We all want to believe in something. Throughout whatever trials you’ve been through in life, it’s nice to be able to put your faith in something, even if it’s a little money superstition such as your right hand itching.
Superstitions are passed down in families from generation to generation. They are spread around the globe and can vary in different places. Some say that the right hand itching means money coming your way, while others think it means losing money. Let me explain.
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What Does An Itchy Hand Mean?
According to a superstition poll by Vanity Fair, about 51% of people do not believe in superstitions at all while 3.6% are “very” superstitious. Despite that, far more people unconsciously take part in superstitious behaviors such as saying “bless you” when someone sneezes, making a wish before blowing out the candles on a birthday cake, or even routines such as wearing a lucky jersey before a football game.
If you’re just looking for the medical meaning of itchy palms, it could be:
- Eczema
- Diabetes
- Dry skin
- Allergies
- Psoriasis
- Skin damage
However, if you believe in superstitions and other miraculous things, one palm itching symbolizes that you will receive money, and the other means you will lose money.
What Does It Mean When Your Right Hand Itches?
Growing up, my mother always told me that your right hand itching means that you are about to lose money and your left hand itching means you’ll receive money.
Left to receive, right to give.
However, I recently asked her again and found out that it only applies to HER in that way. The hand that brings fortune can be different for each person. To know which hand is lucky for you, you have to note it and what happens to you in the days following to pick up on the pattern.
Here are some differing stories:
In 2010, a woman from Brooklyn, New York by the name of Mary Shammas won $64 million. This happened when her left hand was itching on a bus ride home and she got off to buy a lottery ticket. She used her favorite lottery numbers, (5, 14, 17, 19, 24, & 25). She said that “…my left hand started to itch quite badly, and it’s an old superstition I have in my head that that means good luck is coming in.”
Read More: View the winning lottery numbers for right hand itching winners.
In 2004, Marion Richardson won about £17 million (23 Million USD) in the EuroMillions lottery with an itchy right hand. Marion was just sitting at home knitting when her right hand started to itch. At first, she thought it was from the yarn, then remembered about the superstition. Later on, the results on tv showed she had become a multi-millionaire. She won using the numbers for her children’s birthdays (1, 4, 10, 19, 23) and two random numbers for the Lucky Stars (2 & 8).
However, itching palms don’t mean that you will suddenly win the lottery. Good fortune comes in different amounts and different ways. For you, it could be that you get a random $5 check in the mail, a new job offer, or that you’re finally able to sell the car you wanted to get rid of. The world works in mysterious ways and you can never tell what will happen.
What Do You Do When Your Hands Are Itching?
Though this superstition has worked out well for some people, I wouldn’t make any life-altering decisions based on it, nor any choices that would put my finances at risk. Like Stevie Wonder says in his song, Superstition, “When you believe in things, that you don’t understand, then you suffer, superstition ain’t the way.”
However, I don’t see the harm in placing a little bit of faith in miracles happening. If you have itchy palms, you can make that choice to buy a lottery ticket or scratch-off if you want to. I just would not let it become a habit to the point where I’m losing money. Also, if your hand is itching, do not scratch it yourself! Any good luck that you could be receiving will be negated by this action. The best way to enhance your good luck is if you scratch it against wood or have someone else scratch it with the opposite hand from what is itching you.
I haven’t had good luck from my palms itching, but I did buy a Maneki-neko (or beckoning cat) figurine on a trip to Hong Kong. It’s a belief originating in Japan that the cat brings the owner good luck. About 2-3 days after I purchased it, I received a call with a job offer while still on vacation. Coincidence, or not? I’m just glad I decided to pick up the phone!
There are also various other ways to attract money. In addition to the figurine, I have a merchant’s stone in my wallet. It’s a citrine gemstone that is supposed to bring good luck. I also have abundance checks like the actor, Jim Carrey, kept in his wallet until he got a 10 million dollar movie deal. Again… What does it hurt to have a little faith? Especially when it’s inexpensive.
What Does It Mean When Your Left Hand Itches?
If your right hand itching is good luck, then your left palm would mean bad luck. Just like the differing types of good fortune that you can receive, bad luck is different as well.
A financial loss could come in the way of losing that last quarter you needed to buy a snack from the vending machine at work or having to replace your roof after a bad storm. Unexpected situations like this are why it is also good to save money and create an emergency fund.
Religious Perspectives On Hands
This little superstition is also lent some support by various religions.
The Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes good fortune, wealth, fertility, and prosperity in the Hindu religion. For people who believe in this goddess, the right hand itching is good luck. When the left hand itches, it means Lakshmi is leaving you. For a woman, the opposite is believed. The right hand itching means the female will lose money and the left means she will receive it.
Going by the Bible, I’m not sure which hand to believe is lucky. These are two passages that I’ve read:
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” – (Isaiah 41:13 New International Version (NIV))
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” – (Matthew 6:3 New International Version (NIV))
It could be interpreted that the right hand is favored by God for both receiving blessings and sharing them with others as well. What do you think?
At the end of the day, I believe that there is power in faith. You can manifest your desires but you also have to take the steps towards achieving them as well. Don’t just sit back and wait for your blessings, go out and find them as well!
Related Reading: Powerful financial affirmations for manifesting money with the Law of Attraction.
Other Money Superstitions
There are plenty more money superstitions that have been passed down to me, as well as ones that I’ve learned about throughout my life. Have you heard of the following ones or any others?
1. Putting your purse on the floor
Placing your bag on the floor can harbor bad luck and cause you to lose money. Also, the floor is just too dirty to put something you touch all the time there.
2. Penny on the floor
A penny on the floor found face-up is good luck, but face down is bad luck. Depending on your culture, the opposite is believed.
3. Bird poop is good luck
Why is this good luck? I don’t know… but some people say that a bird pooping on you is good luck and you’ll receive money. I think that I’ll be happy to decline that one.
My right hand started itching last night I was old that I’ve won the lottery for millions is today my lucky day.
I hope it is, good luck!