The Oddest Ways Different Cultures Handle Money
The Oddest Ways Different Cultures Handle Money
Money is a universal concept, but the way it's handled, gifted, or perceived varies dramatically from culture to culture. While in many Western societies money is treated with a practical and sometimes impersonal approach, other parts of the world attach deep cultural, spiritual, and emotional significance to financial practices. This article explores some of the strangest, most fascinating money traditions from around the world—rituals that reflect history, belief systems, and unique worldviews about wealth and fortune.
1. Japan: Never Gift Money in Odd Numbers
In Japan, presenting money as a gift is customary during major life events, but strict etiquette applies. One must never give an odd number of bills, as odd numbers are associated with division and conflict. For example, 10,000 yen is a favorable amount, while 9,000 yen would be seen as unlucky.
The bills themselves should be crisp and new, enclosed in a decorative envelope called shugi-bukuro. This level of care reflects the Japanese concept of respect and preparation. A wrinkled bill may be perceived as carelessness or even disrespect toward the recipient.
2. Nigeria: "Spraying" Money at Celebrations
One of the most visually striking money customs is the Nigerian tradition of "spraying" money during parties. Guests approach the dancing celebrants and shower them with cash, often in great quantities. The money is later collected by designated helpers and used for wedding expenses or savings.
This display isn’t just about wealth—it's about honor, joy, and community participation. It’s a cultural expression that strengthens social ties and shows the giver’s appreciation for the occasion.
3. China: Red Envelopes and Auspicious Numbers
In China, red envelopes filled with money—called hongbao—are vital during holidays and major celebrations. Red symbolizes luck and protection against evil spirits. Giving money in this form isn’t just a financial gesture but also a spiritual one.
Chinese numerology plays a huge role here. The number 8 (bā) is lucky because it sounds like “wealth,” while 4 (sì) is avoided because it sounds like “death.” Giving 88 yuan is a blessing; 44 yuan would be insulting.
4. India: The Sacred Extra Rupee
In Indian culture, monetary gifts are rarely rounded. Instead of ₹500, people give ₹501. The extra one rupee is considered auspicious, symbolizing growth and prosperity. This custom is followed in weddings, religious donations, and birthdays.
It’s also deeply spiritual—Hindu philosophy values continuation over finality. By making the amount "incomplete," you signal that the blessings and wealth will keep growing.
5. Germany: Coins in Shoes and Wedding Porcelain
In Germany, it’s common for brides to place a penny in their shoe for good luck. This tradition echoes older European beliefs that coins bring blessings and drive away evil spirits.
Another tradition is the Polterabend, where friends smash porcelain items before a wedding, and the couple must clean it together. It’s symbolic of working through life’s messes, especially financial ones, as a team.
6. South Korea: Shoe Superstition and Lost Cash
Gifting shoes in South Korea is considered unlucky—it’s thought that the receiver might use them to “walk away” from you. This superstition is so strong that romantic partners often avoid giving shoes to one another altogether.
In terms of cash, many believe that found money on the street might carry negative energy or be cursed. It's a spiritual caution rooted in old beliefs about wandering spirits and misfortune.
7. Russia: Avoiding the Doorway Curse
In Russia, passing money across a threshold is bad luck. The doorway is considered a spiritual boundary, and handing money through it could invite financial difficulties or quarrels. To avoid bad luck, people either invite others inside or step out to complete the transaction.
Additionally, Russians often refuse to whistle indoors—it’s said to “whistle away your money.” These superstitions reveal how deep financial anxieties are intertwined with daily behavior.
8. Ghana: Custom Money for Funerals
Ghanaian funerals are elaborate and emotionally significant. In some cases, families print mock banknotes with the deceased's image, used symbolically during the ceremony. These serve as commemorations and are handed out as souvenirs.
Monetary donations are public, often logged in ledgers or announced during the funeral. It's not just generosity—it's social standing. The more you give, the more you're respected.
9. Philippines: The Joyful Money Dance
During Filipino weddings, there is a traditional "money dance" where guests pin bills onto the bride and groom’s clothing. This is not only a fun spectacle but also a practical contribution toward the couple’s new life together.
The dance combines Catholic symbolism with pre-colonial customs about prosperity and abundance. It’s a prime example of how tradition and economics meet joyfully in Filipino culture.
10. Venezuela: Running With Cash for Prosperity
In Venezuela, New Year’s Eve is filled with superstitions aimed at attracting wealth. People stuff cash in their shoes or run around their neighborhood carrying full wallets, hoping this will bring money in the year ahead.
These playful yet desperate rituals take on added meaning in the context of Venezuela’s ongoing economic crisis, where citizens cling to any hope for financial stability.
11. Thailand: Spiritual Offerings and Lucky Bills
In Thailand, people make spiritual offerings of cash to monks or temples, often attaching bills to elaborate trees known as "money trees." These are presented during Buddhist festivals as a way to earn merit.
There’s also the practice of keeping lucky serial numbers. Thais may consider certain sequences on bills as fortune-bringers and will keep or exchange money accordingly. Some even trade bills like collectibles based on these superstitions.
12. Italy: Tossing Coins for Love and Luck
In Italy, it’s customary to toss coins into fountains for good fortune. The most famous example is the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The ritual goes: toss one coin to return to Rome, two to find love, and three to get married.
This tradition has become globally popular, but for Italians, it carries a romantic and cultural charm that blends myth and tourism into one magical gesture.
13. Turkey: Spitting on Money
In rural Turkish villages, a practice exists where people lightly spit on money before giving it away, especially if the transaction involves lending. The spitting is symbolic—it’s thought to drive away bad energy or jealousy associated with the money being transferred.
This ancient custom stems from a belief that too much admiration of wealth can attract the evil eye. The spit acts as a protective charm to “neutralize” the money’s power.
14. Brazil: Color and Money on New Year’s Eve
On New Year’s Eve in Brazil, people dress in specific colors to attract different blessings—white for peace, red for love, green for health, and gold or yellow for wealth. Many tuck bills or coins into their clothing or under their dinner plates while they eat the New Year meal.
This mix of Afro-Brazilian and Catholic traditions showcases how cultural fusion can create beautiful, hopeful financial rituals that inspire optimism each year.
Conclusion: Wealth Is More Than Just Currency
From sacred envelopes to symbolic coins, the way people around the world handle money is incredibly diverse and endlessly fascinating. These customs are more than quirky—they reflect the soul of a culture, expressing hopes, fears, respect, and spiritual connections through currency.
While we may all use money for similar purposes, the meanings we assign to it differ in unexpected ways. Whether it's the belief in good-luck numbers, ceremonial dances, or money trees, these traditions remind us that money isn’t just about economics—it’s about identity, emotion, and shared history.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, understanding these customs fosters not just financial literacy but global empathy. So next time you handle money abroad, take a moment to ask: what does this gesture mean here?
@2025 Haruka Cigem - Curious Facts Explored.
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