Itchy Right Hand: Superstitions, Luck & More (2025)

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Breaking down what itchy right hands and palms mean spiritually

Co-authored byJessica Lanyadooand Dan Hickey

Last Updated: August 2, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Common Itchy Right Hand Meanings
  • |
  • Other Possible Meanings
  • |
  • What should I do if my right hand itches?
  • |
  • What if both hands itch at once?
  • |
  • Tips
  • |
  • Warnings

You‘ve noticed that your right hand is itching all of a sudden and you’ve got a strange feeling that something’s about to happen—what could this possibly mean? Although there’s no science to back it up, superstition tells us that this might be a good omen for wealth and luck. We’ve put together a handy guide to what an itchy right hand means in various cultures, as well as what to do when you feel that telltale tickle. Keep reading to interpret your itch and learn how to scratch it!

Why is my right hand itching?

An itchy right hand can signify unexpected money in your future; in some cultures, however, it can signify poor financial luck. In Hindu culture, the individual's gender determines the luck factor—an itchy right palm is lucky for masculine people and unlucky for feminine people.

Section 1 of 4:

Common Itchy Right Hand Meanings

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  1. 1

    An itchy right hand could mean you’ll receive unexpected money soon. In many cultures, an itchy right palm is a good omen for wealth. It means someone is about to pay you money, or you might get a financial boost like a raise or a new job opportunity. Take an itchy right hand as a sign to buy a lotto ticket, sell something, or invest—the reward will be good![1]

    • An itchy left hand might indicate you're about to lose or pay a lot of money.
    • An itchy right hand might mean you're about get good luck or news too.[2]
    • Pro tip—scratch the numbers off lottery tickets with a piece of wood instead of your hand for luck.
  2. 2

    In other cultures, an itchy right hand is a sign of bad financial luck. It means that you’ll have to pay out a big chunk of change soon or you might make a bad financial decision. Be wary of gambling, selling, or putting your money towards frivolous causes.[3]

    • Losing money isn’t always bad—if your money or service goes to a good cause, you’ll be rewarded later.[4]

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  3. 3

    In Eastern cultures, your gender determines which itchy hand is lucky. According to Hindu tradition, an itchy right palm is a good financial omen for masculine people but a bad one for feminine people. The reverse is also true—an itchy left palm is a good sign for feminine people, but bad for masculine people. This stipulation might explain why some cultures believe the right hand is lucky while others think it’s unlucky.

    • The left hand is associated with feminine energy, while the right is related to masculine energy.
    • This belief is popular in places like India, Nepal, and parts of south Asia.
    • If you're not sure which hand is lucky for you, use your intuition and experiences to make a decision—there's no right or wrong answer.
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Section 2 of 4:

Other Possible Meanings

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  1. 1

    If your right hand itches, it could mean you’re about to meet someone new. Your relationship to the new person isn’t always clear, but usually they’ll become a friend or lover to you. In other interpretations, an itchy right hand means you’re about to shake hands with a stranger. This is probably because the right hand is traditionally used for handshakes and other greetings.[5]

    • An itchy right hand could also mean you’ll see an old friend or acquaintance after a long time apart.
  2. 2

    An itchy right hand might also mean it’s time to make a difficult decision. The right hand is associated with decisiveness and action, so an itch there is a hint that it’s time to make some tough choices for your happiness and success. Have you been thinking about quitting your job, starting a relationship, or moving? If you've been putting the choice off, now’s the time to settle on a course of action.

    • For hesitant people, an itchy right hand might mean you’re about to make the correct decision. Go for it!
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Section 3 of 4:

What should I do if my right hand itches?

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  1. Resist scratching it for as long as you can to increase your luck! If you absolutely have to soothe the itch, scratch your palm on a piece of wood. The ancient Celts and others believed that rubbing, scratching, or knocking on wood was a way to ward off negative spirits for good luck (hence the phrase, “Knock on wood!”).

    • If you believe your right hand is your unlucky hand, then scratch the itch. In this case, it prevents bad luck.
    • In Hungary, lore says to grab your hair with your itchy hand. The amount of hair you grab predicts the amount of luck or wealth you’ll receive.
    • Some say to close your itchy hand and put it in your pocket to receive your good fortune. Others say you need to spit in your itchy hand.

Section 4 of 4:

What if both hands itch at once?

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  1. Two itchy palms mean your spiritual energy is balanced or over-active. By some interpretations, a double itch is a sign that the incoming and outgoing energies of your life are in balance—you’re receiving and offering the same amount to the world. Others say it means your spiritual energies are more agitated than usual.

    • Meditate on your circumstances to discover the source of the imbalance.
    • If you’ve got money on your mind, a double itch means you’re bound to get rich!
    • Spiritually, it's very rare for both hands to itch at the same time.
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      Tips

      • If you find the multiple interpretations of this superstition confusing, follow the version that resonates the most with you or that you’ve experienced to be true in your own life. There’s no right or wrong way to believe in it!

      • There's no way to know exactly when you'll receive your good luck or money, or how big your reward will be. Keep knocking on wood until good fortune finds you!

