Creepiest Myths & Superstitions From Around The World

Learn about the most terrifying superstitions from around the world.

#1 - Benin - Voodoo Dolls. While the origin of voodoo dolls is somewhat up for debate, most believe that it was in Benin, a country in West Africa. Over the years, there have been changes to the concept of voodoo dolls depending on what country you’re in, but let's talk about the original.

#2 - England - Bloody Mary. Standing in a dark bathroom and chanting “bloody mary” into the mirror was a sleepover tradition when I was younger. But how did it start?

#3 - Japan - The number 4. In the United states it’s a commonly known thing for the number 13 to be unlucky, which I’ll explain later. But in Japan and several other east asian countries, the number 4 is even more unlucky than our number 13.

#4 - Europe - Knocking on wood. Supposedly this is just in Europe but I was born and raised in the USA and used this all the time as a kid. However, it originated in Europe.

#5 - Korea - Fan death. In Korea, it’s believed that if you leave an electric fan running in a secluded/closed off room, you’re sure to die.

#6 - Russia - Lucky empty bottles. If you’re in Russia and you’re needing a little extra luck, you’re supposed to place an empty bottle on the ground.

#7 - Greece - Broken Mirrors. So a lot of us know that if you break a mirror, it’s supposed to cause you 7 years of bad luck.

#8 - United Kingdom - “Rabbit Rabbit”. On the first day of each month, you’re supposed to say “rabbit rabbit” as soon as you wake up. This is supposed to bring an abundance of luck.

#9 - Rwanda - Eating goat meat. I’ve spent my entire life in Ohio and I’ve had goat meat, but I wouldn’t say that it's one of the most common meats of choice around here.

#10 - Canada - Pregnant cravings. I feel like people stereotypically relate Canada with maple syrup and hockey; that’s what I see in movies anyway. Has anyone ever heard anything about Canada and babies with fish heads though?

#11 - Mexico - Two mirrors. Placing two mirrors across from each other can create a really cool effect. The reflections bouncing off of each other creates an illusion of infinite reflection, so there’s a never ending appearance of mirror inside of mirror.

#12 - Italy - JINX! Here in the U.S, if you say the same thing at the same time as someone, people will say “Jinx”. Jinxing something typically means to bring bad luck.

#13 - South America - “Swept” off your feet. I grew up hearing the superstition that if a broom falls, it’s supposed to mean that company is coming later that day. However a new broom superstition that I’ve heard about relates to the jinxed superstition in Italy.

#14 - Ireland - Magpies. Magpies are a black and white bird, known for stealing shiny objects. This superstition is pretty popular in Europe as a whole, but Ireland specifically takes Magpies very seriously.

#15 - Ireland/Scotland (Celtics) - Jack o’ lanterns. This is a superstition near and dear to my heart. Halloween has been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember so doing a little research on this was SO fun.

#16 - Egypt - Walking under a ladder. Walking under a ladder has poor consequences in many parts of the world, but dates as far back as ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed that a ladder against a wall formed a “sacred triangle”, which should not be disrupted.

#17 - India - Unlucky 13. As a kid I remember a lot of people’s lucky number being 13, and I’m not sure if that was supposed to be ironic or not due to all the belief of bad luck behind the number.

#18 - Turkey - Chewing gum at night. In the 1980’s movie “Gremlins”, you aren't supposed to feed these fluffy little creatures after midnight or things get a little scary.

#19 - Japan - Hide your thumbs. Cemeteries are kind of a spooky place in general I think, but this tradition makes them a little spookier.

#20 - The Philippines - Lighting attractor. They say lightning never strikes the same place twice. Well it might not anyway, as long as you aren’t wearing red!

#21 - Vietnam
#22 - Germany
#23 - Argentina
#24 - Switzerland
#25 - U.S.A

// COMMENTS //
Leave me a comment below with your favorite spooky myth!

// SUBSCRIBE //

😏Studio Tools:😏

[PickledHam]

I strangely enjoyed this segment. Now I have an uncontrollable urge to stay in the Stanley Hotel on the 13th floor in the 13th room on Friday the 13th during a full moon.

[xianthegaian]

You guys should make more videos like this A-1 👍