27 superstitions that might bring you good luck
In need of a little good luck on this Friday the 13th? Here are 27 superstitions from around the world that are thought to better your fortunes.
1. Finding a penny
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"Find a penny, pick it up. All day long, you'll have good luck." This common rhyme evolved from various superstitions, with a common theme being that metal was a gift from the gods and thus brought good fortune. The supposed lucky power of metal is the reason people tie tin cans to the back of newlyweds' cars. Pennies are also included in the Victorian wedding ritual: "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a lucky penny in the shoe." These traditions are meant to bring good fortune to the new couple.Β
2. Horseshoe
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Metal horseshoes are a common symbol hung on homes to bring good luck and protect against evil spirits. In the British Isles, malevolent fairies, goblins, witches and elves were supposed to be repulsed by iron, a strong metal able to withstand fire and drive away evil. Another origin story is that of St. Dunstan, the patron saint of blacksmiths in Catholicism, who tricked the devil by shoeing one of his cloven hooves. Dunstan then made a deal with the devil that he'd take the shoe off if the devil agreed to never enter a doorway with a horseshoe above it.
3. Rabbit's foot
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Rabbits have been associated with luck for thousands of years across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, but this superstition's origins are thought to be in Western Europe before 600 B.C., according to the book "Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things." Their prolific nature associated them with fertility and prosperity. Some cultures developed specific beliefs about what kind of rabbit's feet were considered lucky. For example, in West African hoodoo, the back left foot of a rabbit captured or killed in a cemetery by a red-headed, cross-eyed person during the full moon at midnight on Friday the 13th, the unluckiest of circumstances, was especially lucky.
4. Saying 'rabbit'
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If you don't want to carry around part of a rabbit, you could simply say the animal's name. According to a superstition that originated in the U.K., saying "rabbit" when you wake up on the first day of the month will bring you good luck for the month. The custom also caught on stateside as President Franklin Roosevelt reportedly said "rabbit, rabbit"at the beginning of each month, according to NPR. Variations include saying "white rabbits" or "bunny bunny," as was the habit of comedian Gilda Radner. If you forget in the morning, you can also say "black rabbits" or "tibbar, tibbar," which is "rabbit, rabbit" backwards, before going to sleep on the first night of the month.Β
5. Rainy wedding
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While singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette might consider rain on your wedding day ironic, many cultures consider this a good omen. Rain brings life, fertility and renewal, so rain on your wedding day is a sign of a prosperous union.
6. Wishing on birthday candles
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The tradition of putting candles on cakes has been traced back to the ancient Greeks, who would present cakes with glowing candles on top to Artemis, goddess of the moon, for her favor. The light was to mimic the moon, while the smoke above the candles carried their requests to the gods in the heavens. Other scholars link the practice to Germany and their celebration Kinderfest, in which a candle was supposedly placed on the cake to represent "the light of life." Nowadays, the tradition involves making a wish while attempting to blow out all the candles in one breath.
7. Throwing dishes
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People in Denmark and some other European countries save their broken dishes throughout the year in order to throw them against the homes of friends and family on New Year's Eve to bring them luck. Less aggressive people will also leave broken dishes in a pile outside the home of someone in need of good fortune. In many cultures, glass breaking wards off evil spirits and foretells good fortune.
8. Spilling water
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In Serbia, spilling water behind someone is a way to give them good luck ahead of a major event. One thought behind it is that giving back some of the life-giving liquid to the earth will in turn give the person good karma. Water also flows easily so the hope is that things would go as smoothly as spilling water.Β
9. The number 7
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The number seven is considered a lucky number around the world not because of its use in slot machines but because of its magical and spiritual connotations. Many things occur naturally in sevens. Before the invention of the telescope, only seven planets were visible to early astronomers. There are seven seas, seven continents and seven colors in the rainbow as well as seven days of the week, seven wonders of the world, seven notes on a music scale, seven deadly sins and seven chakras. Because of this, the number often represents harmony, unity, completion, perfection and positive energy.
10. Blowing on dice
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Another common gambling superstition is blowing on dice before rolling them. This good luck ritual is featured in many Hollywood films, and is thought to date back to when gambling still mostly took place on the streets and players would blow on the dice to clean them of street grime.
11. Wishbone
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While breaking the wishbone at Thanksgiving is a more modern tradition, the concept of wishing on a fowl's fused clavicle, formally known as a furcula, came to the New World from England by way of ancient Romans who picked up the custom thousands of years ago from Etruria, an ancient Italian civilization. Etruscans believed birds had prophetic powers and would dry chicken furculas and make wishes on them. Romans added the element of two people breaking the bone together, with whoever ended up with the longer piece earning good fortune or a granted wish.
