20 Most Common Superstitions In India And Their Meanings

India is a country that has years of history, religion, traditions, centuries-old beliefs and different ways of living. So, it’s not hard to believe that Indian superstitions play a major role in daily life. From how people start their day, to what they avoid until going to bed is something that’s often followed unconsciously. While some beliefs have scientific foundations, some are rooted in mythology and some are narratives passed down through generations. So, here’s a complete guide to the most popular superstitions in Indian, their origin, meaning and why people still practice them.

What Is The Meaning Of Superstition

The Cambridge Dictionary defines superstition as “a belief that is not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but is connected with old ideas about magic, etc.” Indian superstitions and beliefs are quite rampant. From amusing to downright bizarre, there are many superstition beliefs in India. Just as a language will have different dialects in different regions, one superstition or belief might be practised in a variety of ways in different regions. While superstitions are usually attributed to a lack of education, well-educated Indians also follow these superstitions quite blindly.

List Of The Most Popular Superstitions In India

Here are some of the most commonly held Indian superstitions. You can see at least one of them being practised almost every day in most areas. Here’s a closer look at some superstitions in India.

Table That Summarises The 20 Most Common Superstitions In India

Sl. No	Superstition	Belief / Meaning	Why People Follow It
1	Lemon & Chillies	Protects against evil eye (nazar).	Cultural symbol of protection; antibacterial logic.
2	Crow Droppings	Brings sudden good luck.	Idea that inconvenience brings future fortune.
3	Adding 1 Rupee to Gifts	Symbolizes continuity and prosperity.	“₹1” prevents the amount from ending.
4	Curd + Sugar Before Going Out	Ensures a sweet, successful start	Cooling effect + instant energy.
5	Mynah Birds	2 birds = good luck; 6 birds = money	Belief that bird sightings predict destiny.
6	No Sweeping After Sunset	Drives away Goddess Lakshmi.	Old habit from pre-electricity days.
7	No Cutting Nails/Hair on Certain Days	void bad luck; avoid angering Shani.	Astrology and cultural rules.
8	Kajal Dot on Babies	Protects infants from evil eye.	Traditional nazar prevention.
9	Itchy Palms	Right palm = money in; left palm = money out.	Based on energy flow beliefs.
10	Avoiding the Number 13	Associated with misfortune.	Adopted from global Christian belief.
11	Upside-Down Slippers	Brings financial loss or conflict.	Household energy belief.
12	Eye Twitching	Men: right eye good luck; Women: left eye good luck.	Future predictions through bodily signals.
13	Black Cat Crossing Path	Causes delays or obstacles.	Symbolic omen across many cultures.
14	Avoiding Eclipses	Unsafe to go out or eat during eclipse.	Mix of science + cultural caution.
15	Swallow Tulsi Leaves	Chewing disrespects Goddess Lakshmi.	Tulsi is considered sacred.
16	Avoid Peepal Trees at Night	Spirits are believed to reside there.	Strong folklore around ghosts.
17	Bathe After A Funeral	Removes negative energy and germs.	Hygiene + ritual purification.
18	Breaking a Mirror	Brings 7 years of bad luck.	Mirrors linked to destiny.
19	Calling Someone While They Leave	Interrupts their luck or task.	Cultural habit around beginnings.
20	Don’t Buy Black Shoes on Saturday	Displeases Shani; brings obstacles.	Astrology-based belief.

1. Lemon nd Chillies To Ward Off Evil

Hanging a lemon and seven chillies strung together in the house at the front door or under the front bumper of your vehicle to protect against an evil eye and spirits is one of the most common superstitious beliefs in India.

Belief: Protects from evil eye and negativity.

Scientific Reason: Lemon and chillies work as effective natural pesticides and natural antibacterials, thus protecting the home or whichever environment it is hung in.

2. Crow Droppings Brings Luck

If a crow poop on you, it’s considered good luck. This Indian superstition is based on a belief that if you suffer an inconvenience, you’ll have good fortune in return.

Belief: An unpleasant event that will bring good luck.

3. Adding One Rupee To Cash Gifts

Giving cash as gifts is common practice in various Indian occasions, ranging from birthdays to weddings and festivals. People in India gift amounts like ₹101, ₹501, ₹1001 instead of round numbers.

Belief: The extra ₹1 signifies continuity of growth and prosperity.

4. Eating Curd & Sugar Before Going Out

One of the most common Indian superstitions is to have a spoonful of curd mixed with a little sugar before going out or embarking on a new journey.

Belief: A sweet start ensures a good and successful outcome.Scientific Reason: Eating curd has a cooling effect on the digestive system, while sugar adds energy.

Also Read: 12 Unique Customs And Traditions In India That You Should Know

5. Spotting Mynah Birds

The Indian superstition of spotting a specific number of mynah birds or magpies might bring good or bad luck. Seeing one common mynah bird is believed to bring bad luck, but seeing a couple of them is supposed to bring good luck. There is a bonus: If you see six of them together, it means you are going to receive some money.

Belief: Specific number ofbird sightings can bring good or bad luck.

6. No Cleaning The House After Sunset

Cleaning or sweeping the house after sunset is believed to drive away the Hindu goddess of wealth Lakshmi.

Belief: Avoid sweeping after sunset to keep wealth inside.

