25 Strangest Old Wives’ Tales Around the World

These 25 old wives' tales are some of the most commonly believed superstitions around the world.

If your grandma tells you not to go outside with wet hair, you’re not the only one. Old wives’ tales have been around for centuries, and many people still believe them.

Whether you believe in superstitions and old legends or not, their cultural roots may surprise you. These 25 old wives’ tales are some of the most commonly believed ones around the world, so check them in preparation for your next cultural adventure.

Black Crows Are Bad Luck

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Where it originated: International

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Black cats have been considered spooky for centuries, and they’re not alone. Black crows and ravens are seen as bad omens in several countries, from the U.K. to South Korea.

One British tale states that at least six ravens must perch on the Tower of London, or the royal family will fall into ruin. In Ireland and Scotland, it’s the black magpie that comes with dark rumors. Seeing a pair of them is fine, but a single magpie is supposedly a sign of bad things to come.

Whistling Inside Is Bad Luck

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Where it originated: Russia

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Whistling outside is fine, but inside is another story. Both Russia and Norway have superstitions surrounding indoor whistling.

In Russia, it’s believed to cause financial struggles, while in Norway, whistling inside is rumored to bring on a downpour.

Sitting at the Corner of a Table Is Bad Luck

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Where it originated: Hungary

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: In Russia and Hungary, sitting at the corner of a table can curse you to a life of loneliness. Misfortunate diners who sit in this spot are doomed never to get married, at least for the next seven years.

You’re also pretty likely to crash your hip into the corner, so maybe it’s worth picking a different spot.

Leaving Your Purse on the Ground Is Bad Luck

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Where it originated: International

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Purses or wallets laying on the ground do seem like bad luck for the people who lost them. In South and Central America, some people believe that allowing your purse to even brush against the ground will bring on financial ruin.

There seems to be a mistrust of the ground in general. Other superstitions suggest that sitting on a cold floor can cause a woman to become infertile.

Amulets Ward Off the Evil Eye

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Where it originated: Turkey

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: If someone has ever complimented your new pants only for you to spill hot coffee on them, it may be the work of the evil eye. In Turkey, people wear a blue and white amulet that looks like an eye itself to guard against the effects of the so-called evil eye.

Similar protective charms can also be found in Greece, Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan and Egypt.

Trimming Your Nails at Night Is Bad Luck

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Where it originated: International

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Actually, it’s not that strange at all when you think about it. Today, we have electricity. Cutting your nails at night is no big deal because we have plenty of light to do it. In the past, that wasn’t the case.

Sharp knives or scissors were once used to trim nails, and as you can imagine, that led to some unpleasant accidents when done in the dark. Lack of hygiene also made people more susceptible to serious infections. Since this was an issue for just about everyone, it became a superstition in multiple countries, including Turkey, India, South Korea and Japan.

Knocking on Wood Is Good Luck

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Where it originated: Medieval Europe

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Trees are cool, but what does a table have to do with luck? The tradition of knocking on wood to prevent a jinx started way back in medieval times. The church was a big part of life in medieval Europe, and people were eager to get their hands on anything they believed was holy or blessed.

The easiest way to do that was by touching the wood that the church said was from the cross. Even if your coffee table is just from Pottery Barn, giving it a few good raps can’t hurt.

Be Careful on Tuesday the 13th

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Where it originated: Spain

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: In Spain, it’s not Friday the 13th that’s a problem; it’s Tuesday. In Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday is spelled “Martes.” The word Martes originated from the name of the Roman god of war, Mars, who was thought to bring about excessive violence and bloodshed.

After an empire or two fell on a Tuesday the 13th, people decided the day was a bad omen altogether.

Breaking a Mirror Will Give You Bad Luck

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Where it originated: International

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: This is one of the most common superstitions we’ve heard, and it’s believed in countless countries. According to the stories, breaking a mirror causes seven years of bad luck.

Why? Some believe that one’s reflection in a mirror is tied to their soul. The details of what happens when one’s reflection is shattered are hazy, but they can’t be good.

To Curse Someone With Death, Toast to Them With Water

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Where it originated: Greece

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Remember drinking water in wine glasses as a kid? Hopefully, you didn’t accompany it with a toast. According to a Greek myth, spirits of the dead drank water from the river Lethe to forget their earthly lives before entering the underworld.

From there, an old wives’ tale began: To toast someone with a glass of water was to wish death upon them. How cheery.

Putting Your Thumb in a Hole at the Hagia Sophia Will Heal You

Hagia Sophia Turkey

Where it originated: Turkey

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: The Hagia Sophia is an ancient church, turned mosque, turned museum in Turkey. It’s been around since the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. According to lore, the emperor’s headache magically vanished after he touched a particular column in the church. After that, people decided the column was blessed.

Today, people line up to place their thumb inside a particular hole in the column, rotating it to acquire the column’s purported healing effects.

Writing Letters to Juliet Is Good Luck

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Where it originated: Italy

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: People have long believed that visiting Verona, Italy, to send their love letters to Juliet will bless them with a happy love life. Travelers head to the Casa di Giulietta, a house from the 14th century that supposedly inspired Shakespeare’s greatest masterpiece, “Romeo and Juliet.” It has since been turned into a museum, and people still visit.

