Superstition in Turkey

Turkey is a country full of many traditions, its superstitions not being far behind. The culture is rich, and with it comes a few oddities to an outsider. Their superstitions are believed to be based from myths, legends, fables, traditions, and stories. The exact origins remain unknown, as most of it was passed down orally through folk-tales.

Their purpose

In Turkish culture, superstitions exist for numerous reasons. They are a form of grounding fear and discipline from its citizens. Superstitions also are believed in so that people may have a reason to feel protected, or something to maintain good consciousness in. Like many possible beliefs, they are also put into place to explain a higher power and are believed to increase one's favor. [1]

Evil eye

The amulet called nazar is supposed to protect against the "evil eye", a superstition shared among several cultures. The energy is believed to arrive from any positive or negative energy directed towards someone. The affects can go as far are certain symptoms of illnesses, any sort of negative conflict, and even going to the extent of passing away. As a form of preventing these affects, it is believed that wearing the evil eye will grant protection to the wearer. [2]


Knocking on wood

"Knocking on wood" is thought to ward off all evil energies.[3] When things in someone's life are beginning to look up, once verbally spoken, a ritual must be completed. The ritual is to "pinch your right ear lobe and knock on wood twice, while saying mashallah."[4] By doing this, it is believed to stop Satan from becoming aware of your good fortune while thanking God.

Lead pouring
Lead pouring

There is an old tradition of molybdomancy called "kurşun dökme" in Turkish (literally, "lead casting", "lead pouring") which is supposed to help with various spiritual problems, e.g. to combat the effects of the evil eye., to predict future, etc. The rituals vary, but they involve pouring molten lead into water.[5] This tradition is known in other cultures around the world. Researchers from Ankara University performed a study of the effects of this tradition on the health of women. They reported risks of antimony poisoning and lead poisoning.[6]

Broken mirror
Broken mirror

As well as in many different cultures, Turkish people believe that breaking a mirror brings bad luck and seven years of unhappiness.[3]

Forty times repeating

Turkish people believe that repeating something forty times can make the thing happen.[3]

Right hand and left hand

People in Turkey also believe that itching of the right hand means unexpected money inflow in close future. Likewise, itching of left hand means possible loss of money.[7]

Slippers

Inside a house, if slippers are upside down, it means that somebody will die at home.[7]

Black cat

If people in Turkey see a black cat, they immediately need to hold something black. Otherwise it can bring bad luck.[3]

Black cat

See also

References
  1. Sansal, Burak. "Superstitions in Turkey". allaboutturkey.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  2. Deggin, Cameron. "10 Surprising Turkish Superstitions". 10 Surprising Turkish superstitions that will have you scratching your head. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  3. "Superstitions". Turkishculture.org. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  4. "Turkish Superstitions and Beliefs". Turkish Superstitions and Beliefs. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  5. pp. 233 ff., Healing Secular Life: Loss and Devotion in Modern Turkey, Christopher Dole, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2012, ISBN 0812206355.
  6. "Kurşun döktürmenin inanılmaz zararı", Milliyet (retrieved December 21, 2017)
  7. "Batıl İnançlar" (PDF). Tulipandrose.net. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
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