KATRINA P LORETO
III Lavoisier
When you hear the word superstition, what comes to your mind? I guess it’s all about beliefs, practices and excessive imaginations. Superstition is all about irrational beliefs that future events are influenced by specific behaviors without having a causal relationship. It is already a belief, practice or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance. Therefore, superstition is ignorance. We always have unreasonable or excessive belief in fear or magic in everything we do. It is passed from generation to generation which means that even in the historical life, people would already believe in such superstitious beliefs. It is commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy and spiritual beings.
Examples of superstitions vary greatly from one country to another. An example of a superstition that is commonly believed by the public is Astrology. Even though it as considered as one of the superstitions, it is still a study that’s why people are more likely to believe it and apply it in their everyday lives. In Afghanistan, it is said that if you see a magpie sitting on a wall, a message will be coming for you. In India, it is considered bad luck if someone sneezes while you are leaving your house. The remedy is to come back into the house and wait for a few hours before leaving. In Italy, there is the fear of the number 17 rather than the number 13. This originates from Ancient Rome, where 17 was written as XVII, which can be re-arranged as VIXI in the meaning of “I have lived”, so “I’m dead”.
Examples of superstitions vary greatly from one country to another. An example of a superstition that is commonly believed by the public is Astrology. Even though it as considered as one of the superstitions, it is still a study that’s why people are more likely to believe it and apply it in their everyday lives. In Afghanistan, it is said that if you see a magpie sitting on a wall, a message will be coming for you. In India, it is considered bad luck if someone sneezes while you are leaving your house. The remedy is to come back into the house and wait for a few hours before leaving. In Italy, there is the fear of the number 17 rather than the number 13. This originates from Ancient Rome, where 17 was written as XVII, which can be re-arranged as VIXI in the meaning of “I have lived”, so “I’m dead”.
In China, people say that one should not sweep or dust on New Year’s Day or good fortune will also be swept away. This is also the same in the Philippines. Here, we have a lot of superstitious beliefs handed down from our ancestors and we call it the “pamahiin”. Filipinos believe that if a black cat crosses their path, it would be unlucky for them. Although, some countries, such as Britain, believe it is lucky to see a black cat. Some believe that walking under a ladder will bring bad luck and it is also a common belief that breaking a mirror will bring seven years of ill fortune. Sometimes, it’s kind of irritating when all these superstitious beliefs are affecting our normal action and making us paranoid of the bad effects it will bring if not followed.
Nowadays, it is already common for everyone to follow it because it has been habitual already. Just like the buildings built in the cities, some have no 4th or 13th floor because they believe that these numbers are homophonous with the word “death”. Even without scientific explanations and valid reasons, we tend to follow them and even teach it to the future generations because of our fear that its bad effects might happen. Superstition really controls our mind and actions and it is truly powerful.
Nowadays, it is already common for everyone to follow it because it has been habitual already. Just like the buildings built in the cities, some have no 4th or 13th floor because they believe that these numbers are homophonous with the word “death”. Even without scientific explanations and valid reasons, we tend to follow them and even teach it to the future generations because of our fear that its bad effects might happen. Superstition really controls our mind and actions and it is truly powerful.
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