The 20 Real Stories Behind Everyday Superstitions

Spilling Salt

Imagine knocking over a salt shaker and suddenly feeling a wave of dread. This isn’t just clumsiness—it’s a superstition with roots that reach all the way back to ancient Sumer, around 3,500 B.C. Back then, salt wasn’t just a seasoning—it was so valuable it was used to pay workers and was seen as a sacred offering to the gods. Spilling it was more than a mess; it was disrespectful, an act that could anger higher powers and attract bad luck. To fix the mistake, people would toss a pinch of salt over their left shoulder. The left side was believed to be the haunt of evil spirits, and this quick, simple gesture was supposed to blind any lurking demons. This practice is so ingrained that many people still do it today, often without knowing why. Reader’s Digest and Live Science both confirm that this blend of fear, respect, and ritual has turned a kitchen accident into a centuries-old habit.

Walking Under a Ladder

Have you ever taken the long way around a ladder, even when it would have been quicker to walk right under it? This everyday detour comes from ancient Egypt, where a leaning ladder formed a triangle—a shape considered sacred because it represented the trinity of the gods. Walking through the triangle was thought to break its protective power, opening a door to misfortune or even evil spirits. Over centuries, this belief stuck, and today, most people avoid walking under ladders, often without a second thought. The Kaneland Krier notes that this superstition continues to influence how people behave in public places, even if they don’t know the ancient Egyptian origins. It’s a habit passed down like a family recipe—sometimes followed more out of instinct than belief.

Breaking a Mirror

The sound of shattering glass is jarring, but breaking a mirror comes with an extra punch—seven years of bad luck, or so the saying goes. This fear comes from ancient Rome, where people believed mirrors didn’t just reflect your image, but also contained a fragment of your soul. If a mirror broke, it meant harm to your soul, and according to Roman tradition, it took seven years for the soul to heal and renew itself. Even today, people handle mirrors with extra care, often recalling this superstition in the back of their minds. Thirteenoddities.com explains that this belief has become so widespread that it influences not just individuals but entire cultures, making mirrors a symbol of more than just vanity.

Friday the 13th

There’s a certain chill that comes with the date Friday the 13th. Some people avoid making big decisions, while others refuse to leave the house. This superstition is a cocktail of two fears: the number 13 and the day Friday. In Norse myths, Loki—the troublemaker—was the 13th guest at a divine feast, which ended in disaster. In Christianity, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, and his Last Supper had 13 people at the table. This combination has created a date so infamous it’s inspired movies and even phobias, like triskaidekaphobia (the fear of 13). Bustle and Wikipedia both point out that this superstition is especially strong in Western cultures, where some buildings skip the 13th floor entirely.

Knocking on Wood

When you say something hopeful—like “I haven’t caught a cold all year”—do you quickly knock on wood? This superstition is ancient, tracing back to pagan cultures where trees were believed to be homes for spirits and gods. By knocking on wood, people hoped to call on these spirits for protection or to thank them for good luck. Over time, the phrase “knock on wood” slipped into daily language, turning a spiritual ritual into a casual reflex. Reader’s Digest highlights how this superstition is still alive in many cultures, proving that old habits die hard, especially when luck is on the line.

Black Cats Crossing Your Path

Few animals are as misunderstood as the black cat. In the Middle Ages, they were accused of being witches’ familiars or even witches in disguise. The sight of a black cat crossing your path was thought to be a warning of misfortune or evil. However, not every culture agrees. In parts of Britain and Japan, black cats are actually considered lucky, believed to bring prosperity and happiness. Learning Mind and Every Avenue Travel show how the same animal can be a bad omen or a good luck charm, depending on where you are in the world. Whether you avoid black cats or welcome them, their mysterious reputation is hard to ignore.

Carrying a Rabbit’s Foot

The idea that a rabbit’s foot brings luck is a superstition with ancient, even mystical roots. In many early cultures, animals were seen as spiritual guides, and the rabbit—in particular, its left hind foot—was believed to be especially powerful. This part of the rabbit symbolized fertility and survival, thanks to the animal’s quickness and ability to thrive. Over time, carrying a rabbit’s foot became a popular talisman, especially in North America. Reader’s Digest points out that while the superstition may sound odd today, plenty of people still keep a rabbit’s foot on their keychain, hoping a little animal magic will rub off.

Saying “Bless You” After a Sneeze

A sneeze is just a sneeze, right? Not so in medieval Europe, where a sneeze could mean something far more dangerous—like the onset of the plague. Saying “bless you” was a way to offer a quick prayer for protection, or to guard the soul, which was believed to momentarily leave the body during a sneeze. This practice became a reflex, a sign of care in the face of something scary and uncontrollable. Ranker notes that the habit stuck, even after the real threat faded. Today, saying “bless you” is more about politeness, but its origins are a reminder of how fear and kindness can shape our words.

