Superstitions that Are Linked to the Body

Superstitions can be linked to many areas of life: the home for instance putting an umbrella up inside the house is said to be unlucky, birds: seeing two magpies is an omen of joy and our bodies. As an example: If your right ear burns or goes red someone is supposed to be talking about you!

Here are further superstitions relating to the body and what they mean:

Palm: It is believed that if your right palm gets itchy, you're about to come into money. If your left palm itches, the reverse is the case: it's you who's about to pay. One way to break this omen is by rubbing your palm on wood.

Fingers: So superstition goes, a child with long fingers will have problems handling finances. The forefinger should never be used for applying medication while the third finger of the left hand is believed to have healing powers. A sign of wealth is shown by a crooked little finger.

Hands: If two people wash their hands in the same washbasin they will quarrel before the day is through.

Feet: You know you're about to meet a friend if you accidentally scrape your right foot on the ground while walking. It is also believed that if the second toe is longer than the first, this person will be bad-tempered.

Ears: A tingling in the ear, so saying has it, means someone is talking about you. If it's your right ear that tingles then rest assured that they're saying good things but if it's your left, then someone is speaking ill of you.

Eyes: An itchy eye is not always a bad thing, indeed it can be a good omen. If it's the right eye, then good fortune is likely but if it's the left, things won't go so well.

Chest: A hairy chest is said to be a sign of strength and luck.

Hair: It's unlucky to comb your hair at night. - That doesn't mean you can't brush it! Ladies should have their hair cut before the moon is full. If they have it cut on or after a full moon, it will lose its good condition. The day on which to have hair cut is also defined in a verse:

Best never enjoyed if Sunday shorn

And likewise leave out Monday.

Cut Thursday and you'll never grow rich,

Likewise on a Saturday.

But live long if short on a Tuesday

And best of all is Friday.

Sources

Waring Phillipa "A Dictionary of Omens and Superstitions" Souvenir Press Ltd (1997)

Cielo A "Signs, Omens and Superstitions" Biblio Bazaar (2008)