China: Age matters
The age of the person you end up falling in love with might not seem like a big deal (as long as he or she is past the age of consent, of course). Unless, of course, you’re in China. In this country, it’s believed that three and six-year age gaps between spouses will result in an unhealthy and unlucky relationship or marriage. Instead, you should aim for four or five years to ward away the curse. Here are some of the best quotes about falling in love.
Haiti: Stay away from brooms
Of all those household tasks you have to do, is sweeping up the floor your least favorite one? You’re in luck. In Haiti, you never, ever want someone to sweep a broom near your feet when you’re a single gal. Apparently, if those bristles come near your shoes, you’ll never have the sensation of being swept off your feet by a person.
Armenia: Order more salted bread
After one of those no-good, very-bad, terrible days, there’s nothing quite as fulfilling as a giant, generous pour of red wine along with some cheese and crusty bread. Don’t forget to add a pinch of salt on your stressful day binge though, if you want to fall in love. In Armenia, single-and-looking ladies are advised to eat salted bread in celebration of the feast of St. Sargis. If you nosh for the patron saint of love, locals believe you’ll have a psychic dream, introducing you mentally to the man you’ll marry. How will you know it’s him? He’ll offer you water, apparently, to hydrate from the sodium.
Sweden: Hide coins in your shoes
When you get hitched in this Nordic country, it’s not about something new, something old, something borrowed, or something blue. Instead, it’s all about those sparkly coins. Tradition and superstition here dictate that parents must place these good luck charms in the shoes of the bride, signaling a successful and loving union. In the right shoe, a gold coin from her mom and in the left, a silver one from her pops will do the trick. Here are some other lucky wedding traditions from around the world.
Russia: Give an odd number of flowers
Find yourself head over heels for a new someone? You might plan thoughtful elaborate dates, remember how she takes her coffee, and text her just because you can’t stop thinking of her. But to ensure your love actually makes it through the courting and honeymoon stage? Russian folklore dictates flowers are the answer—and the omen. With one teeny-tiny, all-important catch: You must give her an odd number of flowers. This is thought to be a sign of respect and admiration. Giving an even amount, on the other hand, is customary at funerals, making it a bad, unlucky move. Find out how to decode the colors of that Valentine’s Day bouquet.
Sweden: Watch your step
Ever heard the saying that if you step on a crack, you’ll break your mother’s back? The Swedish have a similar limerick and belief, but instead of watching the ground for breaks between cobblestones or cement, they have a watchful eye out for the letter “A.” This is due to how the streets are marked in most cities and towns in the country: “A” represents the word for sewage—avloppsvatten—while “K” indicates clean water—kallvatten. But it’s not about being mindful of waste, or ahem, smell, as you might imagine. Instead, they’ve associated it with love and heartbreak. If you step on the “K,” you’re golden, while the “A” might mean you’re out of luck.
India: Marry a banana tree
It’s true: you can’t control when you’re born, or where or to whom. But in India, your astrological sign can mean good news or bad news for your eventual love life. As legend has it, women who are ‘Manglik‘ are born with Saturn and Mars under the 7th house of marriage, love, and relationships. These ladies are considered not only unlucky, but many believe they carry a curse. To ward off the bad spirits, locals have developed quite the odd tradition: She must marry a banana tree. After the vows are peeled away, the tree is then cut down, ridding her of the curse and allowing her to wed a man. Find out even more wedding traditions from around the world.
Russia: Always sit in the middle
When you’re out with some pals who are so happily in love it makes your teeth hurt, it’s definitely painful to sit through a dinner with them. But what if you had to not only endure multiple courses of PDA, but physically place yourself between them? That’s the advice in Russia, where another love superstition includes the importance of where you take a seat. If you hide out in the corner, rumor has it you won’t marry for seven years, a belief that dates centuries ago, when “old maids” and financially struggling relatives would be forced to sit far away from the crowd.
India: Take a thorough look at your henna tattoo
If you’ve ever attended an Indian wedding, you’ve probably marveled at the temporary henna design on the bride’s hand, a tradition that’s as much beautiful as it’s timeless. But if you look closely, you’ll reveal a superstition that has remained throughout the generations. When tattooing, the artist will conceal the groom’s initials in some way, making him go on a quest to find them. If he does, it means the happy twosome will have a lucky marriage. If he doesn’t, it’s not a big deal though, he’ll just need to buy her a gift to make up for it.
Fiji: Gift your father-in-law
There’s nothing quite as promising as the decision to finally drop to that knee and ask the most important question for your life. But when you do in Fiji, you’re not only meant to suggest an everlasting, legally-binding bond to your beloved lady, but it’s recommended to give a gift to her father, too. But not cigars, brandy, or a vintage baseball cap. Instead, it’s all about a whale tooth. (Yep, you read that right!) When you extend this favor, it’s believed you will have a blessed marriage for years to come. Here’s some happy marriage advice every couple could use.
Link: https://www.rd.com/culture/love-spells-around-the-world/