One of the worst possible omens in Java is to have a common house lizard (cicak) fall on your head. These are small lizards (about 6-10 cm) that cling inconspicuously to the walls and ceilings of nearly any building in Indonesia, where they feed on mosquitos, gnats, and other small insects. Should one come loose from its perch on the ceiling and fall squarely on your head, any number of calamities may be predicted—from complete loss of happiness and position to public humiliation, or discovering that your spouse has been having an affair.

It is said that one's only salvation from such terrible consequences lies in catching the offending lizard before it runs away, and tearing the unfortunate creature in half!