2. Why I Chose This Topic Superstitions have always fascinated me as a kid & it’s really interesting learning the different superstitions from other cultures. I don’t think that people really acknowledge superstitions, & many of them don’t know that most of them have deeper meanings. Hitchens, Andrew. “Bad Luck Illustration.” Photo. Flickr.com 23 Sept. 2010 11 Feb., 2011
3. So What Exactly Are Superstitions? A superstition is a belief of the ominous significance of a particular idea or happening. It isnot really based on any reasoning or knowledge. Kroese, Yvonne. “Superstition.” Photo. Flickr.com 27 Feb. 2010 11 Feb. 2011
4. Some examples of Superstitions Step on a crack, break your mother’s back! It’s bad luck to go under a ladder. If you break that mirror, you’ll get seven years of bad luck! Knock on wood! These three are just some examples of some familiar superstitions that we may have all heard about. Let’s get more in depth…
5. Superstitions Vs. Culture Superstitions are a big part of culture. In fact, they are so important, that they actually affect cultures around the world. Hillewaert, Hans. “Shona Witch Doctor.” Photo. Commons.wikimedia.org Aug. 1989 11 Feb. 2011 Unknown, Jimmie. “Burning Paper Money Fire Dying.” Photo. Flickr.com 13 Feb. 2010 11 Feb. 2011
6. Around the World In China, it is considered bad luck if you do not finish every grain of rice in your bowl. In Africa, many people believe in witch doctors. Lighting a cigarette with a candle is looked down upon in Germany.
7. In Asian cultures, children are taught to finish every grain of rice in his or her bowl or else they will get bad luck. In the Philippines, it is bad luck if one person at the dinner table leaves before everyone else is finished. Superstitions could be used as a good way of teaching younger children lessons or morals.
8. Just some facts In August 2003, Sichuan Airlines paid 2.33 million yuan(280,000 dollars) for the telephone number (considered particularly lucky because it has eight 8s) at an auction of lucky phone numbers. (Vital Statistics) August 8, 2008, at 8 p.m. That was the date that the Beijing Olympics were to begin. Jackson, Kevin. “Unknown.” Photo. Flickr.com 8 Mar. 2007 11 Feb. 2011