12. Knocking on wood
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The expression "knock on wood" and the superstition of tapping on something wood for good luck can be traced back to Medieval Europe. Many ancient wooden churches claimed to contain wood from the cross, and congregants would touch the wood to connect with God for healing, good fortune and more.Β
13. Crossing your fingers
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While it can also be a sign of deceit, crossing your fingers, specifically your forefinger and middle finger, for good luck and the expression "fingers crossed" are common superstitions for good luck, courage or support. In pre-Christian times, crosses were symbols of power and unity, so people would wish on their center points to ward off evil. This evolved to two people each using their pointer fingers to make the sign of the cross to call for God's favor or protection. Eventually this became a single person crossing their first two fingers.
14. Bird droppings
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A common superstition around the world is that if a bird poops on your head, car or other property, wealth is coming your way. That's because, despite the massive bird population, it's a seemingly rare occurrence. Both a New Zealand man and a Canadian woman credit bird poop for their winning lottery tickets, to the tune of $100,000 and $1 million, respectively. And NBA player Dwyane Wade claims he's been pooped on before two key moments in his basketball career.
15. Long noodles
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In many Asian countries, people eat long noodles on New Year's Day to ensure a long life. The superstition in that you can't break, cut or shorten the noodles while cooking or eating them. In China, "longevity noodles" are eaten at other celebrations such as birthdays.
16. Throwing rice
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Pelting newlyweds with grain is meant to symbolize rain as well as shower the new couple with good fortune and fertility. The tradition can be traced back the ancient Romans, who originally threw wheat before rice superseded it as the preferred grain. There are many variation of tossing things at newly married couples, from symbolic candy in Italy to wish them sweetness in marriage or figs and raisins in Morocco to ensure fruitfulness. Many modern couples have adopted more aesthetically pleasing version of this send-off, such as rose petals, bubbles or sparklers.
17. Crickets
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Another Chinese good luck symbol is crickets, which Disney featured in its animated movie "Mulan." Their happy chirping noise mean crickets are often associated with joy and happiness, a connection found in the works of Shakespeare as well as Western fables concerning the crickets' cousin, the grasshopper. In many cultures, the cricket is a symbol of wealth, good luck, intuition and the prosperity of spring.
18. Ladybugs
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Ladybugs, also known as ladybirds, were considered a symbol of protection by medieval farmers, as the insects munch on aphids, which destroy crops. Thus, the superstition arose that it's good luck for a ladybug to land on you and that you shouldn't brush it away but rather accept the omen of safety, good health and prosperity.
19. Planting a tree
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In the Netherlands and Switzerland, newlyweds plant a pine tree outside their home to ensure luck and fertility in their marriage.
20. 4-leaf clover
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Celtic Druids believed rare four-leafed clovers could ward off evil spirits and give you the power to see demons and fairies. There are roughly 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every one four-leaf clover.Β
21. Lucky cat
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Although they can be spotted in Chinese stores and restaurants, the waving "lucky cat" figurines called maneki neko, which means "beckoning cat," are actually Japanese. These good-luck figures come is just about every shape, size, expression, color and level or ornateness but usually depict a calico Japanese bobtail cat. There are a number of folktales and legends explaining its origins, but the cat is generally thought to attract customers, money and good fortune.
22. Nazar
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Originating in Turkey more than 3,000 years ago, the nazar is an eye-shaped bed or amulet meant to protect against the evil eye, which generally means any ill wishes and curses people might throw your way. While many cultures around the world have similar symbols, the nazar spread across the Mediterranean, and its field of blue with a black dot superimposed on a white background has become an icon of these cultures that is still used by locals to this day.)
23. Hamsa hand
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Though the symbol has crossed over and can be spotted on t-shirts and necklaces at fast fashion retailers, the Hamsa hand's origins are as a amulet meant to protect against the evil eye. Also known as the Hand of Fatima, the Hamsa hand depicts an open right hand with an eye in the middle and is employed by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike in the Middle East and North Africa. The symbol is also thought to boost fertility in women, strengthen the weak, bring blessings and more.
24. Dream catchers
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Originating with the Native American Ojibwe (Chippewa) tribe, dream catchers are made from a hoop with a woven net inside meant replicate a spider's web. Adorned with beads or feathers, they are meant to protect children by placing them above their beds. They're meant to ward off or catch evil spirits and nightmares while allowing good dreams and positive energy to pass through. Dream catchers have become a ubiquitous symbol of Native American or First Nation cultures that has been appropriated and distorted over the years.
25. Shooting star
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Wishing on a star is common, but the biggest celestial harbinger of luck is a shooting star. Many cultures believe wishes on shooting stars will come true. Other beliefs about shooting stars are that they can guarantee safe travels, bring money or cause a sick person to get better.Β
26. Eating grapes
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In Spain and some other Spanish-speaking countries, people guarantee good luck in the new year by eating a dozen grapes, one at each stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve for each month to come.
27. Itchy hands
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An old superstition is that if your palm itches, it means you will soon receive money. In some parts of the world, if your right palm itches, it means money will come in, while the left itching means you'll be the one paying it out, while in others, it's vice versa.
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Airline ticket prices dip, your superstitious boss avoids important meetings, there's a small part of you that's just waiting for something weird to happen. But why are we like this?
An anthropologist explains why we all have some irrational beliefs and the reason they give us comfort.
