Superstitions That You've Heard Which Have A Scientific Basis?

Discussion in 'Community Chit-Chat' started by Nylaa, Dec 18, 2017.

  1. nandinimithun

    nandinimithun IL Hall of Fame

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    In earlier days, there was a superstitious belief that nails should not be cut in the evening and it brings misfortune to the family...
    The real meaning behind this, those days there wasn’t electricity and there was more chances of someone stepping on the nail(which has been cut n dropped on the floor) and might hurt themselves, and this turn would lead to pain, though not sure of misfortune....

    It was supposed to be bad if the milk curdles, reason behind that... the curdled milk has been wasted n cant be made into curd, butter or ghee...

    There are many such superstitious beliefs, some make sense even in this age, while some dont
     
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  2. Ragini25

    Ragini25 Platinum IL'ite

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    There are many. Most of that in really ancient "scriptures" (not the variations, but authentic original scriptures and vedas), which most of us balk at since we are all 'modern' (or 'forin'). Scriptures had info on things that modern day science has discovered much later and some more 'mysteries' will be discovered who knows when in future. Science does not know many things , it is very limiting, so to trust only in science since thats all we have "learnt" is a disservice to our own selves. Spirituality and scriptures (again the original ancient ones) transcend modern day science.
     
  3. Naari

    Naari Platinum IL'ite

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    Why is it that these superstitions were set-up as rules or worse as ‘superstitions’ if they had a deep meaning behind them? Didn’t humans have the ability to question, reason & understand back then?:confundio1: It’s like telling a kid “don’t play with the knife” but without explaining or providing a rationale for it.

    Were we dumb back then or are we going out of the way right now to find meanings behind superstitions when none exists??:thinking:
     
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  4. Nonya

    Nonya Platinum IL'ite

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    This is a good rationale. Used in Zen temples (actually called "shrines", rather than temples) in many Asian Countries. Two trees that stand side by side, are also married. And people come to pray to them as they would be the most elder beings of their community. They will be pruned and protected by contributions from the whole community. Notice the money collection box in front of the trees.

    [​IMG]

    In indian weddings the "connected" couple go around the fire.... in zen shrines, the visitors go around the couple.
    [​IMG]
     
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  5. IniyaaSri

    IniyaaSri IL Hall of Fame

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    Happy to see such a thread!

    IMHO, below are a few. Though there are thousands of such things.

    * Its bad/brings bad luck if you leave your kitchen uncleaned before sleeping. Its said that God/Goddess comes home and visits. lol. Personally what I felt was when we wake in the morning, a clean organised kitchen boosts our mind to start our work with a positive tone. I couldn't imagine myself waking up and looking at the sinc with uncleaned vessels lying as such. So its based on Psychology. In South India, elders advise the young ladies to keep the kitchen clean, some even draw a small kolam after cleaning, keep a glass of water(For God).

    So everything denotes Cleanliness and good mental health.


    * We Indians did Pooja for many medicinal trees and plants(not every tree/plant). Not just that they are God, we knew their importance and significance well. Same goes with animals. Means we lived a life which blended us with nature and not against nature.

    So doing Pooja is not because those plants and trees were God, but they were equal to God saving our lives indirectly.


    *Turmeric on new clothes - In Tamil Nadu (not sure about other states) there is a practice of applying a small dot of turmeric on new clothes before we wear it. Its a sign of gratitude and turmeric is antibacterial. Today we lost the real essence of "new clothes". We wear some or the other new cloth every week. But it was different in those days. New clothes were only for big festivals or big family function.

    So its a way to show gratitude and to bring positive vibes since turmeric having positivity in abundance.


    * Amavasai & Pournami - We did know that Moon influences our earth and lives on earth. They do have impact on us and we are not aware of the complete effects(even now). Later science found it and agreed to it. Amavasai & pournami do have effect on mentally ill people. Heard even Animals and other living organisms are influenced during new moon days and full moon days. Who knows... even other planets might have a big impact on us and may be science will find it later.

    So Amavasai and Pournami Poojas not just superstitions. Its because we knew better about their significance and later science discovered it.


    *Menstruating women - They were given a full 5 days rest. Just imagine when you have stomach cramp and you are bleeding, how nice if you are just given rest and delicious healthy meal all 5 days. No stress, No dead lines, no cooking, no travel ....nothing. Pure rest for which your body will thank you.

    Later this mandatory luxury was disguised into a superstition.
     
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  6. Naari

    Naari Platinum IL'ite

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    It was great if they had stopped at resting, but what’s with the ‘no touching anything and not sacred’ belief?
     
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  7. nandinimithun

    nandinimithun IL Hall of Fame

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    I would love to take that kind of a rest... but whats with the dont enter here, dont touch this, you are impure and things like that....
     
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  8. IniyaaSri

    IniyaaSri IL Hall of Fame

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    Good question though. The real problem with all Indian beliefs is that our ancestors tried to blend those with a blind belief.

    No touch is an indirect way of refraining women from doing works. You cant work if you are not allowed to touch. Since religion was very powerful those days, everyone blindly followed all things. So if you say touching is bad. It means we are not allowed to work. not allowed to work means rest phase.

    Thousands of years has passed, there are many many things that disguised this rest phase into a superstitious connecting unwanted things with this.

    Finally its upto the us to find the real reason or at least try to find scientific reasons on this rather than blindly connecting everything into Women empowerment/ feminism or whatever.
     
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  9. IniyaaSri

    IniyaaSri IL Hall of Fame

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    'Impure tag' might be brought by male chauvinistic people. How can the blood be impure when every human being is emerged from that!!! We need to think and question back!
     
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  10. Naari

    Naari Platinum IL'ite

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    Exactly my point. We had a caste system in India & harijans are low, no touching - ‘Brahmin are high’ beliefs & such. To be honest, I feel India was just backward & orthodox, no other reason.

    Not trying to connect it to female empowerment, I just think beliefs/superstitions make no sense at all. We might just be trying to find the scientific reason , when none exists. If such reasons existed, then other countries would be following it too in some form at least , unless we wanted to claim that Indians are the smartest!! :rolleyes:

    Indian women are the only ones needing rest during menstruation & the only ones needing to eat all the greasy stuff during pregnancy! We sure must be a special lot:shakehead:
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
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