For as long as I can remember, my grandmother believed that itchy palms were a sign of money on the move. And, surprisingly often, she was right.
Whenever her left palm itched, she would confidently say, “The postman will bring a cheque in a few days.” It almost always aligned with her pension arriving, or even with a prize from one of her beloved crossword competitions. She had only one condition: the itch must not be scratched, or else the money might never appear.
By contrast, when her right palm began to itch, she expected some expense. Somehow, the pattern seemed to hold true.
Years later, I find myself wondering whether these old superstitions are simply coincidences or whether there is something deeper behind them.
Left Palm Itch – Money Coming In
Tradition suggests that an itchy left palm is a sign that money is on its way to you. Over the years, small variations of this belief have emerged.
Some say that if the itch is felt right in the center of the palm, the amount of money will be larger or more significant—something you notice and perhaps even celebrate. If the itch is closer to the fingers, however, it is thought to indicate a smaller sum, like finding a few coins or receiving a modest prize.
The symbolism has deep historical roots. For centuries, people used their right hand for most exchanges, as it was considered the active, stronger, giving hand. Payments, whether in coins, notes, or even gold, were typically made with the right hand extended.
In contrast, the left palm naturally became associated with receiving. Over time, this distinction gave rise to the belief that when the left hand tingles or itches, it is preparing to welcome money, gifts, or rewards.
In some cultures, the idea goes even further. The left side of the body has often been linked with intuition, the unseen, and the receptive aspects of life. From this perspective, an itchy left palm isn’t just a random sensation but a subtle message that something beneficial (often financial) is already making its way to you.
Right Palm Itch – Money Going Out
An itchy right palm, on the other hand, is believed to signal the opposite: money going out. Instead of gains, it points to expenses, whether that’s a bill coming due, an unplanned purchase, or simply money slipping away more quickly than you’d like. Many people notice it right before unexpected costs arise, making the itch feel like a small warning sign from the body.
In some traditions, the belief goes a step further. It’s said that if you scratch your right palm, you can stop or at least reduce the loss.
Culturally, the logic behind this superstition mirrors that of the left palm. Since the right hand has long been the dominant one for giving, paying, or offering, an itch there is naturally linked with parting ways with something, most often money.
Do Itchy Palms Really Work?
Not everyone places faith in signs or superstitions, and understandably so. There is no scientific evidence to prove that an itchy palm has any connection to money coming or going. From a medical perspective, itching is just a physical reaction of the skin. Yet for generations, people across different cultures have noticed patterns and passed down their experiences, treating these small sensations as meaningful hints about life’s rhythms.
Interestingly, the interpretation isn’t the same everywhere. In many parts of Europe, the left palm is seen as the receiving hand and the right palm the giving hand. But in some countries, it is reversed: an itchy left palm means spending money, while an itchy right palm means receiving it. It’s a reminder that superstitions, much like folklore, are shaped by cultural traditions. The same way a black cat can be seen as a sign of misfortune in some regions and a symbol of good luck in others, itchy palms carry different meanings depending on where you ask.
So what should we make of it? Perhaps it is all a coincidence, the human tendency to notice connections where none exist. Or perhaps these customs reflect a kind of inherited wisdom, a way of tuning into patterns we no longer fully understand.
For me, this superstition works like clockwork. Whenever my left palm itches, I know money is on its way, somehow, somewhere. And without fail, it always arrives.
