stackyFACTS
Myths & mysteries

Lighting three matches consecutively invites doom

HERE’S THE INTERESTING PART

Sharing fire is nice, but doing it three times in a row is basically a death wish. This chilling belief originated in trench warfare, where holding a flame long enough to light three separate items gave a sniper perfect aim in the dark. The very real tactical danger quickly morphed into a permanent supernatural curse against lingering illumination.

Lighting three matches consecutively invites doom
STACKY / Myths & mysteries

This article describes beliefs and cultural traditions, which are not necessarily scientifically established facts.

One discovery leads to another.

Keep exploring facts in this topic.

Myths & mysteries →
STACKY FOR IPHONE

A bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.

Keep discovering with Stacky. Interesting facts in an app that is always within reach.

Download on the App Store
ONE MORE DISCOVERY?

Keep exploring

All in this topic →
Eerie tradition of the sin eaters
Myths & mysteries

Eerie tradition of the sin eaters

For a few coins, they would literally swallow your damnation. In 18th-century Wales, outcast 'sin eaters' were hired to consume bread rested on the chest of a…

Discover more
Coins placed on graves pay necessary spectral tolls
Myths & mysteries

Coins placed on graves pay necessary spectral tolls

Even in the afterlife, you simply cannot escape aggressive toll booths. This grim tradition ensured the deceased had exact change to bribe whoever was…

Discover more
Whistling indoors summons malevolent entities
Myths & mysteries

Whistling indoors summons malevolent entities

Your upbeat little tune is actually a siren song for demons, apparently. Theatrical and maritime traditions long held that whistling indoors or below deck was…

Discover more
Zoroastrian mystics believed that cutting your hair and nails created dangerous evil energies if not buried properly
Myths & mysteries

Zoroastrian mystics believed that cutting your hair and nails created dangerous evil energies if not buried properly

If you think your current roommate is overly dramatic about a messy bathroom, ancient mystics believed stray nail clippings literally empowered actual demons.…

Discover more
Roman historian Pliny the Elder earnestly documented that menstruating women could magically stop hail and kill crops
Myths & mysteries

Roman historian Pliny the Elder earnestly documented that menstruating women could magically stop hail and kill crops

If you ever feel bad about scientific illiteracy today, remember that the most respected mind of ancient Rome believed basic biology was an Avengers-level…

Discover more
Carrying coffins backward confuses returning ghosts
Myths & mysteries

Carrying coffins backward confuses returning ghosts

The undead are terrifying, but incredibly bad at basic navigation. A strict rule dictated that a deceased person must be carried out of their residence feet…

Discover more
StackyMore discoveries in the app
Download on the App Store