List

Good and Bad Luck Superstitions

By Twinty Karat

Superstitions are abundant. Many people believe in them. Some superstitions are what most people would consider good. While others are considered bad or about something that could bring bad luck. Here is a list of both good and bad luck superstitions.

Good Luck Superstitions

Millions of people all over the world believe in superstitions, especially good luck superstitions. Nevertheless a lot of other people think of them as nonsense, beliefs not based on reason or solid logic. The origin of the word superstition is from two Latin words: “Super” and “Stare”. Super means above and stare means to stand.

We know the source of some of the superstitions are ignorance, but others are based on the prevailing beliefs of those times when they were originated and may have some truth to them, even if a big stretch of the imagination.

Do you know anyone who does not have at least one superstitious belief? Most people, more or less, believe in them some superstitions. Even though they deny superstitions, people cannot help believing in them or maybe are just cautious to be on the safe side.

Superstitions are all over the world. Good Luck Superstitions and the bad luck ones too change from culture to culture and some and go. Sometimes they have a big influence in our lives, while at other more convenient times we ignore them. Whatever we think of them they just don’t seem to go away.

Following are many superstitions from various sources. *

Here are a few good luck superstitions.

• A beginner will always have good luck: beginner’s luck
• A cricket in the house brings good luck
• A falling star or a shooting star is lucky because it is rare to see one and you should make a wish after seeing one as it will be granted.
• A lock of hair from a baby’s first haircut should be kept for good luck
• A rabbit’s foot brings good luck
• A sailor wearing an earring cannot drown
• A sharks tooth is said to have protective and healing powers. They are also said to bring good luck.
• Amber beads protect against illness
• An acorn at the window can keep lightning out of the house
• An acorn brings good luck and ensures a long life
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away
• Clothes worn inside out will bring good luck
• Counting two crows brings luck
• Crossing your fingers helps to avoid bad luck and helps a wish come true



• Eating fish makes you smart
• Entering a frog into the house brings good luck
• Evil spirits cannot harm you when you are standing in a circle
• For good luck, wear new clothes on Easter
• Garlic protects from evil spirits and vampires
• Goldfish in the pond bring good luck
• If the palm of your right hand is itchy, then it foretells that money is coming to you, but DON’T scratch it as that stops the money from coming!
• If you blow out all of the candles on your birthday cake with the first breath you will get whatever you wish for
• Pictures or statues of elephants that face a door bring good luck
• The cross serves as good luck and a symbol to ward off evil and protect the person who bears it.
• The number seven is a lucky number all over the world and is important in world religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.
• The wedding veil protects the bride from the evil eye
• To find a four-leaf clover is to find good luck
• To find a horseshoe brings good luck
• To find a penny heads up, brings good luck
• To have a wish come true using a wishbone, two people make a wish, then take hold of each end of the bone and pull it until it separates. The person with the longer end gets his or her wish
• To wear new clothes on the Easter Sunday brings good luck
• Wearing your birthstone will bring you good luck
• You can break a bad luck spell by turning seven times in a clockwise circle

Unlucky Superstitions

Over the centuries people have been plagued by bad luck superstitions. It seems that both good luck and bad luck superstitions have been around since ancient man. Because of these beliefs, remedies and charms for warding off bad luck have evolved. Although many don’t believe or follow most superstitious beliefs, many people participate in perpetuating them, even if they know better. Some learned people have said that our beliefs make reality or cause things to “happen” so bad luck superstitions may actually make someone unlucky if they truly believe in them. The same holds true for good luck superstitions.

• A bird that comes in your window brings bad luck
• Cutting of fingernails on Friday or Sunday bring bad luck
• Friday the thirteenth is an unlucky day
• If a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck
• If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck
• It is bad luck to chase someone with a broom
• It is unlucky to rock an empty rocking chair
• Step on a crack, break your mother’s back
• To break a mirror will bring you seven years bad luck
• To drop a dishcloth means bad luck is coming
• To give someone a purse or wallet without money in it will bring that person bad luck
• To open an umbrella in the house is to bring bad luck
• To refuse a kiss under mistletoe causes bad luck

There are different customs present all over the world, which were created thousands of years ago and they still continue to evolve.

