- Superstitions vary from culture to culture all over the world.
- In Portugal, many people believe that walking backwards brings bad luck.
- People in Spain traditionally eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve to bring luck for each month of the coming year.
Most people are at least a little superstitious. Whether that be placing trust in lucky numbers or trying to avoid bad omens, different cultures have incredible stories behind their superstitions.
Thinking that trimming your nails at night will bring bad luck is a common belief in India, for example, while many people in the US see pennies as a sign of good luck.
Keep reading for 20 superstitious beliefs from around the globe and the stories behind them.
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INDIA: Trimming your nails at night.
There are several grooming-related superstitions in India, including the belief that it is bad luck to trim one's nails at night. Historically, people typically tried to avoid using sharp objects at night to avoid hurting themselves in low light, according to US News.
It is also considered bad luck to get a haircut on a Saturday in India.
RUSSIA: Putting empty bottles on the ground.
Placing empty bottles on the ground is considered a good luck practice in Russia. The superstition comes from a legend involving Russian soldiers in the 19th century.
According to the Moscow Times, while the soldiers were in Paris, they were able to save money on alcohol by hiding their empty bottles on the ground rather than leaving them on the table, as they were being charged by the empty bottles they left behind.
EUROPE: Knocking on wood.
People in the US often use the phrase "knock on wood" to ward off bad luck, although this superstition is said to have originated in Europe.
During the Medieval period, many churches claimed to have pieces of Jesus' cross. Church officials would say that knocking on the wood would bring good luck, according to Yahoo.
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