A source of constant surprise, frustration, and amusement, I encountered numerous superstitions while living in Lutugino. Whether these are uniquely Ukrainian or held over from Soviet times, I can not say. Most people will admit that the majority of these are ludicrous, but they've been hammered with these beliefs since childhood and they are now behavioural norms. There are several overlaps with the rest of Europe and with America, such as the black cat, salt spilling, and "knock on wood" tradition. Here are the ones which I've noticed over the course of 2 years:
Rule:
You mustn't whistle indoors.
Repercussion:
You will not have money (this is a common consequence).
Rule:
You mustn't walk through any triangles (not only under a ladder).
Repercussion:
You will contract an illness (another super common one).
Rule:
You mustn't step on manhole covers.
Repercussion:
You will contract an illness. (This one originated from the fact that covers are often loose or stolen, so it's better to just be in the habit of avoiding them. For your health.)
Rule:
You mustn't tear (e.g. a thread or tag), cut, or sew any clothing that you're wearing.
Repercussion:
You will contract an illness.
Rule:
You mustn't sit at the corner of a table.
Repercussion:
You'll never get married.
Rule:
You mustn't count money or pay someone after dark.
Repercussion:
You will not have money.
Rule:
If you have a slice of bread, you must finish it.
Repercussion:
You will not have money.
Rule:
You mustn't take out the trash or throw things out after dark.
Repercussion:
You will not have money.
Rule:
You mustn't pass money from hand to hand, but instead lay it on a surface (traditionally a wooden one, but that's become rather flexible).
Repercussion:
The passer will not have money.
Rule:
You mustn't cut your hair while pregnant, nor cut the child's hair within the first year.
Repercussion:
The child will be unhealthy.
Not to make it seem as though it's all doom, gloom, illness, and poverty, there are also some situations that will bring one good luck and riches:
Rule:
You mustn't whistle indoors.
Repercussion:
You will not have money (this is a common consequence).
Rule:
You mustn't walk through any triangles (not only under a ladder).
Repercussion:
You will contract an illness (another super common one).
Rule:
You mustn't step on manhole covers.
Repercussion:
You will contract an illness. (This one originated from the fact that covers are often loose or stolen, so it's better to just be in the habit of avoiding them. For your health.)
Rule:
You mustn't tear (e.g. a thread or tag), cut, or sew any clothing that you're wearing.
Repercussion:
You will contract an illness.
Rule:
You mustn't sit at the corner of a table.
Repercussion:
You'll never get married.
Rule:
You mustn't count money or pay someone after dark.
Repercussion:
You will not have money.
Rule:
If you have a slice of bread, you must finish it.
Repercussion:
You will not have money.
Rule:
You mustn't take out the trash or throw things out after dark.
Repercussion:
You will not have money.
Rule:
You mustn't pass money from hand to hand, but instead lay it on a surface (traditionally a wooden one, but that's become rather flexible).
Repercussion:
The passer will not have money.
Rule:
You mustn't cut your hair while pregnant, nor cut the child's hair within the first year.
Repercussion:
The child will be unhealthy.
Not to make it seem as though it's all doom, gloom, illness, and poverty, there are also some situations that will bring one good luck and riches:
- A spider descends from your ceiling and lands on your head.
- A swallow or a stork builds a nest on your roof or balcony.
- You allow your pet to enter your new home before you start moving in.
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