Vocabulary:
Superstitions are beliefs or practices that are often considered irrational or supernatural, but they play a significant role in various cultures around the world. Here are some examples of different superstitions from various regions and traditions:
General Superstitions
Breaking a mirror. Believed to bring 7 years of bad luck (originating from ancient Roman times).
Walking under a ladder. Considered unlucky, possibly due to its association with the Christian Holy Trinity or the fear of something falling on you.
Black cats crossing your path. In Western cultures, it’s seen as bad luck, while in other cultures (like Japan), black cats are considered good luck.
Knocking on wood. Done to prevent bad luck or to avoid "jinxing" a positive outcome.
Friday the 13th. Considered an unlucky day in Western superstition, leading to fear called "paraskevidekatriaphobia."
Asian Superstitions
Number 4 in China/Japan/Korea. The number 4 is avoided because it sounds like the word for "death" (四 - "si" in Chinese, "shi" in Japanese).
Whistling at night (Japan). Believed to summon snakes or evil spirits.
Chopsticks sticking upright in rice (East Asia). Resembles funeral rites and is considered bad luck.
Sweeping at night (Vietnam, Philippines). Said to sweep away good fortune.
Red underwear for luck (China). Worn during the New Year for prosperity and protection.
European Superstitions
Spilling salt. Throwing a pinch over the left shoulder is said to ward off bad luck (linked to Judas spilling salt in the Last Supper).
Horseshoe over the door (Ireland/UK). Hanging upright (like a "U") to keep luck from "spilling out."
Saying "Bless You" after a sneeze. Originated from the belief that sneezing could expel the soul or let evil spirits in.
Opening an umbrella indoors (UK/US). Believed to bring bad luck (possibly due to old umbrella mechanisms causing accidents).
Touching wood (UK). Similar to "knocking on wood," done to avoid tempting fate.
African superstitions
Owl hooting near a home (Nigeria). Seen as a bad omen, possibly signaling death.
Whistling in the dark (South Africa). Believed to attract evil spirits or snakes.
Pointing at the moon (various African cultures). Said to cause bad luck or even make your finger rot.
Pouring libations (West Africa). Offering drinks to ancestors to avoid their wrath.
Broom falling (Ghana). If a broom falls, it means a visitor is coming.
Latin American superstitions
El Mal de Ojo (Evil Eye, Mexico). A curse caused by envy, often warded off with a red bracelet or an "ojo de venado" seed.
Sweeping over someone’s feet (Brazil). Said to prevent them from getting married.
Putting a purse on the floor (various). Believed to lead to financial loss.
Yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve (Latin America). Worn for luck and prosperity.
Eating 12 grapes at midnight (Spain/Latin America). One grape per chime for good luck in the new year.
Middle Eastern superstitions
Nazar (evil eye amulet, Turkey/Middle East). A blue bead used to protect against envy and bad luck.
Stepping on a crack (Arab cultures). Believed to bring misfortune.
Right foot first (Islamic tradition). Entering a place with the right foot is considered lucky.
Not cutting nails at night (Iran). Thought to invite bad luck or even death.
Throwing water behind someone (Egypt). Done to wish them a safe journey.
Superstitions are beliefs or practices that are often considered irrational or supernatural, but they play a significant role in various cultures around the world. Here are some examples of different superstitions from various regions and traditions:
General Superstitions
Breaking a mirror. Believed to bring 7 years of bad luck (originating from ancient Roman times).
Walking under a ladder. Considered unlucky, possibly due to its association with the Christian Holy Trinity or the fear of something falling on you.
Black cats crossing your path. In Western cultures, it’s seen as bad luck, while in other cultures (like Japan), black cats are considered good luck.
Knocking on wood. Done to prevent bad luck or to avoid "jinxing" a positive outcome.
Friday the 13th. Considered an unlucky day in Western superstition, leading to fear called "paraskevidekatriaphobia."
Asian Superstitions
Number 4 in China/Japan/Korea. The number 4 is avoided because it sounds like the word for "death" (四 - "si" in Chinese, "shi" in Japanese).
Whistling at night (Japan). Believed to summon snakes or evil spirits.
Chopsticks sticking upright in rice (East Asia). Resembles funeral rites and is considered bad luck.
Sweeping at night (Vietnam, Philippines). Said to sweep away good fortune.
Red underwear for luck (China). Worn during the New Year for prosperity and protection.
European Superstitions
Spilling salt. Throwing a pinch over the left shoulder is said to ward off bad luck (linked to Judas spilling salt in the Last Supper).
Horseshoe over the door (Ireland/UK). Hanging upright (like a "U") to keep luck from "spilling out."
Saying "Bless You" after a sneeze. Originated from the belief that sneezing could expel the soul or let evil spirits in.
Opening an umbrella indoors (UK/US). Believed to bring bad luck (possibly due to old umbrella mechanisms causing accidents).
Touching wood (UK). Similar to "knocking on wood," done to avoid tempting fate.
