Russian Superstition

Russians are very superstitious and pay

attention to the various omens and signs. The

majority of these omens appeared in the pre-

Christian era, and neither the traditional religions that arrived in Russia

more than thousand years ago nor the ideologies of the Communist regime

during almost 70 years of Soviet rule were able to destroy the faith in them.

The threshold of the house is the territory of evilYou must not stand on the threshold of a house or apartment,

and you must not talk across it or hand anything across it. The ancient Slavs considered threshold is the territory of evil.

The matter of fact is that in ancient times the ashes of ancestors were kept under the threshold of the house; and

harassing them was considered extremely dangerous.

Spit on or knock on the wood

When Russian people are afraid of putting the 'evil eye', i.e. to bring misfortune in words or actions, they knock on the wood so as not to miss the fortune. To avert disaster, a

person should spit three times over the left shoulder or to knock the wood. By the way, if there is no wood stuff near,

a considerable amount of Russians would knock on his own head with a smile, saying that effect is the same.

Flower Superstitions

Odd or Even Number - Even numbers of flowers are only given at funerals.

Never give an even number of flowers to your

wife or girlfriend! Remember "odd is

good!".

Yellow Flowers - Never give yellow flowers to

your lover, as it implies that an argument will

happen and your relationship will end.

Returning Home - To return to your home after closing the door and departing (eg. if you have forgotten something) is a bad luck omen. If you must return to pick up something important (like your passport!) you must look in a mirror before you depart the second time. By doing so, your luck will not leave you during your trip.

Broken Mirrors - To look into a broken mirror, or to keep broken mirrors or plates, will bring bad luck. The superstition says that if you look into a broken mirror, you break your inner world, and your soul becomes defenseless against the dark forces.

Black Cats - A black cat signifies evil, and the Russian superstition says it will bring you failure in business. If you see a black cat, you have a couple of options - roll your left shoulder over 3 times; bless yourself with sign of the cross; or wait for somebody else to pass the black cat before you, and take the bad luck with them.

Looking Back - If you are going on a long or dangerous trip, you should not look behind yourself, as it will break your luck and bring bad fortune to your journey.

Money Superstitions

Scattering Coins - "Money goes to money" according to this superstition, so you will attract lots of fortune if you leave coins scattered throughout your bags, cupboards, and drawers.

Whistling - According to this Russian superstition, if you whistle indoors, you will frighten the guardian angels who protect your home, and as a result you will have money problems.

The Flow of Wealth - This Russian superstition says you should always take/receive money with your left hand, but give it with your right hand.

Money in the Evening - Do not count money after dark, and never lend it in the evening time, as it is a sign that you will lose your wealth. The same goes for taking out the rubbish after sunset!

Relationship Superstitions

Feet - If you accidentally stand on your lover's foot, he/she must "return the favour", and stand on

yours. If not, you will soon have a quarrel.

Towels - A husband and wife should not dry their

hands in the same towel at the same time. The

superstition says that this will attract a quarrel.

Miscellaneous Superstitions

Table Corners - A girl must never sit facing the corner of a table. It signifies that she will not be married for seven years.

Doorways - Never greet, or say good-bye to someone in a doorway. That includes hugs, kisses, shaking hands, or passing/accepting gifts through the doorway. The threshold devides people, and in traditional Russian folklore, the house spirit resides here, so this superstition says that your greetings and gifts will not bring fortune or good luck.

Sneezing - According to this Russian superstition, your sneeze

is a sign from your guardian angel. At the moment when you

sneeze, you must pay attention to your last thought, as the sign will

indicate that this is the truth

New Purchases - when you buy something you, you must "wash it off". This doesn't mean clean

it, rather, you must drink to your new purchase to prevent it from being stolen or damaged, and in order to bring you good service from whatever it is that

you bought.

Sit before a journeyWhen a family member is going on a long journey, all the

family should sit down “for the road”. This Russian superstition is aimed to make a journey safe. All the people in the house sit down somewhere for a while. This omen is quite useful as it helps to calm down after the turmoil and

remember the forgotten things.

SaltRussians believe that if you spill

the salt, you will inevitably quarrel with a member of your family. But this superstition has a reasonable explanation. The matter of fact is that in ancient

Russia salt was very expensive and therefore its loss could

definitely lead to a quarrel. It is believed that this omen

appeared during the riots and uprisings in Russia in the middle of the 17 century, when salt was literally worth its weight in gold.

But Russian people quickly found a way to avoid troubles. If

a Russian believes in omens and spills salt, it is unnecessary to worry. It is enough to laugh or

to hit yourself in the forehead.

If an eyelash falls out you'll receive a gift. If someone finds an eyelash on someone he or she will sometimes let the person blow it away and make a wish.If a fork or spoon falls on the ground, expect a female guest. If a knife falls, expect a male guest.If you eat from a knife, you'll be "angry like a dog".If someone is not recognized when seen or heard, he or she will be rich. So if someone calls you on the phone and you don't recognize them you can cheer them up by telling them they'll be rich.If a cat is washing its face, expect guests soon.

If one or more birds defecate on you, it's good luck.If you find a bay leaf in your soup (commonly Borshch) while

eating, it means you'll get mail from someone.If you wear clothes (such as an undershirt) inside out, you will get beaten. Your friend should point this out, wait for you to fix

the clothes and then punch you symbolically.

Lucky in cards not lucky in love. This, however, is only a pre-marital superstition. The reason for the division is that marriage is a sacrament in the Russian Orthodox Church, and this sacrament, ordained by God, eviscerates the pre-marital superstition. Thus, when a man is bonded by divine sacrament to a single woman whom he loves the cause and effect is reversed: namely, his married love for a single woman, and her love for him, will bring him good fortune in all endeavors including cards.

It is often considered taboo to step over people, or

parts of their body, who are on the ground. It is often

said that it will prevent the person from growing (if they are not fully grown already). It is better to

politely ask the person to move or to find a way around them. If one

accidentally steps over a person (or people), it is sometimes standard to

step backwards over them.

A purse (or any other money

holder) as a gift requires a little money inside. Given empty it

causes bad financial luck.

Many Russians consider giving sharp objects, like knives or scissors, as gifts to be taboo. You can avoid

this taboo taking symbolic little money

(ex. one Russian ruble) in exchange as if it is a trade, not a

gift.

http://www.russian-language-for-lovers.com/russian-superstition.html

http://fathersergio.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/traditions-and-superstitions-in-russia/

http://globaldiscussion.net/topic/2670-russian-beliefs-and-superstitions/