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.
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.
I always heard if your nose itches, it means someone is thinking of you. Whether that is good or bad, I’m not sure, but that’s what I grew up hearing…
Very interesting Angela. Thanks for sharing you knowledge about itching noses with us. I do know that normally itching ears means someone is talking about you, which could also signify someone is thinking about you if they’re saying something about you…LOL I almost lost myself there. But either way, I’ve not really heard anything good come from an itching nose, so maybe it works the same as with other parts of the body. ie. If the right side of your nose is itching, then maybe someone is thinking good thoughts about you, and if the left side is itching, then they are thinking bad thoughts about you. 🙂
I love your article Robert. When I was little I was always told that when someone is talking about you, your ears would ring. Correct on the left palm itching that you will receive money! From my experience, when it does itch…I will always go out to buy a lottery ticket and win almost every time. 😀 However, you basically gave me the answer I needed during to the fact my nose has been itching all morning. Lol Thanks for all of your knowledge and learned some new things today.
Hi Connie, thanks for stopping by. You know, I never think about buying a lottery ticket when my palm is itching, but I may have to give that a go. I could certainly use a win now and then. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed reading the blog, hope to see you around more often!
Nice article. I thought this superstitious belief is only in my nation . Its good to know that people from different nations know about it and some even believe it . I am a Great believer of the itching palm superstition, I have been since I was 12. Now In my thirties I have had many experiences about this itching palm superstition that worked for me. Two months ago, My right palm was itching me like crazy for more than one week, and because of what I believe about this superstition, I knew something good is coming and guess what ; Money came. Good amount of money for that matter.Most people believe different things about the itching palm probably due to different cultures but for me I know money is on it’s way coming to me regardless of which palm is itching. I have had positive experiences when either palm is itching. I have also learnt few things about other itching body parts, nice article.
Excellent information you’ve shared with us on your experiences with the itching palm superstition Ralph! Even though this has become more reality than superstition for you personally. That’s quite interesting that you have a positive experience from both the left and right palms itching. Just goes to show you that the power of the mind is an amazing thing. What one truly believes does have the potential to become a reality. Thanks again for the comment!
Liked your article. Reminds me of my childhood, whenever the hem of my dress folded up, my mother told me to kiss the hem and I would be getting a new dress soon!
Wow Lisa, very cool superstition you’ve just shared with us. Kinda of bring thoughts of the Tooth Fairy to mind 😀
So my right foot suddenly started itching out of nowhere! Right under my big toe and I felt like I couldn’t itch it enough! So I googled it and came up on this article. Can’t say I know too much about these things, but I put in for a Work transfer to Hawaii so I’m choosing to believe that what you said is true. To go along with people’s cultures and superstitions, I absolutely believe in “the secret” (a recommended must see/read) & the law of attraction, think it & it will be! Good article.
Thinking about what you said here Clare makes you wonder if the itch is a trigger for us to do things that suit the superstition. As you said, “think it & it will be”, maybe the superstition doesn’t come from what will happen, but what happens comes from the superstition.
Thank you for the insight, it’s definitely something to think about.
Cool article! I came across this doing a Google search because my left ear has been itching/burning like crazy. Crossing fingers that this myth is true.
Also, I do believe in the hand itching thing. It has always been true for me–if the right one itches, I’m getting money, but if it’s the left, that means something is about to break down or something unexpected is going to have to be paid out.
Hi DJA, glad you had no trouble finding the blog. These myths are some of the most well known of all. I think the majority of people find some truth to these, of course there will always be skeptics.
I hope your itch comes true concerning your left ear itching, it’s always nice knowing someone you love is talking about you. 🙂
As a child raised in Scotland I grew up with a superstition to cover just about everything. All of your itches mentioned always come to mind when any one hits me. Sitting with an itchy left foot at this very moment. My mother always said left was a journey to somewhere I’d never been and right to a familiar place. An itchy nose meant I would get vexed – usually it’s with yourself or so my mother said. Ears burning right for spite and left for love. Itch eyes were tears of sorrow or joy (perhaps just haydever haha) the list goes on…and on……
Was a nice reminiscence reading your post this morning. Thanks
Thank you Alison for sharing your knowledge of these itching superstitions with us. I just love hearing other people’s views on these. Thank you so much for stopping by and hope you stop by again…
ive always been told the itching of the nose means someone is gonna visit u…in all of my itchy nose cases i have always had a visitor to keep me believing that one
That’s great Harley! It’s amazing the differences in explanation I hear on these superstitions. Just goes to show you depending on your origin these superstitions may change….I believe they are all correct. 🙂 It’s sort of an “Eye of the Beholder” thing.
Yes as with other commenters, at first my foot was itching near the arch…then it stopped and my right began itching,in the same place. It is unusual, wondering if there is any updated information regarding the superstitions of itching feet. Thank you
Hello Karen and thanks for commenting!
According to some beliefs, and itching left foot would mean you are going to embark on a New exciting adventure. While and itching right foot would indicate your journey will lead you to a place that is already familiar to you.
So this may conclude that you may soon go on a journey to somewhere you are familiar with, but the situation you will encounter while there may be of great excitement or lead you to new opportunities.
Hope this helps in some way with finding another interpretation to this superstition for you!
Nice topic! I believe that when your right palm get itchy you will receive money and when the other palm you will be releasing money, its quite weird but i really believe in this haha Your blogs are really amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Well thank you much for stopping by Dmitry! These superstitions do seem to ring true more often than not. I wish my right palm would itch more often…lol 😀