Turkish culture is a treasure trove of superstitions, many of which are tied to language in surprising ways. Whether it’s warding off the evil eye or avoiding unlucky numbers, these beliefs reveal a lot about how Turks navigate the world. And let’s be honest - some of them are just delightfully bizarre.
The Evil Eye: More Than Just a Stare
If you’ve ever been to Turkey, you’ve seen them everywhere: those blue glass amulets with a white dot in the middle. They’re called nazar boncuğu, and they’re meant to protect against the evil eye (nazar). The belief is that envy or excessive admiration can bring bad luck, so the amulet absorbs the negative energy. Turks even have a phrase for it: "Nazar değmesin!" ("May the evil eye not touch!"). Say it after complimenting someone, or risk accidentally cursing them.
Nazar
/nä.zäɾ/“Evil eye”
Numbers: Lucky, Unlucky, and Downright Suspicious
Turks take numbers seriously. The number 40 is particularly ominous. If someone says they’ll do something "kırk yılda bir" (once in forty years), they mean it’ll happen very rarely - if ever. On the flip side, 7 is lucky, much like in Western cultures. But don’t get too comfortable - some Turks believe saying "Allah korusun" (God protect) after mentioning a number wards off its potential bad luck.
- Avoid giving 41 as a gift - it’s associated with death (thanks to its similarity to the word for "corpse," kırk bir).
- The number 13 is also unlucky, but that’s a global import - blame Hollywood.
Whistling at Night: A One-Way Ticket to Trouble
In Turkey, whistling after dark isn’t just annoying - it’s practically an invitation for djinn (supernatural creatures) to come and ruin your evening. The superstition goes that whistling summons these spirits, so unless you’re keen on a paranormal houseguest, keep it down. The phrase "Gece ıslık çalınmaz" (Don’t whistle at night) is a common warning.
Djinn
/dʒin/“Genie”
Spilling Water: The Ultimate Good Luck Charm
While most cultures see spilling water as a minor annoyance, Turks consider it a sign of good luck. If you accidentally knock over a glass, someone will likely cheerfully declare, "Su dökülmesi hayra alamet!" (Spilling water is a good omen!). The logic? Water is pure, so spilling it symbolically washes away bad energy. Convenient, right?
Knocking on Wood: The Turkish Twist
Like many cultures, Turks knock on wood to avoid jinxing themselves. But they add a linguistic flair: after tapping the nearest surface, they say "Tahtaya vurdum!" (I knocked on wood!). The phrase comes from an old belief that evil spirits lurked in trees, and knocking confused them. Modern Turks might not believe in tree-dwelling demons, but the habit sticks - because why risk it?
Final Thoughts: Superstitions as Cultural Code
Turkish superstitions aren’t just quirky beliefs - they’re a window into how language and culture intertwine. From the evil eye to lucky spills, these traditions reveal a world where words and actions carry weight. And if nothing else, they make for great conversation starters. Just don’t whistle while you’re at it.
