Throughout history, countless manuscripts have been discovered that baffle researchers and historians with their undeciphered codes, languages, and purposes. These documents are puzzles from the past, shrouded in mystery and offering more questions than answers. Here are 15 of the world’s most enigmatic manuscripts, each a testament to human curiosity and the enduring quest for knowledge.

The Voynich Manuscript

Dating back to the 15th century, this manuscript is filled with unknown symbols, illustrations of nonexistent plants, and celestial diagrams. Despite the efforts of the world’s best cryptographers, its language and purpose remain a mystery.

The Rohonc Codex

Found in Hungary in the 19th century, this codex contains a mysterious script and religious illustrations mixing Christian, Hindu, and Islamic symbols. Its origin, language, and the story it tells are still undeciphered.

The Beale Ciphers

A set of three cipher texts that allegedly reveal the location of one of the largest buried treasures in U.S. history. Only one of the ciphers has been cracked, revealing the treasure’s general location in Virginia, but the other two remain unsolved.

The Book of Soyga

Also known as “Aldaraia,” this 16th-century book on magic and astrology was studied by John Dee, an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. It contains mysterious tables that no one has been able to decipher.

The Ripley Scrolls

Named after the 15th-century alchemist George Ripley, these scrolls depict complex alchemical processes in symbolic imagery. The full understanding of their meanings and instructions for creating the philosopher’s stone remains elusive.

The Codex Seraphinianus

Created in the 1970s by Italian artist Luigi Serafini, this modern manuscript is written in an imaginary language. It illustrates a surreal world that defies the laws of nature, bridging the gap between art and cipher.

The Popol Vuh

The sacred book of the Maya contains mythological stories and a history of the kings of the Quiché Maya people. While much of it has been translated, some sections remain puzzling due to lost cultural knowledge and symbolism.

The Dresden Codex

One of the few surviving Maya codices, this pre-Columbian book is filled with astronomical tables and predictions. Despite extensive studies, some of its tables and references to Maya gods and rituals are still not fully understood.

The Smithfield Decretals

A medieval manuscript with bizarre and often humorous marginalia depicting animals, hybrid creatures, and scenes of daily medieval life. The reasons behind these illustrations and their connection to the text’s legal decrees are still debated.

The Zohar

This is the foundational work in the literature of Jewish mystical thought known as Kabbalah. Its complex discussions of the nature of God, the universe, and the soul are wrapped in an often intentionally opaque language.

The Tărtăria Tablets

Dated as far back as 5500 BCE, these tablets in Romania feature inscriptions predating known writing systems. Their significance and whether they represent a form of written communication remain unresolved.

The Dzyan Manuscripts

Claimed to be ancient texts on which Madame Blavatsky based her Theosophical teachings, including “The Secret Doctrine.” The existence of these manuscripts is unconfirmed, shrouded in occult mystery and debate.

The Copper Scroll

Part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, this scroll lists over sixty locations where gold and silver are buried. Unlike the other scrolls, which are religious texts, this is a treasure map that has yet to lead to any discoveries.

The Piri Reis Map

A world map was compiled in 1513 by the Ottoman admiral and cartographer Piri Reis. It shows parts of the Americas, Europe, and Africa with remarkable accuracy for its time, leading to speculation about its sources and knowledge of geography.

The Phaistos Disc

Discovered in Crete, this clay disc is imprinted with symbols that form a spiral of unknown meaning, dating back to the second millennium BCE. Attempts to decode it have generated many theories but no consensus, leaving its message a secret held for centuries.

The world is a weird and wonderful place, filled with traditions that range from the deeply spiritual to the downright bizarre. Whether hurling tomatoes at strangers, chasing cheese down a hill, or jumping over babies, every culture has its unique way of celebrating life, the universe, and everything in between. Grab your passport to peculiarity; we’re embarking on a globe-trotting adventure and exploring 22 of the most outlandish traditions worldwide!

Cheese Rolling Madness in England

Every spring, a steep hill in Gloucestershire becomes the site of a peculiar pursuit – chasing a 9-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. Participants tumble, sprint, and somersault down Cooper’s Hill, all for the glory of winning the cheese. Injuries are a given, but the spirit of competition is indomitable.

Night of the Radishes in Mexico

Oaxaca hosts an annual event on December 23, where radishes are carved into intricate scenes that defy imagination. These are not your garden-variety radishes but oversized, specially grown for the event, depicting everything from nativity scenes to mythological tales, showcasing extraordinary creativity and a deep-rooted love for tradition.

The Polterabend Plate Breaking in Germany

Before tying the knot, German couples partake in Polterabend, a tradition where friends and family smash porcelain dishes outside the couple’s home. The cacophony of shattering crockery is believed to bring luck, and the couple cleans up the mess together, symbolizing their ability to tackle life’s challenges as a team.

