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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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
Placing a hat on the bed is, apparently, bad luck. (South Carolina)
9
In some parts of England, rum is used to wash a baby's head for good luck.
71
Collect seven or nine different flowers on midsummer eve and place them under your pillow and it is said that you will dream of your future spouse. (Sweden)
463
Amber beads, worn as a necklace, can protect against illness or cure colds.
89
If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn you will not catch a cold all winter.
394
Pirates believed that piercing the ears with such precious metals as silver and gold improved one's eyesight.
131