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Right Hand Itching: What Does It Mean?

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  By Forrest McCall | Last Updated:  January 16, 2022

When it comes to making money, nothing is too small or too insignificant to be worth considering, even something as inconsequential as your hand itching.

Of course, a slight hand itching might be perfectly normal, too; it's not always a sign that there's something related to money.

Here's what you need to know about your right-hand itching, whether it's a sign of good luck or bad luck, and what to do when about right-hand itching. We'll talk about the different versions of this superstition, whether your right-hand itching means you've got better lottery luck and a whole lot more. Let's get started.

Right Hand Itching

What Your Itchy Right Palm Means

First off, your itchy right hand might be nothing, but if you listen to the superstitions, it might be more meaningful than you'd expect.

The most common version of the superstition about your right-hand itching? It means that you've got some easy money coming your way. When you notice that your right hand is itching, it's an excellent time to go buy a lottery ticket or look for easy income the same day.

Of course, there are a lot of different versions of this superstition, including somewhere your right-hand itching actually means you're about to lose money.

Different Versions Of Right Hand Itching Superstition

Like a lot of common money superstitions, there are a few different versions of the right-hand itching superstition. Depending on where you heard this superstition from you might have heard that your right-hand itching is a sign of good luck and that you're about to make money, or that it's a sign of bad luck and that you're about to lose money.

That's pretty contradictory, right?

Well, some of the confusion might be explained by a Hindu version of this superstition. You see, in the Hindu version, your itchy palm meaning depends on which hand itches and what gender you are.

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Hindu Origin For This Superstition

These versions are inspired by various parts of the Hindu religion, especially since some of the Hindu gods have specific meanings attached to their hands and how the hands-on one side symbolizes different kinds of prosperity, and the hands-on the other side have an opposite spiritual meaning.

So, if your right-hand itches and you're a woman, that's a sign of good fortune. But if it's your left palm itching, then it might be a sign that you're about to lose money or that it's a good time to save money instead of spending it.

But, if your right-hand itches and you're a man, it means the opposite. In this version, it's your itchy left hand that's a sign of good fortune, not your right palm itching.

Right Hand Itching Other Interpretations

So maybe your left-hand itching is the lucky one. Or maybe your itchy palm meaning depends on your personal experience, and you should stick to whichever version of this superstition seemed to work when you receive money.

Other versions of this superstition have less to do with buying a lottery ticket and more to do with general good fortune. It could be a sign that you've got money coming in the mail or that you're about to get a big discount on an important purchase.

After all, the lottery luck isn't the only way to receive money or even find financial freedom.

Some people think that the more intense your palms itch, the more money is coming your way, especially when your right-hand itching has brought money your way before.

Listening to your right-hand itching might not be an excellent way to become a multi-millionaire, but that doesn't mean it won't help you make a little extra cash now and then.

Right Hand Itching Lottery

Does Right Hand Or Left Hand Matter When It Comes To Itchy Palms

We've already talked a little bit about how the Hindu version of this superstition depends on whether it's your right-hand itching or your left-hand itching, but what about other versions.

Well, the truth is that when it comes to superstitions about itchy hands, it goes both ways. Some people think that your left-hand itching means you've got money coming or that you're about to lose money.

The same is true of your right-hand itching. Some versions of the superstition say that your right-hand itching is bad luck, while other versions say that your itching palms mean money and good fortune.

Since it can go either way, we tend to think that palm itches are a good indication of some kind of money, but that it's down to individual interpretation.

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Left Hand Itching Meaning

Maybe it's because your left hand is more associated with luck, but when it comes to left-hand itches, it seems like the superstition is a little more connected to buying a lottery ticket or getting other kinds of money by chance.

Now, that doesn't mean you should run out and start buying up a bunch of lottery tickets every time you have an itching palm. If you're thinking about listening to a left-hand itch, it's a good idea to think about if there are other possible causes of your itching palm other than immediately trying for unexpected money.

Still, if itchy hands have worked for you in the past, there's probably no harm in listening to your itchy hand.

Related: Passive Side Hustles to Make Money

What Happens When Both Hands Itch?

Putting the debate about left-hand or right-hand itching aside, what about when both hands itch at the same time?

Well, some people would say that your itchy palm still means that you're going to make money soon or that it would be a good day to buy lottery tickets. But, when both hands itch, it might be a good idea to make sure there isn't a medical reason your hand is itching.