Baby Jumping Festival in Spain

El Colacho, a Spanish tradition dating back to 1620, involves men dressed as devils leaping over infants lying on mattresses in the street. This ritual, part of the Corpus Christi celebration in the village of Castrillo de Murcia, is said to cleanse the babies of original sin and guard them against illness and evil spirits.

Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand

In Lopburi, a feast fit for a king is laid out annually for the local monkey population. Fruits, vegetables, and an array of sweets are offered to the monkeys, drawing crowds from around the world. This event celebrates the monkeys’ role in attracting tourism, highlighting the unique bond between the townsfolk and their primate neighbors.

The Scottish Fireball Festival

To usher in the New Year, residents of Stonehaven, Scotland, parade through the streets swinging fiery balls of wire and rags above their heads. This ancient ritual purges the old year’s bad spirits and welcomes the new with light and energy. The fireballs are eventually flung into the harbor, casting a glow over the town and sea.

Blackening the Bride in Scotland

Another quirky Scottish tradition involves covering the bride-to-be in everything from molasses and ash to feathers and flour. This pre-wedding ritual meant to ward off evil spirits, ensures that if the bride can handle this, she can handle anything marriage throws her way.

The Hair Freezing Contest of Canada

The Takhini Hot Pools host an annual Hair Freezing Contest in the Yukon. Participants dunk their heads in the hot springs, then style their hair and facial hair into frozen sculptures as they emerge into the cold air. Winners are chosen based on the most creative and outrageous frozen hairdos.

La Tomatina Tomato Fight in Spain

Every August, the town of Buñol turns red with overripe tomatoes during La Tomatina, the world’s biggest food fight. Thousands gather to hurl tomatoes at each other, painting the town and themselves in a pulpy, tomatoey mess. It’s a wild, squishy, and surprisingly joyful way to spend a day.

Crying Baby Sumo in Japan

Japanese sumo wrestlers hold a unique contest where they compete to make babies cry. It’s believed that the cries ward off evil spirits and ensure the children’s good health. The sight of hefty sumos gently coaxing tears from infants, all in the safe embrace of a sacred ring, is both bizarre and heartwarming.

The Toe Wrestling Championships in England

In Derbyshire, England, competitors lock toes in a battle of strength and agility, aiming to pin their opponent’s foot for three seconds. This unusual sport, with categories for both men and women, draws participants and spectators from across the globe, proving that competition knows no bounds.

Wife Carrying Championship in Finland

Eukonkanto, or wife carrying, is a Finnish sport with a simple premise: men race while carrying their wives through an obstacle course. The prize? The wife’s weight in beer. It’s a testament to strength, endurance, and, apparently, the Finnish sense of humor.

Gurning Contests in England

In the English village of Egremont, competitors pull the ugliest face possible to win the World Gurning Championship. Held during the Crab Fair, it’s a celebration of human expression, however grotesque, and a reminder that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

The Living Goddess of Nepal

In Kathmandu, a young girl is chosen to be the Kumari, a living goddess, until she reaches puberty. Revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, the Kumari lives in a palace and appears at festivals, her feet never touching the ground. This tradition highlights Nepalese culture’s deep spiritual heritage and reverence for the divine feminine.

The Danish Broken Dishes Ritual

On New Year’s Eve in Denmark, it’s customary to throw old plates and glasses against the doors of friends and family. The bigger the pile of broken dishes at your doorstep, the more luck and friendship you’ll have in the coming year. It’s a loud, messy celebration of love and camaraderie.

The Festival of Exploding Hammers in Mexico

In San Juan de la Vega, a small town in Mexico, participants strap homemade explosives to sledgehammers and slam them against rail beams, causing loud and dangerous explosions. This tradition, part of a larger festival, is a testament to human bravery (or folly) and the lengths people will go to for a thrill.

Silent Meal in Ireland

In the Irish tradition of Béal na Bláth, a silent meal is held in honor of deceased family members. This meal is prepared with a place set for the deceased, including their favorite foods, to invite their spirit to join the gathering. It’s a poignant reminder of the thin veil between this world and the next.

Mud Festival in South Korea

Boryeong hosts an annual Mud Festival, where millions flock to revel in mineral-rich mud through wrestling, sliding, and swimming. This messy, joyful celebration promotes the mud’s health benefits and is a unique way to connect with nature and each other.

The Penguin Swim in Maryland, USA

On New Year’s Day, hundreds brave the chilly waters of the Atlantic in Ocean City for the Penguin Swim. Participants, often in costume, take the plunge to raise funds for local hospitals, embodying the spirit of community and the joy of a fresh start.

