Human life is filled with mystery. Back in the day, people often got scared of things that couldn’t be explained by science, giving light to the creation of several beliefs that have been passed on for generations. The unexplainable adverse events in life can send chills down one’s spine! Join us as we venture through Urdu superstitions you probably never heard of.
Urdu Superstitions To Discover Today
Whatever your culture, there are practices that have been passed down for centuries. Whether it be religious beliefs or superstitions, they reflect your country’s history and tradition. Here are the most interesting Urdu superstitions that will intrigue you!
1. Black Cat Crossing
Myths about black cats are very popular worldwide, and of course, this includes Pakistan. People believe that these black feline creatures are capable of bringing bad luck—a classic, don’t you think? There isn’t any logical explanation for this, but whenever they see cats in this shade, they let other people pass first. Some may even go the extra mile by taking a different route just to avoid them.
2. Sweeping After Sunset
The icky summer breeze in South Asia can really ruin your routine of sweeping your yard in the morning. It’s tempting to move this after sunset to escape the sun’s scorching heat. But hold on now—do you really want to do this if you might sweep out the blessings from goddess Lakshmi? This probably made you think twice. This religious superstition isn’t proven by science, but can you risk losing the chance to receive a good amount of money?
3. Lemon And Chilies Totem (Nimbu Mirchi)
We encounter different beliefs in our everyday lives, and you’ve probably heard of the evil eye. It is said that some people who are either closely related to you or even strangers can bring you harm through their envy. To shoo away these negative effects, Pakistani locals hang a string of lemon and green chilies outside their homes, shops, and even vehicles.
4. Peepal Tree
Pakistani folklore stories have many different creatures, like jinns and churails. There are tons of them, and some kids may even wet their beds after hearing their horrifying stories. But one thing that scares some people from rural areas is being near a Peepal tree. It was said to be a home for ghosts and different entities. So, here’s a tip, never get close to this tree, especially at night.
5. Hooting Owls At Night
Does the sound of hooting owls send chills down your spine? If you’ve seen Hedwig from Harry Potter, you’ll probably agree when I say that owls are so adorable. However, did you know that they’re associated with bad omens in the Pakistani culture? Once you hear their cry at night, it’s either a sign of doom or impending death.
6. Drinking Milk Before Eating Fish
We all have our preferences when it comes to eating and drinking, but this is more than just a practice based on your liking. Locals believe that drinking milk and eating fish afterward gives you horrible skin diseases. It was said that you’d get white spots all over your body if you happened to consume these two together. Although there isn’t any scientific evidence to back this up, some still avoid this combination during their meals.
7. Broken Mirror Equals Bad Luck
Bad and good luck surely have their way of scaring people. Have you ever accidentally broken a mirror? You know, these silly and clumsy moments of ours are quite inevitable, especially if we’re in a rush. But in Pakistan’s culture, this is believed to bring seven years of misfortune. So, better take care of those pocket mirrors because you wouldn’t want to be part of a series of unfortunate events, would you?
8. Itchy Palms
Moving on to a more prosperous superstitious belief, we have “itchy” palms. There are times when our palms just get so itchy to the point of getting red, but did you know that the itch comes with a surprise arrival of money? I wouldn’t mind itching for a long time if it meant I’d get tons of cash! However, this isn’t always the case, since if your left palm itches, it means you’ll lose money, while if it’s the right one, that’s when you’ll need to celebrate.
9. Eye Twitching
Have you ever found your eyes twitching for no reason? If you’ve watched My Little Pony, you’ll remember Pinky Pie’s left eye twitches, which means bad luck. In Pakistan’s culture, they believe that twitching in the left eye for men and the right eye for women is a good omen, while if the opposite eye twitches, then better prepare yourself for the worst.
10. Yawning Without Covering Your Mouth
Does the idea of a spirit entering your mouth scare you? Well, better cover it when yawning. It is believed that not covering our mouths when yawning easily gives spirits access to our bodies. The last thing we probably want is to get possessed; it’s better to be safe than sorry!
11. Turning Around
Ever dashed out of the house only to realize you’d forgotten something and had to dash back in? Well, some folks believe that’s a spot of bad luck. But don’t fret! If you find yourself in this situation, just take a quick peek in a mirror before you head out again. It’s said to turn that luck right around!
Did These Superstitious Beliefs Intrigue You?
These superstitions from Pakistan come in a seemingly endless list. If you want to discover more about them, the best way is through conversing with locals. However, to do this, it’s important to learn the Urdu language. Don’t know where to start? Try the Ling app today to begin your language-learning journey.
With the app, mastering languages is like taking a stroll in a peaceful park. You can have fun as you learn with the quizzes and exercises waiting for you. If you want to hasten the process, you can spend 20 minutes of your time daily to improve your retention!
Download the Ling app today on the Play Store and App Store to learn and start your voyage!
