Nepal, a nation of staggering mountains and profound spirituality, is also a land of intricate beliefs. It’s estimated that over 650 distinct superstitions shape the daily lives of its people. These beliefs, often referred to as andhvishwas (เค เคจเฅเคงเคตเคฟเคถเฅเคตเคพเคธ) or folk traditions, blend Hindu, Buddhist, and ancient animist rituals. They govern everything from travel and mealtimes to finance and health. Here are 60 of the most enduring superstitions you’ll encounter in Nepal.
1
Evil Eye (Aankha Lagnu)
The belief that a jealous gaze can cause illness or misfortune. Babies and children often wear a black dot (tika) on their forehead for protection.
2
Sneezing Before Leaving
If someone sneezes just as you are about to leave the house, itโs a bad omen. You should stop, sit down, and drink some water before setting off again.
3
Yogurt for Good Luck
Eating a spoonful of yogurt (dahi) before leaving for an important task, like an exam or interview, is believed to ensure success.
4
No Sweeping at Night
Sweeping the house after sunset is forbidden. Itโs believed you will sweep away Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity.
5
Crow Cawing
If a crow caws on your roof, it signals that guests are coming. The number of caws can even indicate the number of visitors.
6
Black Cat Crossing
Like in many cultures, a black cat crossing your path is a sign of bad luck. Many people will wait for someone else to cross the path first to “clear” the bad luck.
7
Cutting Nails at Night
Trimming your nails after dark is thought to bring misfortune, shorten your lifespan, or attract spirits.
8
Itchy Palms
An itchy right palm means you are about to receive money, while an itchy left palm means you will have to spend or lose money.
9
“Where Are You Going?”
It is considered bad luck to ask someone “Where are you going?” (Kaha jane?) as they are leaving. It’s believed to jinx their journey or purpose.
10
Empty Water Pot
Seeing an empty water pot (gagri) when you are starting a journey is a very bad omen. Conversely, seeing a pot full of water is a sign of success.
11
Dog Howling
A dog howling mournfully at night, especially in a long, low wail, is believed to be a premonition of death in the neighborhood.
12
Peepal Tree at Night
One should never go near or sleep under a Peepal (sacred fig) tree at night. Itโs believed to be the resting place of spirits (bhoot and pret).
13
Right Foot First
When entering a new home or a temple, you must always step in with your right foot first to bring good fortune and positive energy.
14
Stepping Over People
You must never step over someone’s body or legs, especially a child’s. It is believed this will stunt their growth permanently.
15
Touching Books with Feet
Accidentally touching a book, paper, or any learning material with your foot is a grave disrespect to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. You must immediately touch the object, then your forehead, as an apology (dhog).
16
Whistling at Night
Whistling indoors after dark is strongly discouraged. It is said to attract snakes or evil spirits into the home.
17
Lemon and Chilies
You will often see seven green chilies and a lemon (nimbu-mirchi) hanging in doorways or vehicles to ward off the evil eye and bad luck.
18
Spilling Salt
Spilling salt is a bad omen that is believed to lead to arguments or fights within the family.
19
Spilling Milk
While spilling boiled milk is a bad omen, milk boiling over the pot is sometimes seen as a sign of abundance and prosperity.
20
Tuesday Haircuts
Getting a haircut or shaving on a Tuesday is considered unlucky. Tuesdays are associated with Mars (Mangal), a fiery planet, and cutting hair can anger it.
21
Saturday Prohibitions
Saturday is ruled by Lord Shani (Saturn), a feared deity. One should not cut nails, shave, or buy iron or leather on this day, as it may bring Shani’s wrath.
22
Yawning Without Covering
Always cover your mouth when you yawn. An open, uncovered yawn is believed to be an invitation for spirits to enter your body.
23
Lizard Falling
If a house lizard falls on you, the omen depends on where it lands. Falling on the head is a bad omen (danger), while falling on the right arm might mean good luck.
24
Giving with the Left Hand
The left hand is considered impure, as it’s traditionally used for personal hygiene. Giving or receiving anything (especially money or food) with the left hand is highly disrespectful.
25
The Number Three
It’s considered unlucky to go anywhere in a group of three (tin-tigha, kaam-bigha). This is especially true for important journeys.
26
Sleeping Facing North
You should not sleep with your head pointing north. This direction is associated with death; corpses are laid with their heads pointing north before cremation.
27
Menstrual Taboos (Chhaupadi)
In some (though declining) traditions, menstruating women are considered “impure” and are forbidden from touching others, entering the kitchen, or visiting temples.
28
Calling from Behind
If you are leaving and someone calls your name from behind, it’s a bad omen. You should pause for a moment before continuing.
29
Hiccups (Baadki)
If you get hiccups, it means someone is remembering you. To stop them, you are supposed to guess the name of the person thinking of you.
