The dataset contains information about various superstitions from Western culture, detailing their origins, meanings, and the beliefs associated with them. Each entry describes a specific superstition, its cultural context, an explanation of its significance, and the broader beliefs it reflects.
| Superstition | Origin Culture | Description | Associated Beliefs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck | Western | A broken mirror is thought to reflect one's soul, and damaging it causes misfortune. | Luck |
| Walking under a ladder is bad luck | Western | Ladders symbolize the Holy Trinity; walking under one breaks that sanctity. | Luck |
| Friday the 13th is an unlucky day | Western | Thirteen is considered an unlucky number, and Friday has negative connotations. | Luck |
| Spilling salt is bad luck | Western | Salt is a valuable substance, and spilling it is seen as wasteful or disrespectful. | Luck |
| Black cats crossing your path bring bad luck | Western | Black cats have been historically associated with witches and bad omens. | Luck |
| Itchy palms signify money coming or going | Western | An itchy right palm means money coming, while the left means money going. | Finance |
| Opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck | Western | Umbrellas are protective; opening one inside is seen as disrespect. | Luck |
| Horseshoes bring good luck when hung upright | Western | Horseshoes are symbols of protection and good fortune, especially when upturned. | Luck |
| Throwing coins into a well fulfills a wish | Western | Coins symbolize wealth, and throwing them into water is a ritual to gain favor. | Wishes |
| Knocking on wood for good luck | Western | Knocking on wood is believed to invoke protective spirits or gods. | Luck |
| A rabbit's foot is a good luck charm | Western | Rabbits are seen as symbols of fertility and prosperity; their foot brings good luck. | Luck |
| Seeing a shooting star brings good luck | Western | Shooting stars are thought to be a sign from the universe granting wishes. | Wishes |
| Seeing the first butterfly of spring brings joy | Western | Butterflies symbolize transformation and new beginnings, tied to hope. | Happiness |
| The number 666 is the number of the Beast | Christian | Considered an ominous number, associated with the devil. | Evil |
| The Evil Eye is a curse caused by jealous glare | Mediterranean | A glance that brings misfortune or harm to others, often remedied by amulets. | Evil |
| Carrying a four-leaf clover brings luck | Celtic | Rare clovers are symbols of faith, hope, love, and luck. | Luck |
| Not stepping on cracks avoids bad luck | Western | Cracks are seen as a connection to the supernatural, and stepping on one is taboo. | Luck |
| Crossing your fingers for good luck | Western | Crossed fingers invoke protection from evil and hope for a good outcome. | Luck |
| Evil spirits can be warded off with certain herbs | Various | Certain herbs, like sage, are believed to purify spaces from negativity. | Protection |
| Horseshoes should be hung above a door | Western | Provides protection and good luck when hung correctly. | Luck |
| Always carry a penny for good luck | Western | Pennies symbolize wealth and luck, being associated with copper lineage. | Finance |
| Whistling indoors brings misfortune | European | Whistling indoors is believed to attract malevolent spirits or cause bad luck. | Evil |
| The number 13 in hotels is often skipped | Western | Considered unlucky, resulting in the omission in numbering rooms. | Luck |
| Throwing salt over your left shoulder wards off bad luck | Western | Cleansing action to distract evil spirits lurking behind you. | Luck |
| Seeing an owl is a sign of impending doom | Various | Owls are seen as omens of death or bad news in many cultures. | Evil |
| Breaking bread together seals a bond | Medieval | A shared meal is believed to strengthen friendships or alliances. | Community |
| Stepping over someone is bad luck | Western | Seen as a sign of disrespect or bad energy transfer. | Luck |
| Left-handed people are considered unlucky | Various | Left-handedness was historically associated with evil or wrongdoings. | Luck |
| Counting your chickens before they hatch leads to misfortune | Western | It's seen as tempting fate or overconfidence in uncertain outcomes. | Luck |
| Every night owl is a luck giver during the full moon | Various | Owls are revered in some cultures, seen as bringing wisdom and luck. | Luck |
| Finding a penny on the ground is good luck | Western | Finding money, no matter how small, is a sign of upcoming fortune. | Finance |
| A pimento tree grown in your yard brings love | Southern U.S. | Pimento (allspice) is believed to attract and enhance love. | Love |
| Spitting is a way to ward off bad luck | Various | Spitting is believed to negate a bad omen or misfortune. | Evil |
| Carrying garlic protects against evil spirits | Various | Garlic is believed to repel vampiric or malevolent entities. | Protection |
| Getting out of bed on the wrong side brings bad luck | Western | The 'wrong side' can disrupt the flow of the day's luck. | Luck |
| A broken clock stops good luck from coming | Western | Clocks represent time; a broken one is a sign of malfunctions in fortune. | Luck |
| Touching a tombstone for luck while passing by | Western | It's believed to signify a touch of the afterlife, granting protection and luck. | Protection |
| Placing your hat on a bed brings misfortune | Western | Hats symbolize authority, and placing one on the bed invites trouble. | Luck |
| Never looking back when you move on brings blessings | Various | Moving forward and leaving the past signifies hope and positive energy. | Luck |
| A wish made on a dandelion seed will come true | Western | Dandelions symbolize wishes and dreams when blown away. | Wishes |
| Sweeping the floor at night sweeps away your luck | Eastern | Night sweeping is believed to chase away prosperity and positive energy. | Luck |
| Seeing a crow is a sign of bad luck | Various | Crows often signify death or misfortune in myths and superstitions. | Evil |
| Toads are associated with witchcraft | Western | Toads have historic ties to witches, representing transformation and bad omens. | Evil |
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