Superstitions

Itching Palms and Other Body Parts, What Does it Mean?

Scratching Palm with Money
This photo was taken by me, Robert Tuttle, of my hands Dec. 2012

Me and a girl I work with were talking about this today. She was standing there scratching her hands and I said, “Oh, you must be coming into some money.” Funny thing is, today is payday, so there was a little truth to that. Anyway, she said, “hey, that would be a cool topic for your blog”, so I went with it.  I’ve done some research on a few of these myths and wanted to share what I’ve come up with. There are many other body parts that have associated itching myths. Some are pretty cool, some not so cool, either way the research was a lot of fun! Let’s go over just a few of the more popular ones…

The Myth of Itching Palms

There are many superstitions and myths about scratching different areas of your body. I believe the one about your palms itching says, “if your right palm is itching then you’ll be receiving some money.” Part of that myth also states that you shouldn’t scratch your palm if it’s itching or you may keep the money from coming. But on the other side of that, if your left palm is itching, that means you’ll be paying someone else some money. So you may want to scratch the heck out of that one!

Now I’ve had several occasions where my hands or palms were itching and I’ve never had any money come of it. But of course it never says how long you have to wait for your prize, maybe I just haven’t gotten it yet. But if you look at it that way, then that kind of defeats the purpose of the superstition, don’t ya think?

The Myth of Itching Feet

There is a similar superstition that has to do with your feet. They say if your feet are itching that means you can’t sit still. Others say it’s a sign that you’ll be traveling soon, or taking a great journey. It seems to have a similar meaning as the hands in relation to the left foot versus the right foot. According to legend if your right foot is itching then your journey will lead you to a place in which you’ll be welcomed. In contrast the left foot would lead you on a journey that wouldn’t have a very good ending.

It’s also said that itching feet may have something to do with sorrow. Some believe that it’s a sign you’re going to get new shoes, and breaking in those shoes may cause you some sorrow. There seems to be more confusion about the itching feet than anything, as I’ve found several different meanings. One even says that it could either be a sign someone in your family is going to die or that someone may be talking about you while your walking. Those are some pretty unrelated thoughts on the subject. I’m thinking it may have something to do with where people are in the world. As different cultures always find different meanings in stuff like this.

The Myth of Itching Ears

Here’s one most of us have probably heard of, the itching ears. One pretty cool saying I found for this was “an itching left ear is a sign of love, while an itching right ear is for spite.” Supposedly if your ears are itching, no matter which one, it means someone is talking about you. I’ve also heard it put as, if your ears are burning, then someone’s talking about you.

But I’ve researched this further to find that if your left ear is itching it means either someone you love is talking about you, or who ever is talking about you is saying something nice. Then the right ear itching is just the opposite. This means someone your feuding with is talking about you, or they’re saying something bad about you. If your right ear is itching, you should lick your finger and wipe it on your ear lobe. Then who ever is talking bad about you will bite their own tongue! Now that’s pretty cool, this one gives you a way to back fire it on who ever is talking trash.

The Myth of an Itching Nose

Now this one really has no good side to it as far as I can tell. They say if your nose is itching then that means you’re going to kiss a fool. I’ve also heard that this could be a sign you are going to get into a fight with someone. Other legends say, if your nose is itching you may be annoyed or cursed soon.

Small Child Scratching Her Nose
Photo by [David Castillo Dominici] FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One extremely odd thing I’ve read about is, an itchy nose means you will come in contact with someone that has a hole in their britches. Now what in the world is this all about? These days the way all the kids are running around with those beat up blue jeans with holes all in them, you’ll be lucky if your nose ever stops itching.

I don’t really know why the nose would get such a bad rap. But that poor ole thing can’t catch a break. Every superstition I’ve found has something to do with an itchy nose being a bad thing. So I’m thinking it’s best to ignore your nose all together. Maybe keep it blown out real good and keep some lotion on it. What ever it takes to keep that dude from itching! Apparently nothing good can come of it. Personally I think if your nose is itching, then the best reaction should be to grab a tissue!

