superstitious beliefs

[alexriversan]

this includes numbers beginning with four, especially the number four itself.
as it is the same word as "dead".

- not to walk under ladders.
- not to stick chopsticks into food vertically (makes an offer to the deaths)
- black cats are considered as unlucky.
- if a black cat crosses the street, not to cross the street and to change the way.
- number eight stand for good luck/to be rich.
- number thirteen is avoided for building floors, seats, house numbers, etc.
- if a funeral car crosses by, the thumbs must be hidden.
- not to give 4000 yen to a person, except to express extreme dislike. (it is practiced?)

do you know more such superstitious beliefs?

 

[Buntaro]

Do not get your hair cut, if you have been sick recently. (I guess this stems from the idea that suddenly exposing the back of your neck gives you more of a chance to catch a cold, but I am not sure if this qualifies as a superstition....) I seem to remember something about cutting your fingernails too. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

 

[Mars Man]

Here in Shinshuu, in my area I have heard of the superstition that putting something with any fair degree of weight on top of the bustudan will give you a headache.

 

[Silverpoint]

alexriversan, I'm a bit confused. Are you talking about traditional Japanese superstitions, or those from anywhere? Your list appears to contain both.

 

[voica]

I heard that Japanese people believe that when a dear person is sick you should make 1000 paper cranes and that person will get healthy.

 

[nice gaijin]

cover your bellybutton when you hear thunder.

 

[Kismey]

I seem to remember something about cutting your fingernails too. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

Don't cut your fingernails at night or you won't be able to be with your parents when they die.

...Do they actually believe this?



I did a short search and found these two:

~ Don't whistle at night or snakes will come.
~ If you see a spider at night, it is good luck, so don't kill it.

 

[mapusyaw]

>When the coffin is carried for the funeral, don't let it touch the door for another member of the family will die.

>When the coffin has been laid down beneath the ground, all young children of the family must jump across the grave before it is covered with soil so that the dead person's soul won't visit them.

>Don't cut your fingernails on tuesdays and fridays.

>A pregnant woman who eats twin bananas will have twins.

>A comet is a sign of war or drought.

>A woman who sings while she cooks will marry a widower.

And the list goes on...hehe.