Twitching Left Eye vs. Right Eye. Most Popular Superstitions
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Superstitions about twitching left and right eyes exist around the world. While these superstitions vary, it’s interesting to note that they’re taken seriously by large portions of the population even today. Here are some of the most popular superstitions about a twitching eye.
How Prevalent is Superstition?
Superstitions have existed for as long as humans have. While many people say they’re not superstitious, they will often engage in superstitious practices, like knocking on wood, or throwing salt over their shoulder to thwart bad luck.
Superstitions are about fear – and for most people, there’s no reason to tempt fate, even if it means doing something that doesn’t seem to make sense. If you thought that superstitions aren’t as popular as they used to be, think again. According to a recent survey conducted by Research for Good, over 50% of Americans are superstitious.
Eye Twitching – What Does It Mean?
Part of the reason that eye twitching is associated with so many superstitions can be because it’s quite a notable occurrence – you will notice if your eye suddenly begins to twitch.
And because we don’t know why or how it happens, we tend to think of it as a mysterious phenomenon. If something happens afterwards, we tend to associate it with the mysterious twitching because we remember it.
There are numerous superstitions related to eye-twitching. These vary according to the culture they’re perceived within. In general, the left and right tend to carry opposing meanings.
· Twitching of the Left Eye
Because the left side of the body is associated with negative characteristics, many of the superstitions about left eye twitching mean something negative. This is why we say that a bad dancer has two left feet, or also why in the past left-handed people were considered to be using the hand of the devil. This same tendency can be found in superstitions about the left foot or the left hand.
- Someone is speaking ill of you. If your left eye begins to twitch, someone you know is badmouthing you. But how do you find out who it is? There’s actually a solution to this question. Simply start naming people you know. As soon as you name the person who is doing the badmouthing, your eye will stop twitching.
- Someone is doing something behind your back. Someone you know closely is doing something secretly without telling you. They don’t want you to find this out because it’s something that you don’t want them to be doing.
- A close friend or family member may be in trouble. A twitching left eye can also be warning you that a loved one is facing trouble in their life. You will soon hear some bad news about them.
· Twitching of The Right Eye
Right eye twitching, as with most superstitions related to the right side of the body, tend to be positive. It appears that the right is the right way to do things – is that why it’s called the right? We’re not sure, but if you check out other similar superstitions, such as itchy right foot or right hand, you’ll see that this general rule applies there too.
- Good news is on its way. You will soon hear some good news. This is a very broad category, and the good news could be about anything.
- Someone is speaking well of you. If your right eye twitches, someone you know is saying good things about you. But there’s no way of knowing who it is.
- You will reunite with a friend. A long-lost friend or acquaintance may show up unexpectedly and you will be able to reconnect with them.
Eye Twitching Superstitions from Around the World
While the above are general views of twitching eyes, these can get specific based on the culture and region that the superstition originated in. Let’s take a look at some popular superstitions from around the world.
· China
In China, the left/right equals bad/good dichotomy is different to the views in the West. Here, twitching in the left eye indicates good fortune, whereas the twitching eye in the right eye indicates bad luck.
This is because in Mandarin, the term “left” sounds like “money,” whereas “right” sounds like “disaster.” As a result, the left eye twitch means wealth while the right eye twitch points toward bad luck.
But there’s more to this. The Chinese get quite specific about left and right eye twitching, with the meaning of the condition changing depending on the time of day. For example, if your left eye twitches between midnight and 3 am, it means that you will face some problems, but if it’s your right eye, it means that someone is thinking of you.
· India
Eye twitching has appeared several times in ancient Hindu texts. It’s considered an important omen and carries different meanings depending on the gender of the person.
For women, the left eye twitching represents happiness, prosperity, an unexpected windfall, and peace. For men, it’s the opposite. A twitching left eye indicates bad luck and impending problems.
For women, a twitching right eye indicates trouble and bad news, while for men it indicates prosperity, achievement, and even meeting a romantic partner.
· Hawaii
Hawaiians believe that a twitching left eye indicates a stranger’s visit. It can also be a message announcing the imminent death of a member of our family. But if you’re right eye twitches, there will be a childbirth.
This is a clear indicator of balance and dichotomy – the left signifies death, the right signifies birth.
· Africa
There are several superstitions in Africa about eye twitching. If your upper eyelid of either eye begins to twitch, it means that you’ll soon be greeted by an unexpected guest. But if you’re lower eyelid begins to twitch, you’ll hear some bad news or start crying. People in Nigeria believe that when their left eye twitches, it means ill luck.
· Egypt
For ancient Egyptians, the eye motif was highly significant. Two of the most famous symbols that the Egyptians revered were the Eye of Horus and the Eye of Ra. These were powerful symbols that represented protection.
So, what did they think of twitching eyes?
Egyptians believe that if your right eye twitches, you will have good luck. But if it’s your left eye, you will have – you guessed it – bad luck.
What Does Science Say?
When the eyelid muscles twitch repeatedly and without conscious control, we say that someone is experiencing blepharospasm, the medical word for the condition.
Eye twitching isn’t a cause for alarm, according to doctors, who haven’t discovered the exact cause yet. There are many reasons your eyes could begin to twitch. These include exhaustion, stress, excessive caffeine use, or dry eyes, all of which may result in ocular tiredness and cause involuntary twitching.
Generally, eye twitching subsides on its own. It’s important to get adequate sleep, stay hydrated and avoid eye irritants and caffeine to prevent twitching.
Wrapping Up
Eye twitching is related to many superstitions, which vary according to the culture they originated in. In general, the left eye twitching represents negative aspects, while the right side represents positive aspects. But this too can vary depending on your gender.
While superstitions are fun, we wouldn’t put too much stock in them. But that’s just us. What do you think?
