Left Hand Itching? What Itchy Palms Mean for Your Money

Last Updated on January 23, 2022 by Rebecca Lake

Left Hand Itching and the Meaning of Itchy Palms

Ever find your left hand itching for no reason?

An itchy left hand can be a sign of a health condition. But in personal finance circles, an itching left hand can is often associated with the flow of money.

Superstition says that left-hand itching means you’ll soon be paying money out (or receiving it).

This is an old wives’ tale that you might have heard about growing up. But is an itchy left hand really important to your finances?

Is there a left hand itching lottery link?

And do itchy palms mean something different if you’re male or female?

If you’ve got an itchy left hand, keep reading to learn whether it’s a good thing and if there’s any fact to this money myth!

LIKE FREE MONEY?

Here are some of my go-to apps for earning extra cash!

Survey Junkie. Earn up to $50 per survey just for sharing your opinions.

Swagbucks. Make money by playing games and watching videos. Join for free and get a $10 bonus when you sign up!

InboxDollars. Take surveys and get paid, no special skills or experience required!

Rakuten. Earn up to 40% cash back at hundreds of retailers, online or in stores. And get $30 for each person you refer, along with a $10 sign up bonus!

CashApp. Need a simple app for sending and receiving money? Get $5 free when you use code ‘VZXRXZN’ to join CashApp.

Itchy Palms Meaning

Itchy hands or itchy skin can suggest a variety of things, starting with an allergic reaction or underlying medical issue.

Hand eczema, for example, can inflame skin cells and leave you with itching palms and cracked, dry skin. Dyshidrosis can lead to blisters forming on your palms and soles that can leave you with itching hands and feet.

There are other health conditions that make your palms itch as well. There could be a simple explanation or a more serious medical reason behind a terrible itch in your hands.

So if you have itchy palms (left side or right side) you may want to see a doctor if you’re worried that you might have a skin condition or another medical condition. A doctor can check the affected area to see what might be causing your itchy skin.

But what does an itching hand signify when it comes to your money? Is there a link?

What Does It Mean When Your Left Hand Is Itchy?

woman holding cash and smiling — Left Hand Itching: What Does It Mean?

According to superstition, an itching left hand means you’re about to part with money.

Growing up, I frequently heard my grandmother say that a right hand itching meant money coming in while a left hand itching meant money going out.

In other words, you lose with your left hand, receive with your right.

So if your left hand is itching, it could mean that money is about to leave your wallet, bank account or hands.

That doesn’t mean you’re about to lose all your money and end up flat broke, though.

It could just mean that you have a bill you need to pay or an unexpected expense is about to come your way that’ll have to go on one of your credit cards. Or it might mean you’re going to misplace a $20 bill.

But I’ve heard other people say the reverse is true. That an itching left hand means money coming in and if your right-hand itches that means money going out.

So whether you believe an itchy left hand or an itchy right hand means bad things or good things with regard to your finances can depend on the money superstitions or beliefs you learned growing up.

And good news–there are some people who’ve gotten lucky with money from a left hand itching!

Does itching in left palm mean lottery luck?

An itching left hand could be a sign that a lottery payout is in the cards, though the odds of it happening are low.

The average person spends just over $1,000 a year on lottery tickets. But your odds of hitting it big and winning a Powerball or Mega Millions payout are 1 in 292 million and 1 in 303 million, respectively.

It can happen though. Just ask Mary Shammas.

In 2010, Mary Shammas, a 73-year-old grandmother, was riding the bus home when her left hand suddenly started itching.

Remembering that an itching left palm means money is on the way, she hopped off the bus and bought a lottery ticket. Her itchy left hand paid off to the tune of a $64 million jackpot.

It’s even been suggested that there’s a lottery link between itchy left hands and certain numbers.

For example, some of the lottery numbers that are supposed to bring good luck for itching left hands include:

Could using some combination of these numbers lead to lottery luck if you have an itchy left palm?

Anything is possible.

(And if you’re curious about the lucky lotto numbers Mary Shammas used to win millions, she chose 5, 14, 17, 19 and 24.)

