Are you curious about the Turkish superstitions and beliefs that reflect Turkish culture? Then this article is for you!
Turkish culture is full of interesting superstitions meant to protect you from evil and bring good luck. These Turkish traditions show how Turkish people ward off bad luck, from wearing an evil eye amulet to knocking on wood. So, let’s get started and explore these unique customs!
Table of Contents
1. The Evil Eye Protects You From Bad Energy
Turkish people think that wearing an evil eye amulet will shield you from negative energy, particularly from jealous glances that are considered to be harmful. As long as you have the nazar boncuğu to protect you, nothing can hurt you since it will absorb negative energy. If this amulet fractures, though, it has most likely done a fantastic job of protecting you, and you should get a new one right away.
2. Pouring Water After Leaving Guests For An Easy Journey
It is a tradition in Anatolia to pour water after someone departs to wish them a happy return soon. Thanks to the water, their voyage is meant to be as seamless as possible. They also say, “su gibi git, su gibi gel,” which means “go smooth like water and come back as quickly.”
3. Shattered Glass Means You Had Evil Eyes On You
When glass breaks, it indicates that the evil eye, or nazar, was large enough to break an actual thing. Naturally, the shattered objects must be disposed of immediately, ideally outside the house.
4. Cutting Nails At Night Can Bring Bad Luck
The Turkish people follow very strict guidelines when it comes to cutting nails. It’s believed that cutting your fingernails or toenails at night will bring misfortune, financial hardship, and possibly even death to your family.
5. Knocking On Wood Wards Of Bad Possibilities
Another very common superstition that arises when discourse goes to something bad, and someone wishes to shield themselves or someone else from it, is knocking on wood three times.
6. Throwing Out Bread Brings Bad Fortune
In Turkey, bread, ekmek, is a sacred food, so throwing it out is believed to bring severe bad luck. Stale bread should be thrown to the birds or stray animals to prevent it from touching the ground and becoming waste.
7. Ringing Ear Means Gossip
In Turkey, it’s believed that when your ears ring, it’s because someone is gossiping about you or talking about you in a good way. The discourse is undoubtedly more favorable if the ringing is on the right side, and terrible things are being said about you if it’s on the left.
8. Giving Someone Scissors Pointing The Sharp Side Leads To A Fight
In Turkey, never give someone a pair of scissors or another sharp object like a knife, with the blade facing them, as this could lead to a future altercation. You can either hand it to them on the blunt side, or set it down and let them pick it up themselves.
9. The Right Side Is Always Lucky
In Turkey, starting things with the right side brings good fortune. This involves getting out of bed on the right side and placing your right foot on the plane first. According to this superstition, anything done from the right would have a greater impact because the left side is a sign of bad news.
10. Itchiy Palms Is A Sign Of Wealth
When palms itch in Turkey, it’s a financial message. You will lose money if your left palm itches, but you will be making money if your right palm itches.
11. Bride Stepping On The Groom’s Foot
In Turkey, it’s a wedding custom for the bride to step her foot on the groom’s after they are pronounced husband and wife, signifying that the bride will be the boss of the house instead of the other way around.
How Do You Say “Superstition” In Turkish?
In Turkish, the word for “superstition” is “batıl inanç,” which refers to traditional beliefs or practices that are not based on reason or science.
Turkish Vocabulary Related To Superstitions
| English | Turkish | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Evil eye | Nazar | |
| Evil eye amulet | Nazar boncuğu | |
| Superstition | Batıl inanç | |
| Luck | Şans | |
| Good luck | Uğur | |
| Misfortune | Talihsizlik | |
| Bad energy | Kötü enerji | |
| Broken mirror | Kırık ayna | |
| Evil eye | Kem göz |
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkish Superstitions
1. What are the lucky symbols in Turkey?
In Turkey, some common lucky symbols are the evil eye (nazar boncuğu), which is believed to protect against bad luck and evil spirits, and the hamsa (hand of Fatima), which is thought to bring good fortune and protection.
2. What number is lucky in Turkey?
In Turkey, the number 40 is considered lucky. It is often associated with positive events and is believed to have protective and auspicious qualities.
3. What is the superstition about chewing gum in Turkey?
In Turkey, there is a superstition that chewing gum at night is bad luck. It is believed that chewing gum after dark is like chewing the flesh of the dead, which is considered very ominous.
4. What are Turkish pregnancy superstitions?
There is more than one superstition about pregnancy in Turkish. For example, pregnant women are advised to avoid looking at monkeys to prevent unattractive babies and to fulfill cravings to avoid birthmarks. To ensure the baby is beautiful, they should look at beautiful things and avoid unpleasant sights. Additionally, cravings are thought to predict the baby’s gender: sweet foods indicate a girl, while salty or sour foods indicate a boy.
Wrapping Up the Wonders of Turkish Superstitions
Turkish superstitions are a fascinating part of the culture. From wearing an evil eye amulet to ward off bad vibes to tossing water for safe travels, these traditions are all about staying safe and bringing good luck. Understanding these beliefs helps us appreciate how Turkish people protect themselves from bad luck. So, next time you encounter these customs, you’ll know they’re an important and charming part of everyday life in Turkey!