So as you can see by reading this post, you may want to pay a little closer attention to your goodies if they’re itching. You may miss out on a good thing if you’re not careful. There’s actually a ton of different superstitions for this type of thing. Pretty much a scratch for every itch. There’s a pretty cool list of The Meaning of Itches and their Omens that I found, it’s quite interesting if you wanna check it out.

I live in the United States, but I believe to some people these superstitions may be reversed. For instance the itching palm, where the right is paying money and the left is receiving. So for any of you from other countries, if you could clarify this for me that would be great. Also, if any of you have heard any other meanings for some of these or have some other superstitions that you find interesting, then share them with us by leaving a comment below. I can’t wait to check out what y’all come up with.

Oh, and by the way, if superstitions are your thing, then we’ve got a bunch of other great superstitions you may want to check out.


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273 thoughts on “Itching Palms and Other Body Parts, What Does it Mean?
  1. When my nose itch it is always someone coming to see me. Up until now my nose have never failed me. Now my right foot itch and I’m getting ready to take a journey on a very special trip. As far as my right hand itching it always itch close to payday, when people give me money by surprise. So I always get excited about the right hand itching. the other day it was itching 5 bucks came in the mail for a survey.the ears when someone is talking about you they practically burn. Great blog that happen to be true from my personal experience.

    1. Thanks a bunch for sharing Nicole..I love to hear all the variations of these superstitions. Glad you are enjoying the blog!

    2. my right hand has been shaking for about a week now what could this mean not any other part just my right hand shaking

  2. I was told as a young girl that if your left hand itch its a letter never failed meband right hand means money the nose itching someone coming to see you the left ear means someone talking bad and right someone talking good and my right ear been itching all day lol.left eye jump someone will make you mad right eye good luck

  3. I was told that when your left had itches you’re going to spend money and if the right one itches you should put your hand in your pocket. If your left foot itches you’re going to walk on someone’s grave. I don’t know, i guess some of it is true just like if a bird poops on you, you’ll get money, but i guess how much poop gets on you. This one is definitely true.

    1. hah, boy Charmilla, having a bird poop on you is definitely getting paid the hard way…I’d not heard that one before, glad you shared it with us!

  4. I believe when right hand itches you do receive money left hand paying out now not sure about the itchy nose as my nose seems to itch with out fail every night with out fail relly does itch

  5. I’ve heard many of these, but my left foot started itching and my grand mother died in that same day, my left palm was itching and I got some
    unexpected chils support, and someone at work swept my feet! Which incase if you don’t know that one, that means that someone is going to jail! My dream was fish swimming in a pool, and then a huge whale came and swallowed the whole school! The next day my daughter told me she had a miscarriage! All this happen in a 3 day time span!

    1. My goodness Shawn, that’s a massive turn of events within a 3 day period. Thanks for sharing the alternate views on the itching superstitions. And the sweeping as well!

  6. I have had a really itchy foot and it a meaning a family member going to pass believing this one as i have lost a family member

    1. I am sorry to hear of your loss Rachel. Do you believe the itching was a sign of their passing?

  7. The right hand is great for me cuz it money to receive.the left is that I gave away which I don’t mind so long it worth it.my ear ring somebody talking of me good r bad.my feet more like travelling for me which I do find to b tru.eye jump am going to see someone I Dont see for ages or am going to cry.

    1. Those are very cool Kadian, thanks for sharing. I’ve heard that about the ringing ear, but wasn’t familiar with the jumping eye one…

  8. God is the only one that knows all the meaning,the bottom of my rt foot itch everyday its either dirty or sweaty all this superstitious stuff need to stop only God has the last say

    1. Thank you Debra for commenting. Although some people may take these superstitions very seriously, I simply find it fun to explore the ideas.

      I’m quite the Christian and know without a doubt what I believe in so I have no fear of sharing ideas, it doesn’t mean that I believe all of them. But like I say it’s all just in good fun as far as I’m concerned but thanks non the less.

  9. There are a lot of “body itch” paradigms that I have heard of growing up in South Georgia… The most unusual is if your genitals itch, your watermelons will have rotten ends, lol. Guess it was a way to keep guys (esp. farmers) from scratching their junk in public…

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