Beliefs couldn't get weirder...

My interest in random topics brought some facts to light. To be frank, it’s my fear which forced me to delve into this. I believe in superstitions without actually knowing how and why they exist?! So, this post is only and only a favour to myself :)

Why do we touch wood after mentioning good fortune? (So for me!!!)
Belief holds that spirits reside in trees (wood) and hence, if you say something good, you quickly touch wood so you are remembering and acknowledging them and also calling to them for protection against ill-fortune.
If wood is not to be found, you can touch your own head. (I do it but that’s self-deprecating!) And if nothing can be done, just saying touch wood is also sufficient.

Why shouldn’t we open an umbrella indoors?
Umbrellas are used for protection from the sun and rain. So if you open them inside, you are apparently annoying the sun-god and the rain-god. And hence, bad luck will chase you.
There are variations. Bad luck comes only if you open an unused umbrella inside the house for the first time. So if you bring a wet umbrella inside the house and open it for drying, it is not bad.
Dropping an umbrella on the floor means someone in the house will be murdered.

Why should we hold our breath when we go past a cemetery?
The strong belief is that with each breath, you will be inhaling evil spirits hovering in the air. Another story is that you are alive and breathing so you are making the dead jealous!

Why do we bless someone who sneezes?
Belief says that when you sneeze, the soul briefly moves out of the body which means that an evil spirit can take residence within you. So the next time you sneeze, cover your mouth, so that you tuck your own spirit back into you.

Wow! I feel enlightened. Amused and confused as before, maybe more, but enlightened.