Even though we in the United States might cherish ourselves in not being superstitious, there are certain customs and traditions even we follow in the modern age. These are the same old customs that were sometimes known as ‘superstitions’ eons ago. Some are said to dispel bad luck and some are thought to bring good luck.

Different cultures have different kinds of good luck superstitions or customs to follow. Old customs never die so it is a normal thing that even today; many countries still practice these customs.

English Customs to Bring Good Fortune –

Horseshoe:

There are about seven important and significant symbols, according to English custom. The ancient English people followed some customs that are believed to have warded off evil spirits and bring good fortune. A lucky symbol is the horseshoe even today in the English custom. It resembles the half circle of ‘u’ and is said to bring good fortune. It is made from iron; hence it symbolizes strength and power. It is regarded to be very powerful to repel evil and bring about good fortune. To protect the house from witches and devils, it is nailed at the entrance door of the house. If it is placed in an upright ‘U’ position, then it is said to retain good fortune in the house.

Rabbit’s foot:

According to an old English custom, the hare or rabbit is believed to have an evil eye. The English believe that the hare has miraculous powers. Initially the hare’s foot was considered sacred and lucky but as the rabbit was easily available, so people began switching over to the rabbit’s foot. Many people carried the rabbit’s foot in their purse and pockets as a lucky charm.

Wishbone:

There is another custom known as the “wishbone custom”. It involved two people who would break the wishbone and thus the one left with a larger piece would make a wish upon it. It is actually the breast bone of a fowl known as ‘frucula’. Many cultures regard the fowl as a sacred bird bringing good luck and fortune. The shape of the wishbone itself is known as a good luck symbol of life and fertility. It is a very ancient English custom to wish upon a wishbone.

Old boot:

From the very ancient times, old boots and shoes were regarded as good luck charms. They were kept on the roofs of the houses to ward off evil spirits. They are said to retain good spirit and courage of the house owners.

Wedding customs:

Another very old custom followed by the English was to place a ring on the wedding cake. It is unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname began with the same letter as hers. Also, it is unlucky for a woman to design her own wedding dress. Before leaving the house for the wedding ceremony, the bride should have a last glance at the mirror. This brings good luck to her. The English also believe that marriages on a Saturday are considered to be unlucky. After the wedding ceremony, the English bride has to throw the bouquet over her back so as to discard evil fortune behind her and take good luck along with her.

Acorn:

The acorn is also considered as a good luck symbol by the English. It is known as an emblem of consciousness, youthfulness and power. The English carry old dried acorns as a good luck charm and as it also represents spiritual growth.

These are some of the customs followed by the English people. Most of these have continued to exist and thrive even today. For instance, to make a wedding day auspicious, a bride will follow each and every tradition or several people hang horseshoes just to ward off evil spirits. These are good luck superstitions or beliefs that have continued to mystify us indefinitely.

A Few North American Superstitions

Every country has its own set of superstitions. These are followed from olden times by our ancestors and some of them still rule our lives dramatically. Living in a strange and a wonderful world, our imaginations have become weird and bizarre. The country of North America is a land of superstitions and beliefs.

There are tens of thousands of superstitions in North America. Let’s mention some North American superstitions here.

In North America it is:

• A bad omen to put one’s shoes on the bed.
• Another saying also goes that shoes should not be placed on tables and benches. It interprets the arrival of death in the family.
• Flying of a wild bird is also a sign of death.
• On seeing a hearse pass by, closing your eyes, raising your feet and holding your breath will keep away death from your door.
• It is a common belief in North America not to open an umbrella inside the house. It should be closed or kept upside down. This also denotes bad luck.
• There is a pleasant surprise in store for one who wears things inside out or backwards. And it is said that this can happen only if one does not correct himself at that time.
• Breaking of mirrors indicates seven years of bad luck or the death of a close and loving one or the separation from a loved one. The broken pieces of mirror should not be thrown away. Instead it should be buried quickly to avoid such misshapenness.

