Friday the 13th is perhaps the most infamous superstition, striking fear into many as an unlucky day.
But it's far from the only superstition with intriguing roots.
From knocking on wood to …
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Friday the 13th is perhaps the most infamous superstition, striking fear into many as an unlucky day.
But it's far from the only superstition with intriguing roots.
From knocking on wood to avoiding black cats, these customs often feel second nature. But where did they come from? The origins of many of these beliefs were explored in a 2011 article by Natalie Wolchover for www.LiveScience.com.
The belief that opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck likely originated in Victorian
Tracing back to ancient Egypt, walking under a leaning ladder was believed to desecrate the sacred triangle formed by the ladder against a wall. Later, Christian symbolism tied ladders to betrayal and death due to their association with the crucifixion. By the 1600s, criminals in England were made to walk under ladders on their way to execution, further cementing the belief.
The fear of seven years of bad luck from a broken mirror dates to ancient Greece, where reflective surfaces were used in fortune-telling. Romans added a twist, believing that a distorted image in a broken mirror predicted seven years of ill health, coinciding with their belief in seven-year life cycles.
Spilling salt has been seen as unlucky for millennia, beginning with the Sumerians around 3,500 B.C. To counteract the bad luck, they would toss a pinch over their left shoulder. Salt's value as a commodity — so great it influenced the word "salary" — likely played a role in this superstition's endurance.
This custom is one of the most common but also the most mysterious. It may stem from ancient religious practices, where touching wood (possibly a crucifix) was seen as invoking divine protection. Alternatively, European peasants might have knocked to ward off evil spirits.
During a sixth-century plague in Italy, Pope Gregory the Great mandated that sneezes — thought to release evil spirits — be met with the phrase "God bless you." This custom has persisted, even as sneezes are now more often linked to allergies than omens. Though, I have heard saying it can also can keep leprechauns away.
The good luck associated with hanging a horseshoe dates to ancient Greece, where the iron was believed to ward off evil spirits, and the crescent shape symbolized fertility and fortune. In medieval Britain, horseshoes were hung open-end-up on doors to protect against witches.
Black cats have had opposing reputations over time. Ancient Egyptians considered them lucky, while in medieval Europe they were seen as companions of witches, a belief carried to America by the Pilgrims. Today, their symbolism varies by culture, embodying both good and bad omens.
In America, many animal groups and organizations such as the ASPCA have reported "black dog/cat syndrome," where it takes longer for black cats and dogs to be adopted — if they are adopted at all — due to a few reasons, one of which being the superstition that black cats (and black dogs) are bad luck. I have a few black cats who will assure you the belief they are bad luck is simply pish posh.
These superstitions — and their fascinating histories — offer a glimpse into how cultural beliefs evolve. Looking for more lore? Join the Facebook group "Folklore, Customs, Legends and Mythology" and connect with other users who share their insights and ask questions about certain myths and superstitions. It's always fun to learn something new.
