Sweden's top nine spooky superstitions
Published: 13 Jul 12 15:11 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/42014/20120713/
As another Friday the 13th is upon us, The Local takes a look at the top nine superstitions that Swedes swear by.
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However, the superstitions aren't just about good fortune and pillowcase pollen...
Click here for The Local’s List of the top nine superstitions in Sweden
Indeed, Swedes have their own superstitions that are sometimes fiercely respected.
For example, do you know why you might see a Swede spitting three times on the street? Or what they're muttering as they knock on wood?
With 2012 holding the most Friday the 13ths in one year for the past 30 years, we figured there was no better time to give you the lowdown.
Beware... and good luck!
External link: Click here for The Local's list »
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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Are those top 9 really Swedish superstitions? Black Cats; well no back in my native England black cats (crossing in front of you as you walk) are considered unlucky. Sneezing; that too is an old English one. Back there they say "bless you". The urban legend is it was to ward off the plague the Black Death, except sneezing isn't one of the symptoms.
Knock on wood, Walking under ladders, Crack in the path. The English have those stupidities too. There is /some/ sense to the walking under ladders one because anyone on the ladder could inadvertently drop something on your head.
Spilling Salt, Umbrella opening in doors. And it's the same with these two. The English follow these stupid superstitions as well. For salt they throw a pinch of the split crystals over the left shoulder supposedly into the eye of the devil. The umbrella on might possibly be another one originating from safety; opening one in doors could endanger someone elses eye --- but that also goes for outside too. These days I'm wary of Rhianna singing Umbrella, brella, ella, ah, ah ah. And so should we all.
Bed bugs are alluded to in the English farewell statement of "don't let the bed bugs bite". Again more a practical one. No one wants to sleep in a bed with bugs in it.
Um, maybe, well no, possibly, could be ... actually no. Superstitions are banal and stupid; the sooner we all Swedes and English or whatever nationality we are or came from get over them the better and simpler will be our lives.