1. A black cat crossing your path
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Black cats have long been thought to bring bad luck and are regarded as bad omens in many cultures. This superstition might have its roots in the Middle Ages. In that period, horses were easily scared of the reflection of cats' eyes at night, and because of this, people believed that their eyes were a reflection of the devil's eyes. Pretty gruesome!
2. Breaking a mirror
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Broken glass and seven unlucky years? Who needs that? It's like you hear the reflection saying, "You think you've got problems? Let me increase them for you!" Well, no, thank you! Because mirrors used to be thought of as mystical objects that contained the soul's reflection, one's link with the soul was thought to be disturbed when a mirror broke, hence bringing bad luck. The curse can, however, end if a piece of a mirror is buried under the ground. Phew!
3. Opening an umbrella indoors
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Opening an umbrella inside is frowned upon in many cultures. You'll not only be faced with bad luck, but you'll also have to deal with getting the umbrella through door frames. Screams of double trouble, so don't even bother! This omen came from the notion that using an umbrella indoors would offend the spirits present in the space or you're not honoring the sun god enough (in ancient Rome).
4. Seeing a lone magpie
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Ah, the infamous symbol of misery and bad luck! Do not be concerned if you see a single magpie, though; just cross your fingers, make a wish, and hope it changes its mind and does not throw some shade at you. This bad omen idea is expressed in the line "One for sorrow, two for joy," which implies that a single magpie denotes bad luck.
5. Spilling salt
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Oh yes, the neverending salt myth! Spilling salt is thought to bring bad luck. In ancient times, it was a symbol of friendship, and it was such an important custom that a bowl of salt was placed before diners. It is said that one day, a guest mistakenly dropped the bowl on the table (which made the host believe the poor man was announcing their enmity), arousing the owner's anger and leading to a life loss that evening.
6. Walking under a ladder
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Watch your head and sidestep that ladder like a pro because it's said that walking under a ladder will bring you bad fortune. This superstition may have originated from the notion that a ladder resembles the Holy Trinity since it creates a triangle shape. It was also considered disrespectful and unlucky to alter its shape.
7. Crows cawing near your house
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Crows are frequently linked to death and are seen as a bad omen. We can see why: They are naturally dramatic and have a melodramatic cawing style! If you see one near your home, it's definitely rehearsing for its next audition, so leave this superstition to the witches and let the bird practice in peace.
8. Breaking a chain
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Breaking a chain is considered a bad omen, symbolizing a disruption in a person's life or relationships. It is often associated with the breaking of a bond or the end of a significant connection. God forbid a chain would break during a wedding! The mothers-in-law sure paid extra care to make sure this never happened (if they liked the bride/groom). Talk about
a chain reaction!
9. Finding a spider in your home
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Finding a spider inside the home is considered a bad omen by some cultures. Don't know what they think in Australia, though, since this is a common sight on the continent! Spiders have a reputation for being cunning and treacherous; therefore, their appearance can be seen as a sign that trouble is nearby.
10. A bird flying into a closed window
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The sight of a bird crashing into a closed window is often seen as a bad omen, representing an obstacle or setback in life. It can also be seen as some sort of message from the spirit world. I mean, you don't get to see such a thing, maybe never, so I get why it became a bad omen.
11. Hearing an owl hooting during the day
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Like many other nocturnal animals, the owl is thought to be an animal that brings bad luck, and hearing one hooting during the day is regarded to be a bad omen. Many people also wish that it would never begin singing on their roof or near their house because, per widespread superstitions, they think it portends approaching death or a coming catastrophe.
12. Broken mirror on your doorstep
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Forget about opening doors to infinite possibilities; this broken mirror on your doorstep is your ticket to seven years of reflections that are a little wonky. A broken mirror on your doorstep also symbolizes the shattering of one's reflection or image. Prepare for a distorted reality show. Not the funny kind, though.
13. Spotting a funeral procession
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This is nature's way of telling you to appreciate life and perhaps get a pair of dancing shoes. Celebrate like there's no tomorrow because, well, you never know! Seeing a funeral procession is seen as a negative omen in many countries, suggesting a possible impending catastrophe or death. This lore is based on the idea that funerals are connected to tragic events.
14. Witnessing a shooting star falling straight down
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A shooting star that falls straight down is like a cosmic arrow that is pointing at you, saying, "Look, trouble's out to get you!" Time to look for a rabbit's foot and a four-leaf clover! While shooting stars are typically considered auspicious, it is a terrible omen if one falls straight down instead of across the sky — it's associated with an impending tragedy.
15. Passing by a hearse
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If you pass a hearse (the vehicle used to transport the deceased), it's just the universe reminding you to enjoy every moment
again. However, it's also a wonderful chance to practice your solemn wave — master the funeral procession wave! Seeing a hearse as a terrible omen is customary in many places worldwide.
16. Sudden changes in weather
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Sometimes, Mother Nature enjoys pulling practical jokes and excels at dramatic weather changes. Welcome to her comedy show, where the skies can be clear one minute and stormy the next. Weather patterns that suddenly alter, especially before important occasions or trips, have historically been seen to be unfavorable signs. Thunderstorms, storms, and unseasonable weather conditions are regarded as warning signs.