More examples of itchy palms leading to lottery luck

Still wondering whether a left hand itching or right-hand itching is a reason to run out and buy a lottery ticket?

Here are a few more people who relied on this money superstition to help to cash in on the lotto:

A Baltimore woman bought a winning lottery ticket for $50,000 after each of her three daughters reported having an itchy palm on the same day.
A Michigan man hit a $250,000 lottery jackpot after his hand would not stop itching for several days.
A woman in Michigan won $2 million in the Mega Millions drawing after her hand itched for a solid month. (FYI, the terrible itch stopped after her win!)
A west Australian netted just under $1 million in lottery winnings after an itchy palm prompted him to buy a ticket.
A North Carolina woman said she bought three lottery tickets to try her luck after her hands itched. Her luck paid off with a $100,000 prize.
A Mississippi man who recognized an itching palm as a sign of luck won $3,000 on a lottery scratch-off ticket.

These are just some of the people who’ve followed an itchy palm to a lottery win. Which could mean there’s a good chance that the link between itchy palms and money luck is more than just an old wives’ tale.

If you want to test out this theory yourself, pay attention to your palms.

The next time you feel your right hand or left hand itching, take note of what happens with your finances.

You could learn which is your fortunate hand–or when an itching palm might mean bad luck.

Left hand itching male vs. left hand itching female

There are different meanings for itchy palms in different cultures. And whether you’re male or female can determine whether an itching left hand means you’ll receive or lose money.

In India, for example, the right hand is the lucky hand for money as it’s associated with the goddess Lakshmi, goddess of fortune in the Hindu religion.

Money is exchanged with the right hand because it’s supposed to bring good luck and good fortune. And if your right hand itches that could be a good sign since it means money will soon be coming to you.

But this belief applies to men only in Hindu culture. If you’re an Indian woman with an itchy right palm that can mean bad luck with finances is coming your way.

Conversely, if a man’s left-hand itches, that could mean they’re about to lose money.

left hand holding cash — What Do Itchy Left Palms Mean?

Left hand itching spiritual meaning

Itching palms may have a spiritual connection.

For example, Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” Open your right hand in order to receive God’s blessing.”

So what about what an itchy left hand means from a spiritual perspective?

Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.”

You could interpret this as meaning that the left hand is a symbol of bad decision-making or bad luck. It could mean you’re going to lose money or run into financial problems at some point.

But here’s a little bit of hope if you’re worried about a left hand itching being a signal of financial chaos to come.

Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

How Itchy Palm Superstitions Got Started

Left hand itching is an old superstition. But there’s no way to know for sure how the link between an itchy left hand and money got started.

It’s possible that it has ties to the Celts and other pagan groups who used to knock on trees for luck.

The idea was that if you touch wood you could gain you the protection of the spirit that resided inside the tree. Meanwhile, a common Saxon belief was that rubbing silver against your skin could ward off disease.

Somehow, these ideas merged into the belief that if your left palm itches, you should rub it against wood to make the itch leave (but not take your luck with it!)

It’s not clear how but these two ideas were blended together or when. But they were, resulting in the idea that a left hand itching could be tied to your luck.

(So you may want to keep a piece of wood handy in case you get itchy palms!)

four people throwing cash in the air — Money Superstitions Itchy Palms

Other Common Superstitions About Money

Besides believing that an itchy left palm or itchy right palm can foretell good luck there are plenty of other money superstitions floating around.

Here are some of the most common money-related superstitions that many people still believe in.

1. Keep your purse off the ground

An old Chinese saying goes like this: “A purse on the floor is money out the door.”

Putting your purse on the ground is a sign that you don’t respect or want to attract wealth.

So if you want to have great fortune and avoid negative energy where your money is concerned, keep your purse off the floor.

2. A brown spider is a sign of good fortune

In Trinidad and Tobago, finding a brown spider is a sign of good luck. So stumbling across a brown spider in your home could mean unexpected money is about to find its way to you.

