In nearly every household, elders often guide us with traditional do’s and don’ts — such as not sweeping after sunset, avoiding hair wash on Thursdays, or not keeping slippers upside down. Among these beliefs, one of the most common is: “Do not cut your nails at night.” Most elders insist on this rule but rarely explain why. Is there truly any reason behind it? Does cutting nails at night actually invite bad luck?
The truth lies in the difference between old times and the modern era. Just as society has evolved, so have people's thoughts. Today’s generation wants logic and explanation before accepting any traditional belief. Let’s understand why cutting nails at night was discouraged.
The 3 Main Reasons Nails Were Not Cut at Night
1. Lack of Proper Lighting in Old Times
Nails are a protective layer for our fingers, so cutting them requires care to avoid injury. Centuries ago, homes did not have electricity. People relied on sunlight for most tasks. Cutting nails in the dark could easily lead to cuts or wounds. Hence, elders advised cutting nails only during the day for safety.
2. No Nail Cutters in Ancient Times
Modern nail cutters didn’t exist earlier. People used knives or sharp tools to trim nails. Without electricity and with very dim lighting at night, using sharp objects could be dangerous. So, the rule of “no nail cutting at night” was simply to prevent accidents.
3. Hygiene Concerns
When nails are trimmed, small pieces can fly off and fall into food or even into someone’s eyes.
This can be unhygienic and harmful. To avoid such risks in poorly lit homes, people avoided cutting nails at night.
When we look at all these reasons, it becomes clear that the belief originated purely from safety and hygiene concerns in a time when electricity and proper tools were not available. But with time, this practical advice turned into a superstition, and many began associating it with bad luck or negativity. In reality, cutting nails at night is not inauspicious — it was simply unsafe in ancient times.
