This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Johnathan Fuentes. Johnathan Fuentes is a writer based in the New York City region. His interests as a writer include space exploration, science education, immigration, Latinx cultures, LGBTQ+ issues, and long-form journalism. He is also an avid hiker and has backpacked in Alaska and Newfoundland, Canada. A son of Cuban immigrants, he is bilingual in English and Spanish. Prior to joining wikiHow, he worked in academic publishing and was a freelance writer for science websites. He graduated from Columbia University in 2021, where he studied nonfiction writing and wrote for the student newspaper. He is currently counting down the seconds until the release of Kerbal Space Program 2 in 2023—a game that will almost certainly take up what little free time he has.
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Your left hand is itching and you’re starting to wonder: is your luck about to change? Should you run out and buy a lottery ticket? Or save your money for a rainy day? There are lots of superstitions surrounding an itchy left hand, most of which involve money. And while there’s no science to back them up, superstitions provide us with lots of ideas for what to expect and how to improve our luck. We’ve compiled a guide on what an itchy left hand means in various cultures and belief systems, as well as what to do when you feel that itch yourself. Keep reading to learn how to interpret your itch!
Things You Should Know
- In many cultures, an itchy left hand or palm is a sign of bad luck. Often, it’s related to money.
- Some traditions say that an itchy left hand is considered bad luck for a masculine person, but good luck for a feminine person.
- Scratching the itch with wood can improve your luck, according to some superstitions.
- Keep an open mind and don’t assume the worst. Sometimes bad luck is followed by good luck.
Steps
Common Meanings for an Itchy Left Hand
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1In western traditions, an itchy left hand is a sign of bad luck. It could be something minor, like a flat tire or an argument with a friend. Or something more serious, like losing a job. There’s no way to know. But things might get tough in the near future.[1]
- Don’t assume the worst. Sometimes, bad luck and good luck can come your way at the same time—such as making a new friend after receiving an unexpected bill. One instance of bad luck may not be the whole story.
- Remember that bad luck is temporary. Whatever happens will pass, and new opportunities will present themselves.
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2If your left palm itches, you might be about to lose money. According to the Hebrew Bible, an itchy left palm is a bad omen for your finances. Maybe your phone bill will be higher this month, or your household income is about to drop. It could even mean the economy is about to take a hit.[2] Whatever it is, money troubles might be heading your way.
- Be careful with your money. Watch your spending habits and avoid buying things you don’t really need.
- Keep an open mind about your situation by remembering that losing money isn’t always a bad thing. Maybe the loss will go to charity or a cause you believe in. Or maybe the loss will be an opportunity to develop greater financial discipline, which could definitely pay off down the line.
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3In some cases, an itchy left hand is considered good financial luck. One Irish superstition, for example, says that an itchy left hand means you’re about to be paid money—though you’ll have to spit in your hand to make this come true. On the flip-side, an itchy right hand means you’re about to pay out money, and spitting in your hand won’t help at all.[3]
- Feeling lucky can drive us to take chances. In 2010, a woman from New York City won $64 million from a lottery ticket she bought after her left palm started itching.[4] We’re not saying the itch caused her to win, but she was definitely onto something!
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4The meaning of an itchy left hand may depend on your gender. In some Indian traditions, an itching left palm is bad luck for a masculine person but good luck for a feminine person. The reverse is also true: an itchy right palm is considered good luck for a masculine person, while for a feminine person, it’s bad luck.
- If you identify as neither feminine nor masculine—or as both—the meaning of an itchy left or right palm might be less clear.
Other Possible Meanings
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1If your left fingers itch, it could mean someone misses you. According to some superstitions, itchy fingers on your left hand means that someone is thinking about you and missing you dearly.[5]
- If someone you haven’t spoken to in ages comes to mind when your left fingers itch, you may want to reach out and reconnect with them.
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2An itchy left ring finger could mean your wedding is coming soon. This could mean that you’re about to be proposed to (or will do the proposing), or that you’ll meet someone you’ll want to marry down the line.[6]
- If you’re already married or have no interest in marriage, an itchy ring finger could mean that someone you know will get married soon.[7]
References
- ↑ https://paranormalauthority.com/itchy-palms/
- ↑ https://www.ryanhart.org/itchy-palms-meaning/
- ↑ https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles/11-irish-superstitions-people-still-believe/
- ↑ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grannys-fateful-64m-itch/
- ↑ https://symbolsage.com/itchy-left-hand/
- ↑ https://symbolsage.com/itchy-left-hand/
- ↑ https://symbolsage.com/itchy-left-hand/
- ↑ https://www.dailybreak.com/break/itchy-palm-means-youll-make-money-superstition-origins
- ↑ https://healthkura.com/left-right-hand-itching-palm-meaning-lottery-superstition/
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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