Russians Believe in Omens More Than in Zombies And Aliens – Poll

MOSCOW. Nov 1 (Interfax) – Forty percent of Russians, mostly women and religious people, believe in the supernatural beings, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said, following a nationwide poll held before Halloween.

Some 22% believe in omens, 21% in horoscopes, 8% in palm reading and spells, 6% in aliens, and 2% in zombies, the center said.

Fifty-seven percent said they were not superstitious (71% of men and 46% of women).

There are more believers in supernatural elements amongst women than amongst men. Some 30% of women believe in omens, and the indicator is only 14% amongst men; while 29% of women and 12% of men believe in horoscopes.

Churchgoers believe in omens and horoscopes more than atheists (21%-22% against 7%). The belief in omens is particularly characteristic of Orthodox Russians (26%); only 13% of followers of other religions and 7% of atheists believe in that.

Halloween is an ancient Celtic holiday marked on October 31. The holiday’s symbol is the Jack-o-lantern – a carved pumpkin with a lit candle inside. Halloween costumes depict witches and similar characters of films and books. Originally the holiday symbolized the arrival of winter and dark forces – the shorter daylight period and longer and colder nights. It was traditionally celebrated in English-speaking countries but became popular in Europe and the CIS at the end of the 20th century.