– Anyone who cuts down trees near visiting places will be paralyzed.
– Anyone who takes anything from a holy tomb will be paralyzed.
– It is not good to point out the grave. The fingers of anyone who does so will grow weak and thin.
– If an animal puts out its tongue when being sacrificed, it is believed that the owner of the animal will die within the year.
– If a child constantly cries, it is believed that someone will die in that house.
-When a bunch of flowers is placed on a grave, the spirit of that person returns. He knocks his head on the wood when trying to get up and says, “My God, I am dead”.
– The flesh and the bones separate 40-52 days after death. People gather in the dead person’s house and pray together for the flesh and the bones to separate easily.
– The spirit of the dead person visits his house seven days following death.
– If a show turns upside down when being taken off, it is believed that the owner of the shoe will die in the near future.
– Seeing dead people in dreams is regarded as an omen for the living. It is believed that a guest will come if a dead person is seen in a dream.
– It is not good to put one’s socks near the head end of the bed, it is believed that the owner of those socks will soon pass away.
– Bringing a dead body inside a house is considered unlucky. If that happens, it is believed that three people from that house will die.
– Painting is considered a sin, it is believed that on doomsday the painter will have to give his spirit to the things he painted.
– Angels will fly away from places that house paintings.
– Trees in graveyards may not be cut down, it is believed that genies live among such trees.
– It is forbidden to sleep in a graveyard.
– If someone dies at night, a knife is placed on the body until morning.
– In order to make sweet yogurt, bushes from a grave are picked and thrown in the fire over which the milk is heated.
– It is considered bad luck to break a mirror.
– The lights are not turned off for three days in a house in which a dead body has been washed.
– The shoes of people who come to offer their condolences are not turned around.
– It is believed that, if the gravedigger is not given a tip the deas will not rest easy.
– One may not sit cross-legged when the call to prayer is recited.
– It is forbidden to take stones or soil from graveyards.
– The howling of a dog is considered a sign of approaching death.
– The house is not cleaned, clothes are not washed and water is not taken from outside until the dead person has been buried.
– Graveyards are never enlarged, since it is believed that this will increase the number of dead people.
– Those who wear dead peoples’ clothes will live a long time.
– The shroud may not be cut with knife or scissors.
– If a cat jumps over a dead body before it is taken out of the house, it is believed that the body will become a fearsome ghost.
– If an animal walks in front of someone who is performing ritual prayers in a house, the prayer is invalidated.
– While performing ritual prayers in rural areas, stones or sticks are piled up to prevent animals approaching.
– Smoking is not permitted in graveyards.
– If someone becomes infested with lice, it is believed that he will die soon.
– The neighbors of a dead person pour all the water out of their houses, since it is believed that they will die if they do not.
– Beds are repaired starting from the head end. Only the beds of dead people are repaired starting from the foot end.
Popular Beliefs in Turkey Related to Spirits, Graveyards, Holy Tombs and Visits
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