Growing up, we all heard them — those strange little warnings passed down like family secrets. Don’t do this, avoid that, or you’ll bring bad luck. We never really questioned them, and somehow, they stuck. I still think about them to this day! Let’s take a closer look at the most common superstitions that people still believe to this day.
1. Knock on Wood
Knocking on wood was practically a reflex in my house. Say something bad out loud, and bam — someone’s knocking on the nearest table or doorframe like their life depended on it. I never really thought too hard about it, but it always felt like tempting fate not to. Even now, I catch myself doing it, just in case the universe is listening!
2. Don’t Walk Under a Ladder
Walking under a ladder has always been one of those universal “don’t do it” moments. It’s supposedly bad luck, but no one ever seems to know exactly why. Something about tempting fate or messing with the balance of the universe. Or maybe it’s just about avoiding a falling paint can. Either way, most of us still go out of our way to avoid it — just in case.
3. Breaking a Mirror
Breaking a mirror is one of those superstitions that sticks with you, whether you believe it or not. Seven years of bad luck? No thanks. It’s the kind of thing that makes you handle mirrors like they’re made of pure gold. Since mirrors were once thought to be almost supernatural in nature, breaking it carried some hefty consequences.
4. Bad Things Come in Three
The idea that bad things come in threes is one of those superstitions everyone seems to be aware of. It likely goes back to the number three being significant as the holy trinity. If good things come in threes, why not bad things too? It’s also the first number that establishes a pattern. Whether it’s true or not, it definitely keeps us counting.
5. Four Leaf Clovers
Finding a four-leaf clover has always felt like discovering a little piece of magic. Once upon a time, people believed they could ward off witches or even help you spot fairies. These days, they’re more of a lucky charm than a supernatural defense. Still, that rare little clover carries a bit of enchantment with it, even now.
6. Don’t Cross the Path of a Black Cat
A black cat crossing your path has long been seen as a sign of bad luck. The superstition goes back to old beliefs about witches and their feline companions. Today, it’s less about curses and more about a fleeting moment of hesitation. Superstition or not, most people still feel a little uneasy when it happens.
7. Wishing on a Wishbone
Wishing on a wishbone is one of those quirky traditions that’s stuck around for centuries. Long ago, birds were used in rituals to predict the future, and their collarbones became symbols of luck. Snapping the wishbone was a way to see whose wish the gods might grant. Today, it’s less about divine favor and more about friendly competition — I know I still cross my fingers for the bigger piece!
8. Crossing Your Fingers
Speaking of crossing your fingers, it’s another superstition that’s become second nature. Once rooted in ancient beliefs about invoking divine protection, it’s now a universal gesture for luck. We cross our fingers for everything from good news to surviving an awkward situation. It might be a little thing, but it feels like a safety net for our hopes.
Related: What Is Lucky Girl Syndrome… and Does It Work?
9. Wishing on a Star
Wishing on a star might just be the most magical superstition of all. Long ago, stars were seen as supernatural beings, and instead of risking bad luck by pointing at them, people would make a wish to stay on their good side. Thanks to Disney, it’s become the ultimate symbol of hope and dreams coming true. After all, “when you wish upon a star,” who knows what might happen?
Related: 25 Crazy Facts About Working at Disney Theme Parks
10. Spilling Salt
Spilling salt has been a bad luck omen for centuries, but luckily, there’s a quick fix — just toss a pinch over your left shoulder. The idea goes back to ancient times when salt was precious and wasting it was seen as inviting misfortune. Some even believed it could ward off the devil himself. Whether you believe it or not, it’s a superstition that’s stuck around in kitchens everywhere!
Related: 10 Mythological Creatures Who Turned Out to Be Real
Which superstitions did you grow up with? Do you have any that you still practice or even believe?