Russian Superstitions and Beliefs

1. Black cats crossing your path and horseshoes above a doorway

чёрный кот перебежал дорогу (chornyy kot perebezhal darogu) "Black cat crossing your path"

In Russia, it's believed that if a black cat runs across your path, you're going to have bad luck today. This is because black cats are believed to be concerned with mysterious and dark things.

подкова над входом (patkova nat fkhodam) "Horseshoe above the doorway"

In Russia, it's believed that a horseshoe hung above the front door brings you luck. If you hang the horseshoe on the inside the house, it protects the people and the things inside. If you hang it on the outside, it will keep thieves and all the bad stuff out of your house.

2. Spilling salt and sugar

рассыпанная соль (rasypannaya sol') "Spilled salt"

In Russia, it's believed that if you spill some salt you are going to have a fight or quarrel with someone. This is because there were times when salt was as expensive as gold in Russia, so if someone spilled even a little bit, a fight seemed imminent.

рассыпать сахар (rasypat' sakhar) "Spilling some sugar"

In Russia, it's believed that if you spill some sugar by accident it's a good sign because love will come to you. Maybe, the reason is that sugar is sweet, and people assosiate it with good things, contrary to salt.

3. Handing something or carrying the bride over the threshold of a door

передавать через порог (peredavat' cheres parok) "Handing something over the threshold (of a door)"

In Russia, it's believed that you shouldn't hand anything over the threshold of a door. You should be completely on one side or the other before giving something to someone. This is because, in the past, the ashes of one's forefathers were buried under the thresholds of the doorway. So, when handing something through the door, you could bother their souls.

переносить невесту через порог (perenasit' nevestu cheres parok) "Carrying the bride over the threshold (of a door)"

In Russia, it's believed that when entering the house after the wedding for the first time, the bridegroom should carry his bride over the threshold. This is because the spirits of one's forefathers are believed to live near the entrance. So, bringing your new wife (a new person) in the house using your own hands is like introducing her to them.

4. Broken mirrors and pigeons on the windows

разбитое зеркало (razbitae zerkala) "Broken mirror"

In Russia, it's believed that if you break a mirror, 7 years of troubles are waiting for you. This is because in the 15th century, when glass mirrors began to appear, they were very expensive.

голубь на подоконнике (golup' na padakonike) "Pigeon on your windowsill"

In Russia, it's believed that a pigeon sitting on your windowsill is a good sign that nothing bad will happen in the near future. This is because the pigeon is believed to be a symbol of peace and love in many countries. Furthermore, there were times when pigeons used to bring mail, so pigeons are still associated with good news.

5. Itchy palms

правая ладонь чешется (pravaya ladon' cheshetsa) "Itching right palm"

In Russia, it's believed that if your right palm is itching, you will have to give away or lose some money. This is because the right hand is considered to be the "giving hand" and the left one is the "taking hand."

левая ладонь чешется (levaya ladon' cheshetsa) "Itching left palm"

In Russia, it's believed that if your left palm is itching, you are about to receive some money. This is because the left hand is considered to be the "taking hand" and the right one is the "giving hand." So, to get some money, you should scratch your left palm more often.