1. Friday the 13th Brings Bad Luck
For some, Friday the 13th is just another day, but for many, it’s a day to be extra cautious. The fear of this unlucky date is so widespread that some buildings skip the 13th floor entirely. This superstition comes from a mix of religious and historical events, including the belief that 13 guests at the Last Supper led to betrayal. Over time, Friday the 13th became a day associated with misfortune, and many people still avoid big decisions or travel on that day.
Even businesses take it seriously, with airlines reporting fewer passengers and hotels seeing more cancellations. Horror movies like Friday the 13th have only fueled the paranoia. Some people won’t even leave the house, fearing accidents or bad luck. Whether or not there’s any truth to it, the superstition still holds a firm grip on people’s minds.
2. Walking Under a Ladder
Most people won’t even risk walking under a ladder, even if they don’t consider themselves superstitious. This fear dates back to ancient Egypt when ladders were seen as sacred because of their triangular shape, which symbolized the trinity. Breaking that shape by walking through it was thought to bring bad luck. The superstition stuck, and centuries later, people still avoid ladders just in case.
Beyond the mystical side, there’s also a practical reason for this belief. Walking under a ladder can be genuinely dangerous—tools or paint cans could fall on you. Even construction workers tend to walk around ladders, whether out of safety concerns or ingrained superstition. It’s one of those old beliefs that actually makes a little bit of sense.
3. Breaking a Mirror Brings Seven Years of Bad Luck
Shattering a mirror feels like more than just an accident—it’s a superstition nightmare. The idea that it brings seven years of bad luck comes from ancient Roman beliefs that a person’s reflection held part of their soul. Breaking that reflection was thought to damage the soul itself, leading to misfortune. The number seven was tied to the idea that life renews itself every seven years, so the bad luck was believed to last until the soul healed.
Even today, people go to great lengths to avoid breaking a mirror. Some even follow remedies, like burying the broken pieces or washing them in running water, to cancel out the bad luck. Many households handle mirrors with extreme caution, just in case. Whether or not people truly believe in the curse, no one wants to take the risk.
4. A Black Cat Crossing Your Path Means Trouble
Black cats are adorable, but some people still see them as bad omens. This superstition dates back to the Middle Ages when black cats were associated with witches and dark magic. People believed that if a black cat crossed your path, it was a sign of misfortune or even death. The fear became so ingrained that it still lingers today, affecting adoption rates for black cats.
Even those who don’t believe in the superstition might hesitate when a black cat crosses their path. Some will even take a different route or wait for someone else to go first. Ironically, in some cultures, black cats are actually symbols of good luck. But in America, thanks to old folklore and pop culture, they’re still linked to spooky superstitions.
5. Knocking on Wood
Ever say something positive and immediately knock on wood? This comes from an old belief that spirits lived in trees and could either grant good fortune or take it away. People would touch or knock on wood to keep luck on their side and prevent anything bad from happening. Even today, you’ll see people tapping their desks or a nearby wooden table after making a hopeful statement.
The superstition is so common that people do it almost instinctively. Athletes, for example, often knock on wood when talking about a winning streak. Some even take it further by looking for “real” wood to knock on, just to be extra safe. Even if you don’t believe in it, the habit is hard to shake.
6. Opening an Umbrella Indoors Brings Bad Luck
Ever been scolded for opening an umbrella inside? This superstition has been around for centuries, with roots in ancient Egypt and Victorian England. In Egypt, umbrellas were used for sun protection, and opening one indoors was considered an insult to the sun god. The Victorian era added a more practical reason—spring-loaded umbrellas were dangerous and could easily injure someone inside a home.
Despite advances in umbrella technology, the belief still persists. Many people feel uneasy if someone pops open an umbrella indoors, even if they don’t know why. Some think it brings bad luck, while others just feel it’s bad manners. Either way, you’ll rarely see someone testing this superstition on purpose.
7. Tossing Spilled Salt Over Your Shoulder
Spilling salt is seen as an unlucky mistake, but there’s a way to reverse it—just toss some over your left shoulder. This belief dates back to ancient times when salt was a valuable commodity, and wasting it was considered bad luck. Some say the superstition comes from Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper, where Judas is shown knocking over a salt container. The left shoulder part comes from the idea that the devil lurks behind you, and tossing salt blinds him before he can cause trouble.
Even today, people instinctively throw a pinch of salt over their shoulder after a spill. Restaurants and diners sometimes have salt shakers mysteriously left open, as some believe it prevents bad luck. It’s a superstition that has survived for centuries despite being completely illogical. But for many, it’s an easy habit to follow—just in case.