17. Dog howling during the night
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A wailing dog at night is seen as a bad omen in many cultures. It is connected to the paranormal, and people frequently interpret its somber tone as a sign of a coming disaster or tragedy. However, we believe that when a dog howls at night, it's like its very own canine karaoke session. Perhaps it's auditioning for the next "Howling Idol" competition or just trying to hit those high notes. Who knows!
18. Finding a broken clock
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Finding a broken clock is deemed unfortunate, especially if it stopped working at a crucial point (like exactly when a loved one passed away). Still, time may be relative, but a broken clock is an absolute sign that time isn't on your side. You'll be fashionably late for every occasion, so embrace it and rock that fashionable tardiness.
19. Seeing a rainbow in the evening
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Although rainbows are typically viewed as signs of hope and luck, seeing one in the twilight might be deemed unlucky: It may portend impending turbulence or an impending storm. Still, seeing a rainbow in the evening is like finding a unicorn on your doorstep. It's magical but also a sign that rain might ruin your picnic plans. Time to reschedule!
20. Sudden power loss during important events
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Just when you thought Murphy's Law couldn't get any more mischievous, the power outage fairy pays you a visit during your big moment. Time to break out the glow sticks and start a dance party! Jokes aside, a sudden power loss during a significant occasion, such as a wedding or business meeting, is considered a bad omen. It may cause plans to fall through and denote unforeseen difficulties or setbacks.
21. Baby crying at night
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Hearing a baby cry in the middle of the night is seen in certain cultures as a terrible omen signifying impending death or disease. They kinda missed the point of this one; babies cry
almost all the time, no matter if it's day or night! But still, if you hear a baby crying in the middle of the night, don't panic — it's just a tiny alarm clock reminding you that sleep is overrated and that lullabies are in high demand.
22. Broken mirror at a wedding
Image Source: Reddit
Something's going on with mirrors, we tell you! A broken mirror is an extremely unlucky thing to find at a wedding; it is thought to curse the newlyweds and portend a difficult or unpleasant marriage. But who needs a picture-perfect wedding when you can have a shattered mirror? It's like your marriage starts with a challenge — putting the pieces back together and proving that true love can conquer bad omens.
23. Bats in your home
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Those adorable little creatures of the night love crashing parties uninvited. Just make sure to check their invitations next time and set up a mini bat dance floor. Bats have traditionally been linked to the supernatural, death, and doom. It's a bad omen to see a bat flying around inside your home since it denotes approaching bad luck or the arrival of malevolent spirits.
24. Unexplained insect or bug infestation
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It's commonplace to interpret the sudden appearance of an insect or pest infestation in your house or place of business as a negative omen. It might be viewed as a sign of trouble ahead, of decay, or, actually, just uncleanliness. Brace yourself for an insect invasion that will make you question the laws of physics and the integrity of your bug spray.
25. Finding a dead bird on your doorstep
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This is a terribly bad omen in many cultures — it is thought to portend future disaster or death within the family or neighborhood. Forget about love letters or Uber Eats — finding a dead bird on your doorstep is the latest trend in surprise package deliveries. It's like the universe saying, "Here's a feathered friend just for you!" Not the kind of delivery you were hoping for!
26. Breaking a priced family heirloom
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It's common to interpret breaking a prized family artifact as a negative omen. It is linked to the severing of familial ties, the erasure of tradition, or the upsetting of intergenerational harmony. But if you're feeling like unleashing your inner bull in a china shop, breaking a family heirloom is the perfect way to spice up family gatherings and hear stories about your clumsy moments.
27. Sweeping your feet
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Oops! Did you just trip over your own broom and sweep someone's feet? It's like becoming the accidental janitor of bad luck. Next time, be careful and watch out for those flying dust bunnies! But how many times have you unintentionally swept your feet under? If this had happened in ancient times, you would have been disqualified from marriage since you were considered bad at housework!
28. Placing a hat on the bed
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Forget about hat racks and coat hangers—why not give your bed a stylish makeover? But beware, placing a hat on the bed is like sending an open invitation to the god of the underworld! Looks like you'll be sleeping with one eye open tonight! This omen comes from a practice among doctors who, in the early 20th century, would place their hats on the beds of dying patients as soon as they entered their homes.
29. Scissors falling
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If you ever happen to drop your scissors, step on them before picking them up in order to counteract a bad omen. Scissors falling is a sign of impending death if one of the blades hits the ground. Quick reflexes and ninja-like moves are essential when scissors decide to take a plunge. Get ready to channel your inner superhero and save the day from potential disasters!
30. Number 13
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Ah, the infamous number 13 — where superstition and awkward elevator rides collide. If you find yourself on the 13th floor or seated in row 13, congratulations! You've unlocked a hidden level in the game of life. Just remember, the key to surviving this unlucky number is a sense of humor and a well-practiced "I'm totally fine with this" or "This is actually my lucky number!" smile.