lilaccatgivviFreaky Friday
Crossing paths with a black cat, walking under a ladder, placing a hat on a bed, spilling salt over a table - these are just a few of the sea of superstitions out there. The belief that the magical effects of a specific action causes good or bad luck - otherwise known as superstitions - is a principle that has been present throughout the world, throughout the centuries.
Generally, Friday 13th is considered as an unfortunate day - but in Italy, they are more concerned with Monday 17th. Have you heard that if you break a mirror, you get seven years bad luck?
In Romania, one superstition is that you should never sit at the corner of a table if you're unmarried.But where did the superstition of Friday 13th originate from?Historically, Friday was considered as inauspicious day: in Ancient Rome it was execution day, whereas in Britain it was hanging day.As for the number 13, it was associated with the number of witches in a coven. As the legend goes, witches used to gather at night in groups of 13. How many times have you heard that it is "unlucky" to have 13 people dining at the same table? This is another superstition influenced by a legend. In this case, it involved twelve gods being invited to a banquet at Valhalla. One particular god, Loki (god of mischief) had been excluded and therefore crashed the party. The guests now totaled 13. Being true to his character, Loki caused trouble and this resulted in the death of another god, Balder (fairest of gods). The entire city grieved.
Whether you are superstitious or not, whether you believe or you don't, these interesting little rituals have influenced the actions of people from all four corners of the world - even if it's done, "just in case!"