Even if you want to make more money, taking care of your health, including itchy skin, should come first.

Or, you could take it to mean a combination of things. That today is a good day to get a lottery ticket but that you should also check your money flow and make sure you aren't losing money and that you have your savings in order.

Of course, when you have itchy hands, it's entirely possible that you're dealing with dry skin or some other perfectly normal cause.

Sometimes an itchy right palm means money, and sometimes it's just itchy hands.

What About Right-Hand Hurting?

An itchy right palm is one thing, but when your hand starts hurting it might be time to stop thinking about superstitions about itchy palms and time to consider whether there's a medical cause that could explain your symptoms.

Your hand itching meaning money is a relatively common situation, but there isn't anything similar about your hands hurting, even your right hand. It's not an unlucky sign, even when it's your lucky hand that hurts.

There are a lot of possible reasons for a hand itch to turn into hand pain, including allergic reactions, right-hand injuries, and other problems.

When your hand is regularly itching or your itchy hand turns into a painful hand, it's time to see a doctor. Maybe the hand itching meaning is just that you're injured or you have some other medical reason.

Scientific Reasons For An Itchy Palm

There are a lot of possible reasons for an itchy right hand, itchy palms, and other hand problems whether it's your right hand that's bothering you or your left hand. There aren't a lot of reasons that you might only have an itchy right hand or left hand, other than if you're having an allergic reaction to something you only touched with one hand.

But itchy sensations like right palm itches can come from allergic reactions, dry skin, nerve disorders, tendon and soft tissue injuries, and a whole lot of other problems.

Even skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can explain why your left palm or right palm are itching, though it can be hard to know for sure without going to see a doctor.

Even if your palm foretells receiving money regularly, it's still worth getting checked out just to be on the safe side.

Lucky

Origin Of The Right Hand Itching Superstition

Like a lot of money superstitions, it can be hard to say for sure where the right palm-itching superstition got started. It could be someone had an impressive run of lottery luck while they had an itching palm.

But it's more likely that this superstition is older than that since people have been thinking about and paying attention to their itching palm for a long time.

Whether it's your left palm or your right seems to matter in a lot of versions of this superstition, but the inconsistency also makes it seem likely that the superstition is older. After all, the older a superstition is the more different versions are likely to be out there.

Does Origin Matter?

We mentioned earlier the possible Hindu origin for itchy left and right-hand superstitions, but does the origin of the superstition matter for making money today?

Probably not. If your itchy right hand or lucky left palm help you make money without a negative outcome, then the origin of this superstition probably doesn't matter much.

But sometimes knowing the origin of superstition can give it greater spiritual or cultural meaning. Like the superstition of how you can touch wood to get rid of bad luck, which is Welsh in origin, knowing where a belief came from can give you a stronger connection to it.

But, unfortunately, this superstition is so old and so varied that it's hard to say definitively where it comes from. If you or your family members connect to one particular version of this superstition then go with that. It's all about what works for you.

Other Money Superstitions

Not all good luck and money superstitions have to do with your right hand. There are plenty of other superstitions to choose from, either about getting money, giving money or just how you can reach financial freedom.

Like all superstitions, it's a good idea to take some of these legends with a grain of salt, but that doesn't mean you can't believe in them when you need a little extra good luck or money.

But first, let's talk about why humans are so superstitious in the first place.

Why Are We So Superstitious

When it comes to superstitions it can seem strange that so many people believe things without a good scientific reason.

There are probably a lot of reasons people are superstitious. For one thing, people have always looked for hidden connections and patterns in the world around us. Looking for patterns in things that can't be easily explained like good luck naturally leads to the formation of a lot of superstitions.

After all, having a superstitious belief that explains the otherwise unexplainable is comforting. It provides order and structure, whether the superstitions are a good sign or a bad one.

Being superstitious might not make as much sense today since we have a lot more answers and know the scientific reasons for the unexplainable, but that doesn't mean that it's bad to believe in a few superstitions if they help you.

Whether a right palm itching really means money or not, having some superstitious beliefs isn't bad if you're responsible and know what you're doing.

Common Money Superstitions

Here are some other common money superstitions, as well as one superstition to help you with itchy palms.

Touch Wood To Clear Bad Energy

In the versions of the itchy palm superstition where an itchy palm means bad luck or that you're about to lose money, there's one quick fix.

Touch your itchy palms to wood and the wood will help take the negative energy out of your hand, getting rid of the itching and reversing the bad luck.

