Superstitions are a part of every culture and tradition and many of these blind beliefs are related to food. In India for instance, it is believed that if you are going to start any auspicious work, having sweet yoghurt will bring you good luck. Rice also holds a very important place in Indian traditions. Rice is used in cooking prasad, while putting tikkas and for blessing newlyweds. Some superstitions related to food can also be ignorant and unwise. While one should never take these superstitions too seriously, it’s surprising to know that many of these were followed by people out of fear or in anticipation of things coming true. Here’s a list of some superstitions from around the globe:
1) Throw rice for fertility
This superstition originated in Italy and is still a part of many marriage rituals that take place all over the globe. Throwing rice at newlyweds was thought to be offering wealth and fertility to them. Rice was used because it was cheaper than other nuts and grains and didn’t hurt at all. In today’s time people have replaced rice with confetti. Rice is linked to a myriad of auspicious superstitions around the world across various religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity etc
2) Throwing salt is good luck and spilling it is bad
The country of origin of this superstition is unknown, but it was widely believed that spilling salt by mistake brings you bad luck. However, don’t worry, people could reverse this by simply throwing salt over their left shoulder purposely. The bad luck of spilling salt is supposedly from da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’, in which Judas Iscariot knocks over a salt cellar. But the logical reason behind this superstition could be that it came about at a time when salt was ridiculously expensive. Spilling salt was to be discouraged and hence this superstition was widely spread by people.
3) Pouring tea together could lead to conceiving a child
This superstition originated in China where it was thought that when a man and a woman pour tea together for their guests or relatives, it leads to conceiving a child as it signifies that there’s harmony and love between the couple. Don’t want a child with the man or woman you’re drinking tea with? Then don’t pour any tea together. The Chinese are known to take their rituals very seriously and couples who want to conceive host their relatives at their home and pour tea together as a symbol and prayer for getting blessed with a child.
4) Bubbles on coffee could mean good luck with finances
This superstition originated in Italy where it was believed that the end-of-dinner coffee could be the omen you’ve been waiting for. If the bubbles on top of that coffee floated toward you, it meant that you are going to get a lot of money and great financial luck. Many times people waited for coffee to be served to them after dinner parties in anticipation of getting a cup of coffee in which bubbles were floating towards them. Hosts that wanted to make their guests feel happy, purposely served hot coffee with a lot of froth!