Superstitions | Social Taboos | Enliven

 In this scientific era of many discoveries and continuous development in various sectors. Science is making every impossible thing possible, though after a lot of development some unreasonable superstitions are still practised.

Do you still believe that you will get affected if a black cat crosses your path while you are on your way?

Or have you ever hung a lemon and some chillies strung together in the house at the front of the door?

Or have you ever felt that leaving your slippers turned upside down will bring bad luck?

If YES, then you are one among 76% or so people in India who believes in superstitions.

● What are superstitions?

Superstitions can be defined as a belief in omen or illogical rituals which are accepted without knowing the reasons behind them.

● Some very common examples of superstitions that are practised all around the world are as follows:-

1) Broken mirrors can bring bad luck. It can have dire consequences.

2) If you're having an itchy palm, it means you're about to get money. (Make sure to keep an eye)

3) Don't open an umbrella inside the home because bad luck will rain over you (Literally this is the most senseless superstition that is practised).

4) Bad things happen in three. Terrible things will happen.

5) Never stick chopsticks straight up; it's bad luck(In China and Japan)

6) Lizard falling on humans is bad luck.

7) Twitching of the human eyes is inauspicious.

8) Adding one rupee to a present is auspicious.

9) Avoid stepping on sidewalk cracks otherwise it can bring bad luck.

10)Sweeping the house after the sunset is considered to be bad.

Whether you believe them or not, you're probably familiar with these superstitions.

Although the above weirdly beliefs have no basis in science, they are still practised.

● Surprisingly, many superstitions are based on religion:-

For examples:

1) No. thirteen that is associated with the biblical last supper. Many people all around the world still consider this story of the last supper to be true and people fear with the no. thirteen and the fear of no. thirteen is known as TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA.

2) In India, menstruating women are not allowed to enter any religious place such as 'Temple' because they are considered impure and unclean during their menstruation days.

but not all superstitions are religious. Some are just based on unfortunate coincidences.

Whereas for some people superstitious practices are based more on cultural beliefs than conscious beliefs.

After all, none knows how it started; to eat curd with sugar before going for a good project or not to sneeze when someone is going out and many more.

But when we grow up we are being taught by our families to practice these things.

Chances are still high that these superstitious practices can make you uncomfortable, even after you logically understand that.

Maybe you remember writing your exam with your lucky pencil or pen and got marks as per your expectations. So, in these situations, those crazy and senseless superstitions might not be so crazy. This is just our psychological bias work.

So, we can say most of the superstitions all around the globe should have originated from CO-INCIDENCE.

[Example - Once a cat crossed the path of a man that brought bad luck for that man on that day and it's very easy for people to misinterpret things.]

After all, Why do people all around the world still believe in superstitious rituals?

● A possible reason could be,

1) Rumors(lucky and unlucky based)

2) Our society, forces and fool people to follow these senseless superstitious rituals.

3) Indian daily soaps that focus on omens(Example - Crying of a black cat is considered as a bad omen)

●So now the question arises that how can we end superstitions?

Some superstitions make sense but people forgot their original purpose and also 

Not likely we can end all the superstitious beliefs soon because all over the world people have superstitious practices.

1) Teachers and parents should encourage a fair discussion and spread the right knowledge on these unreasonable practices.

2) Researchers can also play a vital role.

3) One should think positive and try to develop fair knowledge.

So, let us know your thoughts about this topic and do you and your family have superstitious beliefs? How about believing in God?

Share your views with us in the comments section!

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Thanks for reading:)