was created is so that the broken pieces of glass don't hurt anyone. So, in order to create a fear among people, a dangerous sounding superstition was created.
AVOID resting under a peepal tree at night - GHOST ATTACK!
Crap. Peepal trees have always been viewed as scary and have been feared because of their frightening and uncanny appearance which make them look like a ghosts' domain.BUT it's just that they give out loads of carbon dioxide at night which might cause some health damage to the person sleeping under it. HA! see? There's no ghost but just a silly superstition proved wrong with the help of science!
Pregnant Women Not Allowed To Go Out During Eclipse
In India it is believed that during an eclipse one must not wander out, since it is believed that the Sun is swallowed up by the demon. Pregnant women, especially, must stay indoors in order to ensure that their babies are not born with any deformities. In fact, pregnant women are often not allowed to sew or cut vegetables during an eclipse. Some families avoid cooking and eating altogether during an eclipse. However, the reason behind some of these superstitions can be scientific. For example, one should actually avoid going out during an eclipse in order to keep away from the harmful UV rays.
Menstruating Women Are Considered Impure And Unclean
In India, menstruating women are considered impure and unclean. This, of course, gives rise to many superstitious beliefs. Women who are menstruating are not allowed to enter the kitchen. They are also supposed to stay away from temples, mosques and all religious spots in the house itself. A woman on her period is not allowed to perform regular household duties like cooking food. Some might argue that the reason behind this superstition is scientific, and that a woman menstruating loses a lot of blood and thus becomes weak and must refrain from strenuous activities. Others claim that there is nothing scientific in this belief and it is just another superstition created to subordinate the position of women in society.
Do Not Leave A Dead Person's Eye Open
This is a very common superstitious belief in India, if a dead person's eyes is left open it is believed that the other soul around the dead body will be taken away with him through his eyes. But the real reason behind this is to make the dead person look as if he is sleeping peacefully and nothing more or less.
Bats Entering The House Brings Death
The fact that few species of bat drinks blood does not help to the superstitious beliefs revolving around them. There is an old myth that if a bat enters the house or flies around the hose for three times or more then death is waiting for someone in the family. There are many different myths associated with the bats in different countries and culture which adds up to bats being an bad omen.
The real reason behind the bats entering the hose brings death is because of the disease transmitted by bats were deadly back in the days when there was no medicines for these disease. Rabies, Nipah, Hendra, Ebola and Marburg are all viruses carried by bats that can cause serious disease in humans. Marburg virus and some strains of Ebola virus can kill up to 80-90% of humans infected.
Lizard Falling On Human Is Bad Luck
Every movement of the wall lizard holds some significance according to Gowli Shastra in India. The colour, spots, stripes, chirping or twittering of the lizard and where it falls on a person's body are said to indicate future happenings. However the fact is that, lizards that are poisonous in nature release poisonous chemicals from their body in order to protect them from their enemies. If such lizard comes in contact of a person's body or falls in a food item like milk etc. then is bound to make it contaminated. One should wash that particular spot and area to avoid infectious disease.
Twitching Of The Eye Is Inauspicious
Twitching of the left eye is considered to be either a bad or a good omen, depending upon which culture we are referring to. These superstitions take into account the gender and the part of the eye in which the twitching is observed as well. Eye twitching or the sudden involuntary movement or spasms in the eyelids is a common condition. Although there is an established explanation for these constant or intermittent involuntary muscle twitches, including various medical reasons behind them. Apparently, these twitches are nature's way of warning a person about some impending problem or indicative of some good news on the way.
Crows Are Referred As Our Ancestors
Crow is the vahana of shani who represents the karmas of past. We are indebted to our ancestors who have given us birth. So offering food to crow is regards as pacifying the hunger of ancestors where ever and whichever form they are reborn. It is believed that crows are being related to our ancestors since the treta yuga'.
As per this popular legend, once Jayant the Son of God Indra, disguised in the form of crow and hurt Sita. In turn God Rama took hay and used it as an arrow and parted one of the eyes of Jayant. After realizing his mistake, Jayant asked for God Rama's forgiveness. Then Rama forgave him and blessed him with a boon that when food is offered to the crows that will reach the ancestors.
