ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVID COULSON

STANDARDS

NGSS: Core Idea: LS1.D

CCSS: Literacy in Science: 8

TEKS: 6.2E, 7.2E, 8.2E, B.2G

The Source of Superstitions

Many people believe supernatural forces can influence their fate. Do you?

October 18, 2021

By Jeanette Ferrara

AS YOU READ, THINK ABOUT how cultural beliefs arise and change over time.

Can walking under a ladder cause bad luck? Does breaking a mirror make you cringe? Do you think the number 13 spells certain doom? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be superstitious.

These beliefs often have a long history, says Donald Saucier, a psychologist—a scientist who studies how the mind works—at Kansas State University. “Many superstitions originate from ancient traditions that gave symbols—like animals, numbers, and shapes—evil or protective properties.”

Can walking under a ladder cause bad luck? Does breaking a mirror make you shiver? Does the number 13 spell certain doom? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be superstitious.

These beliefs often have a long history, says Donald Saucier of Kansas State University. He’s a psychologist, a scientist who studies how the mind works. “Many superstitions originate from ancient traditions that gave symbols—like animals, numbers, and shapes—evil or protective properties.”

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24 percent of Americans say they occasionally carry a lucky charm.

Take, for instance, the number 13. It was considered unlucky in ancient Norse, Maya, and Christian traditions. This superstition persists today. Many modern hotels and tall buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Or maybe you’ve heard that you shouldn’t walk under ladders. This belief dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who viewed triangular shapes, like pyramids, as sacred. Since an open or leaning ladder makes a triangular shape, passing beneath one was —and still is—considered unlucky.

Not all superstitions involve misfortune, though. Finding a penny, hanging a horseshoe, or knocking on wood are thought to ward off bad luck. No matter the superstition, they were all created to serve the same purpose, says Saucier: “By avoiding black cats or throwing salt over their shoulders, people were able to believe they could better control what happened to them.”

The number 13 is one example. It was considered unlucky in ancient Norse, Maya, and Christian traditions. This superstition continues today. Many modern hotels and tall buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Or maybe you’ve been told not to walk under ladders. This belief comes from the ancient Egyptians. They viewed pyramids and other triangular shapes as sacred. An open or leaning ladder makes a triangular shape. That’s why passing beneath one was considered unlucky. And sometimes still is.

But not all superstitions involve being unlucky. Finding a penny is thought to prevent bad luck. So is hanging a horseshoe or knocking on wood. Superstitions may be different. But they were all created for the same purpose, says Saucier. “By avoiding black cats or throwing salt over their shoulders, people were able to believe they could better control what happened to them.”

TESTING OUR LUCK

A recent survey asked 2,236 people in the U.S. which superstitions they believed in. (They could choose more than one answer.)

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

33%

Finding and picking up a penny is good luck.

33%

Finding and picking up a penny is good luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

24%

It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

24%

It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

21%

Knocking on wood prevents bad luck.

21%

Knocking on wood prevents bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

20%

Walking under a ladder is bad luck.

20%

Walking under a ladder is bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

14%

Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.

14%

Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

14%

Opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck.

14%

Opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

13%

A black cat crossing your path is bad luck.

13%

A black cat crossing your path is bad luck.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Of the people surveyed, how many thought walking under a ladder brought bad luck?

TESTING OUR LUCK

A recent survey asked 2,236 people in the U.S. which superstitions they believed in. (They could choose more than one answer.)

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

33%

Finding and picking up a penny is good luck.

33%

Finding and picking up a penny is good luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

24%

It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

24%

It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

21%

Knocking on wood prevents bad luck.

21%

Knocking on wood prevents bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

20%

Walking under a ladder is bad luck.

20%

Walking under a ladder is bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

14%

Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.

14%

Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

14%

Opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck.

14%

Opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck.

SOURCE: YOUGOV; ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID COULSON

13%

A black cat crossing your path is bad luck.

13%

A black cat crossing your path is bad luck.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Of the people surveyed, how many thought walking under a ladder brought bad luck?

HOW SUPERSTITIOUS?

Here’s how 1,497 people in the U.S. (age 18 years or older) responded to a 2019 poll asking: “How superstitious are you?”

DIG INTO THE DATA: People who responded “Not very” or “Not at all superstitious” make up what percentage of those polled?

HOW SUPERSTITIOUS?

Here’s how 1,497 people in the U.S. (age 18 years or older) responded to a 2019 poll asking: “How superstitious are you?”

DIG INTO THE DATA: People who responded “Not very” or “Not at all superstitious” make up what percentage of those polled?

BELIEF ORIGINS

Learn the history behind some well-known superstitions.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Black Cats

During the Middle Ages, black cats were associated with witches and viewed as bad omens. Today, they’re common pets, helping dispel this myth.

Black Cats

During the Middle Ages, black cats were associated with witches and viewed as bad omens. Today, they’re common pets, helping dispel this myth.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Opening Umbrellas Indoors

Using umbrellas when it rained became popular in 19th-century England. But opening one indoors could be dangerous, and it became seen as unlucky.

Opening Umbrellas Indoors

Using umbrellas when it rained became popular in 19th-century England. But opening one indoors could be dangerous, and it became seen as unlucky.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Spilling Salt

Salt was prized in ancient times for preserving and seasoning food. If it spilled, people tossed a pinch of the dropped grains over their left shoulder to avoid potential bad luck.

Spilling Salt

Salt was prized in ancient times for preserving and seasoning food. If it spilled, people tossed a pinch of the dropped grains over their left shoulder to avoid potential bad luck.

ISTOCKPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Hanging Horseshoes

Ancient Greeks thought iron warded off evil. So horseshoes made of this metal were thought to bring good fortune. They’re hung open end up over a door to draw luck into a home.

Hanging Horseshoes

Ancient Greeks thought iron warded off evil. So horseshoes made of this metal were thought to bring good fortune. They’re hung open end up over a door to draw luck into a home.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Which superstition listed above arose most recently?

BELIEF ORIGINS

Learn the history behind some well-known superstitions.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Black Cats

During the Middle Ages, black cats were associated with witches and viewed as bad omens. Today, they’re common pets, helping dispel this myth.

Black Cats

During the Middle Ages, black cats were associated with witches and viewed as bad omens. Today, they’re common pets, helping dispel this myth.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Opening Umbrellas Indoors

Using umbrellas when it rained became popular in 19th-century England. But opening one indoors could be dangerous, and it became seen as unlucky.

Opening Umbrellas Indoors

Using umbrellas when it rained became popular in 19th-century England. But opening one indoors could be dangerous, and it became seen as unlucky.

SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Spilling Salt

Salt was prized in ancient times for preserving and seasoning food. If it spilled, people tossed a pinch of the dropped grains over their left shoulder to avoid potential bad luck.

Spilling Salt

Salt was prized in ancient times for preserving and seasoning food. If it spilled, people tossed a pinch of the dropped grains over their left shoulder to avoid potential bad luck.

ISTOCKPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Hanging Horseshoes

Ancient Greeks thought iron warded off evil. So horseshoes made of this metal were thought to bring good fortune. They’re hung open end up over a door to draw luck into a home.

Hanging Horseshoes

Ancient Greeks thought iron warded off evil. So horseshoes made of this metal were thought to bring good fortune. They’re hung open end up over a door to draw luck into a home.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Which superstition listed above arose most recently?

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Think of a superstition you have heard of that wasn’t discussed in the article. Conduct research to find out how historians think it may have originated. Share your findings with a friend or family member.