Greek SuperstitionsGreek Superstitions

Greek SuperstitionsGreek Superstitions

Like in any other country , Greek people Like in any other country , Greek people have their own superstitions . These can have their own superstitions . These can be similar to some superstitions that are be similar to some superstitions that are

found in other cultures.found in other cultures.

Some of the most popular:Some of the most popular:

If you break a mirror, you will have 7 years bad If you break a mirror, you will have 7 years bad luck. Many also believe that if you look at the luck. Many also believe that if you look at the mirror after midnight, great evil will find you. mirror after midnight, great evil will find you.

Rabbit foot is believed to bring good luck in Rabbit foot is believed to bring good luck in general.general.

It’s bad luck to count the stars. However, If you It’s bad luck to count the stars. However, If you see a falling star , make a wish!see a falling star , make a wish!

Black cats are said to bring bad luck. On the Black cats are said to bring bad luck. On the other hand, ladybugs bring good luck.other hand, ladybugs bring good luck.

DatesDates

For For Greeks,Greeks, the unlucky days are Tuesday the unlucky days are Tuesday 13th and Friday 113th and Friday 133th. In generalth. In general , , the the

number 13 is considered unlucky in any number 13 is considered unlucky in any case.case. This superstition can be found in This superstition can be found in

many other countries as well.many other countries as well.

What about dragees ?What about dragees ?

If are single person and you put the dragIf are single person and you put the drageees es from a wedding under your pillow before from a wedding under your pillow before you sleep, you will dream the person that you sleep, you will dream the person that

you will get married to.  you will get married to.      

Salt makes unwelcome visitors leave. All Salt makes unwelcome visitors leave. All you need is to shoot a little behind their you need is to shoot a little behind their

back. back. It is also customary to sprinkle salt in It is also customary to sprinkle salt in a new home before you occupy it, as the a new home before you occupy it, as the salt will drive any evil out and away from salt will drive any evil out and away from

you and your family. you and your family.

The ‘’evil eye’’The ‘’evil eye’’

The ‘’evil eye’’ is a superstition believed by The ‘’evil eye’’ is a superstition believed by many Greeks. Has it ever happened to many Greeks. Has it ever happened to

you to spill your coffee down on you ,while you to spill your coffee down on you ,while wearing your favourite dress, after wearing your favourite dress, after

someone complimented you ? Have you someone complimented you ? Have you ever bought a beautiful vase that broke ever bought a beautiful vase that broke

right after your friend told you how nice it right after your friend told you how nice it was? That’s how the term ‘’evil eye’’ could was? That’s how the term ‘’evil eye’’ could

be explained. be explained.

Ways to protect yourself from the Ways to protect yourself from the ‘’evil eye’’‘’evil eye’’

‘’‘’Eyes’’ that are Eyes’’ that are like charms, blue in colour with an like charms, blue in colour with an eye painted on them to ‘reflect’ the evileye painted on them to ‘reflect’ the evil are sold are sold

in Greecein Greece and you wear them on a necklace or a and you wear them on a necklace or a bracelet. Blue is the colour that wards off the evil bracelet. Blue is the colour that wards off the evil of the eye, but it is also commonly thought that of the eye, but it is also commonly thought that

blue eyed people are exceptional givers of it. So blue eyed people are exceptional givers of it. So beware when a blue eyed person pays you a beware when a blue eyed person pays you a compliment, according to the superstition, it compliment, according to the superstition, it

could be disastrous.could be disastrous.

The expression ‘’touch red’’The expression ‘’touch red’’

When two people say the same thing When two people say the same thing together at the same time, they together at the same time, they

immediately say immediately say ‘’‘’touch redtouch red’’’’ one to one to another and both have to touch any red another and both have to touch any red

item they can find around them. This item they can find around them. This happens because Greeks believe that happens because Greeks believe that

saying the same thing is an omen and that saying the same thing is an omen and that the two persons will get into a fight or an the two persons will get into a fight or an argument if they don't touch something argument if they don't touch something

red. red.

SneezingSneezing

SneezingSneezing means that someone is talking or means that someone is talking or thinking about you. You can ask someone thinking about you. You can ask someone to give you a 3 digit number. Count each to give you a 3 digit number. Count each

digit together and then find the digit together and then find the corresponding letter in the alphabet. This corresponding letter in the alphabet. This letter is supposed to be the initial of the letter is supposed to be the initial of the

person that is talking about you. person that is talking about you.

Scissors Scissors

If a pregnant sits onIf a pregnant sits on open scissors open scissors unintentionally, she will give birth to a boy. unintentionally, she will give birth to a boy.

If you leave If you leave themthem open you will soon have open you will soon have an argument with somebody. an argument with somebody.

MoneyMoney

Greeks believe that Money attracts money, Greeks believe that Money attracts money, so never leave your pockets, purses or so never leave your pockets, purses or

wallets completely empty and never wallets completely empty and never completely empty your bank account. completely empty your bank account.

Always leave at least a coin or two. It is Always leave at least a coin or two. It is also considered good luck that when you also considered good luck that when you give a gift of a wallet or a purse, that you give a gift of a wallet or a purse, that you

put a coin or two in it before giving it to the put a coin or two in it before giving it to the recipient. recipient.

ShoesShoes

Overturned shoes (soles up) are considered Overturned shoes (soles up) are considered very bad luck and even omens of death. very bad luck and even omens of death. Never let your shoes lay upside down. If Never let your shoes lay upside down. If you accidentally take them off and they you accidentally take them off and they

land soles up, turn them over immediately land soles up, turn them over immediately and say ‘Skorda (garlic)’ and a spit or two and say ‘Skorda (garlic)’ and a spit or two

won’t hurt either. won’t hurt either.

Thank you for your Thank you for your time and attention,time and attention,

Amalia TriantouAmalia Triantou

Information:Information:

1.1. http://www.faliraki-info.com/susie/supersthttp://www.faliraki-info.com/susie/superstitions/greek-traditions.htmitions/greek-traditions.htm

2.2.   www.greeka.comwww.greeka.com

3.3. http://blogs.transparent.com/greek/greek-http://blogs.transparent.com/greek/greek-superstitions/superstitions/

4.4. http://realcorfu.com/greek-superstitions-chttp://realcorfu.com/greek-superstitions-customs-and-traditions/ustoms-and-traditions/