Lasting love is hard to find, as the path to get there is messy, filled with loneliness and terrible dates. But once you find it, you want to hold on to it forever. Here are 10 superstitions that could be hindering your love life. From strange wedding traditions to cursed gifts, unlucky numbers to facial hair, you’ll uncover some cultural myths that could be the only thing standing in your way of everlasting happiness.
Pregnant Bride
Some Christian traditions discourage couples from consummating their marriage before the wedding. Additionally, certain Asian cultures view a bride’s pregnancy at the altar as bad luck. The belief is that the concurrence of two significant life events—marriage and parenthood—disrupts harmonious energy. While modern society has largely moved away from these beliefs, superstitious couples who wish to ensure the longevity of their relationship may choose to adhere to these traditions.
Facial Hair is Bad Luck
Facial hair has held diverse cultural meanings throughout history. Certain cultural superstitions view facial hair as unlucky in romantic pursuits. Although modern preferences are diverse, with some individuals favoring a groomed appearance, others prefer a more natural look. If you’ve experienced repeated romantic setbacks, you might want to consider how your facial hair aligns with your potential partner’s preferences.
Odd or Even Number of Flowers
A bouquet makes the perfect gift on Valentine’s Day. But do you know the superstition about the number of flowers? In Russia, an even number of flowers is reserved for funerals and to show mourning. An odd number of flowers is meant for celebrations and joyous occasions. While we don’t intend to cause undue stress during your last-minute gift selection, if you are superstitious, make sure the bouquet has an odd number of flowers.
Avoid Yellow Roses
Red roses are a timeless Valentine’s Day gift, and their recipients often appreciate the gesture of love. Romantics trying to shake things up might want to reconsider different-colored roses. In some East Asian cultures, yellow roses symbolize jealousy, disloyalty, and infidelity—not the message you want to convey to a loved one. In some interpretations, it implies that the gifter is being unfaithful. While trying new things might stir up the romance, perhaps you should stick to the classic.
Avoid the Number 8
Here’s another superstition involving numbers. In India, the number 8 is viewed with caution by some, as it is associated with Saturn (Shani) and believed to bring potential difficulties and delays. People born or married on the 8th are thought to be more prone to difficulties and delays. Contrarily, the number can also bring karmic balance, offsetting bad fortune with good fortune. If you are superstitious, you may want to avoid scheduling your date or wedding on the 8th, just to be safe.
Don’t Gift a Clock
We give gifts to our loved ones because we care about them and want them to be happy. In Chinese culture, gifting a clock or a watch is considered taboo. That’s because the phrase “gifting a clock” sounds similar to saying goodbye forever in Cantonese. It’s the equivalent of sending someone off to their final journey or attending a funeral. Those who are superstitious might want to find an alternative gift, unless you want to put bad energy into your relationship.
Don’t Find Her Name
Henna, a form of temporary tattooing, is often used in some Hindu and Muslim wedding traditions. Marriages from these cultures are typically arranged, and as a way to break the ice on the wedding day, the bride would have a symbol (name or pattern) tattooed somewhere on her body. The groom then had to search his bride’s body and find her name—that’s one way to get comfortable with a stranger. Some weddings won’t proceed unless the groom finds the hidden symbol. Want to bring more positive energy to your marriage? Play this adult version of “I Spy” on your wedding day.
Leaving Scissors Open
In parts of Northern Africa, particularly in Egypt, scissors can bring bad luck. If a groom leaves scissors open during the wedding ceremony, it is believed to make him impotent. Additionally, if he drops the scissors, it could lead the bride to become unfaithful. For those wanting all the positive vibes on their wedding day, here’s a hot tip: stay away from scissors. Or if you do, use extra caution and be sure to close them.
Coins in Your Shoes For Financial Prosperity
When you marry, you and your spouse combine finances. This was a concern for some Swedish parents. So, they came up with a superstition to ensure their daughters would prosper financially. On the wedding day, the bride’s father is to place a silver coin in her left shoe and her mother is to place a gold coin in her right shoe. They believed this would ensure financial stability. In a non-superstitious way, it kind of does. Does she get to keep the coins?
Do Not Share Your Towel
Sharing a towel with your spouse? That could bring some bad luck to your relationship. In Russia, some believe that sharing a towel can lead to conflict. While it’s certainly less than hygienic, this superstition adds another reason to keep your towels separate. If you’re concerned about potential relationship problems, consider avoiding sharing towels. And to be clear, my towel is on the right.
