OMENS

Do you believe in omens ?
Well some people might and some people might not. But the fact is that centuries ago when science was in its initial stages, people used to believe in omens, and they had developed a language , and tried to understand the language of nature, to predict their futures. At that time, people used to talk about science in such a way that we are talking about omens now, there were people who used to believe in science, while some other people used to think there is no such thing as science, and there can't be a thing like a light bulb, or a flying plane. But the fact is, we don't believe in things until we see them by our naked eyes. Similarly in the ancient times, people used to believe in omens because it was a language they discovered, and things have happened in the way as it was predicted according to the omen.Now a days, we are so overwhelmed by scientific discoveries that we dont even try to look beyond science. But one will have to belief that in ancient times, when their was no science, people used to believe in omens (good or bad), Kings used to go on wars only after understanding the omens whether it was a good time for them to stand in the battlefield or not. And its not like that we dont have omens now, there are still several signs that the nature is trying to show us, but we are so busy in our lives now that we dont even try to care about them , we dont even believe in them, or we simply ignore them labelling as scientifical methods like, "oh its global warming", "oh its an  eartuquake" or such other things. But to understad the nature properly one should first learn to understand the language of the nature.

What an omen is?
An omen (also called portent or presage) is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change.Though the word "omen" is usually devoid of reference to the change's nature, hence being possibly either "good" or "bad," the term is more often used in a foreboding sense, as with the word "ominous". The origin of the word is unknown, although it may be connected with the Latin word audire, meaning "to hear."

In India, where the records of the early ages of civilization go back hundreds of years, omens are considered of great importance.
In Greece, the home of the greatest and highest culture and civilization, we find, too, omens regarded very seriously, while to-day there are vast numbers of persons of intellect, the world over, who place reliance upon omens.


SOME OMENS OF GOOD FORTUNE


When A Butterfly Flies Into Your House
This is commonly interpreted to mean that you are about to receive some important guests. If the butterfly has bright colours, it means the visitor will bring good news relating to your love life. If the butterfly is dark – almost black – the visitor is bringing you good news related to your career or business. Never chase a fluttering butterfly out of your house. They almost always bring good tidings. Do not try to catch it, as inadvertently killing a butterfly causes your good luck to change into bad luck.

When Bats Nest In Your Home
This is one of the most powerful indications that the family is about to become seriously wealthy. The Chinese regard bats as symbols of abundant wealth. The circular pattern of five bats is a very popular design feature found on furniture, paintings and ceramics. The Chinese believe that bats nest only in auspicious places – they have highly developed sensory parts that are able to “smell” out places with auspicious chi. The next time bats come and nest in the eaves of your home, rejoice because this heralds good fortune.

When Your Hands Tingle
It is a sure sign that money is either coming to you or leaving you! The general consensus is that when it is your left hand that tingles, money is coming to you – the 4-digit kind or winning a lottery. When it is the right hand, it means money is leaving you. The same interpretation is also placed on hands that suddenly start to itch. If your left palm starts to itch, mercilessly rejoice. It means you are about to come into a windfall!



When You See A Shooting Star
And immediately make a wish, whatever you wish for will manifest within the next thirty days. If you are sick, you will get well; if your luck has been bad, it will take a turn for the better; and if you have just had a quarrel, you will make up. If you have lost something, you will regain it. Seeing a shooting star can be quite a common occurrence, so always have a wish handy. Close your eyes and wish fervently!

When A Cat Comes Into Your House
It usually means some kind of bad luck. Usually black cats signify treachery and betrayal, so it is better to chase them away. White cats signify death, but some say that golden cats signify good luck hidden in bad luck. In the old days cats were often associated with witchcraft and bad omens.

If You Put On Your Clothes The Wrong Way Round
This is said to be a sign of extreme good fortune. It doesn’t count if you do this on purpose, but if for some reason you wear your clothes the wrong way round, it indicates that you will shortly receive some windfall or some very favourable news. This is a particularly good omen for those who have been suffering a spate of bad luck, as it suggests that your luck is about to change for the better.


When It Rains And The Sun Is Shining
The simultaneous appearance of the sun and the rain is a very good sign indeed. This is when it is most likely for you to see rainbows in the sky. Indeed when the sun is shining brightly and there is also a shower of rain, it means that everything you are working on will be successful. You will receive the support of some very important people. If a son or daughter is born on such a day, it is a wonderful sign of a great life. If you happen to be getting married on such a day, you will enjoy a very auspicious life together.

Dogs howling
A dog howling at night chills the blood , it indicates a portent of approaching death.

SOME OMENS OF BAD FORTUNE


Breaking a Mirror
Our ancestors began this superstition, because they thought the image in a mirror, contained our actual soul. Thus, a broken mirror, represented the soul being pulled from your body and being trapped in all the shattered pieces.The reason the bad luck lasted for seven years, was because the Romans believed that after seven years, the body was physically renewed and the soul could once again return whole.

