That’s for bad luck in Russia!

Learning Russian language means exploring Russian culture and traditions. Russians are very superstitious and are attentive to various omens. If you’re going to live among Russians, you have to know what these superstitions mean and how to react to some of them. On the Friday, the 13th we present you some Russian superstitions and beliefs. 

According to Russians there are many things that you can do to bring bad luck upon your home. Whistling inside your home or office will cause you to lose money. In the same vein if you want to give someone a wallet or purse as a gift, remember to put some money in it or you’ll be bringing poverty upon them!

Learn more about these weird Russians!

Don’t put empty bottles, keys or change on the table

Russians believe that you must not put empty bottles, keys or change on the table. These are all bad omens of financial loss and tears. Also, this omen works not only in the kitchen at home, but also in public places. If one of the guests at a dinner party in a restaurant grabs a bottle that has just been emptied and puts it under the table or starts looking around for a waiter, it in deference to this omen.

Never give knives, clocks or scarves as a present

These things are not considered the best present for a Russian. Scarves, for example, are an omen of tears, knives an omen of enemies, and clocks an omen of parting. If you do nevertheless give somebody one of these things, do not be surprised if they give you a small coin in return. You must definitely take this coin, even if it surprises you that they are trying to pay you for an expensive gift with small change.

Look at yourself in a mirror if you have had to go back

For Russians, going back to the house is a bad omen, a portent of bad luck. So if a Russian discovers after leaving the house that he has forgotten something, he will first decide whether it is something he really needs, and if it is, he will go back, but will make a point of looking himself in the eye in a mirror.

Don’t sit on a table

Many Russians are disturbed when they see scenes in American films where the hero sits on a table or puts his feet on a table. And it is not just because it is unhygienic—sitting on a table is variously seen as an omen of death or poverty.

Sit before a journey

When a guest in someone’s home or a member of the family is getting ready for a long journey, everyone in the house has to sit down before they set off. There is usually nowhere to sit in the hall, especially with all the luggage, but unlike the game, everyone has to sit down, and quickly, as soon as someone says, “Let’s take a seat before the journey.” This is a Russian omen for a safe journey. Everyone in the house has to sit somewhere for a minute. This omen, incidentally, is very useful, because it helps people to calm down after the chaos and remember whether they have forgotten to pack anything.