Are you someone who doesn’t like walking under ladders? Or do you freeze when you see a black cat crossing your path?
Many people have superstitions about things like breaking mirrors, counting magpies, and, of course, Friday the 13th, but were you aware that there are many food-based superstitions around the world?
You may have heard of some of them, with the spilling of salt being one of the most commonly known ones. However, you may have not heard about the giving of bread in Russia, or the eating of fish in Poland. So, if that sounds interesting, then read on as here, 18 of the most unusual food superstitions will be explored.
Don’t Cut Your Noodles
Origin of Superstition – China
In China, it is considered bad luck to cut your noodles. To be fair, in many countries, it would be seen as odd if you cut noodles of any kind before eating them!
According to National Geographic, in China, the longer the noodle, the better and consuming longer noodles is linked to longer life. Anything under 10 inches won’t do! If you cut a noodle short, or in half, it may be met with a gasp, as you are cutting your life shorter, and who wants that?
Don’t Put Your Chopsticks Vertically in Your Rice
Origin of Superstition – China and Japan
This tradition.Is related to the placement of chopsticks at funerals in both Chinese and Japanese cultures. When attending a funeral in either of these countries, there is something of a tradition of sticking the chopsticks upright and, if you are not attending a funeral, it is thought to be bad luck. There is also something of a theory relating to chopsticks standing vertically, which can resemble incense, which is another aspect of funerals in these cultures. So, be sure to lay your chopsticks flat or by the side of the bowl!
Always Serve A Minimum of Two Bowls of Rice
Origin of Superstition – Vietnam
This is a superstition that originates from the rural parts of Vietnam. So, if you are traveling to Vietnam and you notice that you are served two bowls of rice rather than one, you shouldn’t be surprised. In this culture, it is customary to leave out a bowl of rice for the dead or those who have passed long before. So again, it is associated with funerals and death. Even if you do not consume the two bowls of rice, it is still important for the host that two are placed on the table.
Never Pour Your Tea
Origin of Superstition – Japan
OK, so this one may seem a bit weird but, even if you are traveling to Japan, it is considered extremely bad luck to pour your own tea. It is thought that doing so will lead to loneliness or bad luck as you get older. So, always make sure that you have someone else to pour your tea for you!
Leaving Food on Your Plate
Origin of Superstition – Egypt
In Egypt, historically, it has been somewhat common for foods like grain to fail. So, if you visit Egypt, make sure you don’t eat all of the food on your plate. Leaving a small amount is thought to work as a compliment for your host but it is also alleged to ensure that you will eat again, as it showcases abundance.
Placing Bread The Wrong Way Up
Origin of Superstition- France
OK, firstly, it has to be considered that when it comes to the traditional shape of bread, with a domed top, it would be hard to place it upside down. Of course, many modern breads have a more complete square shape, which could make it easier. Anyway, the superstition states that if you place bread upside down on a table, it will bring bad luck.
Spilling Salt
Origin of Superstition – Ancient Mesopotamia/ Modern Day Greece
This is one of the worlds most well-known superstitions and it is seen across numerous cultures, from the Egyptians to the Sumerians.
However, according to Well and Good, the origin of this is linked to the alleged overturned salt cellar that was in from of Judas Iscariot at the last supper. This was immortalized in the world-famous Last Supper painting by Leonardo DaVinci. However, the ancient Sumerians or Mesopotamians also saw the spilling of salt as a bad omen,as far back as 3,500 B.C. and believed that you nullify the bad luck that came with spilling salt by throwing a pinch over your left shoulder.
Eating Grapes at Midnight on New Year’s Eve
Origin of Superstition – Spain
Not all food superstitions are associated with bad luck or death! Look at the Spanish superstition and the consumption of grapes at midnight. Specifically, when it comes to eating grapes at midnight on New Years Eve, it is best to eat 12, with each one representing a month of the new year. To eat the grapes correctly, an individual must eat one grape per second and make a wish for every grape. Doing this is thought to attract good fortune and prosperity in the emerging year.
Eating Fish on Christmas Eve
Origin of Superstition – Poland
If anyone has kids, they will know that it doesn’t take much to keep those kids up until midnight on Christmas Eve! So, in Poland, there is a tradition associated with eating fish at midnight on Christmas Eve, which is called Wigilia. The feast usually starts when the first star is seen in the sky and finished at midnight with the eating of fish.
Eating Twelve Courses on Christmas Eve
Origin of Superstition- Poland
If you are ever in Poland for Christmas Eve, you may notice that 12 dishes are consumed, as part of Wigilia which ends with the fish being eaten. Each dish is meant to symbolize the upcoming 12 months, and is meant to bring good luck.
Another interesting thing to note is that none of these meals will contain any meat.This is to remember the animals in the stable, surrounding the manger where baby Jesus was born.
Eating Chicken on New Year’s Day
Origin of Superstition- South America
Speaking of the festive season, according to New Year Wiki, it is thought that if you live in the southern United States, if you consume chicken of any kind on New Year’s Day, you will attract bad luck for the whole year. Why? Well, because chickens scratch backwards, rather than forward, which is deemed to symbolize that your life will go backwards rather than the direction you want in the brand new year.
Giving Bread and Salt
Origin of Superstition – Russia
When you are traveling to Russia, you may find that your hosts may serve you bread and salt. This has been a tradition in Russia for centuries and it is highly symbolic. The bread symbolizes prosperity, as well as wealth and the salt is believed to protect against evil spirits. So, it seems across the board, salt is linked to cleansing!
Leaving Rice On Your Plate
Origin of Superstition- China
If you are visiting China, and you happen to leave rice on your plate, it is believed that this will be linked to your future spouse. More specifically, if you leave a lot of rice, it is thought to represent pockmarks on their face. Yikes! So, try to eat every grain!
Knocking Over Wine
Origin of Superstition- France
In France, if you knock over a glass full of wine, at the table or in general, it is believed to bring good luck. Why? It symbolizes toasting and remembering the dead and is linked to longer life.
Breaking a Wishbone
Origin of Superstition – Etruria
This is now something that is linked to eating Turkey on Thanksgiving but, as humans have been eating poultry for centuries, this superstition can be traced to Etruria, and is over 2000 years old. If you break a wishbone, and you get the larger segment of bone, you can either make a wish, or you will experience good luck.
Placing Fish Scales Under a Christmas Dinner Plate
Origin of Superstition – Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, it is seen as common to place fish scales under your Christmas dinner plate, as this is seen to bring you wealth. In fact, many people in the Czech Republic opt to carry a fish scale in their purse or wallet all year round.
Never Take a Banana on a Boat
Origin of Superstition – Hawaii
It is believed that having bananas on a boat is bad luck.
Indeed, sailors would often refuse to transport bananas, as they were linked to a higher incidence of storms, diseases and pests on the boat. The higher incidence of storms may have been to do with the turbulent weather where they picked the bananas up, but the superstition just stuck!
Never Hand Someone a Hot Pepper
Origin of Superstition – Unknown
This is a superstition that states that if you need to pass a pepper to a friend or family member, place it onto a table and then have them pick it up. If you hand the spicy item to them, then your friendship is likely to end badly.
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