Superstitions Decoded: Why We Believe Them

1. Sweeping at Night

We’ve all heard the warning, don’t sweep after sunset or you’ll sweep away wealth. In truth, before electricity, people risked losing coins or jewelry while cleaning in the dark. What was once practical advice slowly turned into a warning of “bad luck.”

2. Black Cat Crossing Your Path

Black cats have carried a bad reputation for centuries. In Europe, they were linked with witches, while in India, travelers stopped when a cat crossed, fearing danger ahead. Pausing probably protected them from accidents or robbers, but the poor cat got blamed instead.

3. Knocking on Wood

When we say something hopeful “I won’t fall sick this year” we often add “touch wood!” This came from the ancient belief that trees had protective spirits. Knocking on wood was a way to ask for safety. Today, it’s just a small ritual that makes us feel secure.

4. Cutting Nails at Night

Parents often scold kids for clipping nails after dark, saying it brings misfortune. The reason? Before lights, people used sharp blades to cut nails and doing it in the dark often caused cuts or infections. What started as safety advice became superstition.

5. Walking Under a Ladder

It’s said to bring misfortune, and in Christianity it symbolized breaking the sacred triangle of the Holy Trinity. But practically, walking under ladders is dangerous tools can fall, or the ladder itself could slip. This superstition is one worth following for safety alone!

6. Throwing Coins into Water

We toss coins into rivers and wells hoping for good luck. But long ago, coins were made of copper, which purifies water and kills bacteria. It was actually a way to keep drinking water clean. Science slowly turned into ritual, and ritual became belief.

7. Lemon and Chilies at the Door

Many Indian shops and homes hang a string of lemon and chilies at the entrance. The belief is that it drives away evil spirits. But in reality, the sourness of lemon and the spice of chilies repel insects. It was once a natural insect repellent, given extra power by superstition.

8. Opening Umbrellas Indoors

“Don’t open an umbrella inside, it’ll bring bad luck.” This probably came from the fact that old umbrellas had sharp edges. Opening them in small houses could break things or hurt someone. A practical warning turned into a superstition over time.

9. Friday the 13th

In Western culture, Friday the 13th is feared as unlucky. Friday was the day Jesus was crucified, and the number 13 was considered incomplete compared to 12 (months, disciples, zodiac signs). Over centuries, stories and movies turned this belief into legend.

10. Wishing on a Shooting Star

One of the most beautiful superstitions says that if you see a shooting star, make a wish and it will come true. Ancient people saw shooting stars as rare, magical events, moments when heaven and earth connected. Whether it works or not, it’s a tradition that keeps hope alive.