1)Lemon & Green Chillies:
Superstition- This one is the most common one and many of us do it without knowing the reason. No there is scientific reasoning for this one but the logic here is that since the goddess of misfortune (who can bring bad luck to the shop owners or business), likes pungent, sour and hot things, individuals hang lemon and green chilies so that the goddess eats her favorite food and goes back from there fully satisfied.
Scientific Reason- Both lemon and chilies are rich in Vitamin C. So when a cotton thread is pierced through these substances, the cotton absorbs their nutrients and gradually vaporize them in the air. Inhaling this air has health benefits. Besides, the aroma (smell) from lemon and chilies keep insects and other pests away from the place. Therefore, this trick was used by our forefathers to keep microbes away, as there were no pesticides back then.
Today, however, there are many options of pesticides available to keep the environment free of microbes, thus hanging chillis and lemons are no longer required.
2)Not To Sleep Facing The North:
Superstition-Vaastu shastra forbids putting the head towards the north while sleeping. There is a Tamil proverb Vaaraatha vaazhvu vanthaalum vadakke thalai vekkakudaathu which means you should not place your head in the north, even if you get good fortune. But putting your head towards the north is forbidden for a good reason.
Scientific Reason- Most probably our elders knew about the relation between Earth's magnetic field and the human body's field. They made this rule of sleeping with our heads in the South direction to avoid harmful effects related to blood pressure and other diseases that asymmetry with the Earth's magnetic field would create.
3)No Stepping Out During Eclipse:
Superstition- This idea translated into the Mexican superstition that if a pregnant woman viewed an eclipse, a bite would be taken out of her unborn child's face. Hindu text credits the eclipse to the head of the demon Rahu, who ate the moon or sun. Here are a few superstitions to know before the solar eclipse
Scientific Reason-The sole reason why we are asked not to step out during eclipse is that it can cause retinal burns. Nothing Else!
4)Do Not Cut Nails After Sunset:
Superstition- Most of us have heard this warning from our parents but did you ever get a convincing answer?
Scientific Reason-In earlier times, when we had a limited supply of electricity, cutting nails was avoided after sunset to prevent injury in the absence of proper light.
5)Women Are Not Allowed In Temples During Menstruation:
Superstition-In most of the temples the women are not allowed and especially menstruating women due to non-rituals
Scientific Reason- In the past, women did not have the convenience of sanitary napkins and pain killers. Usually, it would be tedious to visit a temple situated far away from home and spend long hours in the rituals. Hence women were not allowed in the temples so that they could be at home and rest.
6)Meat Should Not Be Eaten On Certain Weekdays:
Superstition-A lot of Indians are non-vegetarians. But some of the peoples are restricted to eat meat on Tuesdays and Saturdays
Scientific Reason-The idea could have been to give non-vegetarians a meat-free day to cleanse their stomach.
7)Eat Dahi-Cheeni Before Exam:
Superstition- Most of us have been offered curd and sugar before going for an exam or stepping out of the house.
Scientific Reason- Here is the scientific reason behind this: According to Ayurveda, Dahi (curd) acts as a natural coolant for your body, which helps fight the heat. At the same time, cheeni (sugar) is an essential source of glucose. When you have the two together, it cools and soothes the body and gives you an instant boost of energy to get you through the day.
8)Breaking Mirror Brings Bad Luck:
Superstition- In ancient days as well as present days the breaking mirror or broken mirror keeping inside home brings bad luck
Scientific Reason-It is said that in the olden days, the mirror used to be a very expensive but brittle item. To avoid negligence, ancient peoples from Rome started preaching that breaking mirrors will bring you seven years of bad luck. Why seven years? This is because Romans believe that it takes seven years for life to renew itself. Now, science says that mirrors are made with sand and certain chemical reactions with filtration of sand. So, many centuries ago the process was very critical and involved a great deal of work.
9)Twitching Of The Eye Is Inauspicious:
Superstition- In most of the times, the peoples from our home says the twitching of eyes is inauspicious and brings bad news.
Scientific Reason- This one has different meanings in different cultures. The scientific reason is that this twitching is caused due to alcohol, stress, allergies, strain, or just dry eyes.
10)Don’t Go Near Peepal Tree At Night:
Superstition- Don't go near people tree otherwise you will be caught by cruel ghosts and witches and they will you especially during nights.
Scientific Reason- We all know that the Peepal tree releases large amounts of oxygen during the day and during nighttime, it releases carbon dioxide. So, while there is no truth in the belief that a peepal tree is inhabited by spirits and ghosts, the aforementioned is the reason is probably why and how this superstition came into being.
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