I tried to give a used kitchen knife to an asian friend but they didn’t want it. They said it was considered bad to give knives to Asians.
Of course I didn’t understand why and asked. Apparently both Chinese and Japanese people feel that giving a knife represents a cutting or end to something and so they will return the knife or not accept it if is given as a gift. This also extends to other objects like Umbrella and pear since they sound similar.
Now that I am educated on this I thought about the silly superstitions that we have in the US. Here is a partial list.
- Knocking on wood – Ward off bad luck or prevent a jinx.
- Friday the 13th – Considered unlucky; linked to negative connotations of the number 13.
- Black cats crossing your path – Thought to bring misfortune; associated with witchcraft in medieval Europe.
- Breaking a mirror – Said to bring seven years of bad luck; thought to reflect one’s soul or spirit.
- Opening an umbrella indoors – Supposedly brings bad luck or disturbs harmony in the home.
- Avoiding the number 13 – Many buildings skip a 13th floor, and some airlines skip row 13.
- Spilling salt – Considered bad luck; remedy is to toss a pinch of salt over the left shoulder.
- Crossing your fingers – Common gesture to hope for good luck or a positive outcome.
- Evil eye and charms – Less common but some wear protective charms to ward off envy or ill intentions.
- Carrying a rabbit’s foot – Believed to bring good luck; rooted in various folklore traditions
Even my doctor told me once that for Jewish people like she is talking about something will jinx it or cause bad luck. I don’t believe it. Things happen and bad luck happens. Good luck happens too and these old quasi religious beliefs don’t help anyone. They are just as bad as the thinking that lead to the Salem witch trials. Unless there is proof for something, there is no reason to believe it.
I don’t believe that there is no room for mysticism, but that is only something that can apply to you and not others because the policy of acting on mystical beliefs is unreliable. We should always seek to promote logical and scientific and humanistic thought that is focused on the well being of all.