Sacrifice Of Goats To God
In all the ancient religions of the world, the ritual of animal sacrifice has remained a great means of attaining the nearness of the Almighty. In India, Goddess Kali is known to favor animal sacrifices"goats in particular. Killing a goat in her name is believed to relieve one of negative emotions such as fear, anger, and jealousy.
There is no scientific explanations behind this tradition apart from having a feast. Sadly this is still in practice in most of the parts in India. Can we justify the act of killing animals for whatever superstitious belief is been passed on ?
CREDITS:
http://diply.com/trendyjoe/strange-superstitions-from-around-the-world
http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/13-strange-superstitions
http://list25.com/25-strangest-superstitions-ever
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/superstitions-around-the-world-list-of-some-funny-and-strange-beliefs
http://listcrux.com/top-10-weirdest-superstitions
http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/real-life/13-really-strange-superstitions-from-around-the-world-312213.html
http://www.brainjet.com/world/20201/16-strange-superstitions-from-around-the-world-that-you-wont-believe
http://listovative.com/top-15-famous-indian-superstitions-list
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/indian-superstitions/1/472016.html
http://lifetippr.com/funny-superstitious-beliefs-india
http://desinema.com/indian-superstitious-beliefs
Ramzan/Ramadan mubarak
FROM NIKKK
SPECIAL NOTE:
THE AUTHOR HERE ONLY TRIED TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT RAMZAN TO THE BEST OF HER KNOWLEDGE (SHE COLLECTED THE INFO FROM DIFFERENT SITES ) AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS POST IS JUST TO PRESENT SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN IN A DECENT WAY WITH DUE RESPECT TO THIS HOLY RITUAL PRACTICED ACROSS THE WORLD.
IF ANY MEMBER\READER FIND ANY MISTAKE IN THE GIVEN INFORMATION THEN THAT IS COMPLETELY UNINTENTIONAL AND NOT MADE FOR INSULTING ANY RELIGION\CULTURE\PERSON IN PARTICULAR.
WE APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR ANY UNINTENTIONAL MISTAKE (IF THERE ANY) IN THE FOLLOWING POST. IF ANY MEMBER\READER FINDS ANY INFORMATION GIVEN HERE IS OBJECTIONABLE PLEASE PM THE CC THREAD MAKER(SAMPRITI. EXPLAINING THE REASON OF THE OBJECTION AND PROVIDING THE CORRECT INFORMATION.THE MISTAKE WILL BE CORRECTED ASAP. 😊
Ramzan/Ramadan mubarak 😊
I thought of sharing some information about Ramzan specially with our Non-Muslim friends.
Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by
Muslims worldwide as a month of
fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 2930 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon , according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.
Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding , diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding .
While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. Muslims are also instructed to refrain from sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech ,insulting, backbiting , cursing, lying, and fighting
The predominant practice during Ramadan is fasting from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the seheri , while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is the iftar .
Each day, before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the
seheri . After stopping for a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr.
At sunset, families hasten for the fast-breaking meal known as iftar .
In the evening, dates are usually the first food to break the fast; according to tradition, Muhammad broke fast with three dates. Following that, Muslims generally adjourn for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.
Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakt , often translated as "the poor-rate", is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam.
SOME NEW INFORMATION ABOUT ZAKAT PRESENTED BY SANA
ZAKAT ka ye kaha gaya hai k zakat jo ameer hai well settled hai wo de sakta hai.. and sabse pehle apne relatives ko do jo k gareeb ho.. and zakat ki amount aapki properties ko note kar k nikaalni padti hai.. i mean kitna gold kitna cash kitna silver hai aapke paas.. wo sab dekh k kuch %hota hai.. utna amount aapko dena chahiye... diamonds pe zakat nahi lagti.zakat aap chaho to pure year bhi de sakte ho.. i mean ye zaruri nahi k bas ramzaan k month me aap do.. aap 12 month me jab chahe de sakte ho..means thoda thoda kar k bhi aap de sakte ho 12month me. but next year again aapko deni hogi apni property ko count kar k.
THANK YOU NIKKK AND SANA 😊
Edited by Sampriti. - 7 years ago
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