What are the strangest superstitions in the world you should know about?

Whether it's avoiding a black cat on the street, knocking on wood before an exam, or spinning around three times to ward off bad luck, superstitions are part of every country's culture. Some stem from ancient religious beliefs, others from folk traditions passed down from generation to generation.

When you travel, you realize that what seems like a banal superstitious gesture to us can become a daily ritual elsewhere! So, get ready for a world tour to discover the strangest, most curious, and funniest superstitions .

South Korea, where whistling attracts evil spirits

Let's start in South Korea , where whistling at night is considered a bad omen , as it's believed to attract the attention of ghosts and evil spirits. Even writing can become a risky activity after dark. According to a widespread superstition, writing a person's name in red ink brings bad luck! This belief stems from the fact that the color red is associated with death and is used for inscriptions on tombstones and funerary tablets in Buddhist cemeteries.

Japan, luck is all about numbers

In Japan , however, even numbers can become ominous omens . The number 4 is considered particularly unlucky because it is pronounced shi , the same word that means “death.” For this reason, giving gifts in sets of four, whether flowers, cups, or plates, is seen as a bad omen. It is also not uncommon for buildings to completely skip the fourth floor or for apartments to be numbered with the number 4. But it doesn't end there: the number 9 also brings with it bad vibes, because it is pronounced ku , the same sound that means “suffering.”

Russia and the suitcase demon

In Russia, there's a truly peculiar superstition: if you forget something at home, it's best not to go back. If you absolutely must return, there are specific rules to follow . Among them, never whistle within your home, because you risk irritating the Domovoi , the house's guardian spirit, who could take it out on you and drain your wallet. To appease him, there's an equally curious ritual: you must sit on your suitcase to convince the demon that the trip isn't imminent, and look at yourself in the mirror before leaving again. Only then can you leave without fear of his vengeance!

Sweden, destiny is written in spiders and manhole covers

In Sweden , killing a spider is not a good idea: according to superstition, it will rain the next day. But that's not the only danger to avoid, because your fate could be written on the manhole covers. You'll find two types on the streets: those marked with a "K" and those with an "A." The superstition is simple: always avoid manhole covers with the letter "A" because it can represent misfortunes such as avbruten kärlek (broken love) or arbetslöshet (unemployment).

Great Britain, beware of magpies

The final superstition concerns Great Britain, where, if you encounter a magpie , you should greet it politely. The correct formula would be: "Good morning, Mr. Magpie. How is your lady wife today?", a formal greeting, including a question about the wife. If you forget this little ritual , it is said that bad luck will accompany the rest of the day! The origin of this custom is linked to the fact that magpies almost always travel in pairs: seeing one alone, therefore, is a sign of sadness .