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 was told that if your nose itches it means you know something, they never said whether it was good or bad though. As far as ears itching it didn’t matter which one or if both itched, someone was talking about you. Itchy feet means you want to go somewhere. Itchy butt means you need to wash it, haha, that’s what my father would tell anyone caught scratching their butt.
Haha, that’s pretty funny, but it’s probably the most true out of all of them. If your butt is itching, then you probably do need to wash it!
Hi I am Gypsy if you watched the hunch back of notradame you know what a gypsy is but we are now more modern and very under the radar with our own language which no non gypsy person can speak we are very superstitious people I was born and raise in California even my grandparents where born in the US but we kept to our root we believe a right itchy palm will bring money what some gypsies do is kiss our palms and rub its against our hair repeatedly until the itch stops, and if the left palm itches we use our butt cheeks to scratch our hands not bare ass of course just like against our back pockets, we also don’t believe in being touched by brooms I believe it means some sort of bad luck and if we do get touched by a broom we spit on it, that’s some of my cultural information I hope it was intriguing 🙂
Very cool information Vince, thanks for adding to the discussion. I really dig hearing about other culture’s beliefs where these superstitions are concerned. I wasn’t aware of the one about the broom, thanks for sharing.
When my right hand itches within three days I have money coming my way.
The left hand means some money will be leaving me……
Tonight just my ring finger was itching ..not my palm.
Not sure what that means.
The feet itching is true too. It has been my experience anyhow 😀
Xo
Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with us Rebecca.
Hey i turned 18 yesterday! “Yay gratz cheers for me! :D” And tomorrow i’m about to have a massive party… Dinner at 6, bar after dinner, then clubbing and a casino after that! My right foot was itching and i just googled it. Oh how i am in for a great adventure tomorrow! – Jake (Australia)
Awesome Jake, Congrats on hitting the big 18! I hope you have a good time on your birthday, may your day bring much adventure!
the hand itching its the left hand that means money coming to you the right going out .It comes from the army you salute with your right hand when you receive your pay and take it with your left hand
Another great explanation for this superstition. Thanks for sharing John.
That comment on itchy palms… Like graduation from high school or college.. you shake hands with your right hand and receive your dipolma with your left. . My left palm itched one day bought a lotto ticket and won $10.000 what can you find on that?
Zee I find that a great deal of luck! Either that or an awesome story, but either way, superstitions are exactly that, superstitions. Some people take them quite seriously, but as for myself, this post is merely entertaining the ideas associated with these superstitions, my goal is not to convince anyone that they are in fact true. 🙂
I have had a serious case of itchy feet tonight so much that I cannot sleep. I really hope the death part isnt true as my dad is a workaholic and hasnt been looking after himself lately and I always joke he will work himself to death.. I hope not
That’s certainly a terrible thought Laura, I hope it doesn’t work out that way. But on a more positive note, thank you for dropping by and sharing with us.
Thanks Robert 🙂 Very interesting and fun to read
Thanks for visiting Sarah, I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Whenever my wife gets an itch in her ear we shortly thereafter get a phone call from a certain friend. Why would she get an itch – even hives – if this person is a genuine friend? Happened again some minutes ago and thereafter came a phone call from this very person. I did a google search on itchy ears and here am I!!!!!
Well it would all depend on which ear was itching. An itching ear doesn’t always mean something bad is being said about you. But maybe the conversation that person is having about your wife is what led to them calling her. I’m glad you found your way to the blog.
It’s just human made but not to be serious .
Very true Hayer, these superstitions aren’t meant as a way to live your life. Some folks believe in them more than others, but I wouldn’t put much weight into them. But they are definitely interesting to learn about wouldn’t you say?
We Persians believe if right palm itches you will receive money but you must rub the head of someone who was forst born in their family and then you will will receive your money shortly after. If you left hand itches money will be leaving your hands.
Very interesting addition to the superstition Kitt, thanks a bunch for sharing your cultural views on this.
Hi Robert!
I just came to your site through a Google search concerning “itchy sole of the right foot”. I made the search because my foot started itching like crazy while I was working on a business contract for a meeting.
“According to legend the itchy sole of the right foot means my journey will lead me to a place where I will be welcomed”
This is affirmation enough for me that I’m going on the right path for me!
Your blog is great and that’s my confirmation and anecdote 🙂
Peace & Blissings!
That’s excellent, I’m glad one of these superstitions has worked out in your favor. It’s good to hear of people’s successes and I wish you the best going forward!
Thanks for stopping by…