Some superstitions relating to itches are very famous in many cultures.

• North Americans believe that itchy ear means that some is talking about you
• and an itchy right palm means meeting of someone new whereas itchy feet means traveling is on the air.
• A black cat crossing your path is considered unlucky by North Americans.
• It is also unlucky to walk under a ladder.

Some good luck superstitions are like:

• carrying a rabbit’s foot in the pocket
• putting coins in the shoe
• keeping a jade or a tiger’s eye
• and bringing a coal on New Year’s Day from a friend’s home.
• The number 13 is considered unlucky too.
• Crossing one’s eye will make them stay that way forever.
• Looking at the mirror in the night is also a sign of bad luck and so it should be avoided.
• North Americans also believe that it is unlucky to kill a lady bird. The lady bird or lady bug, depending on which country you are in, is a representation of Virgin Mary.
• It is thought to be unlucky to spill salt. If by mistake it is spilled, then some of it must be thrown over the left shoulder to avoid bad luck.
• North Americans also believe that the traditional stories and folktales should not be told in the summer because these stories revolve around nature, and anything from nature is awake during the summers and might take offense on what is said about them.

They say that winter was the time of storytelling and not the summers.

• In America, if a cat sits showing their back to the fire, it means there is going to be a cold spell.
• Dreaming of a white cat is auspicious in North America.

This is the world of superstitions of the great continent, North America.





More Superstitions to Think About

(Some may be in above lists and/or may be phrased differently)

• All windows should be opened at the moment of death so that the soul can leave.
• A beginner will always have good luck: beginner’s luck
• A bird in the house is a sign of a death
• A bird that comes in your window brings bad luck
• A cat has nine lives
• A cat will try to take the breath from a baby
• A cricket in the house brings good luck
• A dog howling at night when someone in the house is sick is a bad omen.
• A drowned woman floats face up, a drowned man floats face down
• A falling star or a shooting star is lucky because it is rare to see one and you should make a wish after seeing one as it will be granted.
• A forked branch, held with a fork in each hand, will dip and point when it passes over water
• A horseshoe hung in the bedroom will keep nightmares away.
• A loaf of bread should never be turned upside down after a slice has been cut from it.
• A lock of hair from a baby’s first haircut should be kept for good luck
• A peculiar noise heard three times in succession at night, means someone will die. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers’ Project Collection.)
• A person cannot drown before going under three times
• A rabbit’s foot brings good luck
• A sailor wearing an earring cannot drown
• A sharks tooth is said to have protective and healing powers. They are also said to bring good luck.
• After receiving a container of food, the container should never be returned empty
• Amber beads protect against illness
• An acorn at the window can keep lightning out of the house
• An acorn brings good luck and ensures a long life
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away
• An itchy palm means money will come your way
• Animals can talk at midnight on Christmas Eve
• At the end of a rainbow is a pot of gold
• Cats go crazy when a death occurs in their environment and consequently are kept out of the house on such occasions. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers’ Project Collection.)
• Clothes worn inside out will bring good luck
• Cold hands, warm heart
• Counting two crows brings luck
• Crossing your fingers helps to avoid bad luck and helps a wish come true
• Dream of running: a sign of a big change in your life.
• Dropping an umbrella on the floor means that there will be a murder in the house.
• Eating fish makes you smart
• Entering a frog into the house brings good luck
• Evil spirits cannot harm you when you are standing in a circle
• For good luck, wear new clothes on Easter
• Friday the thirteenth is an unlucky day
• Garlic protects from evil spirits and vampires
• Goldfish in the pond bring good luck
• If a bird flies into your house a death will occur.
• If a black cat crosses your path you will have bad luck
• If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.
• If a clock which has not been working suddenly chimes, there will be a death in the family.
• If a friend gives you a knife, you should give him a coin, or your friendship will soon be broken.
• If a mirror in the house falls and breaks by itself, someone in the house will die soon.
• If the bottom of your feet itch, you will make a trip
• If the first butterfly you see in the year is white, you will have good luck all year.
• If the groom drops the wedding band during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed.
• If the palm of your right hand is itchy, then it foretells that money is coming to you, but DON’T scratch it as that stops the money from coming!
• If two forks are laid at a plate with no knife you will be invited to a wedding. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers’ Project Collection.)
• If you blow out all of the candles on your birthday cake with the first breath you will get whatever you wish for
• If you break a mirror, seven years of bad luck will follow.
• If you carry a hoe, spade, or shovel in the house, you must carry it out the same door you came in by, or a death will follow. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers’ Project Collection.)
• If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn you will not catch a cold all winter.
• If you count the number of rigs in a funeral procession you will soon have a death in your own family. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers’ Project Collection.)
• If you drop a dish towel on the floor, a worse housekeeper than yourself is coming to visit you. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers’ Project Collection.)
• If you drop a fork, a man will come to visit you.
• If you drop spoon, a woman will come to visit you.
• If you peel an apple without breaking the peel i.e. cut around the apple so that the peel is in one long piece, you should throw the peel to the ground and if it lands in the shape of a letter of the alphabet then it is the initial of the person you will marry.
• If you shiver, someone is casting a shadow on your grave
• If you sweep under someone’s feet, they will never marry.
• If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck
• If your ears itch or burn, someone is talking about you.
• It is bad luck to chase someone with a broom
• It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match.
• It is bad luck to sing at the table



