Since this post is sandwiched between Halloween and a truly terrifying presidential election in the USA, I thought this was the perfect time to go over some German superstitions, or Aberglauben. Every culture has them, but when you aren’t raised around them they can strike you as a bit funny. From fondling chimney sweeps to strict rules about when to open a window, here are my favorite superstitions in Germany.
Es zieht!
Es zieht!
It won’t take you long to find out Germans have a very contradictory attitude toward drafts. On one hand, it is vital for every German house to lüften (air out) on a daily basis. German homes are traditionally airtight and this practice prevents Schimmel (mold) and the much-feared stale air. The exact protocol seems to differ German to German (German-Way provides a handy post on the subject), but the expectation is that every household should leave the windows open for at least 5-10 minutes a day, no matter whether there is sunshine, rain, or snow. German windows are built for this production so you can leave them ajar and Dauerlüftung throughout the day. If it is cold, you still must air your Wohnung but can do so in a burst of stosslüftung by fully opening the windows, ideally so there is a cross breeze. It is a less ridiculous in the times of Corona when Luften can really make a difference in the rates of transmission. Maybe the Germans had it right all along.
…until you consider the opposing German conviction that the slightest breeze can cause illness. The term “Es zieht” (which translates to “it pulls”) may be shouted with disdain whenever there is the slightest draft. The German will tug their scarf a little tighter then snap the window closed curtly, fearing that errant breeze will cause a cold, neck, back or joint pain, or infection.
There seems to be no getting it right as a foreigner. You are either not airing things out enough, or too much.
No Early “Happy Birthday”
I am currently planning my daughter‘s birthday which falls on a Saturday. She excitedly suggested we bring in treats the preceding Friday and I had to explain that would never work in Germany. To wish someone an early birthday is to wish them a year of bad luck. You also can’t open gifts before the official date. Save that Alles Gute zum Geburtstag til the day.
A Proper Prost
Beer drinking is serious business in German, and nowhere is that more clear in the traditions surrounding the “Prost“. Germans take their direct eye contact to another level when you raise a beer to cheers. You must look every person in the eyes as you clink glasses, or else the prerequisite 7 years bad sex. Just as bad is if you prost with an empty glass, or glass of water.
Look for a Chimney Sweep for New Years
Schornsteinfeger Photo: Christoph Braun https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28248178
NYE or Silvester is a time of year ripe with superstition. In Germany, it is all about the Feuerwerk (fireworks), the mustard doughnut, Marienkäfer (ladybug), the Bleigießen (lead pouring), the Glücksschwein (lucky pig), and the Schornsteinfeger (chimney sweep). Wait…what?!
Among those many bizarre traditions, it was the chimney sweep that caught me most by surprise. Our first Silvester in Germany a friend brought a clover plant (an almost universal symbol of luck) with a little wire sweeper cheekily perched on top. When I inquired about its origins, I found you are supposed to touch a Schornsteinfeger‘s buttons on this day. Historically, a sweep collected their earnings in the new year so it was a very lucky day for them, and they were the first to bring their well wishes to each household. Today, chimney sweeps are harder to come by but you can still find their likeness all over Germany around the new year.
Knock on Wood
“Knock on wood” is a common North American saying, but its practice is a bit different in Germany. Stammtisch (regulars table) is an informal meet-up, often centered around a sturdy wood table and some beer drinking. Whenever someone joins the table, you give a hearty knock on the table. Besides being a robust greeting, this was once away to ward off the devil. The tables were usually oak, and legend says the devil can’t touch oak so knocking on it proved you weren’t the devil.
Complicated Rules around Gift Giving
Gift-giving has the potential to be an awkward affair. Overspend or under-spend, get something totally useless – these are the usual pitfalls. If you are superstitious, there is more to consider.
For a housewarming, Brot (bread) and Salz (salt) are the traditional gifts ensuring that your friends will never be hungry in their new home. Not a welcome gift? Shoes and knives. If you give your lover a pair of shoes, it’s your own fault if they run away. The knife is believed to cut the ties of friendship when gifted.
Never Light a Cigarette with a Candle
This superstition is referred to as Der Seemann, die Zigarette und die Kerze. Sounds sinister right? Legend goes that every time someone lights a cigarette with a candle, a sailor dies. This is linked to a time when sailors sold matches when on land to add to their income. Avoiding using a match robbed the sailors of their earnings, hence the saying. If you are compelled to light up by candle, give three knocks on those sturdy wood tables to avoid bad luck.
Press Your Thumbs
PHOTO: Grey Geezer
I grew up crossing my fingers, but in Germany you Daumen drücken (press your thumbs). This tradition is said to come from gladiator times in Rome when a thumbs up indicated that the gladiator would be executed and tucked in thumbs allowed them to live. In Germany, my custom of crossing fingers would only be done behind someones’ back when they are lying.
Break a Plate for Luck
Breaking a plate makes a mess, but in Germany it also brings good luck. Especially true on a wedding day, plate breaking can be a formal part of the celebration. Give a shout of “Scherben bringen Glück” (shards bring luck) and throw a plate to ward off evil spirits.
I’m not usually superstitious but I might be breaking some plates and pressing my thumbs a little more than usual these days. In 2020, we need all the luck we can get. Have any more to share? I would love to hear them.
Hi ebe,
I once almost embarrassed myself in wanting congratulate prior to my friend’s birthday. However, I came up with a workaround that will make all cool Germans chuckle and yet this tradition of not congratulating prematurely will be honored! It’s very simple: Curse this person and wish him / her the very least. When chuckling, go ahead and explain the concept / logic: If it brings bad luck to congratulate you before your birthday, then I can curse you in this situation to really wish you only the best and so and so forth.
So, in this regard: Ich verwünsche Dich herzlos zum Geburtstag. Mögest Du das Schlechteste haben! 😉