There is a big no on cutting nails on specific weekdays. If you were to ask your mother if it’s okay to cut down hair and nails on odd days, you might receive a swift slipper in your direction. Notably, this barrier applied on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Furthermore on auspicious occasions such as festivals or Pujas, it’s strictly not allowed to cut nails. Whether we accept it or not, during our childhood, we all had moments of rebellion when we defined the rules set by our elders. However, here you are today, reading this article because you can relate to these barriers about cutting nails in the evening or on specific days imposed by our elders in our childhood and we are still following them. 

This simple but popular custom carries deeper importance. It is a rooted mix of historicals beliefs, cultural customs and also practical thinking. In this article we will explore the reasons behind this belief and shed light on various things which stopped people from cutting their nails after evening.

Beliefs about spirits and superstitions

Some people have strong beliefs related to spirituality and superstition. They think that during the evening, the negative energies are more active, and cutting nails could bring in these energies. They say nail-cutting might upset the balance of energies and bring bad luck.

Hindu beliefs and ayurveda

In Hindu stories and Ayurvedic practices, there’s a unique connection between nail cutting and the energy of the moon. People believe that the moon stands for calmness, peace, and healing. According to Ayurveda, the moon’s energy is strongest in the evening and night, and cutting nails during this time could disturb the moon’s energy flow and maybe harm a person’s overall well-being.

Cultural customs and behavior

In certain cultures, cutting your nails in the evening is seen as disrespectful. It’s believed that the sound of nail cutting, especially after evening, can disturb spirits, ancestors, or household deities. Additionally, to honor traditions and ensure the comfort of others, people choose not to trim their nails in the evening.

Let’s explore why cutting nails after evening is not allowed: 

1. In the past, when there was no electricity, people found it difficult to see the length of their nails in the darkness. So, it was challenging to cut, collect, and dispose of the nail clippings properly. 

2. Back in those days, nail cutters weren’t available, and people used knives to trim their nails. Cutting nails with knives in the dark was risky, often leading to injuries. Also, it’s difficult to get medical help at night, so people stopped cutting their nails after evening.

3. Evenings are believed to be the time when Goddess Lakshmi enters homes, and it’s believed that she comes to bless the house with success and wealth. To show respect to her presence, actions like disposing of waste, giving away money, and cutting nails and hair during the evening are not allowed.

4. This reason is right or not but is based on traditional sayings. Elders in the family have always advised not to cut nails after sunset, saying it brings ill health and bad luck to the home. 

5. After trimming, nail clippings could fall on the floor, and in the dark, they often went unnoticed. These sharp pieces of nails can hurt someone.

6. Some believe that trimming nails shows lack of discipline. By setting specific times for various tasks, like nail-cutting, people can maintain routines in their lives, helping them become more organized and disciplined.

7. In certain beliefs involving black magic, a broken nail piece or piece of cloth worn by the individual is required. When nails fell on the floor at night, there was concern that evil spirits or people who perform black magic might use pieces of nails to cause harm to the person.

Best time to cut nails

Astrologers suggest specific days for nail-cutting, but on these days also don’t cut nails in the evening. Saturdays and Sundays are typically avoided, with each day of the week representing many reasons for trimming nails. For example, Monday is associated with better health, Tuesday signifies debt relief, Wednesday is linked to wealth, Thursday helps avoid inauspicious events, and Friday increases chances of travel and meeting loved ones.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the tradition of not cutting nails in the evening has many reasons, including spiritual beliefs, cultural customs, hygiene concerns, and practical reasons. Whether it’s because of tradition, personal beliefs, or customs these continue to be passed down through generations. While some may view it as a superstition, it is important to appreciate the historical and cultural significance that traditions like these hold. As society keeps changing, some customs may fade away, while others continue to be followed and handed down through generations. Regardless of one’s personal beliefs, understanding and respecting these practices adds depth to our appreciation of human culture.

FAQs

Q1. Best days to cut nails?

Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the daytime.

Q2. Does it bring bad luck if we cut nails after evening?

Not based on scientific reasons but according to superstitions cutting nails after evening brings bad luck.

Q3. Can cutting nails at night attract evil spirits?

Some people believe that cutting nails in the evening can attract negative energies.