30
Eye Twitching
A twitching right eye is a good omen (you’ll see something good), while a twitching left eye is a bad omen (you’ll see or hear bad news). The reverse is sometimes said to be true for women.
31
Broken Mirror
Breaking a mirror brings bad luck, though the “seven years” part is less emphasized than the immediate misfortune or quarrel it might cause.
32
Eating from the Pot
If an unmarried person eats directly from the cooking pot, it is believed it will rain on their wedding day.
33
Upside-Down Shoe
An upside-down slipper or shoe is a bad omen that is believed to invite a quarrel or fight into the household. It should be flipped over immediately.
34
Gifting Knives
You should never gift a sharp object like a knife or scissors, as it will “cut” the friendship. The recipient must “buy” it from the giver for a nominal amount, like one rupee.
35
Multiple Sneezes
While one sneeze is a bad omen, two sneezes in a row are considered good luck, effectively canceling the bad omen and allowing you to proceed.
36
Shaking Legs
Idly shaking your legs or knees while sitting is frowned upon. It is believed you are shaking away your wealth and good fortune.
37
Owl Hooting
While the owl is the vehicle of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), hearing one hoot near your home, especially at night, is often seen as a portent of death.
38
Money in Dreams
Dreaming of receiving money is actually a bad omen, suggesting you will lose money or face trouble. However, dreaming of feces is a good sign, meaning you will gain money.
39
Snakes in Dreams
Dreaming of a snake, especially a cobra, is often interpreted as an ancestor or a deity (Nag Devata) visiting you, which is a powerful omen of good fortune.
40
Eclipse (Grahan)
During a solar or lunar eclipse, pregnant women must stay indoors to protect their unborn child from deformities. People also avoid eating or drinking.
41
Sacred Cow
Cows are sacred. Seeing a cow first thing in the morning brings good luck. Harming a cow is one of the greatest sins.
42
Stepping on Fire
You should never step on or over a fire, even a small one. Fire (Agni) is a sacred god, and doing so is highly disrespectful.
43
Bird Poop
While unpleasant, if a bird poops on your head or clothes, it’s considered a sign of good luck and unexpected financial gain.
44
Cat Sneezing
While a black cat crossing your path is bad, a cat sneezing nearby is considered a good omen that brings good fortune to the household.
45
Flickering Lamp
If a diya (oil lamp) or candle flickers violently when there is no wind, it is believed that a spirit is present in the room.
46
Jutho (Impure)
Food or drink that has touched someone else’s mouth is jutho (polluted). Sharing from the same plate or bottle is a social taboo, a superstition rooted in concepts of purity.
47
Kichkandi
A specific type of ghost, the Kichkandi is the spirit of a woman who died an unclean death. She has backward-facing feet and haunts crossroads and forests.
48
Shaman (Jhankri)
Many illnesses or strings of bad luck are believed to be caused by spirits or curses. People visit a Jhankri (shaman) to perform rituals, drive out spirits, and restore health.
49
Losing a Tooth
When a child loses a milk tooth, they must throw it on the roof of the house (for an upper tooth) or on the ground (for a lower tooth) to ensure a strong new tooth grows.
50
Shoe on Shoe
If you accidentally place one shoe on top of another, it is a sign that you will be going on a long journey soon.
51
Thursday Hair Washing
It is considered inauspicious for women to wash their hair on Thursdays. This is thought to bring bad luck or financial loss to the family.
52
Passing Items at Night
One should not give or receive money, salt, or white-colored items (like milk or yogurt) after sunset. Doing so is believed to anger Lakshmi and cause financial loss.
53
Pointing at a Rainbow
Children are often told not to point at a rainbow with their index finger, as it’s believed their finger will get cut or become deformed.
54
Fire in Dreams
Dreaming of fire is generally a good omen. It symbolizes purification, the burning away of problems, and the start of something new.
55
Empty Wallet
You should never gift a wallet that is completely empty, as this symbolizes poverty. Always place at least one coin inside for good luck and prosperity.
56
Blowing Out a Diya
One should never blow out a sacred oil lamp (diya) with their breath, as the breath is impure. It should be extinguished by fanning it or with a flower.
57
Stepping on Money
Just like books, accidentally stepping on money (coins or notes) is a disrespect to Lakshmi. You must pick it up and touch it to your forehead as an apology.
58
Offering Milk to Snakes
On the festival of Nag Panchami, people offer milk to snakes (or snake idols) to appease the serpent gods, protect the family from snakebites, and ensure prosperity.
59
Crying at a Wedding
While a bride crying when she leaves her home (bidai) is emotional, it is also considered good luck. It’s said that her tears take away all the sorrow, ensuring a happy married life.
60
Ghosts and Crossroads
Crossroads are believed to be powerful liminal spaces where spirits gather. It’s advised not to urinate, loiter, or leave food at crossroads, especially at night.