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Most bizarre Turkish superstitions that will surprise you
Most bizarre Turkish superstitions that will surprise you
From seeing a black cat to breaking a mirror, Turkish culture embodies many superstitions that are quite unique. Click through for our list, prepared by İnci Hazal Özcan, to find out the most bizarre Turkish superstitions - which will definitely surprise you... (Photos:Alamy)
The evil eye (nazar in Turkish): Turkish people widely believe in the power of negative energy and go to great lengths to refrain from the damage “nazar” will give. It is highly possible for you to see small eye-shaped blue and white amulets to ward off the evil eye in many Turkish homes, streets, offices and even pinned to the clothes of newborn babies.
Knocking on wood: Very similar to the European tradition, Turks, too, knock on wood three times to protect themselves from unfortunate events. Turkish people believe that pinching their ear lobe and knocking on wood three times will ward of all evils from their hopeful plans. They often say “aman nazar değmesin,” meaning “May the evil eye not be cast.”
Spilling water when someone goes on a journey: If someone is going on vacation or a business trip, Turkish people generally pour a glass of water behind the one departing, saying “May you go and come as smoothly as the flowing water.”
Cutting nails: Turkish people have very peculiar rules when it comes to cutting nails in terms of superstitions. They believe that cutting your hand or toe nails at night will bring bad luck, death and poverty to your family.
Ringing in the ears: If you have a sense of ringing in your ears, Turks interpret it differently for each ear. If your left ear rings, it means someone is talking behind your back. Meanwhile, according to Turkish people, if your right ear rings, someone is saying good things about you.
Broken mirror: As like the people of many cultures across the world believe in the bad luck breaking a mirror brings, Turks too have their own superstitions regarding this. For them, sometimes the evil eye energy is so powerful that it can break glasses or mirrors. If something like this happens, the broken object must be dispelled immediately or seven years of bad luck will follow.
Palm itches: Similar to the ringing in the ears superstition, Turkish people have divergent interpretations when their palms itch. If your left hand’s palm itch, that means you will spend money in a very short time. In contrast, when your right hand’s palm itch, you will receive a large amount of money in the future.
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