Mythical Musings: Exploring Popular Indian Beliefs

Though there are very few beliefs that are based on scientific facts, there is a basic logic behind the origin of most of the beliefs. However, there is a huge disparity between what our Ancient elders wanted to say and what we assume because of which, some beliefs remained even when the reasons behind them became redundant. 

Here are few examples-

(A) CATS CROSSING YOUR PATH

"A cat crossing your path, it signifies that the cat is going somewhere"

Reason : In Ancient times, during night, people used to travel through forests in bullock carts with a light of Kerosene lantern. The carriage animals get past big cats like leopards, hyenas and jackals foxes. These animals have glowing eyes and scare the cows, horses or the bulls that pull the carts. That is why the travelers halts nearby and help the animals refresh themselves before they pull the carts for the long journey ahead without any stress. Travelers shared their hard experiences and told other travelers not to proceed travel while the cats cross the road and in the course of time, the cat crossing got live and the people misinterpreted forest cats to the domestic cats.

(B) HANGING LEMON AND 7 GREEN CHILLIES 

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The great Indian Family!

Superstitious belief : Alakshmi, god of misfortune brings bad luck to the shop owners or business. In order not to allow her entering the shops they hang these 7 chilies and lemon. Alakshmi likes sour, pungent and hot things. Therefore at the door, Alakshmi will only come up to the door and eat her favorite food and satisfy her hunger and leave without entering the shop. It is believed that after consuming lemon and green chillies, Alakshmi loses her urge to enter the house or shop. She will turn around without casting her vicious eye.

Scientific Reason : The cotton thread which is used to pierce the chillies and lemon absorbs the acid from the fruit whilst it is fresh. This smell keeps the pests and insects away from the shops. This is a simple pesticide which came into practice from ancient times, which is mislead now superstitiously as explained above.

(C) BREAKING MIRROR BRINGS 7 YEARS OF BAD LUCK

Blame the Romans

​Reason : During old times, mirrors were not cheap and they were low quality and easily defected. In order to avoid negligence it was told that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. That was simple scare tactic. Romans were the one who tagged to the broken mirror a sign of seven years bad luck. The length of the prescribed misfortune came from the ancient Roman belief that it took seven years for life to renew itself. If the person looking into the mirror were not of good health, their image would break the mirror and the run of bad luck would continue for the period of seven years, at the end of which their life would be renewed, their body would be physically rejuvenated, and the curse would be ended.

(D) CUTTING NAILS AND SHAVING AFTER SUNSET

Cut your nails in light

​​Reason : In the olden days there was no electricity and shaving or cutting nails would result in cuts after sunset because of darkness. Hence our ancestors advised not to cut nails or shave after sunset. In Later days it was believed that the night spirits will be awaken and come in the search of flesh. People have been warned to get attacked by these evil spirits in the darkness of night if people cut nails or shave hair after sunset which continues as a superstition.

(E) PREGNANT WOMEN MUST NOT GO OUT DURING ECLIPSE

Not just pregnant women, nobody should go out

​Reason : In India it is believed that during an eclipse one must not wander out, since it is believed that the Sun is swallowed up by the demon. Pregnant women, especially, must stay indoors in order to ensure that their babies are not born with any deformities. In fact, pregnant women are often not allowed to sew or cut vegetables during an eclipse. Some families avoid cooking and eating altogether during an eclipse. However, the reason behind some of these superstitions can be scientific. For example, one should actually avoid going out during an eclipse in order to keep away from the harmful UV rays