15 Superstitions from Around the World That People Still Believe Today
Humans have always created ideas that provide direction in an uncertain environment by providing explanations for the enigmatic parts of existence. These explanations eventually evolved into superstitions and were transmitted from generation to generation, eventually becoming ingrained in societies all across the world.
These antiquated ideas nevertheless influence millions of people’s daily decisions in spite of our scientific and technological advancements. Here is a list of 15 persistent global superstitions that continue to dominate contemporary culture.
The Number 13
In the Western world, many hotels skip the 13th floor in their buildings, jumping directly from 12 to 14 as if the problematic number doesn’t exist. The fear of number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, runs so deep that entire industries change their practices to please worried customers.
Dating back thousands of years, historians connect this fear to the Last Supper, where Judas — the 13th guest — ultimately betrayed Jesus.
Evil Eye
Across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and parts of South Asia, distinctive blue eye-shaped amulets hang in doorways and are pinned to children’s clothing. These protective charms ward off the evil eye — envious glances thought capable of causing misfortune or sickness.
Especially common in Turkish and Greek communities, you’ll spot these talismans in homes, on vehicles, and even incorporated into modern jewelry designs.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Walking Under Ladders
The everyday superstition about avoiding ladders actually comes from practical medieval times — when leaning ladders formed triangles with walls that resembled the Holy Trinity. People considered walking through this sacred shape not merely unlucky but genuinely disrespectful to religious beliefs.
Few ladder-avoiders today know about this religious connection, yet the habit of walking around rather than underneath continues through generations.
Breaking Mirrors
People in ancient Rome believed that mirrors’ reflecting surfaces held fragments of the observer’s soul. It took seven years for a spiritual harm that was caused by breaking a mirror to fully heal.
Roman ideas of seven-year cycles of physical renewal were represented in this particular timeline, which was not arbitrary. Many individuals still fear seven years of bad luck, even if they may not be concerned about their souls while smashing mirrors.
Four as an Unlucky Number
While Westerners avoid the number thirteen, many East Asian societies — including Japan, China, and Korea — deeply distrust the number four. This fear exists because their word for ‘four’ sounds remarkably similar to their word for ‘death’ in these languages.
The impact extends beyond mere superstition into practical architecture; many buildings throughout Asia simply don’t have fourth floors — similar to how Western buildings often lack thirteenth floors.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Knocking on Wood
“Knock on wood” remains a common phrase whenever someone mentions good fortune — a verbal insurance policy against jinxing future prospects. This gesture links to ancient pagan traditions where trees housed protective spirits.
The knocking supposedly awakened these friendly entities, asking for their help in preserving good luck or preventing disaster. Though few modern wood-knockers consider themselves pagans, the impulse survives across cultural boundaries.
Black Cats
Few animals face such contradictory superstitions as black cats — seen as bringers of misfortune in American folklore while simultaneously considered lucky omens in British and Japanese traditions. The negative association solidified during medieval witch hunts when black cats became connected with witchcraft and demonic companions.
These opposing beliefs still affect real-world outcomes, particularly evident in animal shelter statistics where black cats typically wait longer for adoption.
Friday the 13th
When Friday coincides with the number 13, it creates paraskevidekatriaphobia — fear of this particular calendar combination. The economic consequences prove measurable; businesses lose hundreds of millions as people postpone major decisions, travel plans, and significant purchases.
Some researchers link this superstition to the Knights Templar arrest on Friday, October 13, 1307, though the exact origins remain unclear despite widespread observance.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Itchy Palms
According to money-related folklore, an itchy right palm signals incoming wealth, while left palm itching warns of financial loss. Different cultures sometimes reverse these meanings, yet the basic connection between skin sensations and monetary fortune stays consistent.
This belief belongs to a broader category of physical omens interpreting bodily signals as warnings — similar to how twitching eyelids or ringing ears supposedly convey messages about unseen events.
Opening Umbrellas Indoors
The taboo against opening umbrellas inside homes persists surprisingly strongly given its practical origins. The early metal-spoked umbrellas from 18th-century London posed genuine hazards in confined spaces — potentially causing eye injuries or breaking delicate household items.
What started as sensible advice gradually transformed into superstitious avoidance, outlasting the dangerous umbrella designs that inspired it.
Rabbit’s Foot
The practice of carrying rabbit feet as good luck charms spans multiple continents with roots in pre-Christian Celtic traditions. The ancient Celts observed how rabbits lived partially underground, suggesting special connections to underworld spirits and hidden knowledge.
The specific preference for left hind feet stems from complex magical beliefs about directional power and spiritual energy. Today’s plastic replicas barely resemble their ritual origins, yet continue selling as lucky charms worldwide.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
The Wedding Rhyme
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” guides countless Western brides through their wedding preparations. This Victorian-era tradition assigns particular significance to each component: continuity, optimism, borrowed happiness, and faithfulness respectively.
Wedding customs have transformed dramatically across centuries, yet this particular superstition remains remarkably persistent, with modern brides often incorporating these elements into wedding attire or accessories.
Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder
During historical periods when salt was truly valuable, spilling it was genuinely wasteful and therefore unfortunate. People developed a specific remedy to counteract this bad luck – tossing a pinch over your left shoulder to blind the devil allegedly lurking there.
Leonardo da Vinci captured this belief in “The Last Supper,” showing Judas having knocked over a salt cellar, which strengthened salt’s association with betrayal and misfortune.
Bird Droppings Bring Luck
Being hit by bird droppings stands among the few messy experiences widely considered fortunate rather than unfortunate. The statistical unlikelihood of becoming a target apparently transforms this random inconvenience into a special designation.
Russian sailors especially embrace this interpretation, viewing birds as messengers from heaven whose droppings represent an unusual blessing. Car owners who’ve just washed their vehicles might disagree with this optimistic perspective.
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Beginner’s Luck
Gamblers, athletes, and game players all recognize the curious phenomenon where newcomers sometimes outperform seasoned participants. This belief functions simultaneously as an explanation and warning – acknowledging randomness while cautioning against overconfidence.
Psychological research suggests that beginners might inadvertently benefit from approaching activities with fewer expectations, allowing more natural, less self-conscious participation.
The Lasting Impact of Folk Wisdom
These superstitions demonstrate how ancestral warnings and cultural frameworks continue influencing modern behavior despite dramatic shifts in our understanding of cause and effect. Scientific explanations may account for coincidences and patterns, yet these traditional beliefs provide something equally valuable – psychological protection against uncertainty.
Whether followed faithfully or acknowledged with knowing skepticism, superstitions connect contemporary humanity to our ongoing search for meaning amid life’s unpredictability.
More from Go2Tutors!
- 18 Unexpectedly Valuable Collectibles You Might Have Lying Around
- 20 Little-Known Historical Battles That Had Huge Consequences
- 20 Historical Artifacts That Scientists Can’t Explain
- 20 Cars That Were Banned from the Roads (and Why)
- 20 Discontinued Snacks from the 70s and 80s That We Still Miss
Like Go2Tutors’s content? Follow us on MSN.
