Superstitions have always been a part and parcel of a country’s culture. If a horse shoe charm promises good luck to an Englishman, in India, you’d be scoffed at for sneezing when someone is about to begin a work, for its considered to bring ill luck. The Russian culture too, has its own beliefs and superstitions. Here are some of the common Russian superstitions.
Don’t be surprised if a Russian mother spits over her child’s shoulder or touches wood! Russians are wary of the evil eye and hence when someone compliments a child, the mother spits on her child’s left shoulder to protect it from evil eye. Newborn babies are kept away from the site of everyone except the father and the midwife. This is to protect the child from evil eye.
If you were to take a cab in Russia, make sure you don’t ‘handover’ the money on the driver’s hand. Every cab driver has a tray where money is to be placed. Money, they believe transmits the energy of the giver; both positive and negative. This energy wave is broken when money is taken from the tray. Rather than take a chance, people would prefer that you do not place money directly on their hands!
If you were to gift your Russian friend a pet animal, make sure you accept the token money that is given to you. This is a symbolic gesture and not an insult to you.
If two people are to walk together, they make sure to avoid walking on either sides of a tree. Doing so is sure to raise an argument between them. And if you were to accidentally step on someone’s foot, the other person steps lightly on you, to avoid an argument.
If you’re dating a Russian woman, make sure you don’t gift her watch; this is a symbolic representation that your relationship is coming to an end!
Russian children have always been scolded for whistling inside the home; this invites poverty, they believe. And if you’re right palm’s itching, you’re in for some luck, because money’s coming your way.
And if you’re right eye’s itching, there’s something cheery waiting for you, but if you’re left eye’s itching, you will be crying.
If you’re planning to cut your hair or nails, make sure you do it during the full moon, to make sure it grows back healthy.
There’s no end to superstition in Russian culture and almost everyone is associated with evil spirits and ill luck. Although today, not everyone believes and follows these, there are some, especially the elderly who believe in these.