8. Picking Up a Penny for Good Luck
“Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long, you’ll have good luck.” This old rhyme has kept the superstition alive for generations. Pennies were once considered lucky because they were made of valuable metal, and finding money on the ground was a sign of fortune. Some believe it’s only lucky if the penny is heads up—if it’s tails, you’re better off leaving it.
Even in an era where pennies are practically worthless, people still pause to pick one up. Some will even flip a tails-up penny to heads for someone else to find. Others keep a lucky penny in their pocket or wallet for good fortune. Whether or not it actually works, the tradition is still going strong.
9. Itchy Palms Mean Money is Coming
If your palm starts itching, you might hear someone say it means you’ll receive money soon. This superstition has been around for centuries and varies depending on which hand is itching. Some say an itchy right palm means money is coming your way, while an itchy left palm means you’ll lose money. The idea likely comes from old European folklore, where people believed bodily sensations were signs from the universe.
Even today, people joke about an itchy palm being a sign of incoming cash. Some even refuse to scratch it, believing that doing so will prevent the money from arriving. While there’s no scientific proof that an itchy palm predicts financial luck, it’s a superstition that refuses to die. After all, who doesn’t like the idea of unexpected money?
10. Saying “Bless You” After a Sneeze
If you sneeze in public, chances are someone will automatically say, “Bless you!” This tradition dates back to ancient times when sneezing was thought to release the soul from the body, making it vulnerable to evil spirits. During the plague in Europe, Pope Gregory I encouraged people to say “God bless you” to protect the sneezer from illness. Over time, it became a common courtesy rather than a literal protection against the supernatural.
Even today, it feels rude not to say “Bless you” when someone sneezes. Some people take it seriously, believing it’s bad luck to ignore a sneeze entirely. Others see it as a simple act of kindness, even if they don’t know the history behind it. Either way, the habit is deeply ingrained in American culture.
11. The Number 666 is Evil
The number 666 has been feared for centuries, thanks to its biblical connection to the “number of the beast.” Found in the Book of Revelation, it’s long been associated with the devil and bad omens. Because of this, many people avoid anything related to 666, from license plates to phone numbers. Some buildings even skip labeling the 666th room or floor, just like they do with the number 13.
Even in everyday life, people get uneasy when they see the number pop up. If a restaurant bill comes out to $6.66, some will add an extra item to change the total. Others will avoid addresses or business names containing 666, fearing bad luck or negative energy. Whether or not there’s any truth to it, the number still makes many people uncomfortable.
12. The Curse of the Broken Wishbone
Breaking a wishbone is a fun tradition, but there’s a superstition behind it. If two people pull apart a dried wishbone, whoever gets the bigger piece is supposed to have their wish granted. However, some believe that if the wishbone breaks into three or more pieces, it brings bad luck instead. The tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where people believed birds had mystical powers, and their bones could grant wishes.
Even today, families break wishbones at Thanksgiving, hoping for good fortune. Some people save their wishbone for days, letting it dry properly to ensure a clean break. Others get super competitive, strategizing how to hold the bone for a better chance of winning. Whether it’s luck or just physics, this superstition still makes dinner time a little more exciting.
13. Birds Flying Into a Window is a Bad Omen
If a bird flies into your window, you might hear someone say it’s a bad omen. Some believe it means that death or misfortune is coming, as birds have long been linked to the spirit world. This belief likely comes from old European folklore, where birds were seen as messengers between the living and the dead. It doesn’t help that certain birds, like crows and owls, have long been associated with bad luck.
Even today, people get uneasy when a bird crashes into their home. Some try to counteract the bad omen by making noise or burning sage. Others take it as a simple coincidence but still feel a little unsettled afterward. Regardless of belief, it’s a superstition that makes a startling event even spookier.
14. Sweeping Over Someone’s Feet Brings Bad Luck
If someone accidentally sweeps over your feet with a broom, you might hear a warning about bad luck. This superstition is especially common in some Southern and African American traditions, where it’s believed to bring misfortune or even prevent marriage. The idea comes from old folk beliefs that sweeping over someone can symbolically sweep away their luck. Some even say that the only way to reverse it is to spit on the broom right away.
Even people who don’t fully believe in the superstition will still jump out of the way of a broom. Some households are extra careful when sweeping around family members to avoid any bad energy. Others laugh about it but still don’t want to take the risk. Whether it’s about luck or just a quirky tradition, it’s one of those beliefs that still pops up today.