• It is bad luck to sleep on a table
• It is unlucky to rock an empty rocking chair
• It’s bad luck to leave a house through a different door than the one used to come into it.
• Never begin a task on a Friday that you can’t finish that week, or expect ill. (Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers’ Project Collection.)
• Never say “thank you” when someone gives you a plant or it will die.
• Never take a broom along when you move. Throw it out and buy a new one.
• Our fate is written in the stars
• Pictures or statues of elephants that face a door bring good luck
• Smell dandelions, wet the bed
• Step on a crack, break your mother’s back
• The cross serves as good luck and a symbol to ward off evil and protect the person who bears it.
• The number seven is a lucky number all over the world and is important in world religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.
• The wedding veil protects the bride from the evil eye
• To break a mirror will bring you seven years bad luck
• To cure a sty, rub it with a gold wedding band
• To dream of a lizard is a sign that you have a secret enemy.
• To drop a dishcloth means bad luck is coming
• To drop a fork means a woman will visit
• To drop a knife means a man will visit
• To drop a spoon means a child will visit
• To find a four-leaf clover is to find good luck
• To find a horseshoe brings good luck
• To find a penny heads up, brings good luck
• To give someone a purse or wallet without money in it will bring that person bad luck
• To have a wish come true using a wishbone, two people make a wish, then take hold of each end of the bone and pull it until it separates. The person with the longer end gets his or her wish
• To kill an albatross is to cause bad luck to the ship and all upon it
• To make a happy marriage, the bride must wear: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
• To open an umbrella in the house is to bring bad luck
• To refuse a kiss under mistletoe causes bad luck
• To wear new clothes on the Easter Sunday brings good luck
• Toads cause warts
• Two deaths in the community will be followed by a third.
• Warm hands, cold heart
• Washing a car will bring rain
• Wearing an opal when it is not your birthstone is bad luck
• Wearing your birthstone will bring you good luck
• When a dog howls, death is near
• When you peel an apple say the alphabet and the letter that you are on when the peel breaks is the initial of the person that you will marry.
• When your palm itches, you will come into some money.
• You can break a bad luck spell by turning seven times in a clockwise circle
• You must get out of bed on the same side you got in on or you will have bad luck
• You should never start a trip on Friday or you will meet misfortune.

 
Are you familiar with any of these good and bad luck superstitions? Do you believe in any of them?

Copyright © SuperstitionLane.com

 



 

Bad Luck Question



Robert asks in 2011…

Is it considered bad luck to write now in next year’s diary?

Not appointments but addresses and birthdays?



Suzi Q answers:

Just addresses and birthdays? No problem.

Question powered by Yahoo! Answers



* Superstitions come from various books and websites. Accuracy not guaranteed.

 

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