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      Warnings

      • If one or both palms is persistently itchy or painful, it may be due to a medical issue such as an allergic reaction, dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, or diabetes. See a doctor if you have concerns about your health.

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      About This Article

      Itchy Right Hand: Superstitions, Luck & More (29)

      Co-authored by:

      Jessica Lanyadoo

      Astrologer & Psychic Medium

      This article was co-authored by Jessica Lanyadoo and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Jessica Lanyadoo is an astrologer with over 20 years of consulting experience. She is the author of Astrology for Real Relationships: Understanding You, Me, and How We All Get Along and is the host of the popular astrology and advice show, Ghost of a Podcast. Lanyadoo co-hosted TLC’s digital astrology show Stargazing and writes weekly and monthly horoscopes that help you heal. This article has been viewed 607,543 times.

      90 votes - 84%

      Co-authors: 12

      Updated: August 2, 2024

      Views:607,543

      Categories: Superstitions

      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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      Itchy Right Hand: Superstitions, Luck & More (2025)

      FAQs

      Itchy Right Hand: Superstitions, Luck & More? ›

      Money superstition involves itchy palm. There's an old superstition that when your palms itch it means money coming in our out. An itching left palm means money to be paid out, while an itching right palm is money coming in.

      What is the old saying when your right hand itches? ›

      Money superstition involves itchy palm. There's an old superstition that when your palms itch it means money coming in our out. An itching left palm means money to be paid out, while an itching right palm is money coming in.

      What is the old wives tale about right palm itching? ›

      If your right palm is itching, congratulations! This means you are about to come into some money. But, careful of the left palm, it signals you're on the verge of losing money. The only sure-fire way to indulge a scratch without risking financial ruin is to rub your left palm on a piece of wood.

      Does right hand itching mean money? ›

      Some say itchy palms are a sign of greed. Others say that if your palms itch, it means there will be money in your future. When your left-hand itches it is said to be a sign that money will be coming your way and a itchy right-hand means money will be flowing out of your pocket.

      What does an itchy hand mean spiritually? ›

      "An itchy right hand can suggest that a person might be forcing circumstances and is about to make a decision that could bring misfortune," Harris explains. Other common beliefs of an itchy right hand include someone talking poorly about you or taking advantage of your time.

      Which hand is lucky for money? ›

      In 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.

      What does the right hand mean spiritually? ›

      The “right hand” is seen as a place of honor and status throughout the biblical text. When the Bible makes statements that Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, it is affirming that he has equal status to the Father within the Godhead (Hebrews 1:3, 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22; Acts 7:55-56).

      What does a right hand itchy palm mean for females? ›

      Right hand itching

      In many cultures, it is believed that if your right palm itches, you will receive or shake hands with someone who will bring you money or good fortune. Some also associate it with receiving unexpected wealth or a windfall.

      What does the Bible say about itchy palm? ›

      In our language, when we say, as a figure of speech, that someone has an “itching palm”, we mean that the person hankers for money, is avaricious and even dishonest. Paul gave Timothy a strong warning about this...

      What does an itchy right ring finger mean? ›

      There are many reasons why you may have itchy fingers, including relatively harmless ones like having dry hands. However, itchy fingers can also sometimes be a sign of a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, or a nerve-related issue like peripheral neuropathy.

      What is the Old Wives tale about itchy feet? ›

      (16) If the sole of your foot is itchy it is said you will walk on strange ground.

      What does it mean when your right wrist itches? ›

      Itchy wrists can often be a symptom of an allergic reaction. While it is usually a minor inconvenience, it can sometimes signify a more serious medical condition requiring immediate attention. Itchy wrists can be due to several factors including: Environmental allergens.

      What does it mean when your nose itches? ›

      An itchy nose is generally considered a symptom in and of itself. It can range in severity but is very common among allergy sufferers. Those who are sensitive to airborne substances such as dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and pollen may be more likely to develop an itchy nose or a more severe case.

      What are itchy hands a symptom of? ›

      Itching, including hands and feet, may be seen in anemia (a low number of healthy red blood cells), iron deficiency, thyroid disease (low or high), renal insufficiency (poor kidney function), infections, and some types of cancer, such as lymphoma.

      Are itchy hands related to liver? ›

      With ICP, bile acids do not flow properly, and they build up in the body, causing itching. Symptoms of ICP include: itching, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

      Why there is itching in my right hand? ›

      Itchy hands and feet may be due to a regular problem such as dry skin from harsh weather or scrubbing too hard on the skin. It might also be due to a more serious problem such as uncontrolled diabetes and liver disease.

      What is the meaning of itchy ring finger right hand? ›

      There are many reasons why you may have itchy fingers, including relatively harmless ones like having dry hands. However, itchy fingers can also sometimes be a sign of a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, or a nerve-related issue like peripheral neuropathy.

      What does an itchy right wrist mean? ›

      Itchy wrists can often be a symptom of an allergic reaction. While it is usually a minor inconvenience, it can sometimes signify a more serious medical condition requiring immediate attention. Common Causes of Itchy Wrists. Itchy wrists can be due to several factors including: Environmental allergens.

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