African superstitions
Owl hooting near a home (Nigeria). Seen as a bad omen, possibly signaling death.
Whistling in the dark (South Africa). Believed to attract evil spirits or snakes.
Pointing at the moon (various African cultures). Said to cause bad luck or even make your finger rot.
Pouring libations (West Africa). Offering drinks to ancestors to avoid their wrath.
Broom falling (Ghana). If a broom falls, it means a visitor is coming.
Latin American superstitions
El Mal de Ojo (Evil Eye, Mexico). A curse caused by envy, often warded off with a red bracelet or an "ojo de venado" seed.
Sweeping over someone’s feet (Brazil). Said to prevent them from getting married.
Putting a purse on the floor (various). Believed to lead to financial loss.
Yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve (Latin America). Worn for luck and prosperity.
Eating 12 grapes at midnight (Spain/Latin America). One grape per chime for good luck in the new year.
Middle Eastern superstitions
Nazar (evil eye amulet, Turkey/Middle East). A blue bead used to protect against envy and bad luck.
Stepping on a crack (Arab cultures). Believed to bring misfortune.
Right foot first (Islamic tradition). Entering a place with the right foot is considered lucky.
Not cutting nails at night (Iran). Thought to invite bad luck or even death.
Throwing water behind someone (Egypt). Done to wish them a safe journey.
Vocabulary:
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th as an unlucky day is a fascinating blend of Christian tradition, Norse mythology, medieval history, and modern pop culture. Here’s a deep dive into its origins:
1. Christian Origins: the Last Supper & Crucifixion
- 13 at the Table: in Christianity, 13 is linked to the Last Supper, where Jesus dined with his 12 apostles - making Judas Iscariot the 13th guest (the betrayer).
- Good Friday: Jesus was crucified on a Friday, turning it into a day of mourning in Christian tradition.
- Combined, Friday + 13 became symbolic of betrayal, suffering, and bad luck.
2. Norse Mythology: Loki’s deadly feast- In Norse legend, the trickster god Loki crashed a banquet of 12 gods in Valhalla, becoming the 13th guest. His presence led to the death of Balder, the beloved god of light, plunging the world into darkness. This reinforced the idea of 13 as a cursed number in European folklore.
3. The Templar Massacre (Friday, October 13, 1307)
King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest and execution of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, accusing them of heresy. The brutal suppression of this powerful order embedded Friday the 13th in history as a day of treachery and doom.
4. Victorian-era superstition & pop culture
- "Friday the Thirteenth" (1907). A bestselling novel by Thomas Lawson about a stock market crash tied to the date.
- Horror Films. The "Friday the 13th slasher franchise (1980–present) turned the superstition into a global pop-culture phenomenon.
Why do people still fear tt?
- confirmation bias: People remember bad events on Friday the 13th but ignore neutral/good ones.
- triskaidekaphobia: Fear of the number 13 (common in Western cultures where 12 is "complete," e.g., months, zodiac signs).
- paraskevidekatriaphobia: The actual term for fear of Friday the 13th!
By the way!
In Italy, 17 (not 13) is the unlucky number.
In Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th (Martes 13) is feared instead.
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th as an unlucky day is a fascinating blend of Christian tradition, Norse mythology, medieval history, and modern pop culture. Here’s a deep dive into its origins:
1. Christian Origins: the Last Supper & Crucifixion
- 13 at the Table: in Christianity, 13 is linked to the Last Supper, where Jesus dined with his 12 apostles - making Judas Iscariot the 13th guest (the betrayer).
- Good Friday: Jesus was crucified on a Friday, turning it into a day of mourning in Christian tradition.
- Combined, Friday + 13 became symbolic of betrayal, suffering, and bad luck.
2. Norse Mythology: Loki’s deadly feast- In Norse legend, the trickster god Loki crashed a banquet of 12 gods in Valhalla, becoming the 13th guest. His presence led to the death of Balder, the beloved god of light, plunging the world into darkness. This reinforced the idea of 13 as a cursed number in European folklore.
3. The Templar Massacre (Friday, October 13, 1307)
King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest and execution of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, accusing them of heresy. The brutal suppression of this powerful order embedded Friday the 13th in history as a day of treachery and doom.
4. Victorian-era superstition & pop culture
- "Friday the Thirteenth" (1907). A bestselling novel by Thomas Lawson about a stock market crash tied to the date.
- Horror Films. The "Friday the 13th slasher franchise (1980–present) turned the superstition into a global pop-culture phenomenon.
Why do people still fear tt?
- confirmation bias: People remember bad events on Friday the 13th but ignore neutral/good ones.
- triskaidekaphobia: Fear of the number 13 (common in Western cultures where 12 is "complete," e.g., months, zodiac signs).
- paraskevidekatriaphobia: The actual term for fear of Friday the 13th!
By the way!
In Italy, 17 (not 13) is the unlucky number.
In Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th (Martes 13) is feared instead.