Many believe that if all of the candles on a birthday cake are blown out with one breath, while making a silent wish, the wish will come true.
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Placing a hat on the bed is, apparently, bad luck. (South Carolina)
9
A single magpie is considered a sign of bad luck. A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar recites an old proverb concerning the incidence of bad weather when magpies forage alone and a possible scientific explanation for this.
49
Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.
89
The superstitious symbolism of a black cat crossing one's path is dependent upon culture: some cultures consider this a sign of impending bad luck, while some cultures consider this a sign of impending good luck.
75
Once a wedding ring has been placed on the finger, it is considered bad luck to remove it.
117
If one walks underneath an open ladder it is said to bring bad luck. Sometimes it is said that this can be undone by immediately walking backwards back underneath the ladder.
105
Pirates believed that piercing the ears with such precious metals as silver and gold improved one's eyesight.
131