The Mysterious beliefs that comes in your 60s

Superstitious beliefs have been part of Indian culture for ages. So much so, that

even though we start believing in some ridiculous practices at a very young age

itself, the belief persists well into our 60s even while we realize and know that

some are too silly. They are nothing more than grandmothers’ tales that were

handed down from generation to generation.

If, after retirement you happen to belong to some senior citizen community that

is part of some retirement homes settlement in your neighbourhood, you will

get a chance to interact with like-minded people. While socializing with people

in your age bracket and social status, especially if it is a predominantly Brahmin

community, you will realise that such superstitious beliefs exist very much even

today.

The fact of the matter is that we have all been superstitious at some time or the

other, unless there are any confirmed atheists amongst us. The entire country

is steeped in superstition and there are only a few exceptions here and there.

Here are a few superstitious beliefs you may have heard of:

Cat crossing the road

If a cat happens to cross your path it is supposed to bring you bad luck. Some

people tend to get back home and drink a glass of water before proceeding

when a cat crosses their path. There is another belief that only when the cat

crosses from left to right it brings bad luck, and not from right to left. There is

yet another superstition that is linked to sighting a black cat, which is

considered an ominous sign. Killing a cat is considered an unpardonable sin

that can follow you to your next life as well.

Cutting hair on Tuesdays

Another popular superstitious belief is that it is inauspicious to cut one’s hair

on Tuesdays. Most of the salons remained closed on Tuesdays as very few

customers turn up. Although the exact reason for the superstition is not known,

one theory says that farmers used to toil throughout the week and take a break

on Mondays, they attended to grooming themselves on that day. As the next

day would be a busy one, most barbers remained closed as they did not expect

customers. The tradition continues to this day, especially in a Brahmin house,

where superstitious beliefs are followed religiously.

Cracked mirrors bring bad luck

This belief probably has some meaning and sense attached to it. Using cracked

or broken mirror always has the risk of cutting oneself at the sharp edges, or

having tiny pieces of glass being scattered all over the house. A cracked or

broken mirror needs to go to the dustbin, however expensive it may have been.

In the good old days, mirrors were a rarity, and only used by the Royalty and

other noble folk. Hence it was very expensive, and breaking one invited either a

stiff penalty or punishment.

Throwing coins into a river

Today, you may have to search far and wide to find a river with flowing water.

In the olden days, rivers used to be in spate during the rainy season, and the

practice was to throw copper coins into the river, and the belief was that it

brought prosperity. People belonging to the Brahmin community strongly

believe in this custom and never fail to throw a few coins every time they go

past a river. The reason behind this act probably is that the water will absorb

some of the copper and the copper content in the water consumed by people

will be ideal. How far this is true and the quantity of copper being absorbed

into the water by this act is not quite definite.

Killing spiders can bring bad luck

Like all other superstitions, the origin of this one too is quite vague and almost

unknown. One reason cited for this superstition is that the spider preys on

many insects that can spread several diseases amongst humans. Spider venom

is extracted and used as an effective medicine to treat stroke victims, and

people with other neurological conditions. Spider “silk” is used in the

manufacture of optical devices and other laboratory devices. With so many

hidden benefits from the spider, do we need a superstitious belief to not kill it?

Author bio

Ananya Shelters through its signature project Ananya’s Nana Nani Homes

envisages an adorable residence for the retired with best ever modern day

amenities and dedicated residential services to make life after 50s stress free,

self-reliant and enlivening.