Superstition is a belief or a way of behaving that is founded on a fear of the unknown, ignorance, trust in magic and luck. Non-believers and non-practitioners believe superstition to be irrational or supernatural. Superstitious beliefs are embedded in folklore and culture. They vary in different cultures and play a major role in these societies. In many cases, people seem almost paralyzed by superstitions. Here are some weird superstitions that people still believe, hold on to and pass on from one generation to the other.

1. Black Cats

One of the oldest and well known superstitions is that a black cat crossing one’s path brings on bad luck. In the middle ages, it was also associated with the passing of someone. Many people fear black cats today and it is often linked to witchcraft. However, according to English superstition, giving a black cat to a bride on her wedding day will bring her good luck in their union. In Japanese and many Asian cultures, encountering a black cat is a good omen. In some cultures, black cats lead to treasure, make homes safe and bless farmers with a good harvest.

2. Umbrella Superstitions

Opening an umbrella inside a house is thought to bring about extremely bad luck in several parts of the world. This superstition has its roots in ancient Europe. At that time, the umbrella was employed to shield persons of great status from the sun rather than rain. It was believed that the sun god would become enraged if an umbrella was opened inside and he would punish them. Some believe that an umbrella protects one against the storms of life and opening an umbrella within the home offends the house’s guardian spirit, who will leave one defenseless against the storms of life.

3. Wedding Superstitions

Every couple hopes for sunny weather on their wedding day. Dark clouds and rain would certainly bring about anxiety. Well, rain on one’s wedding day is a sign. In some cultures it symbolizes fertility and cleansing. Also, the bride wearing something old and borrowed brings good luck for the couple. Many brides cry while making their way to the altar. It is believed that this leads to a happy, long and successful marriage.

4. Twelve Grapes

New Year’s Eve is filled with much celebration all over the world. Many people come together at the Puerto del Sol in Spain for a time of fun with much singing, dancing, drinking of champagne and eating grapes. Yes, every individual present eats twelve grapes, that is, one grape at each of the twelve bell chimes in order to have a good and fruitful year. This tradition in Spain has been in existence since 1895. 

5. Breaking A Mirror

Broken mirror superstitions are common to cultures all over the world. There is a superstition which says that someone who breaks a mirror will experience seven years of bad luck. According to this belief, whether a mirror is broken accidentally or on purpose, the misfortune lasts for the same amount of time. Seven years is seen as significant. The Romans believe that the seven years was the period that the body takes to renew and in China, it is believed that destiny is renewed every seven years.

The mere mention of creepy crawlies gives rise to some interesting reactions- some get covered in goose bumps and their hairs stand on ends. Few individuals enjoy being around bugs. Their appearance, movement and behavior are often disturbing and frightening. Some say that these creatures are misunderstood as there are several cool funny facts about them that people do not know. Without getting freaked out, let’s look at five of these facts.

1. Listen with Legs

There are insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, locusts and katydids referred to as orthopterans that hear with tiny ears that are located on their legs. Yes you read right- ears on their legs. Certainly their ears aren’t large structures like ours. Rather, they are tiny ears found on their front legs just behind the knee. It is an opening that leads to a chamber in the leg. They can detect vibration-induced sound waves. The sound waves are first collected by the cricket’s ear, which then transforms, amplifies, and analyzes their frequencies. A cricket can locate the source of a sound by turning its body in that direction.

2. Show Motherly Love

Rarely are insects described as motherly but in the case of earwigs, they really are. The mother earwig guards and tends to its eggs for weeks. During this time they may move their eggs to a safer location, groom the eggs and remove any fungi that may be harmful. When the eggs are hatched the mother continues to care for the young. They feed their young with food from their stomach. Before becoming adults, earwig nymphs go through five molts. The mother looks after her offspring until after they molt for the second time.

3. Suited Up

Some insects such as beetles have armors. Although their armors are not made from steel, they serve a similar purpose, that is, protection. Beetles only use one of their two pairs of wings for flying. Elytra, which are different pairs of wings, are rigid and act as a substantial layer of armor, protecting the beetle’s sensitive body and delicate wings. They are often referred to as faux wings.

4. Sewing Their Nest

Well weaver ants have been found to possess the ability to make their own nests. They are true designers and seamstresses. They weave leaves together with silk to build their arboreal nests, but oddly only larvae make silk. As a result, the workers employ the larvae as silk dispensers while holding them in their mandibles and moving back and forth from one leaf to another. To get the leaves in the canopy of trees to touch each other, the ants hold each other at the waist and form a conga line. They continue doing this until the large nest is formed.

5. Play the Violin

You have seen pictures of grasshoppers playing a violin, but what’s the connection? Well the meadow grasshopper makes the melodious tune of the violin. The small creatures make the sound by rubbing its hind legs against its forewings. The wing vibrates and the sound is made only by the males. The females hear and respond by following the call to find the male. The noise is also made to warn away the grasshopper’s enemies.