Superstitions From Around the World

American Superstitions                                                          

1. It is bad luck to see a white cat at night.

2. Dreaming of white cat means good luck.

3. When you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb, stamp it in the palm of your hand, and make a wish. The wish will come true.

4. To see a white cat on the road is lucky.

5. When moving to a new home, always put the cat through the window instead of the door, so that it will not leave.

English Superstitions

1. If a cat washes behind its ears, it will rain.

2. A cat sleeping with all four paws tucked under means cold weather ahead.

3. If cats desert a house, illness will always reign there.

Irish Superstitutions

1. A black cat crossing one's path by moonlight means death in an epidemic.

2. To kill a cat brings seventeen years of bad luck.

Italian Superstitutions

1. A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it.

Welsh Superstitutions

1. When the pupil of a cat's eye broadens, there will be rain.

Irish Superstitutions

1. To kill a cat brings seventeen years of bad luck.

Scottish Superstitution

1. A strange black cat on your porch brings prosperity.

Welsh Superstitution

1. When the pupil of a cat's eye broadens, there will be rain.

French Superstitution

1. It is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat.

Superstitions of Unknown Origin

 1. After a cat washes its face, if it turns to the east, someone is coming from the east to call on you.

2. Bad luck can be warded off, if a cat walks in front of you, by taking nine steps backwards over the cat's path.

3. If a cat scratches you, you will be disappointed that day.

4. If a ladder is leaning against a building and a black cat walks under it, the next person to climb that ladder will have bad luck.

5. If a cat is dreaming, pull a whisker out of its lip, sleep on it that night and you will dream what the cat was dreaming.

6. Bring a cat home blindfolded and immediately throw it into the middle of the bed and it will never leave.

7. Dreaming of white cat means good luck.

8. A cat cleaning its face in front of the door is a sign of company.

9. If a stray cat comes to your house, you may look for good luck.

10. If you kick a cat, you will develop rheumatism in that leg.

11. It is said that you have a friendly disposition if a cat approaches you in a friendly manner.

12. Rub the four paws of a cat with grease and it will not leave home.

13. Someone will come, if a cat cleans its face in the house.

14. The direction in which a cat's tail is pointing while it washes its face will be the quarter from which you may look for the arrival of guests.

15. When you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb, stamp it in the palm of your hand, and make a wish. The wish will come true.

16. When walking along the street, if you meet a cat and it follows you, you will secure some money.

17. While walking down the street, if a black cat crosses in front of your, it is a sign of bad luck; but if you pick up a penny before you reach your destination, you will have good luck.