Throwing Rice at Weddings

If you’ve ever been showered with rice at a wedding, you’ve taken part in a tradition that goes back to ancient Rome. Rice was a symbol of fertility, prosperity, and abundance. Throwing it at newlyweds was a way to wish them a future filled with children and good fortune. Over time, some cultures swapped rice for confetti, flower petals, or birdseed, but the idea is the same—showering the couple with hope for happiness. The Superstition Library explains that this ritual, while it may look different today, still carries the same joyful and optimistic spirit.

Opening an Umbrella Indoors

Opening an umbrella inside is one of those things that just feels wrong, even if you’re not sure why. In Victorian England, umbrellas were new inventions with metal spokes and stiff springs. Opening them indoors could easily cause damage to furniture or even injure someone. The idea that it was “bad luck” to do so was likely a practical warning that turned into a superstition. Today, many people still hesitate to open an umbrella indoors, repeating an old habit that once kept homes and people safe.

Itchy Palms Mean Money

An itchy palm can be annoying, but in many cultures, it’s seen as a sign of money changing hands. If your right palm itches, you’re about to receive money; if it’s your left, you might be paying out. This belief comes from the idea that the hands are directly involved in giving and receiving. Rarest.org notes that this superstition is especially common in Europe and North America, where people might even joke about it when their palms itch, hoping for a financial windfall.

Avoiding the Number 4

In East Asian countries, the number 4 is often seen as unlucky because the word for “four” sounds almost identical to the word for “death” in languages like Chinese and Japanese. Buildings often skip the fourth floor, labeling it “3A” or simply jumping to “5.” Bustle points out that this superstition is so strong that it influences architecture, elevator buttons, and even license plates. The fear of the number 4, known as tetraphobia, is a powerful example of how language shapes belief.

Covering Your Mouth When Yawning

Covering your mouth while yawning is polite, but it began as a way to protect yourself from more than just bad manners. In ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits could enter your body when you opened your mouth wide to yawn. Covering your mouth was a shield—a simple act to keep bad forces out. Atlas Mythica details how this practice has survived through centuries, turning from spiritual defense to social etiquette, but still rooted in the fears of our ancestors.

Trimming Nails at Night

In India and other parts of Asia, cutting nails after sunset is considered bad luck. This belief likely started for very practical reasons: before electric lights, trimming nails in the dim glow of a candle or oil lamp could lead to injury or lost nails. Over time, this safety precaution turned into a superstition. Business Insider Nederland notes that even today, some families stick to this rule, passing it down as a way to avoid both bad luck and accidental cuts.

Throwing Coins into Fountains

Tossing a coin into a fountain and making a wish is a tradition with roots in ancient Rome. Once upon a time, people offered coins to water gods or spirits, hoping for health, luck, or the fulfillment of a wish. The ritual stuck, and now fountains around the world are filled with coins—silent prayers for everything from love to fortune. The act of tossing a coin is both a hopeful and practical gesture, as many modern fountains donate the collected money to charity.

Avoiding Handshakes Across a Threshold

In some cultures, people avoid shaking hands or passing objects across a doorway or threshold. The belief is that the threshold represents the boundary between the safety of home and the uncertain outside world, and passing things across it might let in bad luck or disrupt harmony. YourTango highlights that this superstition is especially common in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, where people step fully into a room before exchanging greetings or gifts.

Wearing Red on New Year’s Eve

In Chinese culture, red is the color of happiness, luck, and celebration. Wearing red during Lunar New Year is believed to ward off evil spirits and attract prosperity for the coming year. This tradition is so powerful that red decorations, envelopes, and clothing dominate the holiday. Families often encourage children and newlyweds to wear red, hoping to pass on good fortune. The symbolism of red is so strong that it has become a universal color of luck in many Asian celebrations.

Avoiding the Number 666

The number 666 sends a shiver down some people’s spines, thanks to its association with the “number of the beast” in the Christian Book of Revelation. It’s often linked with the devil, evil, or disaster. This superstition is especially common in Western countries, where people avoid phone numbers, addresses, or license plates with 666. Hotels sometimes skip room 666, and some people even change their airline seats just to avoid the unlucky digits.

Hanging Chiles and Lemons

In India, a string of green chiles and a lemon is often hung outside homes or businesses to keep away the evil eye and negative energy. The belief is that the sharpness and sourness of these foods can repel bad spirits or jealousy. Food & Wine reports that this ritual is especially popular during festivals, business openings, or when moving into a new home. The sight of these colorful charms is both a warning and a welcome—a promise of protection for all inside.

Saying “Rabbit, Rabbit” on the First Day of the Month

In some English-speaking countries, saying “rabbit, rabbit” as soon as you wake up on the first day of the month is believed to bring good luck. The origins are a bit mysterious, but the earliest records date back to the early 20th century. The tradition is especially popular among children, who delight in trying to remember the phrase before saying anything else. Wikipedia notes that this superstition, while lighthearted, is a fun reminder of how a simple word can set the tone for the days ahead.