There’s even a volunteer group called the Juliet Club. They spend hours replying individually to the letters left at the museum.

Birds Flying Into Your House Is a Bad Sign

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Where it originated: Mexico

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Ever get a bird stuck in your living room? Getting it back out isn’t the most pleasant experience, but some people believe it’s straight-up bad luck.

According to Mexican legends, a bird landing on the back of someone’s chair then flying away is a sign that the person will soon die.

Seventh Sons Become Werewolves

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Where it originated: Argentina

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Most people today don’t put much weight on old legends of vampires and werewolves. Argentina, however, is where many of those spooky stories began.

One old wives’ tale, in particular, claims that the seventh son born in a family will become a werewolf unless he is adopted by the Argentinian president. The superstition began in 1907 when President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner became a seventh son’s godmother due to the ominous superstition.

Putting Bottles on the Ground Brings Good Luck

Close up of different wine bottles at a wine store

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Where it originated: Russia

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: You’d think bottles on the ground would be bad luck. Seems like a tripping hazard, doesn’t it? Especially if they’re wine bottles and they’re already empty.

In Russia, however, the tradition makes more sense. It dates back to the 19th century when Russian soldiers were stationed in Paris. If they left their bottles on the table, they were charged for them. To save money on alcohol, they hid their finished bottles under the table. Sneaky.

Chewing Gum at Night Is Bad Luck

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Where it originated: Turkey

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: According to some old Turkish tales, chewing gum morphs into the dark flesh of the dead after dark.

We’re not sure if this superstition was just a way for parents to get their kids to cut down on their annoying gum-chewing habit or what. Regardless, the cautionary tale has worked, with most Turkish people avoiding gum at night. Ya know, just in case.

Saying ‘Rabbit’ on the First Day of the Month Is Good Luck

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Where it originated: The U.K.

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: People have been turning to the word “rabbit” for good fortune for more than 2,000 years. The tradition began in England, and to this day, we have no idea how or why it began.

Somewhere along the line, people got the idea that saying “rabbit” twice on the first day of the month will bring good luck for the rest of it. If you forget to say it in the morning, it’s not too late. According to the old wives’ tale, you can instead say the word backward twice, or “tibbar tibbar,” before bed.

Spilling Water Behind Someone Brings Them Luck

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Where it originated: Serbia

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Spilling something is usually the start of a bad day for most of us, but in Serbia, spilling water is thought to be a blessing of sorts. Just splash some water behind someone to give them good luck.

It’s customary to do this to family members who are travelling to bid them a safe journey. The tradition was inspired by the fluidity of water.

Thumbs Should Be Tucked in When Visiting Cemeteries

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Where it originated: Japan

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Why would tucking your thumbs into a fist protect you from bad luck in a cemetery? As it turns out, the Japanese word for “thumb” actually means “parent finger.”

So, tucking your thumb into your hand is said to shield your parents from the grim reaper.

Women Shouldn’t Eat Goat Meat

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Where it originated: Rwanda

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: In Rwanda, some people believe women should never eat goat meat or they will be cursed with goat-like qualities — i.e., they’ll grow hair on their faces and become unbearably stubborn. Lots of women take it seriously, avoiding goat meat whenever possible.

Some believe men are the ones behind this old wives’ tale, using the superstition to keep more dinner for themselves.

Stepping on a Manhole Cover Can Turn Your Luck

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Where it originated: Sweden

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Manhole covers seem pretty ordinary. Most of us hardly notice them at all, but in Sweden, it’s believed that stepping on them can bring either good luck or bad luck, depending on what letter is marked on them.

Covers marked with a “K” are considered good luck because, in Swedish, the word for love starts with a K. Covers marked with an “A” are thought to bring bad luck because the Swedish word for heartbreak starts with an A. The letters actually just indicate whether the manhole leads to clean water or sewage.

Yellow Flowers Have Dark Symbolism

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Where it originated: Russia

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Yellow flowers seem like a friendly gesture in most parts of the world, but don’t hand your Russian buddy a bundle. In Russia, people believe yellow flowers represent separation, sometimes through infidelity or death.

We just thought they were pretty!

Sleeping Next to a Fan Can Kill You

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Where it originated: South Korea

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Science can’t substantiate this superstition at all, but many people believe it anyway. Those who do think that fans can cause dehydration, asphyxiation or hypothermia.

It’s a common belief in South Korea, inspiring people to off fans before bed or leave the door open.

It’s Bad Luck to Open Scissors Without Using Them

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Where it originated: Egypt

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: Egyptians have several old wives’ tales about scissors. There, it’s a commonly held belief that leaving scissors open is bad luck, as is opening and closing scissors without cutting anything.

We’re not sure that closing scissors will improve your luck, but at least it’ll keep you from cutting yourself.

The No. Four Is Evil

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Where it originated: China

Why this old wives’ tale is strange: In China, some people believe the number four is a bad omen. There’s no scientific reasoning behind this rumor, but the reason for it is simple. The word “four” in Chinese sounds very similar to the word “death.”

While it’s just a number, the sound of the word is enough to make some people believe there’s something sinister about it.