Finnish Air Guitar World Championships

Oulu, Finland, is home to the Air Guitar World Championships, where competitors worldwide rock out on invisible guitars. It’s a celebration of peace, creativity, and the universal language of music, proving you don’t need an instrument to unleash your inner rock star.

The Gurung Honey Hunt in Nepal

The Gurung people undertake a dangerous tradition of collecting honey from cliffside beehives in the Himalayas. Dangling from ropes, these hunters face swarms of bees to gather the hallucinogenic honey, a prized delicacy and medicine, showcasing incredible courage and a deep respect for nature.

Swimming with the Dead in Indonesia

The Toraja people of Sulawesi have a profound relationship with their deceased, exhuming bodies every three years to clean, dress, and celebrate with them in a festival called Ma’nene. This tradition bridges the living and the dead, emphasizing a continuous bond that transcends the physical realm.

Superstitions have woven themselves into the fabric of cultures worldwide, often without any clear understanding of their origins or purposes. So, let’s shed some light on the science and psychology behind 18 common superstitions, providing a fascinating glimpse into the human mind and our attempt to make sense of the world.

Walking Under a Ladder

This superstition might stem from the ladder’s shape when leaning against a wall, forming a triangle – symbolizing life in ancient Egypt. Avoiding walking under a ladder could be an early safety measure, as objects or people atop the ladder could fall, causing harm.

Breaking a Mirror

In ancient times, mirrors were considered to reflect the soul. Breaking a mirror was believed to damage the soul and bring bad luck, a belief that may also tie into the high cost and rarity of mirrors in the past, making their breakage a significant loss.

Black Cats Crossing Your Path

In medieval Europe, black cats were associated with witchcraft and bad luck. This superstition could also stem from the cat’s nocturnal nature, suggesting unseen dangers or the unpredictable.

Knocking on Wood

This practice likely originates from pagan cultures where spirits were believed to reside in trees. Knocking on wood was a way to appease these spirits or to prevent them from overhearing and spoiling one’s good luck.

Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder

Spilling salt was considered bad luck due to its value in ancient times. Throwing it over your left shoulder, where the devil was believed to lurk, could blind him and prevent him from causing more mischief.

Opening an Umbrella Indoors

This may come from the early designs of umbrellas, which could be dangerous to open inside due to their size and mechanism. It symbolized opening oneself up to bad luck or angering the sun gods.

Crossing Fingers

Early Christians would cross their fingers to invoke the power of the Christian cross for protection or good luck. It was also a gesture of support and solidarity among believers.

Avoiding the Number 13

This fear, known as triskaidekaphobia, could stem from the Last Supper, where Judas, the 13th guest, betrayed Jesus. Buildings often skip the 13th floor and streets the 13th house number, reflecting this deep-seated superstition.

Saying “Bless You” After Sneezing

In ancient times, sneezes were believed to expel demons or signify impending illness. Saying “bless you” was a way to protect the sneezer from harm or evil spirits.

Carrying a Rabbit’s Foot

This charm is thought to bring good luck due to the rabbit’s association with fertility and abundance. The superstition may also be traced back to Celtic tribes in Britain, who considered rabbits magical creatures.

Bird Droppings For Luck

If you’ve ever had a bird relieve itself on you, we’ve got good news: it is considered good luck. This is likely because it’s rare, turning an unpleasant surprise into a positive sign. It may also relate to the belief in many cultures that birds are messengers from the heavens.

Finding a Four-Leaf Clover

This rarity is believed to bring good luck due to scarcity, with only one in about 5,000 clovers having four leaves. Each leaf symbolizes faith, hope, love, and luck.

Breaking a Wishbone

This tradition comes from ancient civilizations that believed birds could predict the future. Two people pulling apart the dried collarbone of a chicken or turkey and receiving the larger piece was thought to grant them their wish.

Hanging a Horseshoe Over the Door

Horseshoes were believed to ward off evil spirits due to their iron material, which was thought to repel negative energy. The shape of the horseshoe, resembling a crescent moon, also symbolized fertility and good fortune.

Stepping on a Crack

The rhyme “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back” might originate from the association of cracks with portals to evil worlds. Avoiding cracks was a way to protect oneself and one’s family from harm.

Not Opening an Umbrella Inside

Apart from the practical aspect of avoiding accidents, this superstition is believed to stem from the notion that umbrellas shield us from the storms of life. Opening one indoors insults the guardian spirits of the home.

Wearing Polka Dots for Wealth

In some cultures, wearing polka dots on New Year’s Eve is believed to attract wealth and prosperity, possibly because the circles symbolize coins and financial abundance.

Throwing Coins in Fountains

This practice originates from ancient times when people believed that spirits lived in water and could be appeased with gifts. Today, throwing coins in fountains symbolizes wishes for good fortune and safe travels.