1. 1

2. —Theophrastus
2

3. Superstition is any belief or
practise that is irrational -
i.e., it arises from ignorance,
a misunderstanding of
science or causality, a
positive belief in fate or
magic, or fear of that which
is unknown. "Superstition"
also refers to religious beliefs
or actions arising
from irrationality.
WHAT ARE
SUPERSTITONS?
3

4. Here are the
possible reasons
behind the famous
superstitions
which prevail in
India

5. 5 5
1

6. 2
6

7. 7
3
• Restriction of opening umbrella inside house
had a sensible reason back in the days. The
umbrellas were built with hard metal spokes
and spring triggers, which could be dangerous
to open. In fact, opening one indoors could
pose a danger to people and fragile objects
nearby.
• Warning people not to open an umbrella
indoors served to protect the health and safety
of people and property indoors. Later this was
considered as “bad luck” considering the
injuries and broken objects, which often
coincided with the umbrella’s opening.
Opening An Umbrella Inside
The House

8. 4
• Superstitious belief goes like this: 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.
Hanging Lemon and 7 Green
Chillies In shops and Business
Places.
8

9. 9
5

10. 10
• 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.
6

11. 7
11

12. 8
• The fact that few species of bat drinks blood does
not help to the superstitious beliefs revolving
around them. There is an old myth that if a bat
enters the house or flies around the hose for three
times or more then death is waiting for someone in
the family. There are many different myths
associated with the bats in different countries and
culture which adds up to bats being an bad omen.
• The real reason behind the bats entering the hose
brings death is because of the disease transmitted
by bats were deadly back in the days when there
was no medicines for these disease. Rabies, Nipah,
Hendra, Ebola and Marburg are all viruses carried by
bats that can cause serious disease in humans.
Marburg virus and some strains of Ebola virus can
kill up to 80-90% of humans infected.
Bats Entering The House
Brings Death
12

13. 9
13

14. 10
14

15. 11
15

16. 12
• It is common in India to give money for
weddings and auspicious occasions. It is
considered auspicious to add a rupee to the
sum total.
• There are various reasons, for some, it is a
blessing, a token of love and luck. For some it
is the beginning of a new cycle. For some it
makes the sum an odd number and indivisible
which is a good omen for the married couple.
If the rupee is not added the sum total will be
separable or it will end in zero which indicates
the end, so adding the rupee will make the
number odd hence assuring continuity.
Adding one rupee to a gift
sum is auspicious
16

17. 13
17

18. CONCLUSION
• From the above explanations and observations, it is clear that superstitions is
one thing related to our attitude and thoughts related to our own environment.
Thus we have created some ideas to make peoples aware of this thing such
that they will urge the future generation in correct path.
• Many superstitions still rule the lives of the backward classes and tribal people.
They are ignorant people. But when the educated people fill his life with
superstitions, we hardly find any explanation.
• To conclude, superstition in India is a sequel to fear for the unseen. It seems
extremely difficult to erase out from the mind all considerations of a nameless
fear, although it is not an unattainable ideal.

19. “
19
—JOSE BERGAMIN
“A belief which leaves no place for doubt is not a belief;
it is a SUPERSTITION.”

20. “
—George Iles
“A SUPERSTITION is a premature explanation that
overstays its time”
20

21. THANK YOU FOR
WATCHING