Black Cats 
Black cats have long been believed to be a supernatural omen, since the witch hunts of the middle ages, when cats were thought to be connected to evil. Since then, it is considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path.
Ironically, a black cat walking towards you is considered lucky, while one walking away is said to be stealing your luck.

Crow
Crows entering the house and cawing often bring bad news. To hear a crow after dark is a sign of bad news to come or some illness in the house,. If crow sits upon your head it is a sign of death or deadly pains.

Salt
At one time salt was a rare commodity and thought to have magical powers. It was unfortunate to spill salt and said to foretell family disarray and death. To ward off bad luck, throw a pinch over your shoulder and all will be well.



Unlucky Number 13
The fear of the number 13 is still common today, and avoided in many different ways. Some buildings still do not have an official 13th floor and many people avoid driving or going anywhere on Friday the 13th.



SUPERSTITIONS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES


CHINA

• On the stroke of midnight, every door and window in the house has to be opened to allow the old year to go out is one of the Chinese superstition they adhere to.
• If you cry on New Year’s Day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.
• The number of steps in a staircase should be even-numbered.
• It is bad luck to have two room doors face each other.
• An improper funeral will bring ill fortune and disaster.
• Red is the color of blood or life and will bring happiness, wealth, fame, and good luck
• The luckiest number is eight because its Chinese word also means “prosper”
• The unluckiest number is four as it sounds like the Chinese word for death

GREECE

• Although some of the Greeks believe that it brings bad luck to kill a bat, but keeping a bat bone is considered to protect them from evil eye.
• Other Islanders believe quite the opposite. They think that bats are unholy creatures and should be avoided at all costs, and would never dream of carrying a piece of  one as a talisman.
• Every typical Greek house has a cactus growing near its door – they believe that it saves them from troubles.
• Any Greek knows that if he sneezes, somebody thinks about him.
• Bread is considered a gift from God.No bread is ever thrown away.
• Fish are believed to be wise and knowledgeable. But the Church also sees the fish as a revered symbol of silence. Fish don’t speak or make noise.
• It is thought that garlic not only wards off the evil eye but also keeps away evil spirits and demons.
• Never hand some one a knife. Set it down and let them pick it up, or else you will get into a fight with that person.
• Greeks believe that Money attracts money, so never leave your pockets, purses or wallets completely empty and never completely empty your bank account. Always leave at least a coin or two. It is also considered good luck that when you give a gift of a wallet or a purse, that you put a coin or two in it before giving it to the recipient.
• If you have an unwanted guest in your home and you want them to leave. All you have to do is sprinkle salt behind them. The powers of the salt will chase him out.
• It is also customary to sprinkle salt in a new home before you occupy it, as the salt will drive any evil out and away from you and your family.

INDIA

when you are going out -these are considered bad—

• some one asks you ‘where are you going?’
• some body sneeze odd no; of times
• a widow, a single Brahman or a man carrying oil or milk or a cat crossing your path.
• going below the ladder.
• hitting your head or feet on the thresh hold.

the following are considered to be good:

• eating curds with jaggery

Bad Superstitions

• milk over-flowing except on sankranthi day
• spilling of oil, turmeric, kumkum
• hair-cutting on Tuesdays or in evenings
• lizard falling on head

Smashing of coconut on a stone is considered good
One of the most common rituals in Hinduism is the breaking of a coconut before an activity of any magnitude is undertaken. Coconuts are broken when foundation stones of buildings are laid and are broken again when the building is being put to use.



JAPAN

• If you drive past a funeral, you must hide your thumb in a fist. This is because the Japanese word for thumb literally translates as “parent-finger” and hiding it is considered protection for your parent. If you don’t, your parent will die.
• There are several unlucky numbers in Japanese. Traditionally, 4 and 9 are unlucky. Four is sometimes pronounced shi, which is also the word for death.
• Nine is also sometimes pronounced ku, which can mean suffering.
• 13 is also occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this is imported from Western culture. Because of these unlucky numbers, sometimes levels or rooms with 4 or 9 in them don’t exist in hospitals or hotels, and particularly in the maternity section of a hospital, the room number 43 is avoided because it can literally mean “still birth.” Therefore, when giving gifts such as sets of plates, they are normally sets of three or five, never four.
• If you go to a funeral, you should throw spread salt over yourself before entering your home. This is believed to be cleansing.
• You should never sleep with your head in North position or you will have a short life
• Chopsticks should not be stuck upright into food, especially rice. Chopsticks are only stuck upright into rice in the bowl on the altar at a funeral.
• Cutting your fingernails or toenails at night is bad luck. If you do so, it is believed that you will not be with your parents at their deathbed.
• You should never write a person’s name in red ink.