Of course, this method only works if the source of your palm itching really was luck-related, and it might get rid of good luck too, not just wrong.

Black Cats (Japan)

Black cats might be bad luck in the United States, but they can be a sign of good luck too. In Japan a black cat is incredible good luck, both for money and just day-to-day life.

We're grateful for that difference since it means we can enjoy black cats without worrying about luck now!

Paying attention to black cats and being respectful is an integral part of getting good luck though. You can't just notice them, you also have to be nice to them if you want the black cat to help with your fortune.

Don't Put Your Purse On The Floor (China)

Another common superstition is that putting your purse on the floor is a good way to lose money. This Chinese superstition has some good explanations too, putting your purse on the floor makes it easier for it to be stolen, especially in public spaces.

But this superstition comes from it being bad luck to keep your purse too low, even when you're carrying it.

According to this superstition, the safest purses to avoid losing money are shoulder bags and other purses that sit above your waist when you're carrying them. That way you're inviting money into your life instead of losing it.

See A Penny Pick It Up

This is probably one of the most common superstitions out there. See a penny pick up and all day long you'll have good luck. You might even have been taught this one when you were a little kid.

But, there's a little more to this superstition. Most people aren't familiar with the addition to this superstition just like a lot of people aren't familiar with the second half of “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.”.

The second half of this superstition is that you should only pick up pennies that are heads up, no matter how shiny they are. See, landing head-up is what makes the penny lucky. Head side down and it's actually a sign of bad luck instead of the opposite.

So, if you're looking to make money (more than the cent you make from the penny) you might want to pass up pennies that are tail-side up.

Bird Poop (Turkey)

This superstition is a little more out there than some of the others we've talked about, but if you're looking to win the lottery maybe you'll want this little superstition on your side too.

In Turkey a bird pooping on your shoulder isn't just an inconvenience, it's also a sign of good luck to come, including possible profits and income.

Of course, that might just be because there's got to be a silver lining to getting bird poop on your outfit, but that doesn't mean it's wrong.

After all, anything good that comes after getting pooped on has got to be better, right? And if you net a little cash in the end that's a good thing, right?

Money Attracts Money

This particular superstition has a real work explanation for sure since having a lot of money makes it a lot easier to earn money. But there's a superstitious version that's all about just keeping money on hand to help bring more money in.

Keeping a little money in your wallet or your purse is a way to help encourage more money into your accounts. It can be a lucky coin, a certain dollar amount you never give up, almost anything you can hold on to help keep money moving.

Keep The Number 8 Around

According to Chinese numerology, the number 8 offers a lot of balance and good energy, which can help bring money and good fortune into your life.

The number 8 is especially important to keep in your home to help keep things balanced and harmonious there.

How you include the number 8 in your home is up to you. You can have 8 of specific decorations, use the number 8 as a decoration itself, figure out how to use it in shelving or other spaces, some people even design their homes to have 8 windows or 8 doors.

Investing In Your Wealth Corner

This is another Chinese idea, some might call it a superstition others just call it an important part of feng shui, but the southeast corner of your home is considered the wealth corner. That's where the energy and prospects for financial success rest in your home.

That's important because paying attention to this corner of your home, including taking care of the energy and inviting prosperity into your life.

After all making money is often about leaving yourself open to the possibility.

Filling the wealth corner in your home with trinkets that symbolize money and other ways to attract prosperity in your home is a significant first step to creating prosperity.

Final Thoughts On The Right Hand Itching Superstition

Superstitions might not always work or be the most reliable tools to help make money or get what you want in life. But sometimes they can give you a little helping hand. Whether you believe in all the superstitions we listed or just the one about your right-hand itching, it still might help you get what you need.

Of course, you still need to be responsible with your money and how you go about making money. Whether you're looking for good luck, to get rid of bad luck, or something in between, having a few superstitions on your side won't hurt.

These aren't the only superstitions out there by any means. There are plenty of other superstitions for good luck, money, wealth, and anything else you could be looking for in life. All you need to do is get out there and find them.

Oh, and one last thing. Whether you're looking to make money, build a business, or just want to get a little extra to put in savings, good luck!

Forrest is a personal finance, entrepreneurship, and investing expert dedicated to helping others obtain life long wealth. He has a Bachelor's degree in business and has been featured in many popular publications including Forbes, Business Insider, Bankrate, CNET Money, and many others. To learn more about Forrest, visit the About Us Page for more info.
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