Scissors….What a wonderful tool these things are, but just like everything else, they are loaded with superstitious beliefs. Superstitious beliefs about scissors are not commonly heard, but since scissors are made of metal and have the ability to cut or slice it makes them quite powerful among the superstitious community.
Scissors must be handled carefully because using them half hazardly could lead to the destruction of one’s luck.
Superstitions Associated with Dropping Scissors
Dropping a pair of scissors is very bad luck, but what’s even worse is when they stick in the ground or floor when dropped.
Some believe that when scissors are dropped and they stick into the ground or floor, this is symbolic of a Death Omen, this means someone you know may soon die.
There are variations of this from region to region. In some parts of the world when both points of the scissors stick this means a wedding is sure to follow. Where as one point sticking means a funeral is near.
It’s also said that if you drop the scissors, you should never attempt to retrieve them. It’s important to ask a friend to pick them up for you. If no friend is available, then the only alternative is to walk or stomp on them before touching them. To be sure it is safe to use them again after a drop, warm the scissors between your hands first.
You must also be sure the scissors do not come apart while using them, or you will most certainly receive bad luck.
Scissors, the Superstitious Gift
Many will swear that giving scissors as a gift is a bad omen. Never receive the gift of scissors unless you have compensated the person for them. So buying scissors is safe, receiving them as a gift is not.
The damage inflicted by receiving scissors as a gift will be a severed friendship between the giver and receiver.
Protected by Scissors
Scissors are not always a dangerous item in the superstitious world. They are also believed to be an item of protection when dealing with witches. In times past, scissors were even placed under doormats to protect the home, this would keep evil spirits at bay. But they were usually place under the doormat in the open position so they represented the shape of a cross. We spoke about this briefly in my post Iron and it’s Many Superstitions if you’d like to refer there for more information on superstitions concerning metal objects.
One more interesting superstition about scissors comes from Africa. Africans believed that opening and closing a pair of scissors during a wedding would cause the groom to become impotent.
There is a huge world of superstitions out there to discover and I truly enjoy researching these types of things. If you have anything to add to the superstitious beliefs about scissors feel free in the comments below.
Well this certainly was interesting! Never would have thought there are so many interpretations about scissors and all sorts of beliefs.
I hear you Jenny, it’s amazing how many different superstitions are out there for nearly anything you can think of. Some folks take these very seriously and a little good luck never hurt anyone. Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed the read.
Hi,
The information in this article is really interesting for me. I never thought about it. Thanks for sharing this post. Hope to read more interesting information from you. Great job!
Thank you very much Hang Pham. I’m glad you enjoyed the info, if you liked this, there’s tons of other interesting and unusual information here, check out the categories on the right.
In my country knife is believed to be an item of protection when dealing with witches
Sleep with a knife 🙂
I really enjoy your post. It’s great to learn more abt Scissors
That’s really cool Lily, thanks so much for sharing. I’ve heard this before superstitions are great, I love hearing other people’s cultural views on them too. Really appreciate you stopping by, hope you’ll return for some more fun info. Always adding new goodies 🙂
Your onion superstitions article was so funny and interesting, but now I’ve heard them all! Scissor, they are indeed a dangerous tool (i give them that), but what are the odds on them to drop and stick in the floor? If I ever see that, I will definitely freak out. Ignorance is bliss, the say lol.
Hey Matty, thanks for reading! Yah the odds of scissors impaling the ground when dropped are not real good. But it’s a good thing considering the consequences. Well, according to superstition at least. 😉
I never believe in this until now… a long time ago (like 4 months) a very dear friend of mine gave me scissors as a gift. I don’t even knew about the superstition but now our friendship is seriously damage. What can I do? Should I return to him the scissors? or is too late now to give him the penny?
Alejandra, to the best of my knowledge there is no timeline in which you should compensate your friend for the scissors. So I would say definitely still attempt to give the penny to him and if possible let him know why you are giving it to him. After all, if it’s a valuable friendship worth saving, then it’s certainly worth a try, right? 🙂
My right foot itching is what lead me here..lol. you seems right on the money about the feet and hands situation. Thanx for sharing.
You’re very welcome Talaris, and thank you for reading!
Hi I have just accidentally dropped a pair of scissors, they ended up flat on the floor, but opened up slightly, for the life of me I can’t remember what the meaning of this is and I picked them up before stamping on them first can you help me to remember, oh I was in the house on my own at the time. Clean forgot about it