SAEDNEWS: Superstition is an irrational belief that arises due to a lack of awareness or a misunderstanding of the relationship between cause and effect. There is no society, culture, or country in which some form of superstitious belief does not exist.
According to Saednews, Although modern education and culture are capable of eliminating such superstitious and incorrect beliefs, there are still people in urban and remote rural areas who hold on to them. While some of these beliefs may seem humorous or symbolic and exist only in very mild forms within ancient traditions, others can be dangerous for those who truly believe in them. Below are 9 of the strangest and most unbelievable superstitions from around the world.
According to a superstition among some Argentinians, the seventh son in a family must be adopted by the president; otherwise, he will turn into a werewolf.
This belief is linked to the legend of the lobizón, a cursed seventh son named Tau Krana, who was said to have a frightening appearance associated with death. European immigrants later reshaped this figure into a werewolf-like creature.
In the early 20th century, the tradition merged with a Russian imperial custom where the tsar acted as godfather to seventh sons. This eventually influenced Argentina’s presidency, and in 1974 a law was passed stating that the president would become godparent not only to seventh sons but also seventh daughters.
Although belief in the curse is rare today, the tradition continues symbolically, with several presidents having acted as godparents to many children.
Fans of the Hanshin Tigers baseball team once believed the spirit of Colonel Sanders, founder of KFC, cursed the team after his statue was thrown into a river during celebrations in 1985.
That year, fans celebrated their championship victory in Osaka by jumping into the river. In the chaos, a statue of Colonel Sanders was thrown in as well. After this, the team suffered years of poor performance, leading to the “curse” belief.
In 2003, fans tried again to lift the curse by retrieving parts of the statue from the river, but the superstition remains part of local sports folklore.
In some remote Indian villages, there is a belief that being bitten by a dog can cause pregnancy in men, with puppies growing inside the victim’s body.
Some even claim to hear or see the puppies inside them. Victims often seek help from traditional healers instead of medical professionals, who sometimes discourage proper treatment such as rabies vaccination. Doctors continue to warn communities about the dangers of avoiding medical care.
In some regions of China, there is a belief that younger brothers should not marry before their older brothers. If an older brother dies unmarried, families may arrange a “ghost marriage” to prevent his spirit from being unhappy.
In such cases, symbolic marriages are conducted with deceased individuals or substitutes. In some traditions, even living people may be persuaded or financially encouraged to marry the deceased to maintain family lineage or fulfill spiritual obligations.
In Bhutan, drawings of large phallic symbols are placed on doors and houses to ward off evil spirits.
This tradition is linked to the 15th-century Buddhist figure Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman,” who used unconventional teachings. The symbolism was later integrated into local Buddhist culture.
Even today, such symbols can be found in rural areas on houses, trucks, and fields, and are also used in rituals for fertility and protection.
A well-known belief in South Korea is that sleeping in a closed room with an electric fan running can cause death.
The origin is unclear, though it may come from early 20th-century warnings about dizziness, suffocation, or facial paralysis. Some theories suggest it was reinforced during the 1970s energy crisis to reduce electricity consumption. Despite scientific explanations debunking it, the myth remains widely known.
A superstition states that at least six ravens must always be kept at the Tower of London; otherwise, the British monarchy will fall.
According to folklore, ravens were drawn to the site due to executions and later became associated with royal protection. Over time, they became symbolic “residents” of the Tower and are officially cared for by designated keepers.
Each raven is given a name, identification, and special diet, and they are treated as part of the Tower’s tradition.
In Vermont, some old houses feature tilted windows known as “witch windows.”
One superstition suggests they were designed so witches riding broomsticks could not fly through them. However, historians believe the real reason is architectural—builders adjusted window placement due to roof space limitations when adding extensions to old farmhouses.
A superstition in Hollywood claims that women who win an Academy Award for Best Actress or Supporting Actress often experience relationship breakdowns afterward.
Several famous actresses have gone through divorces or breakups after winning, which has fueled the belief in a so-called “Oscar curse.” However, many others have not experienced this pattern, making it more of a cultural myth than a consistent phenomenon.