(But I don’t suggest letting a spider crawl on you. And if it turns out to be a brown recluse, squash that sucker.)

3. A spider in your pocket means you’ll always have money

Here’s another old tale that gives me the shivers: Let a spider crawl in your pocket and you’ll never be broke.

If you believe in itchy palm superstitions then you might believe this one too.

But is letting a spider crawl in your pocket a good idea? It might depend on the spider and how tolerant you are of them.

And it’s a good idea to let the spider crawl back out again before sticking your hand in.

4. Bird poop brings money luck

One of the oddest money superstitions deals with unexpected…gifts from above.

Supposedly, if a bird poops on you, your house or your car, or you step in bird poop as part of your daily routine then money will soon come your way.

Which, considering how many pigeons live in New York, makes me wonder why New Yorkers aren’t all swimming in wealth.

5. The southeast corner of your home is your “wealth corner”

Another Chinese superstition holds that one part of your home, the southeast corner, is your wealth corner.

By filling your wealth corner with symbols of wealth, such as a Chinese wealth vase or even a piggy bank, you can get rid of negative energy surrounding money and encourage prosperity instead.

6. A black cat is good fortune

A black cat can be associated with good luck or bad luck in different cultures.

In the United States, we often hold that a black cat crossing your path is a bad omen. But in Japan and other parts of Asia, black cats are a good luck charm.

So how does a black cat relate to money?

In Japanese culture, black cats are fortune cats that draw wealth and prosperity to you. They also help to prevent an unwanted energy buildup by driving away demons and evil spirits.

7. Dropping coins in a fountain can bring a money shower

Tossing coins in a fountain is associated with making wishes. But it could bring you good fortune.

For example, tossing one coin in Rome’s Trevi Fountain means you’ll return to the city. Tossing two coins means you’ll return and fall in love.

But tossing in three coins means you’ll return, find love and marry. This could bring wealth your way–if you’re lucky enough to fall in love with and marry an Italian count.

8. Don’t sweep on New Year’s Day

This is one of the most repeated superstitious beliefs in the south so I’ve heard this one a lot.

The idea is that if you sweep your floors on New Year’s Day you’ll sweep out the new energy–and your luck with it.

And the first person who sets foot in your home on New Year’s Day can determine your luck for the year, based on whether they bring good or bad energy with them.

9. Pennies from heaven

See a penny, pick it up. All day long you’ll have good luck.

This is a rhyme I learned as a kid and it’s got some roots in superstitious beliefs about money.

The most common idea is that if you find a penny lying heads up that can bring good luck. But if you spot a penny lying tails up you should leave it alone as it could mean bad luck instead.

10. Freeze your credit cards to have more money

Freezing your credit cards in a block of ice might seem a little extreme. But it’s actually a pretty common piece of advice in financial circles.

The idea is that if you freeze your credit cards, you’ll have less temptation to spend.

By the time the ice melts, the urge to shop will have passed. Which means you save money.

Will this money trick make you rich? Probably not.

But it can keep you from racking up debt and wasting money on unnecessary things.

Final thoughts on left-hand itching and lottery luck

Whether you believe that a left palm itching means money is about to come to you–or leave you–can depend on how much weight you give to superstitious beliefs. The same goes if your right palm itches randomly.

While you may not be able to count on a lottery payout like Mary Shammas, there are some things you can do to start creating good fortune of your own.

For example, you can start investing in the stock market to build wealth.

Investing money can help you grow your net worth to the seven-figure range if you’re consistent. And you don’t even need a lot of money to start.

You can start trading stocks, exchange-traded funds and other investments with as little as $100 at M1 Finance.

That’s not much money when you think about it. And over time, it could turn into hundreds of thousands–or even millions–of dollars thanks to compounding interest.

That much money could easily solve some of your financial problems, right?

If you’re ready to improve your finances and create multiple streams of income, investing can help you do it. And you could still buy a lottery ticket every now and then, just in case the itchy palms gods are smiling on you. 🙂

Before you go, be sure to check out my favorite tools for making and saving money!