Logical Reason: When there was no electricity,sweeping at night meant misplacing valuables.

7. Avoid Cutting Hair And Nails After Sunset

One of the most commonly followed superstitions in India is not cutting your hair and nails after sunset, it is considered inauspicious. Cutting on Thursdays and Saturdays too is said to bring bad luck. It is believed that such an act angers the planet Saturn (Shani), bringing on misfortune.

Belief: Cutting nails after sunset or on sacred days displeases Shani (Planet Saturn).

8. Black Kajal Dot On A Baby’s Forehead

In order to prevent unfortunate accidents, a lot of infants in India have a small spot (or several) of kaajal on their forehead and/or cheeks, even under their feet. Sometimes their eyes are lined with black kaajal too. This is supposed to ward off the evil eye.

Belief: Even infants can be the victim of an evil eye, hence protect them from nazar by putting small kajal dots.

9. Itchy Palms Can Predict Financial Movements

According to Indian superstitions, an itchy palm indicates some internal energy moving to your palms. When your right palm itches, it’s believed money will come in, but when your left palm itches, money may go out.

Belief: Palm itchiness predicts financial movement.

Logical Reason: Right palm is supposed to be dynamic or active, while the left hand is receptive or inactive.

10. Avoid The Number 13

This isn’t just among the superstitions in India; fear of the number 13 is a common superstition around the world. It’s said to have originated from the fact that Jesus’ 13th disciple Judas was the one who betrayed him and hence very unlucky. Belief: Globally considered an unlucky number.

11. Upside Down Slipper

In some Indian households, it is believed that leaving your flip-flops turned upside down will bring bad luck. It can bring arguments, misfortune or even financial loss to the family.

Belief: It invites household conflict or financial loss.

12. Eye Twitching

Yes, eye twitching is related to your destiny according to Indian superstitions. But it also depends on which eye twitches, as well as your gender. A twitching right eye brings good luck for men, while a twitching left eye brings good news for women.

Belief: Hints at future good/bad events.

Logical Reason: typically caused due to stress, fatigue, or excessive caffeine.

13. Black Cat Crossing Your Path

A black cat crossing your path is meant to signal that tasks get delayed or postponed. Some even wait till others walk by so that they are saved, the logic behind this is that the others will bear the brunt of the ‘curse’.

Belief: Black cat sightings are linked to temporary setbacks.

14. Don’t Step Out During An Eclipse

According to this superstitions in India, observing the sun during a solar eclipse should be avoided. It is also suggested to not consume anything during the celestial event. Pregnant women are advised to remain indoors during the entire time as well.

Belief: Negative energy, inauspiciousness, and potential harm to foetuses.

Scientific Reason: Doing so may cause retinal burns or eclipse blindness.

15. Swallow Tulsi Leaves

This one is a popular Indian belief as our ancestors believed that Tulsi is goddess Lakshmi’s avatar and hence, it is often prayed to as well. The leave of Tulsi Mata is supposed to be swallowed and never chew to not show disrespect to the goddess.

Belief: Tulsi is considered sacred and an avatar of Goddess Lakshmi.

16. Don’t Go Near A Peepal Tree At Night

Peepal trees are quite notorious in the Indian society. Our ancestors believed that peepal trees are where ghosts reside and it is considered a dangerous place at night. There are many who believe that if you sleep around this tree at night, the ghosts will kill you.

Belief: Association with the supernatural activities.

17. Taking Bath After A Funeral

It is believed that when the funeral rites are performed on the body of the deceased, negative spiritual forces, bad luck, or evil spirits can cling to a person. Hence a bath soon after attending a funeral is necessary to wash off negative energy.

Belief: To keep off negative spiritual forces.

Scientific Reason: Burial grounds arehome to many kinds of bacteria and infections. So, it is necessary to take a bath soon after attending a funeral to wash off unnecessary infections.

18. Breaking A Mirror

According to this superstition, if a mirror breaks, it means seven years of bad luck. The curse can only be nullified if one takes the pieces outside and buries them under the moonlight. Also, if an undisturbed mirror in a house suddenly falls and smashes, it means that there will soon be a death.

Belief: Seven years of misfortune if a mirror breaks.

19. Not saying Goodbye Before Leaving

It’s advisable to not say goodbye to someone or tell them something when they are going out the door. Our ancestors believed that calling someone’s name while they are going is bad luck. If one does so, the person leaving will be unlucky in whatever activity he/she was about to undertake.

Belief: Calling someone after they have step out is believed to bring bad luck in their task.

20. Don’t Buy Black Shoes On Saturday

Buying black shoes on a Saturday is supposed to be inauspicious. According to Hindu Mythology, wearing black shoes on Saturdays disappoints Shani (God of justice in the Hindu religion) and this might bring failure and create hurdles in your life.

Belief: It’s like displeasing Shani Dev.

Suggested Reads: 10 Unusual New Year’s Eve Traditions From Around The World

Final Words

Some Indians believe that the mysticism associated with the power in inanimate things has considerable influence over one’s life. Some of these superstations in India have been handed down for generations from our ancestors, who are revered to be wise. This is the reason why we can’t seem to let go of many age-old beliefs. Let us know if we have missed any of the most bizarre superstition in India in the comments below!

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