Various beliefs woven by human beings: superstitions, are to rationalise existence of certain natural
beliefs(usually hazardous). Highlight of Turkish superstitions are as follows, based on their purpose/cause:
• Any work started on Tuesday is suspended, therefore do not start working on Tuesday.
• Soap is given to somebody on top of hand.
• Left hand is put on the head while drinking water.
• Laundry is not washed on Tuesdays and Saturdays
• Firstly old men sit on the table of meal, otherwise the meal loses its productivity.
• If wood burn in a stove or oven by emitting sound, it is believed that gossip has been made about the resident.
• Red dress is not worn while lightning flashes.
• It is believed that to knock at a wood three times will ward off all evils.
• A sheep is sacrificed in foundation of a newly built house.
• Water is poured behind a person who sets out.
• Wherever umbilical cord of a baby is thrown, it is said that baby would choose that profession exercised in that place. Therefore, it might be necessary to throw it on top of tiles for getting higher ranks at its profession.
• A pencil is caused to be attached in hands of a new born baby for the purpose of its being in good humour and study well.
• It is not considered proper to wear ring on the left hand.
• In the first entrance of a newly married husband after marriage ceremony, it is considered a good luck for him to break a glass.
• A new born baby cannot be washed on Friday.
• If someone blows to the mouth of a new born baby, it is believed that this baby would be cordial.
• If water is poured out of a glass, it means that guest will come home.
• A bread is circulated around the head of a person who perjured himself in order to release the perjury, and then it is given to a dog.
• If a person rises his right leg at the time of taking oath, then his oath becomes unacceptable.
• One cannot eat meal by putting his one foot over another, it means disrespect to the table and it is considered as the sign of famine.
• Thirteenth day of a Month is considered as ill-omen; nothing is done on this day.
• Milk cannot be given to nobody in the darkness of night, it is said that if it is given then cow does not produce milk any more.
• Any child who plays with fire makes wet his/her bed.
• Child cannot be let alone, if it becomes necessary then a broom is put beside the child.
• “Nazar Boncuğu” (bead worn to avert the evil eye) is attached to children to avert evil eyes.
• It is forbidden to jump over a child, otherwise the child remains short.
• That clothes of child remain outside until the sunset causes the child bewitched.
• It is considered improper to make visits at night for a women given birth a child.
• If a baby creeps, a guest will come home.
• Finger nail and toe-nail are not cut together, if so it is believed that that person would face with one sorrowful act and one joyful event.
• Scissor cannot be passed from hand to hand, because scissor is considered as enemy.
• The first hair cut from a boy is put in pocket of father believing that it will increase fortune.
• One should not look at mirror at nights
• Water is poured after the wedding car for bride may return to her mother’s home, turning the water vessel upside down one sits on it.
• Gum is not chewed at nights, it is said that whoever chews gum at nights he/she eats flesh of dead body.
• It is believed that whoever plays with his/her foot at night, his/her father or mother will die.
• One cannot whistle at night, for the person who does it is said that he/she is calling the Devil.
• Ash cannot be thrown outside at night, hot ash cannot be poured over water; it is believed that those who perform such act will come across with curse of genie.
• One cannot sit behind a door at night, if so, it is thought that. this person would face with slander.
• Names of girls are written under shoe of bride, it is believed that the girl whose name was not erased after the ceremony will marry.
• It is considered ill-omen when a rooster crows before the night
• It is believed that anybody who could pass under rainbow would change his/her sex.
• When somebody has the hiccups, it is said “someone mentioned your name”, and then this phrase is uttered: “he she is a friend let him/her mention my name, if he/she is hostile, let him/her burst out.
• It is said that if a prisoner wears ring of a dead person, he/she may discharge from prison soon.
• Underwear of baby cannot be hanged following afternoon Prayer.
• When a black cat passes in front of a man, it is considered as ill-omen.
• It is said that if someone does not finish his/her work, then his/her dead would be hard.
• Two babies cannot be let alone in a room without completing their 40th day; otherwise, it is believed that one will become tall and the other will become short, which is called “kırk basan”.
• A man who passes through two women cannot make his wife obedient.
• If girls eat something between two meals, their luck to find a husband becomes impossible.
• One cannot pass through a dark place, if it becomes necessary then the Turkish word “destur” (with your permission) must be cited.
• Do not step on the door's threshold of someone who had been subjected to slander.
• Ringing of ears are accounted for ill-omen.
• A bird’s knocking on the window with its beak is the sign of news to be received.
• Nail which is cut cannot be dropped on the ground, and cannot be stepped on.
• A boy who drinks coffee do not have moustaches, he becomes beardless.
• When a baby is kissed under its foot, it is believed to walk early, when kissed on lips early to speak early, when kissed on back of the neck to be obstinate.
• If a small child looks through the space between his/her legs, it means that a guest will come home
• That a cat turns towards South (direction to Mecca) and scratches its head with its fore legs is accounted for rain.
• In order that a person suffered accident should not experience a new accident, salt or coin is circulated around his/her head.
• It is believed that if a scissor remains open in a home, a fight will start.
• To pass under a ladder is considered as ill-omen.
• It is believed that Angel stays on the right hand side of shoulder, and Satan on the left hand side of shoulder.
• To crack the joints of the fingers is accounted for telling beads to the Satan.
• Anybody who cracks the joints of his/her fingers invites Satan.
