Buzz
For some, solitude is cherished, with a preference for their own company over all else. Love, in these cases, may simply be a fleeting feeling or a warmth sparked by a phone call from a mother. Yet, for others, love is the core of existence, the essential force that binds us together as humans. To many, it represents one of the deepest emotions we ever experience.
This is why we are drawn to the idea of a happily-ever-after. We celebrate weddings with hopes that love will endure forever, devour romance novels, and binge-watch romantic comedies. Yet, the harsh reality is that not everyone will taste the fullness of what love has to offer. Have you ever wondered why?
Here are ten bizarre superstitions from across the globe that might be harmful to your romantic journey.
10. Sporting a Beard
Although facial hair carries a traditionally masculine image in many cultures, not everyone is fond of it. Manscaping has become easier in today's world, yet some still embrace their primal side by letting their facial hair grow, concealing their chins, or maintaining a bit of stubble.
However, in certain regions, having facial hair is considered extremely unlucky and could even sabotage your chances at love.
Even though many historical figures and military leaders are depicted with beards, it was once thought to be unlucky to have a face without a clean shave. A beard was seen as a sign of the working class, lowering a man’s social standing and, as a result, reducing his chances of attracting someone willing to lower themselves to his perceived uncivilized status.
9. Even Flowers
Flowers aren’t just a thoughtful gesture before a first dinner date or a way to cheer up your sick aunt in the West. They symbolize affection in many parts of the world, including Russia.
Before giving someone a bouquet, take a moment to count the flowers. There's a Russian tradition suggesting that an odd number of flowers should be gifted, as an even number could negatively affect your romantic life or hinder your pursuit of happiness with the person receiving them.
In fact, gifting an even number of flowers can be seen as offensive, since it's commonly associated with funerals and mourning—a far cry from the warm embrace of true love.
The Number 8
While many are aware of the fear surrounding the number thirteen, known scientifically as triskaidekaphobia, not everyone knows that some people are also superstitious about the number 8.
For those seeking love, the number eight can be seen as an unfortunate omen. In certain parts of India, scheduling a wedding on the eighth day is believed to invite bad luck. The number eight is tied to Saturn, or Shani, and is often linked with gloom and negativity, rather than optimism.
Interestingly, the date August 8, 2008 (08.08.08) was believed to bring good luck. The unique combination of numbers seems to reverse the usual negative connotations, turning what would be an unlucky number into a sign of positivity.
7. The Mystery of the Missing Name
Henna, or temporary tattoos, is a significant part of many Indian festivals, especially Hindu and Muslim weddings. It plays a central role in one traditional ceremony known as Mendhi, or the Name Game.
Historically, arranged marriages would sometimes begin with an icebreaker on the wedding night, and Mendhi was just that. The groom's name would be written in henna somewhere on the bride's body, and he would have to find it.
In modern times, this practice is mostly done for fun, helping to keep an age-old tradition alive. However, in the past, it was seen as a positive sign if the groom successfully found the name, and a bad omen if he did not. Failing meant the bride would take charge in their married life. In certain regions of India, the wedding ceremony couldn't even begin until the groom had found the name.
6. No Coins
Money is often cited as a leading cause of relationship conflicts, and in extreme cases, even divorce. However, it’s not the lack of funds itself that causes strain, but rather how couples handle financial decisions. In fact, the saying, 'no money, no problems,' may be more problematic than we think.
Superstitions surrounding money and wealth are common, as evidenced by a tradition in Sweden. Here, parents often wish for their daughters to never experience a lack of material wealth, leading them to create a superstition designed to ensure their financial prosperity.
The custom is that a bride should place a coin from her father—a gold coin in her right shoe and a silver one in her left. This practice symbolizes that she will always have enough money.
5. Sharing a Towel
Perhaps the most widely accepted superstition on this list, sharing a towel comes with its perks: less laundry and more room on the drying rack. But can anything be worse than using a towel that’s still damp and uncomfortable, especially during the colder months?
In some cultures, especially in Russia, it is believed that sharing a towel with your partner will lead to future conflicts, potentially harming your relationship. This belief has even spread to Western folklore, a superstition we might all consider.
Using the same towel as your significant other may be a sign of an impending argument, and more often than not, this superstition holds true.
4. The Dangers of Running with Scissors
As children, we are constantly warned against running with scissors. Our young minds, so impressionable, still carry the haunting images of what might happen if we trip and fall onto a pair of sharp, upright scissors. In reality, we rarely need to run with them, yet we still find ourselves playing with scissors—leaving them open, cutting air, or pretending to snip things without actually cutting anything. And this, my friends, is why relationships fall apart.
In certain regions of Northern Africa, particularly Egypt, leaving scissors open or repeatedly opening and closing them without actually cutting something is seen as bad luck. This superstition stems from the scissors’ intended purpose—cutting things. Hence, leaving them open risks 'cutting' your relationship until the scissors are closed again.
Some believe that opening and closing scissors during a wedding ceremony will render the groom impotent, and dropping a pair of scissors could lead to infidelity in your partner.
The message is clear: avoid running with scissors, leaving them open, dropping them, or using them to cut the air. In fact, it might be safer to not even own a pair of scissors at all.
3. The Meaning of Yellow Roses
With Valentine’s Day approaching, if you’re planning to ask someone out and want to send flowers ahead of time, make sure to steer clear of yellow roses. It could make or break your chances.
Sending yellow flowers isn’t a gesture of love; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. While flowers might seem innocent and beautiful, yellow roses can be the metaphorical legs of your relationship, breaking it before it even has a chance to stand. These flowers symbolize jealousy, a fading love, and the ultimate relationship destroyer (after damp towels, of course)—infidelity.
Stick with the classic red roses, and you’ll be safe.
2. The Taboo of Pregnancy at Weddings
We’ve all attended weddings where children are not invited. While some may disagree, the couple has their reasons. But have you ever been to a wedding that explicitly forbids pregnant women from attending?
In certain parts of China, there is a belief that having a pregnant woman and a bride in the same space would clash their positive energies. This imbalance could bring bad luck, either spoiling the wedding or negatively affecting the unborn child. Pregnancy and weddings, in this view, are incompatible because their luck cancels each other out.
It’s important to note that some advice is rooted in scientific reasoning.
1. The Gift of Time
In today’s world, where smartphones, laptops, and wearable devices constantly provide us with the time and reminders of our next appointments, clocks and watches have somewhat lost their relevance. However, there is still a market for elegant timepieces, with watches and wall clocks remaining popular, particularly as luxury gifts.
While gifting a timepiece may seem like a simple and thoughtful gesture, some cultures might see it differently. In parts of Asia, especially China, clocks are seen as symbols of an impending end, a constant reminder of death. The superstition arises from the similarity between the phrase 'giving a clock' and 'sending someone off on their final journey' in Cantonese, making it an ill omen, particularly for young love.
Giving someone an item that symbolizes the end of their time can be especially offensive to the elderly and is viewed as a cultural taboo.
