Pop Japan

What will you do if you'll be given a certain point or year in your life where you magnetize bad luck and misfortunes?

In Japan, Yakudoshi or the year of misfortune is another superstitious and religious belief still followed by many.

It is like a good warning that this year, you will be extra careful and be in your best behavior because one wrong move, you may experience series of unfortunate events and tragedies (like divorce, death, or calamity).

Yakudoshi years differ in men and women. The Yakudoshi years for men are 25, 42,and 61, which signifies their early, middle and old life. While in women, it is 19, 33, and 37. It is also said that the year before and after the yakudoshi are also unlucky, but the severity is less. In that case, the women will be unlucky in her entire 33 to 38 years, except in her 35th year.

The concept of Yakudoshi years is the Yin Yang, which suggests balance between the good and bad. If we have a lucky year, there will also be a bad one.

To lessen the effect of Yakudoshi, most of the men participate in mikoshi festivals. The women also participate in purification rituals and bring extra lucky charm with them.

It's not bad to believe with these superstitions. These are guide and a reminder that not all times we can let our carelessness prevail. Thus, we must learn to appreciate and thank the life we have. Even if its not our unlucky year, we must learn to take care of ourselves and be prepared for bad chances that will come.