Unit2-Part1-Reading

Superstitions.

Good luck, bad luck.

Many people believe that some things will bring good or bad luck to them.

For example, they don't walk under a ladder because they're afraid of bad luck.

They don't like seeing black cats on their way.

A black cat is a sign of bad luck too.

They also think they will have bad luck if they break a mirror

or if they spill salt.

They carry special objects and wear special rings, bracelets,

or other jewelry for good luck.

These are their lucky charms.

They even have lucky shoes or lucky clothes.

All of these are superstitions.

Superstitions don't follow the rules of science.

They come from old cultures.

Older generations pass down their superstitions to younger generations.

There are different superstitions in every culture.

For example, Japanese people do not put chopsticks straight up in a bowl of rice.

They think it will bring bad luck.

In China, turning a cooked fish over on your plate is unlucky.

In Turkey, people keep evil eye beads for good luck.

And in the UK, many people hang a horseshoe on their front door for good luck.

Also, they think they will have good luck if they find a four -leaf clover

because this plant usually has three leaves.

In the USA, it is unlucky if a black cat crosses your way.

But this is a sign of good luck for Japanese people.

Also in Scotland, if you come across a black cat in front of your house,

it is a sign of wealth and a good life.

People have superstitions about numbers, too.

In the West, 13 is an unlucky number, but 7 is lucky.

In Japan, numbers 4 and 9 are unlucky.

They mean trouble.

But in China, 9 is a lucky number.

2 is also a lucky number for the Chinese because they think that good things come in pairs.