Some Common Iraqi Superstitions- A Good Laugh!

Iraq like all countries has its fair share of strange, weird and wacky superstitions. When visiting Baghdad in Iraq, expect to see ready-made nests on the roofs of houses. These Iraqis make them hoping that a stork will nest on their roof, which is good luck.

If ever attending an Iraqi birth celebration, don’t count on seeing anyone with blue eyes or meeting a woman without a child either because they’re considered bad luck for babies and could supposedly cause harm to the baby! This might seem laughable to many, but if you were a blue-eyed Iraqi, tough luck!

Iraq, holds more common, yet odd superstitions. For example, if a man gives a gift to a woman, he must say it is from his wife or mother otherwise you will be seen as bad luck. Imagine giving a gift at a birthday and saying, “Here you are! A present from my mother!” Undoubtedly awkward!

In Iraq and Iran many stores sell ‘Nazars’ which are charms that ward off the most hated evil spirit, the evil eye. The evil eye is believed to cause injury to those whom it looks at. The worst believed consequence of the evil eye is death, and the least is a dose of bad luck. Warning! If you are a young child or baby, you are the most vulnerable to the evil eye! Often when asking of the health of a young child in Iraq, the parent will say, “bad’ or ‘sick’ in case you possess the evil eye and will direct it at their healthy child. If you comment on someone looking good or healthy say, ‘The Grace of God’ or you will be seen as someone who has the evil eye. Watch out young kids!

Other people who don’t benefit from common Iraqi superstitions are clumsy people! If you spill salt it is considered bad luck. But don’t worry, there is a remedy! If you throw salt over your shoulder you destroy your bad luck. I guess it’s passed on to the person behind you!

Whilst many common Iraqi customs are somewhat laughable, they are merely byproducts of the continuation of the great ancient Mesopotamian culture into the modern age. When attempting to retain the culture of the oldest and one of the most successful cultures in the world, some elements, believed then, of the culture are carried on into modern times.

So, when laughing, always remember that these superstitions are merely a part of one of the world’s greatest cultures and the earth’s oldest culture. So young kids, babies, women without kids, people with blue eyes, clumsy people and men who say they give presents to women, watch out.